With summer in full swing, you’re likely welcoming friends and family for gatherings and having neighbors pop by to say hello. We all know that a foyer is where first impressions are made, but the irony of this space is that it’s also where you spend the least amount of time (and therefore it’s easy to neglect). To help you get the most out of your space and send a welcoming message to your guests, I’m sharing how I create fabulous foyers for my clients.

What I do: use statement pieces to make a dramatic impression. A foyer is not a place to play it safe. My designs tend to be bigger and bolder by focusing on unique art, interesting light fixture(s) and furniture such a bench or console to anchor the space. The most common mistake I see in foyers is inaccurate scale - items that are too small. If you don’t have one piece of art that is big enough to fill your main wall, consider a gallery wall. Mirrors are also a great option for an entryway as they help add light through reflectivity. In terms of style, an entryway is the perfect opportunity to let m y clients’ personalities and style sing.

What I do: connect the foyer style to the rest of your home. I aim to keep both the style and color palette consistent with the rest of the house while allowing for increased intensity and interest. To really elevate an entry, I often consider wallpaper or unique wall finishes that compliment the rest of the main floor spaces.

What I do: make sure the lighting is at its best. Natural light alone or a single bulb fixture are generally not be sufficient for a well-lit entry space. In addition, the light fixture in an entry space needs to make a good first impression. I also utilize layered lighting by aiming to incorporate a table, floor lamp or wall sconces in addition to a chandelier.

What I do: ensure the foyer isn’t a clutter magnet. Many of my clients have busy families and clutter is simply a normal part of daily life. Part of my redesign of an entry space is to help clients re-route the normal flow of items to the garage or another area that is further out of sight. If a house doesn’t have a traditional mud room, I help clients create a space dedicated for coming and going from near the garage or back entrance of the house, leaving the front door entry ready for receiving guests.

What I do: be intentional about function. I think about everything your guests might need to transition comfortably into and out of your home. Seating (such as a bench) for taking shoes on and off, a dedicated location for shoe placement/storage, and ample closet and hanger availability or a coat rack. The closet by the front door should appear to be a space dedicated to your guests and not overrun with personal items. I select rugs that look great while also being capable of withstanding dirt and debris that might get tracked in. In addition, I make sure there is an external rug that helps sweep the bottom of shoes clean before crossing the threshold.

What I do: ensure there’s a rug if you have tile or hardwood floors. Speaking of rugs, it’s generally a must have in a foyer. First of all, it’s essentially a piece of art laid on a horizontal plane. If you’re concerned about cleanability or have a low door sweep (not much distance between the bottom of the door and the floor), I consider a brand such as Ruggable for thinner options that are also washable. Second, it’s a good place to catch dirt, debris and moisture and prevent it from being tracked into the rest of your home. Third, as a high traffic area, a rug helps protect the longevity of the material underfoot. Without a rug, a hardwood or tile floor will get worn down prematurely. The most important thing to get right about a rug is making sure the size is appropriate for the space. There are a lot of irregularly shaped foyers out there, and my workaround for finding rugs is to have a piece of carpeting cut and bound to the specific size I need for my clients, or selecting an option from Ernesta, a great company that creates custom sized rugs.

What I do: show signs of life. What do I mean? Plants, flowers, and greenery. Studies show that connections to nature are calming and soothing - think views of water, forests or out towards a garden. But that applies to interiors, too. I always ensure there’s some kind of reference to nature (even if it’s preserved or dried botanicals or even faux plants).

If you’d like to work with me to redesign your foyer or entryway, please schedule a free Discovery Call with me!