38 Fabulous Foyer Ideas For An Inviting Entry

Whether you have a grand foyer or small entryway, these spaces will inspire you.

It's no secret that we're all about curb appeal. 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 entry hall decor can instantly make guests feel welcome while establishing the spirit of your home.

Plus, it can be a small space full of practical storage solutions. It's difficult to be a gracious host if you're standing in a drab little nook, especially if a bit of foyer decor can transform that nook into a welcoming space. Not sure how to decorate your entry? 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 an array of foyer decorating ideas here for you.

Hang a Gallery Wall

Provide a warm welcome for guests with a display of collected artwork that not only shines your personality, but also adds color and interest to the space without committing to a bold paint color or wallpaper. In this entryway, a coat of Farrow & Ball’s French Gray (No. 18) on the trim and Benjamin Moore’s Simply White (OC-117) on the walls is the perfect backdrop.

Make A Statement

Rather than covering the walls of this entry with expensive wallpaper, the homeowner opted to frame a few panels to create a budget-friendly piece of art for an immediate wow-moment. Below, the pink velvet bench pulls its palette from the framed panels, helping anchor the hallway.

Layer In Character

When renovating this 1,800 square foot cottage, homeowner Hanna Seabrook wanted to create rooms that were inviting, balanced, and easily convertible. Here, she pulled from her existing collection of furniture and accent pieces to create a layered and welcoming look to set the tone for the house.

Add Windows

Cohesion is a great way to make your home look clean, and incorporating that into the entrance of your home is important. In this foyer, designer Chip Groome added four identical windows going up the staircase for an appealing look.

Add A Fan-tastic Table Topper

A few well-placed palms can make a pretty statement in a foyer or entryway. The structural shape of the palm fan is so dramatic that it can stand alone, but choosing the right vessel is important. Use a container that has an opening small enough to keep the heavy palms from going their own way. Trim one stem 1 to 2 inches shorter than the other so that fan will turn slightly while the longer-stemmed one will stand more upright.

Go Bold With Wallpaper

In this foyer, Schumacher’s Santa Barbara Ikat paper in Neutral breaks up the surrounding white walls which makes this pass-through area to a standout space. A starburst mirror from Paris, two Museum Bees, and a vintage cobbler’s bench complete this bold entry.

Widen Your Space

Designer Caroline Brackett designed her foyer with its volume in mind. In the entry, where a drop ceiling was removed to reveal the sky-high original one, she leaned into its airy nature with a wash of Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee (OC-45).

Draw The Eye Up

This previously dark and dated entryway felt cramped and unwelcoming with its eight-foot ceilings. Without altering the height, designer Dana Gibson used new crown molding and a chandelier to draw your eye upwards, giving the illusion of taller ceilings. The height of the antique Virginia huntboard also helps the space that now sings with color.

Play with Height

Adding dimension is important when creating a visually appealing and balanced look to your space. On this entryway table, designer Christy Blumenfeld placed a tall and narrow lamp, a small catch-all bowl, some stacked books, and a large plant all together. These varying heights create a more dynamic, lived-in look that makes your house feel like a home.

Utilize Small Spaces

This nook adds interest and color to the grand hallway. Tuck your favorite piece of furniture into an unexpected place to fill an otherwise blank corner. Add personality-filled accents on top.

Lighten It Up

Painted in warm whites (Sherwin-Williams' Marshmallow (SW 7001) on the walls and Farrow & Ball's Wimborne White (No. 239) on the trim), the space feels light and bright, balancing the dark front door. The gold and brass accents provide a cohesive feel while the mirror helps open up the small foyer by reflecting the light from outside.

Focus On The Finish

This dramatic entry by designer Allison Allen makes a statement with walls painted in Benjamin Moore’s Clinton Brown (HC-67). The high-gloss finish brings light to the darker-hued walls, giving the formal space a playful feel.

Lean On One Thing

For small spaces, make a statement and bring in functionality with the right piece of furniture. This antique hall tree adds purpose and charm to the foyer.

Embrace The Setting

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

Strike A Balance

Without feeling matchy-matchy, designer Sarah Bartholomew used a pair of demilune consoles with lamps atop to frame the doorway leading to the dining room. Across the room, an inviting bench tucked beneath the stairwell adds a cozy feel to the open space.

Set The Tone

A bold front door in Pratt & Lambert's Premium Yellow sets a lively tone in this 1950s North Carolina ranch-style house. Inside, equally vibrant colors carry the energy throughout.

Play With Personality

A welcoming bench is a wonderful way to greet guests and offer a spot for wayward items. This one came to be after homeowner Sarah Tucker admired her neighbor’s antique church pew. He surprised her by gifting her the treasured bench before moving into an assisted-living home. “I’ve never painted it because I’ve loved it just the way it came to me,” she says. “He told me he got it many years ago from one of the oldest churches in Bradenton.” It’s also a perfect complement to the wall color (Sherwin-Williams’ Sea Salt, SW 6204).

Be Bold With First Impressions

Greet your guests with sophisticated style by combining shades from the same color family. Here, designer Charlotte Lucas mixed an intricate yet whimsical wallpaper with painted floors. The unique floral entry table centered under the chandelier grounds the open space, while the antique dresser creates a focal point.

Nod To Rustic Charm

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 in this farmhouse. Personal accents like this grouping of vintage trophies is inexpensive and rich with color and texture.

Be Confident With Color

We love an exterior painted front door, but what about the inside? The exuberant purple of this diamanté-patterned front door works in contrast with the warm yellow hue of the walls. It also ties in nicely to the hanging lanterns that are subtly trimmed in matching purple velvet.

Go Geometric

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.

Embody Your Surroundings

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

Concentrate On A Theme

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 jockey paintings.

Mix Furniture Styles

Pairing antiques with modern pieces refreshes older items and gives a more collected, less-designed feel to any room.

Create A Nostalgic Feel

Pairing heirlooms like a china set with exposed wood plank walls is a great way to add character to your point of entry. In this new-old home, oil-rubbed kerosene lanterns and antique objects nod to stories ready to be shared.

Devise Functional Style

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 in this 1920s house full of personality.

Keep It Simple

Though this home lacks a dedicated entryway, this pass-through space connects all the main living spaces, which meant creating a simple, but inviting area was especially important. The antique chest creates a focal point, while a patterned runner on the stairs and acrylic and brass light fixture let the personality of the homeowners peek through.

Establish A Mood

Choose an overall color palette that plays well with the adjoining spaces. Here, a rug is a great way soften and define the space while bring in a touch of added color.

Highlight The Wallpaper

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.

Form A Cozy Spot

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

Use Reclaimed And Restored Pieces

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

Incorporate Modern Touches

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

Lean Into The Season

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.

Mix It Up

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, plus bright, cheery color. This space is a cross-cultural mash-up of a white, carved Moroccan mirror; s 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 paired with Harwood Leaf Green wallpaper by Colefax and Fowler.

Evoke History

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.

Keep It Quaint

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

Be Inspired By Nature

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

Showcase Unexpected Accents

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 sculpture, your unique pieces can serve as great conversation starters.

For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Southern Living.