No one gets a second opportunity to make a first impression—and neither does your home. When visitors walk through your front door into the foyer, they get a sneak peek at what’s to come. “It’s the business card of the house and needs to make a memorable and appropriate impression,” says Melissa Galt of Linea Rest & Respite: Design a personal haven of relaxation and comfort Inc. in Atlanta. Therefore, the front door and foyer should set the tone for the rest of the home. While it may sound like a challenge, you create an entryway with a strong visual impact that is easier than you might think.
Open to options
When designing or decorating your entryway, first decide how you use the space. “Is it strictly for visitors? Do you use it every day?” Galt says. “List what you want the space to do.” Knowing the function of the space will help you decide how it should look.
Another consideration is the space itself. “Scale and proportion are the most important [factors],” says Stacey Kirby, partner with Seiber Design in Atlanta. For example, do you have a vast, open space, or is it long and narrow? Is there a staircase? If so, does it dominate the area or go relatively unnoticed? Does the ceiling rise high above the floor level to include an upper balcony or loft? The responses to these questionings will determine the possibilities.
A dramatic staircase creates a natural focal point for an entryway. Next, gather ideas of what you would like to see in the space. Go through magazines and tear out photos of entryways you want, visit model homes to decorate ideas, and ask design professionals for their input.
Remember, the foyer design should be in keeping with the style of the rest of the home. Once you have a point of what you desire your entryway to look like, you’ll be ready to dress up your space.
Up-front design
Front doors and front-entry systems can include sidelights (windows on each side of the door) and transoms. (windows over the door)—can be as beautiful as they are functional. Glass is a critical component in these systems. “[Homeowners are upgrading] the front of the house by updating the front door with glass,” says Paul Butler, president of EntryPoint Doors of Atlanta in Alpharetta. They also are opting for accent finishes other than brass. “They’re going toward nickel, patina, and black,” Butler says.
Steve Simpson, the owner of Artistic Glass Doors of Atlanta Inc. in Roswell, says he’s seeing homeowners incorporate components such as wrought iron as well. Leaded glass designs also remain very strong in the door market. Front doors, which can include sidelights and transoms, can be as beautiful as they are functional.
Butler recommends selecting a door that blends with the home’s style. “You don’t want it to be an eyesore in the neighborhood,” he says. Since 80 percent of Atlanta’s homes are traditional in design, he suggests an Old World or classic look for most doors. Of course, homeowners should put their personal touch on the door, too. “We try to get a feel for their personal taste,” Simpson says. “Then, we show samples to help them find one that fits their comfort zone.”
Comfort level
After your guests pass through that great-looking front door, they should immediately feel comfortable. Furniture, rugs, lighting, and artwork can turn the foyer into a warm, inviting room. A small table and a chair or bench usually set the tone nicely. “A seating area [will] make it look comfortable and welcoming,” says Dianna Boykin, interior designer and president of Signature Interiors Inc. in Duluth.
However, she warns, makes sure the furniture is the right size and proportion for space. Don’t use small pieces in a long, tall room, and vice versa. Consider using a round table to fit the curve of a staircase. Also, make sure the furniture doesn’t overwhelm the space or interrupt the traffic flow from the front door or staircase into other home areas.
Rugs also play a role in well-designed foyers. “A rug in an entryway makes it warm and inviting,” Boykin says. Make sure the shape of the rug complements the space. Round rugs don’t fit well in extended, narrow foyers, just as a slim runner doesn’t mesh with vast, open space. Also, please don’t overlook the staircase when it comes to rugs.
“Runners on stairs are essential,” Galt says. They help prevent slips and skids on stairs, absorb sound (which is especially good in high, open foyers) and prevent themselves, she says. Use ambient lightings, such as lamps, cove lighting, and chandeliers with dimmers to accent space.
Good lighting is another essential element in a great-looking entryway. “It creates a lot of drama,” Kirby says. If there is natural light from the front door or a window, this will help warm-up space.
Also, while a grand chandelier’s benefits and beauty cannot be overlooked, it shouldn’t be the only lighting element. “Don’t think, ‘I put the chandelier in; I’m done,’” says Rebecca Kunimoto, owner of Wild Horse Studio in Atlanta. Ambient lighting, such as lamps, cove lighting, and chandeliers with dimmers, also softens the space. “Make it adjustable to fit the use and mood [of the space],” Kunimoto says.
Artistic touches
Although often thought of as a finishing touch, the artwork is considered a primary element in good foyer design. “Artwork on the walls creates interest,” says Jennifer Cheney, owner of Design Classique in Atlanta. It is essential for two-story foyers. “Put artwork high up on walls, so your eye goes up higher visually,” Cheney says.
Again, remember to choose pieces that relate in size and proportion to the overall space. “Skip tiny pieces in a two-story foyer, but don’t have anything so large it overpowers the space,” Kunimoto says. Also, don’t feel pressured to pick art you don’t enjoy just because you think it’ll make a good impression. “[Select] what you personally like,” Kunimoto says. “Let interior designers help with framing decisions, but don’t let them pick out your artwork. It’s a very personal decision.”
Always the right design decision, mirrors are great for decorating foyers. “They give the misconception that space is deeper or wider,” Cheney says. The artwork is essential—especially in two-story foyers. Hang it high on the walls to draw the eye up.
Paint is a simple and affordable way to transform a foyer. “Paint is always easy and changeable,” Kirby says. Plus, it helps bring a room into scale, Kunimoto says. High color contrast can break up space, which is suitable for bringing an elevator-type foyer together. Also, a monochromatic feel will open up a room.
In addition to merely painting foyer walls, consider using faux techniques. “Faux work on walls gives warmth and movement,” Boykin says. Just don’t get too carried away. “You can do what you want, but everything needs to fit together,” Kunimoto says. It applies to the foyer and how it relates to the other areas of the house.
Finally, consider a floral arrangement on the table or topiary by the door. “If there’s space, [add greenery] because it always feels homey,” Boykin says. “Choose something to bring the outdoors in.”
A big entrance
When you’re looking at entry points, don’t underestimate the impact of the garage. The giant door on your home, the garage door, offers a perfect opportunity to improve your home’s image drastically. The already wide variety of available garage door styles only continues to expand.
There are two basic types of garage doors. Tilt-ups are single-panel doors that pivot out and up. Sectional roll-up doors are made up of four or more horizontal panels held together with hinges. They mounted with rollers to tracks on each side of the door that roll the door up and back. The most typical garage door materials are wood, steel, aluminum, and fiberglass. Woods such as cedar, hickory, oak, and mahogany continue to be popular choices for garage doors.
A well-planned and executed entryway provides not only a warm welcome for your guests but a lasting impression of you and your home. These carriage-style doors have an Old-World European feel.
Dennis Easter, vice president of deals and trade for image Doors, says it’s essential to choose a door. It implores you and completes the style and architecture of your home. For example, traditional raised panel doors are not the right choice for a Craftsman-style home with a mixture of exterior materials such as stone and brick. A wood or steel carriage house door would better suit this type of home. Cape Cod houses look good with traditional American doors, he says, and rustic styles are available for lake houses or families with a barnlike look.
Easter says adding decorative hardware can make a carriage door look more authentic and enhance interest. Using a stain can create a close, weathered look.
With the options available, you’re sure to find a door to fit your needs—and your house. A well-planned and executed entryway provides not only a warm welcome for your guests but a lasting impression of you and your home.