You only get one chance to make a good first impression, and you want your home’s first look to be delightful. Your entryway is the first room your guests see. But house foyer design can be difficult to conceptualize. That’s why starting with the right foyer ideas is so important.
An entryway is a transition space between the outdoors and indoors. It’s a place to welcome guests, store shoes and coats, and showcase your style. It can also be a mudroom or a sitting/waiting area. Coming up with creative and practical entryway ideas that blend these uses can be challenging, especially when you’re working with a small foyer — or one with unusual dimensions.
Read on for expert tips on how to transform your entryway into a stylish and welcoming space that wows your guests. From house entrance ideas to entryway art, here’s how to furnish and decorate your foyer.
What Art Should You Use in an Entryway?
Your entryway sets the design tone of your home, so it’s the perfect place to display your favorite art pieces. Some homeowners prefer striking art in the entryway, while others select textured art or simple family photos. The art you choose should reflect your style and set the tone for your decor.
Here are a few different entryway art ideas to choose from:
1. Go Big
An oversized painting in a contemporary style will immediately become the focal point of your hallway. Choose an abstract work of art in vivid hues. Or if you can afford it, commission a contemporary artist with a one-of-a-kind piece or family portrait.
If modern art is not your cup of tea, you can display a beautiful landscape photograph of your favorite national park or vacation spot. This refreshing foyer idea plays with the concept of foyer-as-transition-space, where nature-inspired work will fit in nicely.
Whichever way you decide to go creatively, don’t be afraid to go big and bold. People who live in modern homes with plenty of eye-catching art pieces should think of their entryway as another space where they can showcase their art collection.
2. Select a Unique Wall Sculpture or Macrame Piece
Welcome your guests into your home with a one-of-a-kind wall sculpture or a light installation. A neon sign that says “welcome” or “home, sweet home” is a fun and edgy way to freshen up your entry foyer.
If your home is more on the casually-chic or boho side, then a beautiful macrame piece is more appropriate. You can find a wide range of macrame wall hangings and designs on Etsy.com that you can customize to your wall’s dimensions and your style. Either of these entryway ideas can add a beautiful artsy vibe to your foyer.
3. Create a Photo Collage
Put on your interior designer hat, and style your favorite family photos into a wall gallery. This versatile entryway wall decor idea lets you be as casual and informal — or as sleek and modern — as you like. If you’d rather channel a minimal contemporary vibe, choose a series of black-and-white images displayed in white frames.
You can also opt for a rustic feel with mismatched wooden frames of different sizes. The key to creating a beautiful wall gallery is variety. Before you order your frames, outline the picture frame collage with painter’s tape on the wall to get a better visual idea of how your finished work will look.
Entryway Ideas With Home Accessories
Smaller decorative objects such as baskets, vases, mirrors and plants can make your entryway a more functional and stylish place. Here are a few foyer ideas to help you incorporate your favorite accessories into your hallway.
1. Bring the Outdoors In
Plants are the hardest-working home decor pieces. Not only do they bring an organic feel to any space, but plants can also purify the air from certain toxic chemical compounds.
If your entryway doesn’t get a lot of natural light, choose plants that love shade, such as Boston Ivy (yes, you can grow it indoors), Begonias, Anemones, Salvias and Dahlias. And speaking of Boston Ivy, vines are a great way to add a whimsical touch to your hallway, since you can hang them from the ceiling or the wall and let them cascade down toward the floor.
If you plan on having multiple plants in your entryway, opt for different heights and textures to elevate their visual interest.
2. Add Storage with Baskets in Your Foyer
Hallways tend to attract clutter, but you can effortlessly organize them with beautiful handwoven baskets. Baskets offer a creative way to add storage to your home entrance area and declutter it from umbrellas, gloves, scarves, smaller bags, keys and other belongings. Hang a wire basket on your coat rack and use it as a mail organizer.
Large baskets can create an attractive storage space for seasonal shoes. If you have a bench in the foyer, stash the baskets underneath, and add a name tag for each family member.
3. Hang a Mirror
A mirror in the entryway is both functional and decorative. Everyone wants to take one final look before they’re out the door. If that’s a focus you applaud, consider hanging a full-size vertical mirror.
Mirrors are also decor magicians that make small, dark spaces appear brighter and more expansive. Even a small mirror in a beautiful frame can immediately elevate your entryway and become its focal point.
Learn more about decorating with mirrors in the Parachute Mirror Decor Ideas and Inspiration guide.
Color Scheme Front Entry Ideas
Adding or changing colors can completely transform a space, changing its mood and decor with little effort. Muted tones have a wide, traditional appeal, while a bright, bold accent wall can feel refreshing and inviting. For a narrow entryway idea, use bright colors to open up a narrow hall. Add watery blues to inspire a beachy mood.
Here are our favorite foyer ideas for choosing the best color palettes to dress up your hallway.
1. Select a Classic Combination
Grey and white are popular color choices for entryways because their appeal is universal. These shades can serve as a background for multiple decor styles, which is why they’re such traditional favorites.
Beige and sandy yellows are also beautiful, classic hues. These earthy tones give off a warmth of their own, and are a soothing way to welcome visitors. For a few more entryway ideas that use color, add a few potted plants, a modern mirror and a wooden bench for an effortlessly-chic space with plenty of organic references.
2. Choose Bold Colors
Looking for easy and affordable foyer decor ideas that pack a visual punch? Creating an accent wall in your entryway will do the trick. This can be a single wall or just the back of your front door. Paint it in a bold shade of fuchsia, blue, yellow or orange for a pop of color.
Or, if you don’t want to limit yourself to just one shade, enlist the entire rainbow. A stylish way to use this entryway idea is to paint your walls a classic shade (like white) and then display small works of art, each with a different dominant color.
Another alternative is to play around with the hues of entryway furniture pieces: a chair in mint green, an orange area rug or vases or planters in blue, green or purple.
3. Use Lighter Shades for Narrow Halls
Blue, green, taupe and light grey are expansive hues for narrow entryways. They will instantly open up your foyer by reflecting more of the available light. If your entryway has crown molding or ornate window frames, paint them the same color as the walls. Professional designers use this trick to create the illusion of more space.
Watery blues are great for beach houses, while taupe and cool gray work in modern and traditional homes.
Don’t overlook the versatility of green. It can be light, modern and refreshing, or rich and rustic. If you’d like to create an English countryside vibe in your entryway, go for a darker shade of olive green
Entryway Furniture Ideas
If your entryway is large enough to allow for furniture, add a few choice pieces. Benches, storage-pieces, console tables and even the right chairs can change a foyer into a welcoming transition space. Benches with storage underneath (as cabinets or baskets) can help declutter your foyer and get you ready for the day.
Choosing practical furniture pieces is crucial to maximizing space and storage in entryways. Here are two great entryway ideas that improve your foyer’s function while they beautify.
1. Benches
A bench is an entryway staple. It gives you and your guests a place to sit while you put on your shoes. And since benches come in so many designs and materials, it’s easy to find one that matches your style.
But a bench can also do a lot for your hallway decor. Stash beautiful baskets underneath it to add storage space to your foyer and organize smaller items. Place a potted plant or two on it for a natural vibe. Or style a warm throw and a decorative pillow on one end for an ultra-cozy and inviting feel.
2. Create a Sitting Area
In a spacious entryway, create a sitting area for a chic home entrance idea. You won’t need much furniture and the result is so sophisticated. Simply place an elegant armchair and a console table next to the wall. Accessorize them with a vase and some fresh flowers, a classic table lamp and a couple of your favorite coffee-table books.
If you’d like to go for the same classy vibe, but your entryway is narrow, pair a regular dining chair with a small side table.
Style Considerations
Style plays a significant role in deciding how to decorate your entryway. Here are a few tips that can help bring the trendiest style aesthetics to your home.
Modern Entryway Ideas
When it comes to contemporary homes, you can never go wrong with minimalist design. An oversized round mirror with a sleek brass frame hung above an architectural console table looks ultra-chic and modern. Add a lamp to the table, or style the wall with a runner in an abstract pattern and a couple of sconces. Keep the style uncluttered and stick to the basics. Industrial materials such as glass, stainless steel and leather look best.
Boho Home Entrance Ideas
If you’re yearning for a breezy, effortlessly chic vibe, decorate your foyer with plenty of plants. Add some baskets crafted from organic fibers, macrame pieces and raw wood and rattan furniture.
Maximize your wall space by installing a couple of floating shelves, and don’t forget to place a few decorative pillows or throws in vibrant prints on the bench. A Moroccan-style or Ikat area rug can add character and protect your floors. To learn more about styling with throws, read on in our How to Style with Throw Pillows guide.
Rustic Entry Hall Ideas
The secret to a rustic and cozy decor style is using plenty of reclaimed wood details. Whether it’s a simple photo collage created with whitewashed frames or a repurposed barn door that you use as wall decor, unfinished wood adds warmth and coziness. For other rustic entryway ideas, try adding a jute rug, vintage metal baskets or buckets, a leather chair and a rustic patina console table to perfectly complement the look.
Traditional Front Door Entrance Decorating Ideas
For a traditional entryway, hang a seasonal wreath on the door (both inside and outside). Paint the walls in classic hues like light grey, beige or white. Another traditional entryway idea is to invest in a high-quality handmade wood console table or cabinet. An umbrella holder, Queen Anne armchairs and a Kilim rug can also transform your foyer into a functional and classy space.
Small Entryway Decor Ideas
Just because your apartment has a small entryway doesn’t mean you can’t turn it into a stylish space that wows your guests. If you’re wondering how to decorate a small foyer, one smart technique is to hang graphic wallpaper in a vibrant hue like royal blue or yellow. An oversized mirror is a must, since it will reflect light and make your foyer look brighter and larger. Built-in storage and floating shelves add a modern look, and they don’t take up any floor space.
Avoid oversized chandeliers and furniture pieces. Good design is key to decorating a small entryway. Success is all about quality and visual impact as opposed to quantity and size. Paint your foyer a light shade of yellow or off-white. Invest in a statement piece of wall decor that will become the focal point. And instead of a large console table, go for a smaller side table. Finally, install a shag rug to introduce a more inviting feel.
Need More Entryway Ideas and Tips?
Entryways can be a bit tricky to decorate. If you need additional tips on how to make yours an insta worthy dream, book a complimentary appointment with one of Parachute’s expert stylists. You’ll speak with a design pro via video or phone, and receive personalized advice on anything from choosing the perfect paint color to selecting the right mirror size for your entryway.
For more interior design tips around your home, learn more in the Parachute Interior Design Guides: