Our Most Fabulous Foyers

By Mary Beard
January 22, 2013
Laurey W. Glenn
It’s no secret we’re all about curb appeal here. We love our front lawns, our boxwoods, and our charmingly decorated porches. Who doesn’t love a polished home exterior? But there’s no point in knocking yourself out on the exterior, if you don’t have a graceful transition into the interior of your home. What we mean to say is something you probably already know: your foyer matters. Proper foyer decor can instantly make guests feel welcome, can establish the spirit of your home, and can also be a small space full of practical storage solutions. It’s difficult to be a gracious hostess if you’re standing in a drab little nook, especially if a little foyer decor can transform that nook into a place of welcome. Not sure how to decorate your foyer? We’ve gathered some of our favorite foyer decor ideas here for your inspiration. Whether it’s a cottage entry, full of rustic charm, with shiplap walls, or a stylish and colorful–but functional–space, there are foyer decorating ideas here for you.
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Lowcountry Foyer

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

The front door in this entry opens to the pool area, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living. White shiplap adds to the coastal feel of the space.

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Set the Tone

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

A bold front door, in Pratt & Lambert's Premium Yellow, sets a lively tone in this 1950's North Carolina rancher.
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Mixed Furniture Styles

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Pairing antiques with modern pieces refreshes older items and gives a more collected, less ‘designed’ look.

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Cottage Entry

Credit: Photo: Helen Norman

Forgoing hallways in a small cottage created space for this room. "Entries set the tone for and give a sense of prelude to a house," says designer P. Allen Smith.

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Nostalgic Feel

Credit: Photo: Lucas Allen

Pairing heirlooms like a china set or these oil-rubbed kerosene lanterns with exposed wood plank walls is a great way to add character to your point of entry.

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Bold First Impression

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Greet your guests with sophisticated style by combining hues from the same family. By using different blue tones on the walls, table, and accents, you can make a modern style statement the instant your guests step inside.

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Bold & Bright

Credit: Photo: Eric Piasecki

Anything is fair game when you are searching for color inspiration. Here, the vibrant colors and X-pattern of this interior door are lifted from the wall jockey paintings.

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Rustic Charm

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

The space under your stairs doesn’t have to be wasted. An upholstered chair paired with a vintage chest provides a cozy landing spot near the front door, and personal accents like this grouping of vintage trophies is inexpensive and rich with patina.

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Confidence with Color

Credit: Photo: Eric Piasecki

The exuberant purple of this diamanté-patterned front door works in contrast with the warm yellow hue of the walls, but ties in nicely to the hanging lanterns that are trimmed in matching purple velvet.

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Functional Style

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Just because you actually plan to use your entryway, doesn’t mean it has to look cluttered or drab. These bright shades hide away bins of shoes and toys while adding a nice pop of color.

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Cozy Spot

Credit: Photo: Tria Giovan

The foyer serves as more than just a point of entry with a cozy reading nook tucked in beneath the staircase.

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Vivid Wallpaper

Credit: Photo: Van Chaplin

Get major impact in small spaces with a lively print like this geometric pattern. Use sparingly to ensure the bold design doesn’t overwhelm your room.

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Inspired by Nature

Credit: Photo: Erica George Dines

Unify the look of your entryway by grouping artwork in similar tones or feel. Here, nature pulls it all together.

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Unexpected Accents

Credit: Photo: William Waldron

Since the foyer is the first room that guests see as they enter your home, let your personality shine from the start by displaying favorite pieces. Whether it’s an antique mirror or even a mounted rhinoceros head, your unique pieces can serve as great conversation starters.

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Reclaim & Restore

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Mix found pieces to create unique furniture and accessories. This entryway combines a bench made from reclaimed wood beams and wrought iron fence materials with personal nature photographs framed in antique wood.

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In Season

Credit: Photo: Robbie Caponetto

When decorating your house, consider the first thing guests will see when they come in the front door. Here, seasonal accents are seamlessly paired with distressed wood-framed photos.

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Beachy Beauty

Credit: Photo by Laurey W. Glenn

It's not always important to make a big statement in the foyer, as this one opens directly into the living room. Pairing dark wood with white walls adds just the right amount of drama.

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Establish a Mood

Chose a color palette that leads well into the adjoining spaces A rug can soften and define the space as well as bring in more colors.

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Modern Touches

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Although the overall look and feel is traditional, Bill included a few minimalist elements for impact. "The foyer's stairs and bridge are modern in their structural honesty," says Bill. The graphic staircase adds a sculptural wow factor right inside the front door. He coated the wood-clad walls and exterior trim in glossy white paint (Benjamin Moore's Creamy White) to contrast with the rustic stone.

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It's All About the Mix

Credit: Photo: Eric Piasecki, Styling by Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Step inside the house's foyer and it's easy to see the homeowners' decorating style is all about the mix—old with new, dark with light, color with—well—color. Case in point: the globe-trotting, cross-cultural mash-up of a white, carved Moroccan mirror; subdued antique demilune table; and Chinese porcelain pottery. The classic blue-and-white scheme anchors the space, while a mercury glass lamp adds a bit of glint.

Love it? Get it!
Wallcovering: Harwood Leaf Green by Colefax and Fowler, available through DCOTA; 954/921-7575.

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Elegant Geometric Foyer

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

A bold foyer welcomes guests to this Palm Beach, Florida, pied-à-terre designed by mother-daughter duo Marjorie Johnston and Wendy Barze. Geometric-patterned walls and subtle coastal elements strike the perfect balance.

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Evoking History

Credit: Photo: Helen Norman

Groupings of framed historic prints, hanging lanterns, and rich wood floors combine with white walls and neutral accents for the perfect mix of old and new in this classic entryway.

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By Mary Beard