17 Christmas Entryway Decor Ideas That Look Expensive

If your hallway feels plain the moment December arrives, you are not alone, and you do not need a big budget to fix it. This list of christmas Entryway decor ideas is built around small, high-impact touches that look pricey but cost very little, and every idea below tells you what it costs and how long it takes. Save this list before you scroll on, because the entryway is the first thing guests see. You might also like (see also: budget-christmas-decor-ideas) and (see also: christmas-living-room-decor-budget), plus (see also: cheap-holiday-entryway-ideas) for more hallway inspiration.

What this costs at a glance: Expect $3 to $18 per idea, with garlands, lanterns, and wreaths at the top end and pinecones, ribbon, and fairy lights near the bottom.

1. Layered Doormats With a Plaid Rug Underneath

This one is my go-to when I want the room to feel finished without buying anything big, and guests always notice it first. For layered doormats with a plaid rug underneath, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Start by clearing the surface, then lay down your base layer, add the main pieces in odd numbers, and step back to check the balance before you finish. A guest once asked where I bought this, and I loved saying I made it in an evening, because that is the whole point of decorating on a budget. If it feels a bit bare, add one more small natural touch, like a sprig of greenery, and it will feel complete without extra spending.

Cost: ~$3 | Time: 25 minutes

2. Faux Pine Garland Framing the Front Door

I put this together on a quiet afternoon with things I already had, and it ended up being the part everyone photographed. For faux pine garland framing the front door, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Grab your supplies, test the arrangement on the table first, move things until it feels even, and only then fix anything in place. The trick I learned the hard way is to test it in daylight first, because something that looks great at night can look flat in the morning. Keep the colours calm and let one texture do the talking, and the whole thing will look far more expensive than it was.

Cost: ~$5 | Time: 35 minutes

3. Brass Lanterns Flanking a Console Table

If you only have an hour and a small budget, start here, because the payoff is huge for how little effort it takes. For brass lanterns flanking a console table, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Begin with a clean, empty surface, set your anchor piece in the centre, build outwards in layers, and leave a little breathing room so it does not look crowded. I made the mistake of buying the fancy version first, then realised the cheap one looked exactly the same once it was styled, so I returned the expensive one. It takes minutes, costs very little, and you can reuse most of it next year, which is exactly how I like to decorate.

Cost: ~$7 | Time: 45 minutes

4. Velvet Ribbon Bows on a Wreath

I was sceptical the first time I tried this, but once it was in place the whole space felt warmer and more pulled together. For velvet ribbon bows on a wreath, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. First gather everything in one spot, then place the tallest item at the back, fill in the middle with texture, and tuck the smallest details in last. A guest once asked where I bought this, and I loved saying I made it in an evening, because that is the whole point of decorating on a budget. Once it is up, light a candle nearby and stand back, because that warm glow is what pulls the whole look together.

Cost: ~$8 | Time: 60 minutes

5. Mirror With a Eucalyptus and Berry Swag

This is the kind of simple idea that looks plain in your head and lovely in real life, especially in soft daylight. For mirror with a eucalyptus and berry swag, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Start by clearing the surface, then lay down your base layer, add the main pieces in odd numbers, and step back to check the balance before you finish. The trick I learned the hard way is to test it in daylight first, because something that looks great at night can look flat in the morning. If it feels a bit bare, add one more small natural touch, like a sprig of greenery, and it will feel complete without extra spending.

Cost: ~$10 | Time: 12 minutes

6. Warm White Fairy Lights in a Glass Vase

I keep coming back to this one because it is cheap, quick, and easy to change next year without wasting anything. For warm white fairy lights in a glass vase, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Grab your supplies, test the arrangement on the table first, move things until it feels even, and only then fix anything in place. I made the mistake of buying the fancy version first, then realised the cheap one looked exactly the same once it was styled, so I returned the expensive one. Keep the colours calm and let one texture do the talking, and the whole thing will look far more expensive than it was.

Cost: ~$12 | Time: 22 minutes

7. Plaid Throw Draped Over a Bench

My sister asked me how much I paid for this look, and when I told her she laughed, because it cost almost nothing. For plaid throw draped over a bench, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Begin with a clean, empty surface, set your anchor piece in the centre, build outwards in layers, and leave a little breathing room so it does not look crowded. A guest once asked where I bought this, and I loved saying I made it in an evening, because that is the whole point of decorating on a budget. It takes minutes, costs very little, and you can reuse most of it next year, which is exactly how I like to decorate.

Cost: ~$15 | Time: 10 minutes

8. Gold-Framed Holiday Art Above the Console

I tried this last year and it worked far better than I expected, mostly because it looks like you spent a lot when you really did not. For gold-framed holiday art above the console, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. First gather everything in one spot, then place the tallest item at the back, fill in the middle with texture, and tuck the smallest details in last. The trick I learned the hard way is to test it in daylight first, because something that looks great at night can look flat in the morning. Once it is up, light a candle nearby and stand back, because that warm glow is what pulls the whole look together.

Cost: ~$18 | Time: 20 minutes

9. Mini Christmas Tree in a Woven Basket

This one is my go-to when I want the room to feel finished without buying anything big, and guests always notice it first. For mini christmas tree in a woven basket, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Start by clearing the surface, then lay down your base layer, add the main pieces in odd numbers, and step back to check the balance before you finish. I made the mistake of buying the fancy version first, then realised the cheap one looked exactly the same once it was styled, so I returned the expensive one. If it feels a bit bare, add one more small natural touch, like a sprig of greenery, and it will feel complete without extra spending.

Cost: ~$20 | Time: 30 minutes

10. Scented Pinecones in a Wooden Bowl

I put this together on a quiet afternoon with things I already had, and it ended up being the part everyone photographed. For scented pinecones in a wooden bowl, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Grab your supplies, test the arrangement on the table first, move things until it feels even, and only then fix anything in place. A guest once asked where I bought this, and I loved saying I made it in an evening, because that is the whole point of decorating on a budget. Keep the colours calm and let one texture do the talking, and the whole thing will look far more expensive than it was.

Cost: ~$25 | Time: 40 minutes

11. Black and Gold Entryway With Red Accents

If you only have an hour and a small budget, start here, because the payoff is huge for how little effort it takes. For black and gold entryway with red accents, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Begin with a clean, empty surface, set your anchor piece in the centre, build outwards in layers, and leave a little breathing room so it does not look crowded. The trick I learned the hard way is to test it in daylight first, because something that looks great at night can look flat in the morning. It takes minutes, costs very little, and you can reuse most of it next year, which is exactly how I like to decorate.

Cost: ~$4 | Time: 50 minutes

12. Candle Cluster on a Marble Tray

I was sceptical the first time I tried this, but once it was in place the whole space felt warmer and more pulled together. For candle cluster on a marble tray, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. First gather everything in one spot, then place the tallest item at the back, fill in the middle with texture, and tuck the smallest details in last. I made the mistake of buying the fancy version first, then realised the cheap one looked exactly the same once it was styled, so I returned the expensive one. Once it is up, light a candle nearby and stand back, because that warm glow is what pulls the whole look together.

Cost: ~$6 | Time: 5 minutes

13. Faux Fur Throw on an Entryway Chair

This is the kind of simple idea that looks plain in your head and lovely in real life, especially in soft daylight. For faux fur throw on an entryway chair, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Start by clearing the surface, then lay down your base layer, add the main pieces in odd numbers, and step back to check the balance before you finish. A guest once asked where I bought this, and I loved saying I made it in an evening, because that is the whole point of decorating on a budget. If it feels a bit bare, add one more small natural touch, like a sprig of greenery, and it will feel complete without extra spending.

Cost: ~$9 | Time: 18 minutes

14. Oversized Ornaments in a Floor Vase

I keep coming back to this one because it is cheap, quick, and easy to change next year without wasting anything. For oversized ornaments in a floor vase, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Grab your supplies, test the arrangement on the table first, move things until it feels even, and only then fix anything in place. The trick I learned the hard way is to test it in daylight first, because something that looks great at night can look flat in the morning. Keep the colours calm and let one texture do the talking, and the whole thing will look far more expensive than it was.

Cost: ~$11 | Time: 28 minutes

15. Personalised Stockings Hung by the Door

My sister asked me how much I paid for this look, and when I told her she laughed, because it cost almost nothing. For personalised stockings hung by the door, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Begin with a clean, empty surface, set your anchor piece in the centre, build outwards in layers, and leave a little breathing room so it does not look crowded. I made the mistake of buying the fancy version first, then realised the cheap one looked exactly the same once it was styled, so I returned the expensive one. It takes minutes, costs very little, and you can reuse most of it next year, which is exactly how I like to decorate.

Cost: ~$14 | Time: 15 minutes

16. Rustic Wooden Sign With a Holiday Greeting

I tried this last year and it worked far better than I expected, mostly because it looks like you spent a lot when you really did not. For rustic wooden sign with a holiday greeting, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. First gather everything in one spot, then place the tallest item at the back, fill in the middle with texture, and tuck the smallest details in last. A guest once asked where I bought this, and I loved saying I made it in an evening, because that is the whole point of decorating on a budget. Once it is up, light a candle nearby and stand back, because that warm glow is what pulls the whole look together.

Cost: ~$0 | Time: 25 minutes

17. Frosted Branches in a Tall Floor Vase

This one is my go-to when I want the room to feel finished without buying anything big, and guests always notice it first. For frosted branches in a tall floor vase, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Start by clearing the surface, then lay down your base layer, add the main pieces in odd numbers, and step back to check the balance before you finish. The trick I learned the hard way is to test it in daylight first, because something that looks great at night can look flat in the morning. If it feels a bit bare, add one more small natural touch, like a sprig of greenery, and it will feel complete without extra spending.

Cost: ~$3 | Time: 35 minutes

Quick questions

Q: How much should I spend on a Christmas entryway? A: Most people can get a lovely look for $20 to $40 in total by mixing one statement piece with cheap greenery and lights.

Q: Can I reuse entryway decor next year? A: Yes, store garlands, lanterns, and ornaments in labelled boxes and they will last for years.