ENTRYWAYS

Many of today’s entryways combine function and

style.

COME ON IN

Welcome guests with a fabulous foyer

BY AMY SINATRA AYRES

After months of social distancing, many of us are itching to welcome friends and family back into our homes. Now’s your chance to refresh your foyer and create a great first impression.

“An entryway really sets the tone for how people feel upon entering your home because it is the transitional area between the outside world and your personal space,” says Dawn Wilkinson, CEO of Six Walls Interior Design in Mercer Island, Wash. “Creating an entry area that provides a warm and welcoming feeling, inviting you to come further into the home, is where we typically start” with design.

Among the several factors to consider are flooring, storage, lighting and accents.

“Think about what you need when you are entering and departing your home and have those things close by >

and convenient in a tasteful way,” says home improvement and lifestyle expert Kathryn Emery.

FLOORING

“It’s important to think about the type of flooring used in an entryway since that is the foundation for the entire area in terms of style and personality, as well as durability and ease of cleaning,” Wilkinson says. One possibility she suggests is extending the materials from the outside into your home, such as using brick laid in a herringbone pattern inside if you have a brick walkway outside.

Another is to add interest with a decorative area rug, which you can change depending on the time of year or as your taste evolves, Wilkinson suggests.

SEATING AND STORAGE

The answer to one simple question can help you determine your entry needs: Is yours a shoes-off household? If so, provide an obvious place for visitors to sit and remove their shoes, and a place to put them. “Most guests will notice that that area is available to them and utilize it without you even having to ask them to,” Wilkinson says.

This could be an entryway bench or a chair. Having a table in the space provides a place to put things down on your way in, and you will need a place to keep bags, coats and other items.

“If you are the type of person that prefers everything is hidden behind closed doors, an entry closet to hang guest coats is always a nice feature,” Wilkinson says. “You can really jazz up that closet with some decorative doors and stunning hardware.

For those who welcome a more informal approach, open cubbies below and hooks above can provide a fun and family-friendly way to provide storage that is visible and easily accessed.”

LIGHTING

“Good lighting is a nice element in an entryway — something that glows in dusk hours,” says San Francisco-based interior designer The proper Michelle Foerster. lighting, stylish “It can be subtle or accents, adequate something grand (that storage and makes a) statement.” decorative Wilkinson sugflooring can gests a chandelier or elevate your beautiful wall sconces. entryway space. “Not only so you can see coming in or out regardless of what time of day it might be, but also from the outside looking in. It sends a signal to people arriving as to where the front entry actually is.”

Think about how to bring sunlight in, too. “The entry is a great place to bring some of the outdoors in with lots of natural light and plantings,” says Jamie Nusser of Denver-based J Designs. “This softens the transition from outside to inside and creates an inviting atmosphere rather than a stark contrast.”

ACCENTS

A mirror is the quintessential accent for a foyer. “Adding a statement mirror with a handsome frame detail can serve three purposes,” says Wilkinson. It allows you to do “a quick self-check before exiting the house” or for guests to do the same on the way in; it reflects more light in the space; and it can serve as a form of artwork, she says.

She also recommends relocating decorations from other parts of your home to the entry as “a way to infuse that style to the space.” That vase in the family room may add just the right touch to the entryway table.

Nusser suggests adding scents to the entry with a favorite candle or fresh flowers, and Foerster suggests wallpaper or a pop of color to “bring life to the space.”

“Because the entry is not an area that gets constant use, like a kitchen or living room, you should feel free to have a little fun with the design,” Nusser says. “It is a great place to incorporate art or sculpture that makes more of a statement.” l