# Before and After: Entryway Makeover in a Chicago Apartment **URL:** \ **Category:** Before And After\ **Tags:** renovation\ **Created:** [January 7, 2026, 2:40pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/before-and-after-entryway-makeover-in-a-chicago-apartment/44616 "2026-01-07T14:40:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Defizyn](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/defizyn/32/12468_2.png) [@Defizyn](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Defizyn)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 2:40pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/before-and-after-entryway-makeover-in-a-chicago-apartment/44616/1 "2026-01-07T14:40:31Z")
This entryway update was done in a **Chicago apartment** , and it made a bigger difference than I expected. The space was narrow, poorly lit, and usually the first thing people complained about when walking in. **Before photo – dark and plane entryway**. ![1000022054](https://renovation-reviews.storage.googleapis.com/original/2X/f/f06723fa686ba5a39cd94872ee2ac1969d468bc7.jpeg) The plan was to repaint, replace the light fixture, and add a small shoe bench. During painting, I realized the wall had more dents than I thought, so I spent extra time filling and sanding. That wasn’t part of the original plan. **During renovation – painting and wall prep**. ![1000022052](https://renovation-reviews.storage.googleapis.com/original/2X/d/d347f702bc18cad1feb22c1bc7829ae4c5ac19f6.jpeg) Once the new light was installed, it completely changed how the space felt. I did install the bench slightly off-center at first and had to move it after stepping back and noticing it looked odd. **After photo – bright, clean entryway**. ![1000022053](https://renovation-reviews.storage.googleapis.com/original/2X/0/0558a2cef501408f968e49cacf1e7bc15b9b83cc.jpeg) ![1000022048](https://renovation-reviews.storage.googleapis.com/original/2X/4/4ec4c61900b02f5590d897c339537d9df0151882.jpeg) The finished entryway isn’t perfect. One patched spot is still visible if the light hits it just right, but overall it’s cleaner, brighter, and more welcoming. If you’re in **Chicago** and thinking of an easy before-and-after project, the entryway is a great place to start. 🚪 **Honest Reflection** Small spaces show mistakes quickly, but they also show improvements fast. ---
**Author:** ![Jonsnow](https://home.renovation.reviews/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@Jonsnow](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Jonsnow)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 3:24pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/before-and-after-entryway-makeover-in-a-chicago-apartment/44616/2 "2026-01-07T15:24:40Z")
What an amazing work u have done bro ---
**Author:** ![Kizzy1](https://home.renovation.reviews/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/4491bb/32.png) [@Kizzy1](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Kizzy1)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 6:32pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/before-and-after-entryway-makeover-in-a-chicago-apartment/44616/3 "2026-01-07T18:32:13Z")
I like how the author keeps the message straightforward ---
**Author:** ![Chick-asaw](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/chick-asaw/32/1735_2.png) [@Chick-asaw](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Chick-asaw)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 8:47am UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/before-and-after-entryway-makeover-in-a-chicago-apartment/44616/4 "2026-01-08T08:47:50Z")
Thanks for this information, ---
**Author:** ![ThomasWood](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/thomaswood/32/12461_2.png) [@ThomasWood](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/ThomasWood)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 6:49am UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/before-and-after-entryway-makeover-in-a-chicago-apartment/44616/5 "2026-01-09T06:49:34Z")
this makes sense for real ---
**Author:** ![Donaldxx](https://home.renovation.reviews/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/96bed5/32.png) [@Donaldxx](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Donaldxx)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 7:00pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/before-and-after-entryway-makeover-in-a-chicago-apartment/44616/6 "2026-01-09T19:00:16Z")
This is very insightful