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It’s no secret that we’re all about curb appeal. We love our front lawns, our boxwoods, and our charmingly decorated porches. Who doesn’t love a polished home exterior? But there’s no point in knocking yourself out on the exterior if you don’t have a graceful transition into the interior of your home. What we mean to say is something you probably already know: your foyer matters. Proper entry hall decor can instantly make guests feel welcome while establishing the spirit of your home. Plus, it can be a small space full of practical storage solutions. It’s difficult to be a gracious host if you’re standing in a drab little nook, especially if a bit of foyer decor can transform that nook into a welcoming space. Not sure how to decorate your entry? We’ve gathered some of our favorite foyer decor ideas here for your inspiration. Whether it’s a cottage entry full of rustic charm with shiplap walls or a stylish and colorful, but functional space, there are an array of foyer decorating ideas here for you.
Make A Statement
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Rather than covering the walls of this entry with expensive wallpaper, the homeowner opted to frame a few panels to create a budget-friendly piece of art for an immediate wow-moment. Below, the pink velvet bench pulls its palette from the framed panels, helping anchor the hallway.
Layer In Character
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When renovating this 1,800 square foot cottage, homeowner Hanna Seabrook wanted to create rooms that were inviting, balanced, and easily convertible. Here, she pulled from her existing collection of furniture and accent pieces to create a layered and welcoming look to set the tone for the house.
Add A Fan-tastic Table Topper
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A few well-placed palms can make a pretty statement in a foyer or entryway. The structural shape of the palm fan is so dramatic that it can stand alone, but choosing the right vessel is important. Use a container that has an opening small enough to keep the heavy palms from going their own way. Trim one stem 1 to 2 inches shorter than the other so that fan will turn slightly while the longer-stemmed one will stand more upright.
Draw The Eye Up
This previously dark and dated entryway felt cramped and unwelcoming with its eight-foot ceilings. Without altering the height, designer Dana Gibson used new crown molding and a chandelier to draw your eye upwards, giving the illusion of taller ceilings. The height of the antique Virginia huntboard also helps the space that now sings with color.
Utilize Small Spaces
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This nook adds interest and color to the grand hallway. Tuck your favorite piece of furniture into an unexpected place to fill an otherwise blank corner. Add personality-filled accents on top.
Lighten It Up
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Painted in warm whites (Sherwin-Williams’ Marshmallow (SW 7001) on the walls and Farrow & Ball’s Wimborne White (No. 239) on the trim), the space feels light and bright, balancing the dark front door. The gold and brass accents provide a cohesive feel while the mirror helps open up the small foyer by reflecting the light from outside.
Focus On The Finish
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This dramatic entry by designer Allison Allen makes a statement with walls painted in Benjamin Moore’s Clinton Brown (HC-67). The high-gloss finish brings light to the darker-hued walls, giving the formal space a playful feel.
Lean On One Thing
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For small spaces, make a statement and bring in functionality with the right piece of furniture. This antique hall tree adds purpose and charm to the foyer.
Embrace The Setting
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The front door in this Lowcountry home opens to the pool area, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living. White shiplap adds to the coastal feel of the space.
Strike A Balance
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Without feeling matchy-matchy, designer Sarah Bartholomew used a pair of demilune consoles with lamps atop to frame the doorway leading to the dining room. Across the room, an inviting bench tucked beneath the stairwell adds a cozy feel to the open space.
Set The Tone
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A bold front door in Pratt & Lambert’s Premium Yellow sets a lively tone in this 1950s North Carolina ranch-style house. Inside, equally vibrant colors carry the energy throughout.
Play With Personality
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A welcoming bench is a wonderful way to greet guests and offer a spot for wayward items. This one came to be after homeowner Sarah Tucker admired her neighbor’s antique church pew. He surprised her by gifting her the treasured bench before moving into an assisted-living home. “I’ve never painted it because I’ve loved it just the way it came to me,” she says. “He told me he got it many years ago from one of the oldest churches in Bradenton.” It’s also a perfect complement to the wall color (Sherwin-Williams’ Sea Salt, SW 6204).
Be Bold With First Impressions
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Greet your guests with sophisticated style by combining shades from the same color family. Here, designer Charlotte Lucas mixed an intricate yet whimsical wallpaper with painted floors. The unique floral entry table centered under the chandelier grounds the open space, while the antique dresser creates a focal point.
Nod To Rustic Charm
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The space under your stairs doesn’t have to be wasted. An upholstered chair paired with a vintage chest provides a cozy landing spot near the front door in this farmhouse. Personal accents like this grouping of vintage trophies is inexpensive and rich with color and texture.
Be Confident With Color
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We love an exterior painted front door, but what about the inside? The exuberant purple of this diamanté-patterned front door works in contrast with the warm yellow hue of the walls. It also ties in nicely to the hanging lanterns that are subtly trimmed in matching purple velvet.
Go Geometric
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A bold foyer welcomes guests to this Palm Beach, Florida, pied-à-terre designed by mother-daughter duo Marjorie Johnston and Wendy Barze. Geometric-patterned walls and subtle coastal elements strike the perfect balance.
Embody Your Surroundings
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It’s not always important to make a big statement in the foyer, as this beachy one opens directly into the living room. Pairing dark wood with white walls adds just the right amount of drama.
Concentrate On A Theme
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Anything is fair game when you are searching for color inspiration. Here, the vibrant colors and X-pattern of this interior door are lifted from the jockey paintings.
Mix Furniture Styles
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Pairing antiques with modern pieces refreshes older items and gives a more collected, less-designed feel to any room.
Create A Nostalgic Feel
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Pairing heirlooms like a china set with exposed wood plank walls is a great way to add character to your point of entry. In this new-old home, oil-rubbed kerosene lanterns and antique objects nod to stories ready to be shared.
Devise Functional Style
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Just because you actually plan to use your entryway doesn’t mean it has to look cluttered or drab. These bright shades hide away bins of shoes and toys while adding a nice pop of color in this 1920s house full of personality.
Keep It Simple
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Though this home lacks a dedicated entryway, this pass-through space connects all the main living spaces, which meant creating a simple, but inviting area was especially important. The antique chest creates a focal point, while a patterned runner on the stairs and acrylic and brass light fixture let the personality of the homeowners peek through.
Establish A Mood
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Choose an overall color palette that plays well with the adjoining spaces. Here, a rug is a great way soften and define the space while bring in a touch of added color.
Highlight The Wallpaper
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Get major impact in small spaces with a lively print like this geometric pattern. Use sparingly to ensure the bold design doesn’t overwhelm your room.
Form A Cozy Spot
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This foyer serves as more than just a point of entry with a cozy reading nook tucked in beneath the staircase.
Use Reclaimed And Restored Pieces
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Mix found pieces to create unique furniture and accessories. This entryway combines a bench made from reclaimed wood beams and wrought iron fence materials paired with personal nature photographs framed in antique wood.
Incorporate Modern Touches
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Although the overall look and feel is traditional, the designer included a few minimalist elements for impact. The graphic staircase adds a sculptural wow factor right inside the front door. The wood-clad walls and exterior trim are coated in glossy white paint (Benjamin Moore’s Creamy White) to contrast with the rustic stone.
Lean Into The Season
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When decorating your house, consider the first thing guests will see when they come in the front door. Here, seasonal accents are seamlessly paired with distressed wood-framed photos.
Mix It Up
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Step inside the house’s foyer and it’s easy to see the homeowners’ decorating style is all about the mix—old with new, dark with light, plus bright, cheery color. This space is a cross-cultural mash-up of a white, carved Moroccan mirror; s subdued antique demilune table; and Chinese porcelain pottery. The classic blue-and-white scheme anchors the space, while a mercury glass lamp adds a bit of glint paired with Harwood Leaf Green wallpaper by Colefax and Fowler.
Evoke History
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Groupings of framed historic prints, hanging lanterns, and rich wood floors combine with white walls and neutral accents for the perfect mix of old and new in this classic entryway.
Keep It Quaint
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Forgoing hallways in this small cottage created space for a welcoming foyer. “Entries set the tone for and give a sense of prelude to a house,” says designer P. Allen Smith.
Be Inspired By Nature
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Unify the look of your entryway by grouping artwork in similar tones or feel. Here, nature pulls it all together.
Showcase Unexpected Accents
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Since the foyer is the first room that guests see as they enter your home, let your personality shine from the start by displaying favorite pieces. Whether it’s an antique mirror or even a mounted sculpture, your unique pieces can serve as great conversation starters.
