The Chronicle Herald (Provincial)
Set a stylish tone with your entryway
I love to entertain and have friends and family stop by. Obviously, because of the coronavirus crisis, the past month has meant no visitors have passed through my front door. So I thought it wise to take advantage of this quiet time and complete a few projects that add wow factor to my small foyer. Entering someone’s home should be an experience that not only makes a person feel welcome, but also creates impact and makes a strong, stylish first impression.
But when I stepped outside and re-entered my townhouse with a critical eye, all I saw was a lacklustre passageway. So with great optimism for the day when friends and family will be welcomed in our homes again, I offer you some of the tips I learned in planning my own front foyer redo.
SET A STYLISH MOOD
The first thing I want people to experience upon entering my home is a blast of style: a look that announces my sense of decor and gets them ready for more as they pass through the various areas of my house. How to inject your personal style on a space?
Maybe it’s a colourfully patterned rug (ensure its durable for this high-traffic zone) or a piece of art you love. If you are thinking a mirror, choose a frame that’s reflective of the look you want to achieve.
Tip: This is where a mood board (look no further than Pinterest) comes in handy for collecting decor visuals you love. If you’re unsure of your style, your pictures will show you: study them for common threads that repeat in your favourite images.
EVERYTHING IN ITS PROPER PLACE
The changing of seasons is a great time to reorganize the front hall closet. Take everything from last season out, clean the closet and then take the opportunity to increase its storage capacity.
I always recommend adding a second upper shelf in the dead space between the existing upper shelf and ceiling; as well, add a lower shelf about one foot off the floor to double your storage space for shoes.
Tip: If you’ve got space, incorporate storage outside the closet in the form of a double-duty storage bench, drawers in a console table or decorative shelves stocked with attractive baskets to stash objects out of sight.
ACCESSORIES MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Foyers, like powder rooms and dining rooms, are perfect places to add drama to your decor.
They aren’t used for long periods of time, so strong, impactful decor statements won’t overwhelm these (often) small spaces. In my own home, a statement pendant light will inspire the space and I’ll choose metal finishes for all the hardware to match.
Tip: Ensure that each useful item, such as lighting, flooring, furnishings and storage, are attractive and their style is true to your overall vision for the foyer. Things that are utilitarian should all be beautiful, too!
MAKING IT FLOW AND GROW
Besides making your entryway entrancing, keep in mind its practical function. In a smaller foyer, keep furnishings (like console tables and seating) slim and close to the walls. Adorn the walls with mirrors (which reflect light and help widen tight, narrow spaces), and opt for accordion closet doors, as they take up less space compared to swinging hinged doors.
Tip: In a tiny foyer there may not be much wall or floor space to add impact — that’s where a focal wall of colour or wallpaper can do the job. Or paint the inside of the exterior door a fabulous colour. It’s a great way to make a big impact that takes up zero space.
Think your foyer hasn’t got a chance? Here are a few suggestions for those hard to decorate spaces
• No front hall closet, no problem! I suggest using decorative hooks and a slim boot tray to store coats and shoes used everyday.
• Is your entrance open to your main living space? Divide and impress with a console table, screen or simply use an entrance runner and centre light fixture to ground the foyer space.
• Is your foyer a drop-off zone for the kids (and/or big kids)? Give everyone their divided space in the closet (or hooks on the wall). Any overflow gets taken to their rooms, basement or the back mud room.