Secrets of a stunning foyer

Often overlooked, the foyer is the first place in our homes where we greet guests formally. It is said that you have about 30 seconds to make a first impression on a new visitor to your home…if you haven’t captivated them in that time, you have most likely lost their interest. Here are some secrets to creating a stunning foyer.

The foyer is a greeting space. In most peoples’ minds it is a “necessary” room, just a place to come in from the elements, to hang your coat and take off your shoes. Then it’s on to the rest of the house.

It is true, the foyer is what we call a “pass through” space, you don’t linger there. It is a room designed to be a bridge to the “real” rooms in your home. It’s no wonder we have such a bad attitude towards this little (or not) but powerful space.

The foyer of course is a natural extension of your front door…more about that next time! The entryway whether it is grand or modest is your chance to set the tone for the rest of the home viewing experience. It should above all else say “welcome” to the visitor by making them feel warm and unintimidated.

Many of today’s larger homes have a two-story atrium, a very large and overwhelming space which is a bit of a shock to walk right into at first. Remember that this is an introduction to you and your home. Imagine if for the first time upon meeting someone, they shook your hand and then proceeded to get a little too close for comfort by putting their arm around your shoulder. You would feel so put off by that so much that your instinct would be to literally run away. It’s the same for a new visitor to your home…the immediate impact of the grand space can be quite a lot of information to digest at once to the point of information overload. We don’t tell everything about ourselves to a stranger and your home should not do the same thing.

My point is that the foyer or front hall should be a place of intimacy so that your visitors can ease into your space and into knowing you. You can create this in a larger atrium by directing your eye to the immediate space your visitor occupies as they stand at the front door. Surely there must be a focal wall which can be painted a dramatic color. Perhaps you can create a small vignette with a mirror, bench, sculpture on a stand, table w/books,…you get the point. Create a human-scaled center of interest. Resist the urge to place large paintings or other objects going up the stairs or elsewhere in the foyer that is not in the direct line of sight from the front door. This will only distract the visitor’s eye and keep him/her from the immediate feeling of intimacy you want them to experience.

This technique of creating focal interest works also for the more modest spaces. There is always an opportunity to place some sort of object(s) in the smallest of spaces. Often foyers have quirky little jogs and odd walls. These are the perfect places to include the most unusual of furnishings. These would be the types of things that might look out of place in your “real” rooms but fit perfectly in a foyer space.

Because foyers are spaces we don’t spend time in, you can be quite a bit more risky with the decorative aspect. This is the place for some “wow” wallpaper, an overscaled piece of art or an antique piece with curiosity. Metallics are very big right now and believe it or not, so are foil wallpapers. Yes, they’re baaaack! Back also are flocked wallpapers. Don’t be frightened of these things…in a family room they would certainly be too much but used judiciously in a foyer, they can really make a statement. Remember you’ve got only 30 seconds!