The foyer is often a space we really want to love, but just don’t have time or energy to invest in it. It’s a high traffic area where people come and go but seldom linger. We swoon over pictures in magazines that portray elegant entrances and big statements of welcome and comfort and we wonder “How could I ever pull this off?”
I’m here to tell you it’s not as hard as it looks! You can have an inviting, beautiful foyer with just a few well-placed elements. And it doesn’t have to be expensive to do it!
7 ways to create an inviting foyer
1} A welcoming impression
Front Porch decor can take several forms, but the idea is to welcome visitors before they even see you. Adding a seasonally appropriate wreath or door hanging, plants or a sign on one side of the door, and a crisp door mat are all ways to ensure guests and visitors are comfortable before ever stepping foot inside.
2} A well-lit entrance
Ample lighting is important when inviting people inside your home. If you don’t have abundant natural lighting in your foyer, a hanging light fixture or even lamp lighting will ensure guests don’t feel like they are stepping into an cave.
3} Take your shoes off and stay a while
Providing a boot tray, basket, bin, or even just a space under a bench for friends to ditch their shoes has two purposes:
- It lets guests know they are welcome to get comfortable.
- It helps keep dirt from being tracked through the house.
4} A place to set your bag
A bench, chair or even a cool church pew gives guests a convenient place to set bags and purses while they visit. It’s pretty easy to find benches these days, and the more unique the better! Just remember if you don’t like the way it looks you can always paint it.
5} Hooks for hanging
Hang hooks above your bench for coats, hats, or purses. Hanging hooks saves valuable floor space, especially in high traffic areas like the foyer.
You could also look for a cool old coat rack to refinish if wall space is an issue in your foyer.
6} One last look
Hanging a mirror in the entry space allows for a quick glance before heading out the door. Do I have spinach in my teeth? Well, no I don’t because I checked my teeth at the door.
See how simple that was??
7} Add your own flare
Sometimes I work so hard on a space to get it “just so” that I forget a simple but incredibly important detail: adding things that reflect who I am. Whether that’s incorporating a favorite color, family photos, or some piece of memorabilia that is special to you and/or your family always include things that speak of your style, family, values, and favorites.
You are not a name brand, so don’t ever feel pressured to make your home look just like page 12 of a catalog with things you don’t even care about. The best way to create an inviting foyer is to make it yours.
What are your favorite foyer elements? What makes you feel welcome when you step into someone else’s home?
