You entryway is the only glimpse most of your visitors will get into your home. Think about it, the pizza man, the delivery guy, those cute kids selling cookies, they will most likely only ever get as far as your Foyer. What does your entryway say about you? Does it reflect your design style and tell your story? Do you confidently open the door or hide behind the mismatched mess? To pull together the perfect inviting entryway, you must have these vital ingredients to achieve a cozy, warm vibe.
LIGHTING
Every foyer needs great lighting, whether it is a beautiful chandelier, sconces or table lamps. First and foremost, light fixtures should be a mix of both function and beauty. Of course we want them to provide light, but we also want them to set the tone for the color/shape/style of the space. In the evening, foyer lighting provides a warm and welcoming element that we all want to feel, even if we aren’t expecting any guests at all.
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FUNCTIONAL FURNISHINGS
It’s not always about the pretty; your inviting entryway needs to function too! We need a place to set down our keys, take off our jacket and/or set down our handbag. Think about the path you, your family and your guests might take as they enter your home and create a solution for any problem they may face once they enter the door. Most entryways have some kind of table, hooks and/or storage for shoes and accessories. Also consider that you may often leave your home through this same doorway, so including a mirror to give yourself one last onceover before you leave the house, would be a great confidence booster!
SOFT ELEMENTS
When you invite guests into your home, give them a reason to take their shoes off; welcome them with a soft, cozy rug for them to sink their feet into! You can also soften up the space using beautiful, natural elements such as greenery and florals, which can add both color and liveliness to the space. Cold, minimalist entryways are for hospitals and doctor’s offices; warm up your space by putting some cozy pillows and throw blankets in a beautiful basket for added layers of softness and textures.
Once you have pulled together these ingredients for the perfect entryway, you can then begin to accessorize and style so that the space reflects you and your family. Add little photos or keepsakes that tell your story and layer in new and old pieces to create a truly curated look. And the next time someone knocks at your door, you can confidently answer knowing you’ve got the best foyer on the block!
Sara Lynn Brennan is an interior designer who specializes in Romantic Transitional Style; creating beautiful, natural, cozy and timeless homes for her luxury clients in Waxhaw, NC. Click here to see more of her lovely work.
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