How to Fix a Dark, Cramped Entryway (And Why Staircases Matter More Than You Think)

Your entry sets the tone for your entire home.

If it feels dark, tight, or awkward?
The rest of the house struggles too.

Before the Firehouse rebuild, this staircase was:

• Narrow

• Steep

• Poorly positioned

• Blocking natural light

It felt like an afterthought.

After the fire, we had a clean slate.

Move the Staircase (If You Can)

Relocating the staircase completely changed the entry experience.

We designed:

• White oak treads

• Matching risers (no painted contrast)

• Black metal spindles for openness

• A warm wood handrail

Keeping the risers and treads consistent created a cleaner, more sophisticated look.

The wider footprint also solved a very practical issue: moving furniture and luggage without stress.

Function first. Beauty second. Always.

Let Light Travel

The open railing allows natural light to pass through instead of stopping abruptly.

If you’re wondering:
“Why does my entry feel dark?”
Look for visual barriers.

Solid railings. Bulky newel posts. Poor sightlines.

Open materials create breathing room.

Adding a Custom Office Without Killing Flow

We also created a fully custom office just off the entry.

The key move? A light-sharing pocket door:

• Open = connection.

• Closed = privacy.

We built a wall-to-wall custom stone desk supported with framed metal studs for strength. Two white oak drawers keep storage hidden.

It cost roughly the same as high-end retail furniture—but fits the space perfectly.

Custom isn’t always more expensive.
Sometimes it’s just more intentional.

SHOP THE LOOK
We've carefully selected a range of our favorite items to help you achieve this look, offering options at various price points. Subscribe to our newsletter, ‘Nest’ by Teal and Scott, to get our favorite picks straight to your inbox!

HELPFUL LINKS

• If you missed it, watch our YouTube video: The Story of Firehouse.

• Follow us on YouTube for more design education and behind-the-scenes content!