A great entryway can set the tone for the visual delights your home has to offer. Whether you want to impress visitors, buyers or simply treat yourself to a lift, creating a splash at the entrance will make you appreciate your home when you leave and when you come back.
This stunning foyer, photo courtesy of Sico Paints, is definitely an eye-catcher. A simple splash of effervescent colour can change the entire look and feel of a boring entrance. In our sample photo, the flood of natural light and abundance of white surfaces help balance the strong colour.
You'll want to choose a colour that fits the layout, lighting and size of your foyer. If your entryway is small and closed in, a dark colour might make the space too dim. Also, in a tight space, being that physically close to a wall that boasts strong colour can be visually overwhelming. As you can see in our sample photo, the foyer is an open-concept, so the bit of strong colour doesn't overwhelm.
In tight quarters, you'll want to opt for fresh colours, such as yellow, light hues of blue or green. Don't forgo colour altogether. Plain white can be boring. If you're worried about using colour in a small foyer, you can always opt to paint the doors and trim in a lively colour rather than the walls. A colourful throw rug can bring the look together.
One doesn't spend a lot of time in a foyer so you can be a little bold with colour and concept if the foyer doesn't detract from the rest of the home. For example, the foyer in our feature photograph can probably be seen from the family room, so it should co-ordinate with other areas in the vicinity. You'll want to view the foyer from various angles in the home to ensure it's going to flow.
Lighting
The light fixture in our feature foyer is fun and youthful. While it isn't exactly in the foyer, it's part of the overall design of the entryway. A great light fixture can go a long way to updating a boring foyer and can add additional light if your current fixture isn't cutting it. Go big. A large drum shade, chandelier or something else grand and glitzy can make a great first impression.
Function
The entrance is usually a place where coats, mitts, hats, shoes and umbrellas need a home. Built-in shelving suited for your specific needs can keep things in order. A great storage bench will not only enhance the foyer but can be used to store similar items out of site. A storage bench is also a great place to sit and don or remove footwear. There's nothing more frustrating than trying to balance as you remove soiled footwear while standing. Decorative coat hooks are another option and can hold everything from jackets to backpacks. Find something unique to suit your decor style. Unusual items, such as dock cleats in a nautical decor, for example, can make the space distinctive and fun.
Mirrors can add dimension, additional reflective light and decoration to the entryway. Again, scale can play a big role here. An oversized mirror will present a feeling of grandeur and space. Find vintage decorative mirrors with frames that can be painted to suit your palette. A round, porthole-styled mirror could work with the nautical theme mentioned above; a traditional mirror flanked by two sconces will provide symmetry; and so on. If your entryway doesn't have windows, you can create the illusion by putting mirrored tiles in an old window frame and hanging it on the wall.
If you don't want to create a permanent change with paint you can still create tons of drama in other ways. Wallpaper is still an easy DIY update that can be done in a short time in a small space like a foyer. You can wallpaper the entire area or create interest by creating faux wall panels with wallpaper and trim. A boring door can be enhanced with wallpaper cutouts. Create a design with wallpaper or even faux door panels. Depending on what kind of wallpaper you find, you could have a lot of fun with this small project. You will only need a bit of wallpaper to make a quick change, so check out the clearance bins for end rolls and remnants.
You can make other non-permanent updates with window treatments on the front door, throw rugs and wall art. If your door doesn't have a window, you can still create the illusion by installing a small window curtain on the door. For steel doors, there are magnetic rods that will do the trick. Sometimes a little fabric can soften the look of a stark space while adding colour, pattern and texture.
Make a splash with your entryway and set the tone for the new year.
connieoliver@shaw.ca
