Make a Great First Impression!

Whatever you call it--entry, foyer, front hall--it makes an impact, for better or worse. We're not just talking about guests. If you enter your home through the front door, the foyer has an effect on you too.
In this post we'll discuss the interior space, because "curb appeal" (the front of your house, including your front door) deserves its own post.

With the help of Pinterest, we've analyzed the features we believe can help anyone's foyer set the right tone for the rest of their home. What do we mean by "right tone"?

An entry should be welcoming and give visitors a sneak peek of your personal decorating style.

1. Neatness - yes, entries always attract clutter, especially if they're the family entrance too. But the last thing you want is a guest tripping over a jumble of shoes and backpacks. Utilize hall trees, peg boards, closets, baskets, etc. to corral the mess. An umbrella stand isn't a bad idea either.

2. Mirror - it's not absolutely necessary, but certainly handy for last minute checks before leaving the house.

3. Greenery - connect outside and inside with real or "faux" plants. Color, shape, and container can all reflect your overall decorating theme while adding the fresh appeal of Nature.

4. Surface space - preferably with at least a small container or storage element. Despite good intentions, mail and keys frequently end up "somewhere" in the entry. If your foyer is large enough for a dresser or case-piece with drawers, GREAT. Use them wisely. If not, a basket, bowl, or tray will do. (We have a small blue bowl on the foyer console).

5. Lighting - Overhead pendant, sconce(s), lamp(s) - choose fixtures to match your style and ensure ample illumination. What's more depressing than a dark hallway? Not much. Guests shouldn't feel as though they're at risk for meeting a bear or something... We don't have much natural light in our foyer, and we're considering replacing the front door at some point with one that has a larger window.

© Rhiann Wynn-Nolet

6. Color -  Here's a wonderful opportunity to foreshadow the décor in the rest of the house. You have a teal sofa in the family room? Why not choose wallpaper or a rug containing that color? Or create a vignette using a teal vase or candlesticks? Changing the ratio of your primary color scheme will make everything more interesting.

7. Art - Not only is art cool in and of itself, and reflective of your interests, it can spark initial conversation. Prints, photos, maps, ceramics, they're all good...

8. Softness - Foyers tend to be full of hard surfaces, which actually aren't warm and welcoming. Rugs, or a small upholstered piece, or a pillow on a bench--any of these can add a cozy touch.

Here are a few photos of our front entry at Quince Cottage. Below is the "before" (the only interesting thing is the hanging fixture we chose).

Foyer © Rhiann Wynn-Nolet

And here's the foyer "after" we had our way with it!

The nest prints were $8 each at an antique store and we framed them with inexpensive ready-made frames.

The shadow box came from HomeGoods, and what's inside reflects our love of Nature, milk glass, and travel.

Here's the other side of the hall, and if you're curious about that rolling door, check out our earlier posts on choosing, refinishing, and installing it.

Here's a photo of the front entry in our former home in Kennebunkport, Maine.

For photos of other peoples' entries, head to our First Impressions Pinterest board.

Tell us what you think. What's the one thing your foyer can't be without?

Quince Cottage Design Mantra: Create a beautiful, comfortable home that reflects your unique style and personality. 
In our own place, patina is valued, rustic rubs shoulders with opulent (we call this "agrarian chic"), and you're sure to get a terrier-style welcome!

Here's Buster waiting for you to come back © Rhiann Wynn-Nolet