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Imagine you are throwing an important party in your home. The food is ready, your table setting looks beautiful, and the candles are lit. Now, you hear the first knock at your door. As you open it to welcome your guests, what will they see? First impressions count, both in life and in decorating. The important first impression of your home's interior is almost always formed in the foyer or entryway. A reception area can automatically instill feelings of luxury and drama or warmth and intimacy. Yet, on a day to day basis, foyers serve as more than just a space to impress your guests. After all, some visitors may never go beyond your entryway. A well-designed foyer will help ensure privacy by creating a boundary between your front door and interior living spaces.
Foyer designs have changed radically over the last few years. In the past, spectacular foyers were reserved for only the wealthy. However, during the last decade, two-story foyers have become extremely popular. Home builders have begun making vaulted entryways a standard feature in otherwise modest homes. These grand foyers have gone from being the ultimate symbol of success to almost commonplace in many suburbs. While homeowners may love the instant drama created by an ultra-high ceiling, these impressive foyers can be difficult to decorate. When poorly designed, the extra vertical space often becomes too much of a good thing, diminishing warmth and creating a generic, cavernous shell. If you plan to decorate a large foyer without the help of a professional, figure out what will work in your tall space before you buy accessories or furniture. Public home tours and even hotel lobbies can be great sources of inspiration. The most important thing to remember is that large foyers require large-scale furniture, chandeliers, and accessories. Pieces that look great in other rooms may seem unsubstantial in a two-story foyer.
When your guests step inside your front door, they will form an instant impression of your home, often unconsciously, based on the color that first surrounds them. Because foyers are usually small and are not used for long periods of time, you can use more dramatic wall and ceiling colors than you might use in other rooms. Pay special attention to how bold colors change with the time of day. For instance, dark reds that create the perfect nighttime setting for entertaining may feel too heavy on a Springtime morning.
Adequate lighting in a foyer is essential. Chandeliers are a ubiquitous choice for a good reason; they not only flood your foyer with light, they can act as an important design element. Just make sure the chandelier size is in proportion with the room.
The flooring you choose will often turn a foyer from bland to grand. Stone that does not become slippery when wet or sealed hardwood is always an elegant choice. New installation techniques and products have made customizing your floor easier and more affordable than ever. Inlaid medallions, mosaics, and borders can take a boring floor and make it a one-of-a-kind work of art. These designs often mix different species of wood, types of stone, and even metal or leather. Although you will have the most options when starting from scratch, you can redo an existing floor by purchasing a factory finished medallion or accent. A professional should be able to install it without damaging the rest of your floor.
Once you have the walls, lighting, and floor covered, you can focus on furniture and accessories. If your foyer is small, you may only need one stylish chair or table. Large foyers may require a pair of chairs, a long console table, and/or a circular entry table. If you use your front door as your primary entrance, you'll need a table or shelf to temporarily hold things, like packages and keys. Keep this area free of clutter. Don't let it be a catch-all for a month's worth of mail and receipts. If you do not have a coat closet, look for an attractive coat stand. In areas with limited space, chests or lidded baskets placed underneath a bench look great and can also store hats and mittens.
The possibilities for creativity are endless, but there are some simple solutions that work in nearly every home. A beautiful mirror will always make a foyer feel more glamorous. Mirrors are especially great in small areas because they give the illusion of space. A large crystal vase or bowl on a polished table will add dignified sparkle in both traditional and contemporary homes. Consider filling it with mercury glass balls or seasonal ornaments during the holidays and fresh flowers in the Spring and Summer. You can also quickly enhance the feeling of quality by upgrading all of the hardware in your foyer, including the switch plates. Remember, great entrances are not always based on size. Whether your foyer is large with ultra-high ceilings or a small space just inside of the doorway, with some proper design, you can make a powerful first impression.
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