55 Foyer Ideas to Make a Dazzling First Impression on Your Guests

A foyer is one of those transitional spaces that is easy to overlook but is a decorating opportunity that shouldn’t be missed if you want to create a warm and welcoming first impression to your home.

You can decorate a foyer with everything from paint to wallpaper to lighting, art, custom storage, and objects that will make it more functional and stylish while setting the tone for the rest of your interior.

Whether you live in a large family home with a spacious dedicated foyer or a small home or apartment with a compact entryway or front hallway, check out these foyer ideas in a range of styles for inspiration.

Paint It Blue

Add definition to an entryway or small foyer with a coat of blue paint. Joshua Smith Inc. paired sky blue paint with white trim, allowing multicolored ceiling wallpaper and a bold pendant light to shine.

Decorate With Neutrals

If your apartment has enough hallway to support it, add a bench, hang a mirror, and decorate a blank wall with a textural wall hanging to create a dedicated if pass-through entry point.

This New York City highrise apartment from Sissy + Marley Interior Design is decorated in pale wood and neutral tones, with a mix of materials for a textural and inviting feel.

Add Colorful Modern Art

Add colorful modern art and objects to energize a neutral modern foyer. This glass-walled entryway from Maestri Studio includes a shiny gold console table, a colorful umbrella stand, and a framed artwork on the wall that packs a punch in the compact space.

Try a Chest of Drawers

In a small foyer, look for an antique chest of drawers that will fit the space, providing storage to keep clutter at bay, and setting the tone in a traditional home. Becca Interiors topped this weathered blue chest of drawers with an oversized table lamp and styled it with neutral decor.

Choose a Half Moon Table

Save space in a smaller foyer with a half-moon console table that has slimmer or fewer legs for an airier feel. You can choose a freestanding table or one that screws directly into the wall, depending on the style and material that it's made from.

Joshua Smith Inc. styled this standalone crescent console table with a vase of flowers and hung an extra tall mirror on the wall above to take advantage of the double ceiling height.

What’s the difference between a foyer vs an entryway vs a vestibule?

• A foyer is generally a grand or formal entryway that is large enough to be considered its own room, with a dedicated purpose as an arrival spot as well as a transitional space connecting the front door with other rooms in the house. In a large family home, it may include a staircase that leads to upper floors.

• An entryway can be used as a less formal word for a foyer, but it generally refers to a space that is more like a hallway than a room. An entryway includes a front hallway that isn’t large enough to be considered a room but serves as a landing spot and connective tissue to the rest of the house.

• A vestibule is a dedicated transitional space that acts as a buffer between the front door and the foyer. It is often encased in glass walls and may include a second set of doors or simply an archway that leads to the rest of the house.

Paint the Ceiling

If a half wall is all that is standing between your front door and the rest of your house, give it the feel of an entryway with decorative details like a painted ceiling.

Then hang a light fixture to create a focal point and hang a painting on the wall, like this space from Erin Williamson Design. A wood cap that matches the ceiling beam helps to create a cohesive feel.

Include a Natural Element

Create a bridge between outdoors and inside by placing a tall vase of flowering blossoms on your foyer table, like this neutral space from Hoedemaker Pfeiffer that is energized by a bunch of pink magnolia stems.

Paint the Inside Door

Neon yellow paint on the inside of the front door adds a sunny feel to this playful upscale beach house from Chango & Co. The bright front door is paired with a neon orange console table and a colorful rug to announce the tone as soon as you step inside the front door.

Tip

A budget-friendly hack for sourcing a space-saving console table for an entryway is to purchase a second-hand round or rectangular table at a thrift shop. Then simply saw it in half, paint it, and screw it into the wall for a custom look.

Use Transparent Materials

Use glass, mirrored, and transparent materials to make your entryway feel light and bright, or to create an uncluttered feel in a smaller space.

Calimia Home kept this bright foyer light and airy by choosing a clear acrylic waterfall console table that practically disappears against white walls. A vintage-style mirror hanging on the wall above reflects light and doubles views.

Add a Pretty Rug

A pretty rug will add color and warmth to your foyer. This large and airy neutral foyer from Urbanology Designs is decorated with designer lighting, modern furniture, a floor lamp that mimics the arched doorways, and a pink patterned rug.

Add Wainscoting

If your entryway feels a bit blank and one-dimensional, consider adding wainscoting to the bottom half or third of the walls. This home from Becca Interiors includes raised panel wainscoting painted in a pale gray that adds dimension to cream-colored walls.

A half-moon console table with a lamp and a mirror above makes the space feel homey and inviting.

Tip

A budget-friendly hack for sourcing a half-moon or two-legged rectangular console table for an entryway is to purchase a second-hand table at a thrift shop, saw it in half, paint it, and screw it into the wall.

Float the Console

A floating console will free up floor space, preventing a small foyer from feeling cramped or cluttered. Brad Ramsey Interiors outfitted this arched foyer niche with a floating wood console and styled it with extra-tall candlesticks and a round mirror in cool-toned silver for a soothing feel.

Add Color and Whimsy

Your foyer is the gateway to your home. Style it with art and objects that reflect what lies ahead, like this spacious midcentury modern foyer from Erin Williamson Design. A pair of painted wood horses flank the double doors and are visible from the outside.

A console table along one wall and a bench on the other are decorated with art and objects. A round rug beneath a central skylight adds some curves to the linear space.

Add More Furniture

If space allows, adding more furniture to your foyer will create a more welcoming feel. This foyer from Becca Interiors has a wall of black metal and glass windows and double doors. The space is furnished with both a rustic wood console table against the wall and a central round table that is anchored by a large black pendant light.

Enhance Period Details

Celebrate the character of a period home with vintage and antique decor pieces from a mix of eras to give the space a timeless quality. This renovated Victorian home foyer from Chango & Co. has a neutral palette that highlights details like a painted tin ceiling, vintage lighting, and an Art Deco mirror.

Hang a Boho-Style Display

Your entryway should reflect the style of your home, giving guests a hint of what's to come. In a boho-style space, decorate the foyer with a breezy collection of hats and hanging baskets, like this space from K Shan Design.

Try an Antique Armoire

In a home without a separate or distinct foyer, use furniture to define the front hallway. Ashley Montgomery Design chose a tall dark stained wood double armoire to create the feeling of an entryway in the front living room of an older home.

Modernize Spanish Style

Modernize a Spanish-style foyer while preserving original details by adding a simple wood console table styled with black-and-white photography, objects, books, and a clear vase of greens, like this space from Leanne Ford Interiors.

Decorate With Sculpture

Add sophistication to a light and bright entryway by treating it like a sculpture gallery. Chango & Co. decorated this upscale black-and-white beach house foyer with a glass and metal console table styled with extra-tall flowers, and a mix of sculptural decor.

Paint It Dark Gray

Dark gray walls add depth to a foyer. Living With Lolo accented slate gray walls with a white table lamp and a colorful rug and wall art for a vibrant look.

Build an Under-Stairs Niche

Add a cozy under-stairs reading nook to turn a large foyer into a space you can spend more time in. Erin Williamson Design outfitted this reading nook with natural shiplap paneling, a wall niche, and a deep seat upholstered with patterned fabric.

Tip

What to put in your foyer depends on your space, layout, and needs. A large foyer can include anything from a round central table set on an area rug styled with a vase of branches to built-in storage benches. Decorate your foyer walls with art, photography, mirrors, sconces, or wall hangings. Include a space-saving console table and seating ranging from a narrow wooden bench to a built-in bench with integrated storage, or a pair of armchairs. A small foyer may include a wall-mounted shelf or wall hooks for stowing outerwear, bags, umbrellas, and keys.

Wallpaper the Ceiling

If your foyer layout lacks floor space for furniture, wallpaper the ceiling to create a focal point, like this space from Maestri Studio.

Paint It Yellow

Paint your foyer in a bright color to define the space. This narrow London townhouse entryway from Studio Peake is painted in a sunny yellow that is carried up onto the staircase. A slim console table with a lamp and a wall mirror creates a landing point as soon as you walk in the front door.

Hang Double-Height Lighting

If your foyer has a double-height open staircase, take advantage of the ceiling height to connect the upper and lower floors by hanging a sculptural pendant light that is visible from both level. Hoedemaker Pfeiffer chose a modern black-and-white light to add contrast with white walls and pale wood finishes.

Hang a Neon Light Sculpture

In an apartment where the entryway is nothing more than a sliver of hallway, create a moment with patterned wallpaper, a bushy plant in a stylish vessel, and some colorful neon wall art, like this New York City space from interior designer Alvin Wayne.

Choose Round Shapes

Create a focal point in an open foyer by placing a round table on a round rug and hanging a curvy crystal chandelier above, like this traditional home from Becca Interiors. Using a round table is both aesthetically pleasing and practical since it will ensure that nobody bangs into sharp corners or interfere with flow.

Build In a Landing Niche

Build in a custom landing niche that will provide storage and allow you to stow away bags and keys as you come and go, like this space from Maestri Studio.

Hang Dramatic LED Lighting

A dramatic and sculptural LED pendant light anchors this wide foyer from Brophy Interiors that is open to the main living space. Twin paintings of the ocean mimic the sea view outside the wall of windows.

Add Weathered Finishes

Add a timeless feel to the foyer of a traditional home with vintage decor and weathered finishes, like this space from Joshua Smith Inc. that includes a carved door and an antique table with a worn patina that is styled with books and objects.

Focus on the Stairs

If your foyer includes a large central staircase directly in front of the doors as you walk in, hang a dramatic pendant light in the center of the room to highlight it, like this space from Maestri Studio.

Add Some Bling

A bright and blingy gold-toned pendant light will strike a glamorous tone in your foyer. In this space from Living With Lolo, a striking gold chandelier highlights the dramatic exposed dark wood ceilings and beams.

Hang Farmhouse Lighting

Hang black metal lighting fixtures in the foyer to complement a traditional or modern farmhouse style home. Leanne Ford Interiors styled this neutral foyer wtih black and glass lanterns, a rustic wood table, and a vase of flowers for a timeless feel.

Embrace Quirkiness

Keep a modern foyer feeling casual with quirky objects that will put a smile on people's faces as soon as they walk in the door. K Shan Design chose a kitchy head vase with a palm plant on this modern console that echoes the palm trees photograph on the wall above.

Hang an Outdoor Fixture

In a foyer with glass doors and windows that make the interior visible from outside, consider hanging an outdoor light fixture on the inside to create a link between indoors and out. Becca Interiors chose a vintage-style black metal and glass globe to anchor this beige foyer and complement the modern table.

Hang a Hat Rack

In a smaller space without a front coat closet, use your foyer as a mini mud room by installing a vintage-style hat rack, an umbrella stand, and a small bench, like this space from Becca Interiors.

Keep It Minimal

If you prefer a minimalist approach, decorate your foyer with an oversized pendant light in a natural material, like this tiered fixture from Erin Williamson Design. Add a rug, a tall potted tree or plant, and a floor basket to catch clutter.

Add Built-In Storage

Add custom built-in storage to optimize every inch of your foyer. Hoedemaker Pfeiffer installed a sleek built-in bench with under-seat storage to keep this spacious foyer looking pristine.

Group Pendant Lights

Instead of a large pendant light, hang a group of smaller pendant lights above the foyer table. Becca Interiors hung two pairs of cone-shaped white pendants on black chains, staggering heights slightly for a dynamic effect.

Include Midcentury Pieces

A midcentury modern dresser or sideboard is a versatile piece that will add warmth to an all-white foyer, like this space from Emily Henderson Design. A black-rimmed round mirror on the wall above echoes the wrought iron stair railings.

Decorate With Mirrors

In a foyer with large windows, a pair of mirrors will reflect light and add dimension, like this spacious neutral foyer from Living With Lolo.

Fill the Space

Instead of leaving it empty or using small pieces, fill a small foyer with large pieces of furniture, decor, and art that will give it presence and make it feel larger than it is. Living With Lolo styled this compact foyer niche with a chunky wood table, sculptural table lamp, and large piece of framed art.

Decorate With Dried Grasses

Dried grasses or flowers are a great choice for decorating a foyer that is low on natural light. In a small foyer, add a vase of pampas grass to the staircase, like this space from Leanne Ford Interiors.

Hang Wallpaper

If your foyer is open to other rooms, give it a distinct personality with its own wallpaper. Brexton Cole Interiors paired white wainscoting with sepia-toned illustrated wallpaper in the foyer that contrasts with the blue wainscoting and landscape mural in the adjoining dining room.

Add an Umbrella Stand

A decorative umbrella stand that will look just as good empty is a practical and stylish addition to a small foyer like this one designed by William Hunter Collective for Emily Henderson Design. Style a vintage table with seasonal branches.

Mix Black and Gold

Accent a neutral foyer with black and gold details for an elegant finish that will work in any style interior. This spacious foyer from Britt Design Studio includes dark wood, black metal, and gilded accents for a traditional feel.

Try Scandi-Style

Embrace Scandi style by keeping your foyer simple and streamlined. Emily Henderson Design decorated this white and wood-toned foyer with a simple pale wood bench and a pair of botanical prints on the walls that allows the rustic architecture of the mountain home to speak for itself.

Accent With Shiplap

A shiplap accent wall adds a touch of texture to this black-and-white foyer from Brad Ramsey Interiors. A large black console table is styled with a table lamp, a pair of tall oversized candlesticks, decor objects, and a serene nature scene on the wall above.

Add a Pair of Armchairs

Choose a pair of sculptural armchairs to fill a spacious foyer, like the hand-shaped seating in this light and bright entryway from Chango & Co.

Hang a Neon Sign

A large colorful neon sign on a textured wall and a small upholstered bench give this tiny New York City apartment entryway from interior designer Alvin Wayne a bold personality that belies its size.

Create Zones

In a large home with a multi-part foyer, make the most of your space by styling individual zone. Chango & Co. outfitted the main foyer with a central black table and black wire pendant light that creates an anchor point in the all-white space. The hallway portion of the entryway opposite the stairs is styled with a console table and framed prints above a rectangular console table.

Hang a Mirror On Wallpaper

Cover the walls of a small apartment entryway with wallpaper to add definition, then layer a mirror on top to reflect light and views, like this space from interior designer Alvin Wayne.

Hang an Oversize Mirror

An oversize mirror will make a small entryway feel bigger and brighter. Calimia Home hung a large rimless mirror above a simple wood console table, and used a round jute rug to help define the space.

Create a Mini Foyer

If your door opens right into an open plan space, create a mini foyer using a coat rack, mirror, and a small bench.

Set Up on One Wall

If you are creating an entry along one wall, make it both stylish and functional by adding upholstered storage cubes that double as seats, decorative pots, and a large mirror.

Choose Slim Furnishings

Create a compact foyer where there once was none with a slim lucite console table and upholstered bench that slides underneath, like this space from Michelle Berwick Design.

Read the original article on The Spruce.