Interior Design Stories

Personal stories and tips from an interior designer

Personal stories and tips from an interior designer

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Foyer and Entryway

country style entryway with terracotta brick floor, white brick wall, repurposed wood console table decorated with table lamp and bowl, anchored by a round wall mirror

Now that you have simple refresh ideas, we’ll look at how you can decorate different parts of your home. We will start with the room that most people first see when they enter a house – the foyer or entryway.

The foyer is a transitional space usually applicable to larger homes, while it is called an entryway for smaller homes and open-floor plan spaces. For the sake of simplicity, we will call it a foyer in this post.

After a long day’s work, there is no better feeling than entering your front door and feeling the warmth of your home. The foyer is the first thing you’ll see, so it’s essential that this space is organized and designed correctly. This space is also a chance to make a good impression on your guests, as this can be a small preview of the rest of your house.

interior design of a traditional foyer with wood plank floor, white walls, vintage wood console table decorated with ornate candle holders, potted plant, and artwork
interior design of a foyer with leaf pattern wallpaper, wood floor, black console table with white table lamp and black vase, wall with black wood wall mirror
traditional style entryway with white paneled walls, wood floor with square persian rug, small wood side table with turning details decorated with vases, with a classic black metal drop light

FOYER CONSIDERATIONS

When decorating a foyer or any other room, here are several factors to consider:

  • Size of the space
  • The furniture pieces you want to place
  • Sources of light
  • Accessories that can add character
  • Practical usage and maintenance

SMALL FOYER

For a small foyer, you can create an illusion of space by using light-colored walls, mirrors, and ceiling-mounted lighting fixtures. Use neutrals like off-white, soft grays, and beiges for wall finishes, be it paint or wallpaper. But if you want something dark and dramatic, go for it as long as there is proper lighting! If you have someone who can do some basic carpentry, have them install simple wood panels or synthetic stone sheets made of PVC (which are slowly becoming a trend) to define the foyer, especially if you have an open layout.

FURNITURE

When selecting furniture pieces, choose items that are proportionate to the size of the space. Add a small console table to create a focal point and to place decorative and everyday items. Consider using a small bench or pair of ottomans that can double as storage for seating

ORGANIZATION

To keep things organized, put a coat and shoe rack, whatever is applicable where you live. Is the coat rack taking up too much floor space? Hang hooks on the wall instead. Choose a shoe rack made of durable material with multiple layers that can be stacked together. For people to pass through and open the door properly, keeping a substantial amount of space between pieces is necessary.

SMALL FOYER DESIGN IDEAS

minimalist interior design of a foyer with stone tile floor, gray painted wall, and wood entrance door, simple wood bench double as shoe rack, clothes and bags organized with wood dowels on wall
redesign of an entryway with wallpaper in black squiggly line pattern, beige walls, wood floor, wood console table decorated with stone vase and gold metal table lamp.
redesign of an entryway with wall clad in wood panels, low storage with drawers double as seating, full mirror, coat hanging on metal horizontal hook, floor with red persian rug

In our house, we leave our outdoor shoes in the foyer to keep the interior space clean. We have a small chair when wearing or removing shoes and a small side table to place our bags. The small side table is a huge thing for me because I always check my stuff in my bag multiple times before I leave for work. We also have a bucket for umbrellas to keep the floor from getting too wet during the rainy season.

LIGHTING

Lighting is also an important factor in a foyer. Consider the combination of general and ambient lighting. The soft glow from a table or floor lamp will set a gentle mood, while the general lighting lets you do your tasks easily. The same goes for the frames I mentioned in my previous post. Put a removable adhesive on the lamp’s base to keep it from falling off. No one wants to break a lamp in a dark room when they reach for the switch.

DECORATIVE ACCESSORIES

Limit the decorative accessories you will place, as they can easily crowd the space. You can hang small frames or a mirror, a bowl for your keys and some change (so you won’t be looking for your keys in your bag or the laundry when you’re running late), a small plant, or a vase of fresh flowers. Leave a writing space in the table if you have a console table for when you need to receive deliveries and sign some papers.

interior design of a foyer entryway with blue and orange wallpaper and wood floor, wood bench with throw pillows, accessorized by potted plant and landscape artwork

LARGE FOYER

For a larger foyer, you can create a grand entrance with a chandelier or sculptural pendant light that will be the highlight of the space, heavily paneled or patterned walls for drama, and statement furniture pieces.

Even if you have more space, the proportion of your furniture pieces still needs to be taken into account. Add more seating and tables if your lifestyle requires.

ZONING

Use an area rug to create zoning and anchor the pieces together. Another idea, though not necessarily new, is to have a table in the middle of the foyer and decorate it with a large vase with lush greenery, sculptural pieces, and candles. Ensure it is not too close to the door, is just enough size, and the accessories placed on it do not extend beyond the tabletop for people to pass through on both sides.

Hang a series of frames or a huge artwork. Lean to the wall a full-body mirror for a more relaxed approach. Add height with tall plants and floor lamps.

LARGE FOYER DESIGN IDEAS

large minimalist foyer with off-white smooth stone walls, arch openings, and gray floor, simple green color metal console table sparsely decorated with vase and wood bowl, with a green and white abstract artwork hanging on wall
stately foyer and a grand staircase with white paneled walls, wood herringbone floor, centerpiece of large black round wood table accessorized by handmade pots with lush fresh branches, black and white area rug

A well-designed foyer should also be practical and easy to maintain. This area is usually a high-traffic area, so consider using durable flooring. But since we’re just redecorating, use a large doormat instead that’s easy to clean and cover a large part of the floor to protect it. Door mats have come a long way, not just the old boring, plain rectangular shape. There are a lot of designs and shapes on the market right now that can be perfect for your style.

As I mentioned, this is the first thing you and your guests see when entering your house. Make sure to declutter regularly to keep the area clean!

What is your foyer’s current setup, and does it function well?

What do you plan to do for your foyer?