Tips & Tricks Thursday – The Styled Foyer

And so the saying goes:  “You always want what you can’t have”

Well, I want a foyer.  

That might just be because I can’t have one (at least how my home stands now).  I have a sunroom/porch/weird entry-type space, but it’s not a foyer, really.

So until this wonderful entry magically appears in my current floor plan (not holding my breath here…), I’ll have to settle for coveting all of the foyers around me.

Such versatile spaces, those foyers…

They are the preview.  It gives a visiter the first glimpse into the personality of the home and the homeowner.  It’s a great place to be creative, and showcase who you are.

My actual “foyer” is pretty much just a small table to drop your keys as you walk in the door.  My “real” foyer (meaning the foyer I will have someday) will be modern, inviting, and the perfect introduction to the rest of the house.

So, today’s Tips & Tricks will be looking at the different stylings of the foyer…

1. CENTER TABLE

If you’re lucky enough to have a large entry space, this styling might appeal to you.  It consists of a, well, table (usually round) in the center of the main foyer space.  Often times it’s accompanied by a staircase and high ceilings.  In the past, this look had a more “formal” aesthetic – being the finishing decor for a grand entryway.  That formal styling still has an impact, but many of today’s homes are taking elements of this style and toning them down into a more casually-elegant look.  Instead of one stand out piece (like, say, a grand floral arrangement or piece of art), designs are showcasing more of a collected look with books, candlesticks, and decorative objects.

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2. OPEN LEG CONSOLE TABLE AND BENCH

This option is pretty common, and works well in a foyer that is smaller or has one wall open for decorative elements.  The concept has three elements – open console table, bench(es), and something hanging on the wall.  The consul can be contemporary (think simple Parson’s table), or more traditional (like a wood sofa table).

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An alternate to this style is to replace the bench or stool with some other object, like a basket or old rain boots…

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3. SOLID CONSOLE TABLE OR CHEST

This is just a take off of the previous style.  If you don’t like the feel of an open legged piece of furniture, opt for a more solid one.  Using a longer console-style table against the wall with give the space a greater visual weight.  The large surface area can be used for any number of vignette styles (think lamps, books, bottles, plants, etc…).  A narrower chest works well in small foyer spaces.  They not only offer additional storage, but again give a nice surface area for lamps, books, trays… you get the picture.  The more substantial piece of furniture gives a small space a finished and finalized feeling.  It helps to define the space (however small) as important in its own right.

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4.  KEEP IT SIMPLE

This style is all about minimalism.  A bench (or two), clean lines, and minimal artwork.  The simplicity makes a statement all its own.  It is deliberate and every piece is placed with care.  This lends itself to a more contemporary style, but don’t be afraid to throw in a traditional piece of furniture to add some personality and glamour (like the foyer of Coco Chanel’s suite at the Ritz Carlton).

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5.  GO FOR DRAMA

What’s the opposite of a simple foyer? A dramatic one!  Why not make a statement that smacks your visitors in the face the moment the step through the door (not literally, of course)?  But making a statement – whatever it may be – is important.  If you’ve got that inner glam…show it off?  Love the punch of hot pink? Don’t be afraid.  Black always makes an impact.  Wallpaper can be wonderful.  The key is to embrace the outgoing, and let this introduction be the perfect reflection of you.

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Which style suits you?

Tiina