One of the most often over-looked areas of your home is also one of the most important in setting the stage for creating a warm and inviting interior design. As homeowners, we rarely enter our own homes through our own front doors; rather we usually hop out of our cars in the garage and enter through that door.
I challenge you to walk up to your front door and enter your home the same way your guests do. What is the walkway like to the front door? Is it aesthetically pleasing or are you running into cobwebs and pots with dead flowers? What does your door mat look like? Does it speak to what is found on the other side of the door or is it worn out and tired looking?
Next is what you find as you cross the threshold and enter the home. The entryway or foyer is the most important place to set the stage of what visitors should expect to find beyond. I have found that many people do not give much consideration to this space. However, just like meeting people, you have one chance to make a first impression. I don’t agree with cluttering this area with a lot of knick-knacks but rather encourage my clients to consider a few well -chosen pieces that reflect their interior decorating style. Sorry, but a pile of shoes just inside the entrance does not make much of a statement. If you do prefer to remove shoes upon entering there are alternatives to organizing (and hiding) your footwear to avoid a cluttered mess. I don’t care for a coat rack in this area unless you have no alternative closet nearby that can be used.
Here are a few tips to help you set the stage:
1. Lighting: Consider adding some additional lighting other than the overhead chandelier. If you have an outlet in the foyer and room for an accent table or chest, this is a great place to put a lamp to create some warm and inviting lighting. Better yet, put the lamp on a timer so that it automatically turns on/off so you never arrive home to a dark home.
2. Area Rug: Include an appropriate sized area rug. Leave the mat for wiping feet outside. This interior rug should be of good quality (preferably wool) and echo the color scheme used throughout the surrounding areas.
3. Wall Hangings: This can be some great artwork or mirrors or a combination thereof. Remember, a few larger pieces work better than a lot of smaller ones. You are looking to make a statement. For some of the two-story foyers, don’t forget the very large (and bare) wall space above! Don’t shy away from a very large scale piece of art or tapestry if you have the space. I don’t recommend family photos in the foyer – save those for more personal spaces.
Avoid filling this area with too many pieces. Guests should be able to enter and walk through without avoiding obstacles. Remember, you are setting the stage and giving visitors a glimpse of what they might expect to find beyond. Just don’t stop there!
If you are feeling challenged with how to create an inviting foyer of your own, please give me a call because you deserve to Love Where You Live!
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