So what does your foyer say about you? Is it bare and empty or is it cluttered and filled with shoes, backpacks and coats? Is it organized with a cubby for loose items or is it the place where the family dumps all of its belongings? And most importantly, what does this space say about you and the people who live in the house.
Let’s explore your foyer from a design perspective. The foyer is usually the first area that a guest or family member enters when they come to your home. The space often sets the tone for your entire home as traditional, modern, playful or dramatic. In designing a foyer I use the adjacent space as my design inspiration and use similar styles, patterns and colors to extend the space. Next, a foyer is a great place to add some drama such as a wallpaper or bright paint color that is an accent color in the coordinating room. Art and accessories that may be too large for a living room may have a home on an empty wall.
Don’t forget the need for functionality in a foyer. I usually add a table or shelf to hold keys and mail. Adding a lamp is important for safety and using a timer makes it more energy efficient than an overhead light. A rug will protect your floors from the elements and help define your space especially if it is open concept. Also, a chair or bench is perfect if you need a space to sit before putting on your shoes before leaving the house. Lastly don’t forget a mirror. I always like to check to see how my hair looks before I open the door to the mail carrier.
A foyer can be tricky to design if your family also uses this space as a loading/unloading area. Clutter control in your foyer can be handled with built in shelves, pegs and cubbies. If you want to add some style think about adding signage with fun chalk paint or painting the interior shelves a contrasting color. Try replacing the bench seat cover with a great fabric that coordinates with the rest of your home.
Julie
