Artwork adds life to entryways, foyers

The entryway of your home is for more than just comings and goings. It’s often the first impression visitors will have of your space. And since it’s not quite a room, not quite a hallway, sometimes the space gets left untended. But, whether your entryway is spacious or cramped, there are some simple ways to spruce it up.

We’ve dug through the Private Quarters archives to round up some of the most stand-out entryways and foyers in metro Atlanta that we’ve featured throughout the years. We’re also here to share some tips on adding some life, and functionality, to an entrance.

Make a statement

Your entryway is your first chance to make a statement about your home. Homeowners can make a first impression with a distinct piece of art or a pop of color. The magazine the Family Handyman notes an entryway is a good place to put a large piece of art to showcase.

“Center your piece where visitors will immediately see it, and keep tables and other items to a minimum so they don’t distract,” according to the magazine.

You can also accomplish a similar effect with a painted front door or accent wall.

In Paola and Jeff Roder’s Johns Creek home, featured earlier this year in Private Quarters, the entryway is painted in primary colors and black and white patterns to fit into the Pop Art theme throughout the home. By the front door, there’s a painting of a large pink alligator titled “Gay Gator” by local artist Liz Haywood.

Functionality

A home’s entryway is also a good place to pair design with functionality. The experts at Better Homes & Gardens note that your entryway doesn’t have to be spacious to be efficient. A small bench will offer a spot to place packages, groceries or bookbags.

You can also make use of some cubbies or hooks to maximize organization.

“Personalized cubbies — tucked on a shelf near the front door — corral phones, keys, MP3 players, and other items you might grab on your way out the door,” the magazine notes. “Having a particular place for everything means always knowing where important things are stored.”

In a 2015 Private Quarters feature, homeowner Erin Marshall added storage to an entryway with a DIY touch. She pulled together a three-cube storage bench from Target that she recovered with linen fabric from Hobby Lobby. Then, she made shelves and added a hook for car keys and storage for umbrellas.

Explore seating options

Often underutilized space, a foyer or entryway can be a good spot to put a seating option, whether it’s a wooden bench or cozy chair.

“One of the most important components of an efficient entryway is the ability to sit down while putting on or taking off footwear,” the home improvement brand, This Old House, says on its website. “A bench or a well-placed chair will be appreciated.”

Make it personal

Finally, the entrance to your home is a chance to add a personal touch. Here, you can add some family photos in a gallery wall or a chalkboard for leaving messages and reminders to yourself or family members.

TEXT BY SHANNON DOMINY. PICTURE BY REYNOLDS ROGERS. the entryway of Poul Olson’s loft, he has a console table topped with vases that pairs well with the art on the wall above, all of which came from CB2. A small table and chairs from CB2 provide a dining area under the stairs.

TEXT BY LORI JOHNSTON/FAST COPY NEWS SERVICE. CHRISTOPHER OQUENDO/ WWW.OPHOTOGRAPHY.COM The entryway mural by friend Sam Eckersley spoke to their desire for a more modern interior in an older, detailed home, said homeowner Kelly Jackson. “We painted the mural in the entryway because we love the idea of contrasting something very new and modern with the old staircase,” she said. The stairway has incised lines.

TEXT BY SHANNON DOMINY. PHOTO BY REYNOLDS ROGERS. In the entryway of Paola and Jeff Roder’s home hangs a painting of a large pink alligator entitled “Gay Gator” by local artist Liz Haywood. Paola painted the entryway in primary colors and black and white patterns to fit into the Pop Art theme throughout the home.

OQUENDO PHOTOGRAPHY CHRISTOPHER A roomy entryway welcomes visitors to Kendall and Nick Stowell’s Victorian home, which was built in 1896. It’s wide enough to accommodate two pieces that belonged to her grandparents, and mid-century chairs. The black-and-white floor is made from a different material than the black-and-white ceramic tile in the kitchen, and the white light fixture is from West Elm.

TEXT BY SHANNON DOMINY. PHOTO BY REYNOLDS ROGERS. In the entryway of Tina and Mark Bliese’s Roswell home sits a desk made by Tina’s father. The couple purchased their home in 2010, and over the years they’ve added touches and details that have made it feel like home.