You shouldn't judge a book by its cover—but first impressions matter, so, in many cases, we think it's fair to judge a home by its foyer. The entrance should set the tone for what's ahead, so you want it to be decorated in a way that really showcases the style and mood of your whole home (not to add too much pressure to the foyer, or anything!). they also happen to some of the most fun spaces to decorate! Whether it's a grand house or a tiny apartment with a nook by the door, your home's entry is the first thing visitors see when they step inside your house and the sight that welcomes you home every day. So make it a good one! From high-drama to super-cozy, here are 52 of our favorite entryways from the pages of House Beautiful as well as our favorite new designers.
Incorporate Antiques
Robin Henry filled this 1910 farmhouse with an array of antiques but made sure it didn't skew too traditional with unexpected colors, fresh accents, and bold pattern mixing. Glossy honey-colored walls create a warm welcome.
Show Off Your Playful Side
This house, designed by Amsterdam-based firm Atelier ND, is all about fun—which is clear from the moment you step inside the foyer. A dusty lavender paint color is used for the door and window frames while a peachier tone covers the ceiling, corresponding nicely with the light-stained herringbone wood flooring. The wallpaper ties all the shades of pink and purple.
Keep It Small But Mighty
To bring some color to your entryway while keeping it casual, lean some oil paintings on the floor under a narrow console table. We're loving the eclectic vibe of the houndstooth area rug, antique table, and farmhouse pitcher in this space by Andrew Flesher.
Customize an Organization Zone
Customize an entryway workhorse that gets everything done in one piece! A floating bench and storage piece in this entrance by Kureck Jones proves just how useful it can be. With two drawers for essential eyesores and a surface for a lamp and a small bench with a comfy cushion, this two-in-one built-in has it all. Plus, there's still room for a mirror and plenty of wall hooks.
Marry Old and New
Australian interior design team Arent & Pyke is known for its keen eye for blending modern finishes and accents with period features and antiques. It's possible to master, even in tiny spaces like this entryway! A small marble floating shelf is supported by a bracket that mimics the classic wainscotting, and a rich Art Deco rug brings tons of color and fun.
Go All Out With Gallery Walls
Designer Lathem Gordon created a luscious gallery wall of black-and-white photographs in gilt frames to spruce up the small entryway in her Georgia home. Gray paint cools off all the flam shine.
Hang a Pet's Portrait
Commission an artist to capture a hyperrealistic portrait of your pet to hang in the entryway to greet you and your guests each time you walk through the front door. We're loving this foyer by Romanek Design Studio. The juxtaposition between the dog's serious expression and the laidback floor tiles, throw pillow, settee, and sconces create a fun air of irreverence.
Squeeze Into a Corner
Even a corner can become a proper entry with the right accessories. Designer Sarah Solis couldn't fit a large round center table in this entryway so instead, she nestled a smaller and taller option into a corner for a similar effect and then spruced up the floors with a colorful area rug.
Make a Statement With Artwork and Materials
In this New York City restored industrial loft, Bunny Williams Interior Design and the architecture firm Ferguson & Shamamian used the entryway as a way to set the scene for what's ahead: an impressive art collection, period elements with contemporary spins, and airy, light colors. A foyer is an ideal place to hang a favorite piece of art for maximum impact. This entry hall lets the client's artwork and the stunning bones be the stars of the show.
Use a Daring Color
Lipstick pink might not be the most obvious choice for a foyer, but in this 19th-century Brooklyn townhouse, it's a total showstopper. Designer Jonathan Berger, who used Benjamin Moore's Razzle Daz, played up the historic glamour with a Louis XV chair and table and an 18th-century Italian mirror.
Blend It In
Because Lauren Waters's elevator opens right up into the entire open floor plan space, she needed to make it feel like a foyer, living room, dining room, and home office all at once. So She placed a full-length kitty corner mirror in the corner next to a boucle womb chair. It's pretty but also makes outfit approvals and shoe lace-ups easier. On the other side is an industrial pedestal table with a small catch-all for keys.,
Add Animal Print
Designers love animal prints for stair runners—they're great at camouflaging muddy footprints, spills, and other wear and tear from daily life. Garrow Kedigian used Stark's classic Antilocarpa for the stairs of his Montreal townhouse in homage to the region's fur-trading history.
Feature a Prominent Instrument
What better way to make a grand entrance than with a grand piano? In this entryway designed by Dallas-based decorator Jean Liu, the glossy black piano asserts a stately, formal air while the light wood flooring, modern glass elements, and worn leather pieces ensure a grounded welcome.
Pack It All In
If you're working with a pint-sized entryway, you can still make it feel grand. Case in point? This foyer designed Tamsin Johnson. All it takes is a chic mirror, accent chair, umbrella holder, and a couple of hooks. With the right pieces, you can stretch just a few items into a sculptural statement.
Utilize Smart Storage
The coral skirted table isn't just striking—it also hides the family's clutter. "It has a lot of stuff stored under it on a shelf—baseball mitts and Wellington boots," says designer Tom Scheerer, who worked with Quadrille to create the lattice wallcovering.
Invest In Custom Builds
Designed by Corey Jenkins, this little nook is another great example of a small but impactful entryway. He maximized limited space with a built-in bench and slim side table for keys and other essentials. Then he covered the wall in an eye-catching blue wallpaper to break up all the white space. It's the perfect complement to the chevron throw pillow and graphic artwork.
Embrace Old-School Styling
Architect James Carter and designer Jane Hawkins opted for a low-ceilinged entry with an up-and-down stair landing in this newly-built (but old-looking) country house. "When you enter, it feels like a tiny cottage. We wanted to delay the drama," says Carter.
Let Light In With Glass Panels
The inky pigment and sharp angles of the light fixtures and graphic area rugs assert a modern edge to the foyer, which also gets just a splash of old-school decadence with an ornate console table. It's eclectic without being jarring. Also, pro tip: If you're redoing the entryway, consider flanking your front doors with glass panels to flood the entire space with natural light.
#blueandwhiteforever
No one does blue and white quite like Mark D. Sikes. He piled on the patterns in this Beverly Hills foyer, mixing China Seas wallpaper and textiles with Fermoie chandelier shades and an Elizabeth Eakins striped rug.
Fill Negative Space
That awkward space under the stairs doesn't have to be so, well, awkward. Romanek Design Studio spruced up the negative space with an elegant settee and set of small frames that work with the scale of the niche but speak to the other design concepts of the room, like the black and white stone tiles and elaborate chandelier. An architectural stool and modern accents bring the perfect balance.
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