A friend recently sold her expansive home during a significant upward spike in the housing market. “The realtor brought me an offer I couldn’t refuse,” she said. Then the heat was on to find another home. She had her eye on a unique condominium in her neighborhood, a corner unit created from the unification of two two-bedroom/two-bath apartments. The combined apartment is sprawling but with a confusing layout. As soon as my friend could take possession, a small local construction crew arrived to rip up the carpeting, steam off wallpaper, and open up walls.
A primary focus was the existing entryway, which she said had to go. “My plans are simple,” she said. “I want it to be welcoming, with light and the feeling of space.”
Architectural Digest, one of my favorite publications, recently published several entryway ideas to create a fantastic first impression. A foyer, as entryways used to be called, introduces your home’s personality and an opportunity to make your guests go “Wow.” Here are nine ways to refresh your entryway and create the first impression you want.
1. Figure out the function
The first step to take when redefining your entryway is determining how you envision the space being used. An entry is a transitional space from the outdoors to the indoors, but it also can be another place in your home where visitors feel comfortable lingering. Invite a little lingering by providing ample seating, even if it’s simply a bench or a comfortable chair to remove shoes and boots. A HomeSquare professional can help you design attractive seating that doubles as storage, handy for out-of-season gear to maximize your closet space.
2. Bring on the light
Maximize natural light by creating a skylight or installing a new front door that’s partly glass. Sidelights, glass panels around a traditional completely wood front door, also bring in natural light while maintaining privacy.
3. Define your color palette
Have some fun with your entryway, colorwise. Like your bathroom or powder room, nobody said it has to be done in the same color or colors used in the rest of your home. One thing you should think about is that the entryway is an opportunity to go dramatic. Choose an intense, deep-hued shade that gives you pleasure, like a deep marine blue, a Tuscany gold, or that Chinese red lacquer you’ve always secretly desired.
4. Entry or art gallery?
Your entryway is a natural place to display your favorite artwork or collection of antique prints. Or it can serve as a display space for favored knick knacks or travel treasures. Open shelving is a novel way to display an ever-evolving collection of crafts and artwork. Discuss with your HomeSquare professional what kind of ledge, rack, reef, or mantle might work best for you.
5. Get creative with your furnishings
Furniture in the entryway might seem impossible, especially if you’re used to entering your home through a narrow vestibule. This might be the time to bust down some walls and give your entryway more breathing room. No can do? Take heart that even the most petite foyer is enhanced with a floating shelf that is visually appealing and serves a practical purpose as a small safe place to rest keys or place outgoing mail. The right rug can transform the area. Choose one that’s easily cleanable, as this is where outside dirt and debris will collect. Ruggable, creators of machine washable, pet-proof, spill-proof rugs, has a wide selection of rugs to enhance and protect your floors. Consider furnishing your entry with a one-of-a-kind piece like a stellar old oak chest or hand-painted armoire for a big splash. Wood stools and fabric or leather-covered poufs are charming and practical ways to provide seating.
6. Is it an entry or really a full-scale room?
If your home has an expansive layout, your entryway might be significant. If you’ve got the space, add a center table, a fireplace, and a sleek daybed. In traditional estate-style homes, the foyer is expected to be a great and restful space, frequently furnished with several couches, divans, old Persian rugs, and chandeliers. Often including an oversized library table displaying the host’s spectacular collection of sterling silver and coffee table books. This look can easily be accomplished on a tiny scale with terrific overhead lighting, a pretty rug, and a Restoration Hardware leather “Professor” chair copied from a 1920’s English wing chair. Small in stature and grand in style, the chair’s frankly feminine proportions, and enveloping embrace make it the most popular seating in my house. Not to mention it fits perfectly in even the small foyer.
7. Bring in nature
You can’t go wrong designing and decorating your entryway with natural elements. I love natural stone flooring, reclaimed oak, and natural finishes. I have a soft spot for grass paper wall coverings and anything stone. If you can afford it, go with solid slab granite flooring. Nothing can hurt it.
8. Be fearless
The foyer is a great place to experiment with your style. Don’t be afraid to mix things up to create an eclectic experience. Highlight interesting architectural details that may already exist in your entryway, like a bronze door knocker, skylights, or even architectural columns. A striped cotton rug in vivid pistachio and cranberry hues from Dash & Albert sends a playful “Welcome Home” message and easily pops in the clothes washer. One of the great things about Dash & Albert rugs is no matter how frequently you wash them, they improve and get softer.
9. Add “Wow” to the front door
Last but not least, don’t forget about the door. A simple coat of paint can be genuinely transformative. I’m looking to have my own front door repainted shortly. It’s periwinkle blue now; I’m thinking next time, taxi cab yellow. Talk to your HomeSquare professional about scheduling your paint job. Pssst…they secretly are well-qualified color advisors who paint a lot of beautiful front doors.
Eve Marx
Eve Marx is a national journalist and book author. Follow her reflections on home design and interior style on Instagram at the hashtag #funkybeachhouseseasideror.