How One Design Element Can Transform Entryways
Take your foyer from merely fine to fabulous with one brilliant touch
It takes a combination of many design elements to make a room beautiful and welcoming: things like colour, scale, furniture, accessories, rugs and lighting. But even when all these things are executed well, there is often one particular thing that really kicks the room up a notch – that gives it that little something extra. Without this touch, the room would still be good but not great.
Today we will consider entry halls – with an eye toward that one particular thing that makes a difference.
Today we will consider entry halls – with an eye toward that one particular thing that makes a difference.
In this classic entry, with its staircase, wainscoting, William Morris–patterned runner and multi-pane front door, the intriguing little bench makes all the difference. Its long, skinny shape, detailed carving and geometric-patterned cushion fabric all add up to a unique and important piece. It pulls all the elements together in a particularly welcoming way.
There’s no question that each element in this minimal, polished entry is spectacular. But the use of a mirror-wall, with its space-enhancing powers, takes it to an entirely different level.
Find an interior designer to help you design your entryway
Find an interior designer to help you design your entryway
In this grand and sweeping foyer, the architecture and materials are spectacular, but for me the light fixtures are the pièces de résistance. They harmonise beautifully with all the other elements, but their drum shape adds a bit of softness to all the angularity around them.
Take a look at more foyers
Take a look at more foyers
Remove the charming antique bench from this entry, and the palpable statement “Please come in and make yourself at home” disappears.
This entryway pulls me in with its mingling of the utilitarian and the decorative. The practical built-in coatrack lives comfortably with the elegant little tole umbrella stand and the classic mahogany console table. But if the very dapper oval window were missing, good would not have risen to great – to me a perfect example of how one element can lift a whole room. (Admittedly, I do have a thing for oval windows, but objectivity is never a requirement in matters of taste!)
Here, the designer creates an entryway where there was none. These ingenious suspended shelves not only add storage but act as a gentle partition between the entrance the living room.
Be it ever so humble … or not … an elegant little pink velvet upholstered settee with gilt legs not only carries enough punch to stand up to the surrounding grandeur, but has the chutzpah to say, “Let’s not take ourselves too seriously here!”
In this very spare entry, the distinguishing touch is the zebra-patterned rug. Of course, there is a universe of choices for a rug in an area like this, which is one reason I especially like this pick. It is eye catching and surprisingly whimsical, turning a possibly mundane entry into something really special.
Two red leather cubes lift this sleek, contemporary entrance from adequate to awesome. They add warmth and a smile to the daily routine of coming and going.
A long, narrow entry hall like this one provides a great opportunity for the bibliophile. The bookcases transformed this space adding texture, storage, history, visual variety and a place to display beloved objects.
The rather serious grey cabinetry that dominates this entry coatrack and storage unit took on a whole different attitude with the addition of the zingy tangerine paint and accessories.
Read more:
Need Decor Ideas for Foyers? Here are 10 Fetching Entryways
6 Ways to Create an Entryway When There Isn’t One
Tell us:
What is your secret to creating an attractive entryway? Tell us in Comments.
Read more:
Need Decor Ideas for Foyers? Here are 10 Fetching Entryways
6 Ways to Create an Entryway When There Isn’t One
Tell us:
What is your secret to creating an attractive entryway? Tell us in Comments.