Is your entrance foyer on par with the rest of the house?
Does it tell visitors what to expect of your home’s interior?
Are you aware that first impressions count? Same with interior styling.
Did you know that when a visitor walks into your hallway (the first time), they unconsciously assess you?
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Perhaps you need to consider an upgrade if any of these resonates with you. But how can you upgrade the hallway, especially if your budget is not so robust?
So, how do you style a hallway and make it both aesthetically pleasing and functional? Before you go out there shopping for your entrance hallway furniture and furnishings, you need to consider:
- The space you have.
- The function your hallway will serve.
- The theme or style you desire.
- Furniture and furnishings appropriate for your style choice.
- A colour scheme.
- Lighting - Do you have ample natural daylight or not?
- The adjoining room(s).
Available Hallway Space
Your foyer’s design concept depends on the space you have available. If your hallway is small, you can visually expand its size with mirrors, glass décor, and light-coloured furniture and furnishings. All furniture and furnishing items you choose must be the right scale for the available space. “Lighter schemes will help make space appear larger and spacious. You can paint the skirt boards to match the colour of the floor, a technique that will increase the apparent width of any small hallway.
With larger foyers, you are only limited by your imagination. They are pretty much easier to style, with enough space to add an accent chair or two.
How to Style An Entrance Foyer
To style this space and make it warm, welcoming, aesthetically pleasing, and functional, don’t just go out shopping without a plan.
Think about the following:
- Available space.
- Function.
- Theme/style desired.
- Furniture and furnishings you plan to use.
- Colour scheme of choice.
- Lighting requirements. Natural or Artificial?
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Available Space
Your foyer’s design concept depends on the availability of space. For small spaces:- Expand the space visually. Mirror one wall (chair rail to ceiling).
- Add a light-scaled furniture piece: a slim/narrow console.
- Use a light-colored palate. Lighter colours make spaces appear more spacious than dark hues.
- Paint the skirt boards to match the colour of the floor. This technique visually increases the width of small hallways.
For larger entrance lobbies, you are only limited by your imagination. They are pretty much easier to style:- Create a small gallery of framed pictures (family photos) on one wall.
- Add an accent chair and a small, cute side stool.
- Place a lamp or a vase of fresh (or faux) flowers on the table.
- A console and mirror set look great in hallways. Place a few decorative items on the console, like a key dish, a burner for oil fragrances, a set of figurines, etc.
Your foyer’s design concept depends on the availability of space. For small spaces:
- Expand the space visually. Mirror one wall (chair rail to ceiling).
- Add a light-scaled furniture piece: a slim/narrow console.
- Use a light-colored palate. Lighter colours make spaces appear more spacious than dark hues.
- Paint the skirt boards to match the colour of the floor. This technique visually increases the width of small hallways.
- Create a small gallery of framed pictures (family photos) on one wall.
- Add an accent chair and a small, cute side stool.
- Place a lamp or a vase of fresh (or faux) flowers on the table.
- A console and mirror set look great in hallways. Place a few decorative items on the console, like a key dish, a burner for oil fragrances, a set of figurines, etc.
Function to Serve
What function does your entrance hallway serve? Is it:- A mere passageway.
- A space to dump shoes and boots.
- A store for the kids’ bikes.
Hopefully not. The space must function as a welcome-to-my-home space. It is a part of the total interior concept and must be styled as nicely as the other interior spaces.
What function does your entrance hallway serve? Is it:
- A mere passageway.
- A space to dump shoes and boots.
- A store for the kids’ bikes.
Hopefully not. The space must function as a welcome-to-my-home space. It is a part of the total interior concept and must be styled as nicely as the other interior spaces.
Theme/Style Desired
Styling a hallway depends on preferences. Choose a theme you love and will be comfortable with: traditional, mid-century, modern, country, or minimalistic. For something more dramatic, choose eclectic, bohemian, or tribal themes.
Styling a hallway depends on preferences. Choose a theme you love and will be comfortable with: traditional, mid-century, modern, country, or minimalistic. For something more dramatic, choose eclectic, bohemian, or tribal themes.
Furniture and Furnishings
A console table can be a determining factor for your theme. It can be a starting point. Hang a complementary framed or decorative mirror above it. Choose a console table that fits with the scale of the hallway.
On another wall, add any of the following:- A collage of framed photographs.
- Framed artwork.
- Metal or fabric art wall piece.
Style the space with a table lamp, your favourite decor pieces, and framed photos. Warm up the style with a runner rug.
A console table can be a determining factor for your theme. It can be a starting point. Hang a complementary framed or decorative mirror above it. Choose a console table that fits with the scale of the hallway.
On another wall, add any of the following:
- A collage of framed photographs.
- Framed artwork.
- Metal or fabric art wall piece.
Colour Scheme
Make it simple and warm. Subtlety is key with color choices. For instance:- For a warm and inviting feel, use rich colours like tones of primrose yellows, roses, and wines.
- For elegance, use burnished gold, chestnut browns, and off-white.
- For stimulating effects, use primary colours like orange, red, sunflower yellow, or vibrant pink.
Ensure your main/base color is finished in complementary shades of white.
Colors can be introduced in wall and floor finishes, accents in wall art, picture frames, cornices, wall decals, coloured glass décor objects and area rugs.
Make it simple and warm. Subtlety is key with color choices. For instance:
- For a warm and inviting feel, use rich colours like tones of primrose yellows, roses, and wines.
- For elegance, use burnished gold, chestnut browns, and off-white.
- For stimulating effects, use primary colours like orange, red, sunflower yellow, or vibrant pink.
Colors can be introduced in wall and floor finishes, accents in wall art, picture frames, cornices, wall decals, coloured glass décor objects and area rugs.
Lighting
In most hallways, glazed front doors provide natural light. But not all entrance hallways have glazed entrance doors. They do have narrow windows, though. However, where they don’t, and the hallway is dark, consider using artificial lighting that resembles natural light. It will illuminate the space during the day. Pendant lights are great for entrance hallways.
In most hallways, glazed front doors provide natural light. But not all entrance hallways have glazed entrance doors. They do have narrow windows, though. However, where they don’t, and the hallway is dark, consider using artificial lighting that resembles natural light. It will illuminate the space during the day. Pendant lights are great for entrance hallways.
Harmonizing the Hallway and the Adjoining Rooms
Plan your hallway’s design to transition stylishly to the next room or interior space. This will help maintain a smooth visual flow. Also, ensure there is a transition between colour schemes, as this creates continuity in design.
You don’t want an abrupt change between the hallway and adjoining spaces, even if they have different design themes.
Plan your hallway’s design to transition stylishly to the next room or interior space. This will help maintain a smooth visual flow. Also, ensure there is a transition between colour schemes, as this creates continuity in design.
You don’t want an abrupt change between the hallway and adjoining spaces, even if they have different design themes.
Further Reading:
Decorating Ideas for the Family RoomHow to Develop an Interior Design Concept
Before You Design Interior Spaces, Do This Important Thing First
How to Decorate a Coffee Table Stylishly
How to Style Your Dull, Plain Sofa (Couch)
