When we moved into our home, the front entryway was a mixed bag: charming original tilework that begged for attention, a light fixture we replaced right away (the old one was just not it), and pink wallpaper that had seen better days—probably sometime in the late ’80s. Fast forward to today, and we finally decided to roll up our sleeves and give this little space the spotlight it deserves. Spoiler alert: we’re smitten with how it turned out.
A Color Palette That Lets the Tile Shine
The original tile floors were the star of the show from the beginning. We knew we wanted to keep their beauty front and center, so the first order of business was picking out paint colors to complement them. After a few swatches (and a lot of indecision), we landed on Behr’s Intellectual (a deep, moody blue) for the trim and beadboard and Chic Taupe for the walls. These colors play so beautifully with the tile that it’s like they were made for each other.
Goodbye, peeling pink wallpaper. Hello, elevated elegance.
Adding Depth and Character
The space itself is small but mighty, so we decided to give it a little extra depth by adding beadboard and trim to the walls. It’s amazing what a difference this made. Not to get too poetic, but the texture and detail the beadboard adds are just chef’s kiss.
For those interested, we sourced all our materials from Home Depot—though Amazon has similar styles if that’s more your vibe. Want a full step-by-step guide on how we added this trim? View our full guide now on Adding Beadboard to Our Entryway.
Scrubbing and Polishing: The Floor Glow-Up
Once the walls were painted and beadboard was installed, it was time to give the floors some love. These tiles have been around for decades, and they deserved a proper polish to bring out their rich colors. Armed with a scrub brush attachment for our drill and a floor polish product that worked wonders, we got to scrubbing—and let me tell you, it was so satisfying to see those tiles come back to life.
Storage and Functionality Upgrades
Because this is the first stop for snow boots, muddy shoes, and everything in between, functionality was key. We added:
- A coat rack for more storage.
- Baskets to make our tiny coat closet more usable (goodbye, random clutter).
- A door mat tough enough to handle snow, salt, and mud—because Minnesota winters don’t mess around.
Recently, I was talking to a neighbor who has a very similar styled house to us and he said this, it isn’t always about renovation with these old houses, its about restoration. That really resonated with me. By polishing up the original tile and choosing colors and finishes that complement its charm, we’ve restored this space in a way that feels both functional for our family and true to the soul of our home.
Our front entryway now feels like the perfect welcome into our home: timeless, functional, and full of personality. Whether you’re tackling a similar project or just dreaming about one, let this be your reminder that sometimes, the smallest spaces can have the biggest impact.
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts or see how you’re restoring the spaces you love most in your home. Let’s keep celebrating the beauty of traditional homes—one project at a time.
Want to see more products used in this project? Head over to our Shop with Us page to see the full list and learn more about the pieces that make our space special.
Love of Luverne 
Leave a comment