Making an entrance: 20 inspiring entryways

The dining room and entry hallway of this Midcentury Mandeville Canyon home were revamped to bring light in. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Feb. 11, 2015 4:03 PM PT

A home’s entrance can make a statement courtesy of distinctive architecture or arresting decorative elements. Here, we offer samples of both from past Homes of The Times profiles. For more home tours, go to www.latimes.com/home/hometours.

A portion of the mudroom in a Sherman Oaks ranch house. The mail slot shown here is tucked out of view of the entryway, conveniently hiding the daily drop. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

In this Santa Monica entry, color, pattern and art combine to dramatic effect. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Views of the backyard can be seen from inside this hacienda-style home’s entryway. (Bryan Chan / Los Angeles Times)

This entryway features elaborate marble inlaid into the walls and ceiling and a wooden hand-detailed rail at the top of stairs. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

A white curved porte cochere leads to the entrance of this home overlooking Santa Monica Canyon. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

A scooter is parked inside the front door of this concrete and metal two-story home in Cardiff by the Sea. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A vintage hot air balloon lamp hangs in the entryway of a Hollywood Hills home. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Four framed photographs (three by Danny Lyon and one by Stephen Shore) decorate the entryway of this Hollywood Hills home. (Don Kelsen / Los Angeles Times)

Red oak wood panel walls line the front entryway of this Long Beach home. (Nancy Pastor / For the Times)

At night, a view of the pool can be seen from the second-floor entryway of this Pasadena home. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Looking from the entryway, a sculptural staircase separates the foyer and the living and kitchen area of this Venice home. (Katie Falkenberg / For the Times)

The entryway of this 1920s house was updated for modern living. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

This entryway features an archway with wallpaper that leads into the living room. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Built-in shoe racks line the entryway of this Brentwood family home. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

The entryway of this Rustic Canyon home features a Midcentury wall rug at left and native Alaskan Tlingit crafts. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)