Some say their foyer is so small, why bother with
it at all? I have had others explain that their foyer is so grand
that it feels cold and uninviting, no matter what they do to it.
Whatever the size of your foyer, you should make the most of it!
There is no reason in the world, why your foyer shouldn't be stylish.
The tiniest of foyers can be made to feel grand. Likewise, the
grandest of foyers can have a sophisticated coziness.
Follow your heart! You can be as adventurous with
pattern and color as you desire in this room. You can get away
with it in the foyer, because remember you are only in this room
for brief periods of time. You'll want the room to have impact
and make a statement. Of course, keeping in mind the spaces your
entry foyer may be linked to. This after all, is the space where
your guest will get a preview of the rooms to come. The goal is
to create a continuous flow, room to room, each space complimenting
the other.
Where do I start? What about the walls? What kind
of furniture should I use in the entry foyer? How should I accessorize
my foyer?
· Wall color should never be chosen strictly
according to the latest trends or home fashions. Instead, choose
colors that suit the character of your home.
· You should select a color that makes
you feel comfortable and happy.
· Choose a color that will give you a lift
when you come through the door after a long day.
· Textured, glazed or marbleizing walls
are an excellent choice. It's virtually impossible to see dirty
marks or fingerprints.
· Give your walls a kind of strie' effect
of three or four different shades by glazing any darker color
with a lighter one.
· Pastel or softer colors look better in
flat paint.
· Chocolate brown or very dark colors,
I think look better with a little shine to them. The satin or
semi finish will keep them from looking dreary by reflecting
light around the room.
· Painting is the most cost effective way
to give your room lots of impact.
· You may want to select a striking wallpaper
pattern in keeping with the color scheme of the rest of the
home. Stripes are great for adding volume and height.
· If you choose wallpaper with lots of
pattern, you will have very little need for pictures or artwork
· When choosing wallpaper, don't assume
that a small foyer should be papered with an equally small printed
design. Some of the prettiest foyers I've been in, were small
ones, where the paper chosen was large scale and very bold.
The effect was wonderful!
· The entry is the perfect spot for tromp
l'oeil. Possibly a mural of a Grecian urn or a large topiary.
· If your foyer lacks architectural interest,
secure an oversized decorative wall shelf or bracket on the
wall directly facing you as you walk through the door. I like
to place them on the wall at least five feet high or higher
depending on ceiling height. This is a great place to display
an elegant antique vase or urn. In a less formal setting you
may want to display a simple pot of trailing ivy to add softness.
This is also a great idea because it keeps your floor space
free of clutter.
· In a small foyer maximize the light and
make a tight area feel less cramped with a floor to ceiling
mirror.
· Your foyer may be a tiny space with only
a coat closet and no place to hang a mirror. So why not mirror
the closet door! This will make your space appear larger. Depending
on how your closet door is positioned, it may double a gorgeous
view of the outdoors.
· Sometimes foyers can be devoid of natural
light. You guessed it! Add a mirror! It's like having a window
where there isn't one. Thus, catching every trace of light,
bringing the space to life!
· In any foyer there is nothing more beautiful
than using a fine gilt framed mirror.
· Change out your old lighting fixture
and replace it with a new chandelier. This will improve the
rooms' light and add charm.
· Give attention to hardware in the room.
The switch plate cover for instance should be attractive. This
gives a sense of quality. Especially in the foyer. If you can't
afford to replace your switch plate cover that's okay, just
make sure that it blends in. If the walls are painted, paint
it to match. If they are papered, well you get the idea.
· If you are using a pricey rug in your
entry. Do what I do. Protect it with a small washable throw
rug. Covering the spot most traveled on a daily basis. Then
for special occasions stow the throw rug in the closet. Meanwhile,
the better rug will stay clean.
· No space for a rug? Paint an interesting
design on the floor. There are a wide variety of stencils that
you can use if you do not consider yourself an artist. Be sure
to use a sealer topcoat to ensure your painted design holds
up to heavy traffic and will clean up easily.
· A plant stand made of wood; wicker or
iron with a luscious green fern is a gracious look.
· Why not use the foyer as a tiny art gallery?
Designate an entry hall area or wall where you can hang paintings
or pictures that are special to you.
· Hang a group of fine prints all framed
the same. The prints will stand out more, if the color of the
frames contrast with the wall color.
· A small chair may be all you need in
your foyer, providing a place for a visitor to rest. It also
serves as a temporary place for packages or anything you need
to put down as you come through the door.
· A narrow console table may be just the
ticket.
· A towering case clock is always great
in a foyer.
· Garden Statuary isn't just for the garden.
Bring it indoors! Be greeted by a life size statue. Depending
on your budget you could select from concrete, resin, marble
or bronze.
· Use an oversized urn with a sprawling
palm tree.
· A 19th century Victorian Hall Tree in
the right home would be beautiful and functional. An antique
store would be the best place to look for a piece like this
or better yet an auction or estate sale.
· Use a pair of corbels topped with marble
or a pair of iron supports topped with glass for a shelf to
hold a vase of flowers, keys and mail.
· Hang a tapestry on an iron rod and place
a garden bench beneath. The tapestry will add softness and texture.
The bench will not only be esthetically pleasing but functional
as well, serving as a place for removing shoes or simply a resting
place.
· If you have the ample room in your foyer,
using a chest or commode is an excellent choice. The top of
the chest gives you plenty of area to display your favorite
lamp or a pair of candlestick lamps. You may also want to accessorize
with a small collection of boxes or any other collection. I
love the idea of all the extra storage space you gain when using
a chest.
· I would also suggest a pair of occasional
chairs to flank the chest of drawers.
· I love to group, silver candlesticks
on foyer a table.
· A large crystal compote placed on any
foyer furniture piece looks fascinating. In the Spring, fill
it with fresh flowers
Summertime it can be filled with
loads of seashells
Fall, potpourri with your favorite scent
Christmas,
fill it with beautiful sparkling ornaments and in between seasons
it will look dazzling all by itself.
I have more ideas I'll share with you later! So
have fun decorating your foyer!
©Donna Jolean 2005 January For more ideas and
articles, please check Donna's site at Decorating
Ideas