I’ll be real with you: I can speedrun a raid, analyze a meta, and min-max a loadout without breaking a sweat, but for years my entryway was straight-up throwing the first impression game. My front door setup revolved around a tiny doormat that looked like a leftover prop from a beginner tutorial. As a professional gamer, I know the tutorial level matters—and your entryway is basically Level One of your home. Designer Erin Hackett from Village Design Studio put it better than I ever could: “Your entryway is more than just a pass-through. It’s the first and last impression your guests have of your home. It sets the tone, creates a feeling, and offers a glimpse into the style and energy that carries through the rest of your space.”

If that first impression is a puny mat that looks like it spawned there by accident, you’re starting the whole run on hard mode.

Hackett and her sister, Meghan Hackett Cassidy, have been running Village Design Studio together for nearly a decade. They share a design business and, apparently, the same pet peeve: the “too-small, utilitarian doormat that feels like an afterthought.” I felt personally attacked, honestly. A standard-sized doormat is the common enemy in most entryways, and the odds are high that one is lurking at your front door too.

Before you panic and rage-quit all floor coverings, hear me out. Doormats do serve a real purpose—they catch debris and collect moisture. But Hackett says there’s a better option that can do the same job without looking like a placeholder. “We always encourage clients to skip the standard-issue mat and instead invest in a beautiful, well-sized rug that fits the space and complements the rest of the home,” she says.

Think of it this way: a tiny mat is starter gear. It might get you through the first few minutes, but it’s never going to carry the endgame. A large rug, on the other hand, is the hidden legendary drop that defines the whole room. It can actually be more effective at collecting dirt and snow from boots, and it does it while looking polished.

“A larger rug not only helps define the entry but also adds warmth, texture, and a sense of intention,” Hackett says. “It should feel like part of the room, not just something tossed down to catch dirt.”

Now, material matters. Welcome mats are typically made of faux coir, which can take a beating. When choosing an area rug for the entry, Hackett looks for similar durability in materials like jute. That way you get the same hardworking performance with a lot more style. No more playing design on easy mode.

While I had Hackett on the line, I asked for bonus entryway tips. Her main takeaway? Less is more. “This hardworking space doesn’t need much to make a lasting impression,” she says. That was music to my efficiency-obsessed gamer brain. Instead of stacking a bunch of decor, remove items first and then follow a simple formula.

Here’s the speedrun strategy for a balanced entryway:

1. 🎮 Start with a slim, unobtrusive console table, ideally with storage.

2. 🪞 Hang a mirror above it. Hackett notes that a mirror offers a quick glance before you head out and helps bounce natural light around, opening up even the smallest vestibule.

3. 🪑 Add a bench or stool for sitting while putting on or taking off shoes.

4. 💡 Update the lighting with a fixture that adds instant character and matches the tone of the rest of your home.

5. 🧹 Finish with a durable, large area rug.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet for the visual learners:

At the end of the day, if something feels off in your entryway but you can’t put your finger on it, look down. That scrawny mat might be the culprit. In 2026, we have zero excuses to let a tiny afterthought tank our home’s first impression. A larger rug is a simple upgrade that levels up the whole space without a full renovation—and honestly, that’s a buff I’ll always take.