In New York apartments, "entryway" means the 18 inches between the door and where your living room begins. Mine is technically a transition between outdoors and my couch. There is no buffer.
But there's a trick to making it feel like one anyway, and it costs less than $200 total.
The Console Table Trick
A narrow console table — I mean narrow, like 10–12 inches deep — creates a physical barrier that says "entry zone." Mine is 10 inches deep and 42 inches wide. It holds my keys, a plant, and a small bowl for mail. It doesn't eat any meaningful floor space but it completely changes the feel of walking in.
The Mirror and the Light
A round mirror above the console, and a wall sconce beside it (plug-in, adhesive mounted). The mirror reflects light from the sconce and makes the entryway feel like it has depth. The light itself creates a warm landing point for the eye when you walk in.
Guests always comment that my apartment has "a real entry." It's an illusion built from a $60 table and a lamp.
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