Everyone who’s ever been on a job interview or a blind date knows the importance of a first impression. Before you even open your mouth, you convey a novel’s worth of information—the way you’re dressed, the smile, the eye contact, that all-important first handshake. Your home’s closest equivalent is its entryway. It’s the first thing people see when they come in the front door. It should draw them in like a welcoming smile, well-pressed clothes or a firm, confident handshake.
So how do you design a foyer that will say what you want it to say? Some of New Jersey’s top design experts offer tips:
Choose the right pieces.
When finding fitting furniture for a foyer, start with function. Says Melissa Selvaggio of Upper Saddle River’s Melissa’s Designs & Co.: “First, assess the functionality required, then choose pieces that address those needs. In most cases, that includes a sideboard with storage or a console table for holding essentials. A bench or a chair provides a convenient spot to sit while putting on or taking off shoes.” Adds Christie Adams of Christie Adams Design in Wyckoff: “When space is limited, a bench is a great alternative and offers guests a convenient place to remove their shoes.” The shapes you pick are also important, says Alexandra Schuetz of A. Sloan Design in Ramsey, who suggests choosing “a round console table if possible, to allow for soft edges. It makes the space feel soft and inviting.”
For another option, Julia Epstein of Montclair’s JSE Interiors says that a chest can be just as chic and effective. Some kind of shoe storage is also essential in an entryway, believes Margo Gardner of Margo Gardner Interior Design, also in Montclair. “While I like lidded baskets for shoes to conceal the mess, I’ve found that my kids are much better about putting their shoes on an open rack,” she explains. “I had to trade a little form for function there. It’s worth keeping in mind that the best storage is storage that your family will actually use.”
Make millwork work.
Eye-catching moldings, paneling, trim and baseboards can help you get the most out of an entryway. Says Cory Connor of Cory Connor Designs in Chester: “Millwork makes even a small space feel curated and intentional. I suggest using board and batten, which adds a classic touch and protects walls from scuffs to create a sophisticated, high-end feel.” Millwork is your friend if you have a lot of space to work with, Epstein contends. “In a two-story foyer with a sweeping staircase, millwork adds dimension and takes the pressure off having to fill empty walls,” she explains. “Paired with wallpaper, it can almost eliminate the pressure to decorate empty wall space.” Ria E. Gulian of Oceanport’s Interior Designs by Ria praises “picture-frame” molding for two-story foyers because “it creates visual interest in what would otherwise be a ‘sea of sheetrock.’”
Andrea Leone of I & I Designs in Manalapan also encourages having fun with colors. “Millwork can be painted a bold color to make a statement or kept classic in white for a timeless look,” she says. “I particularly love pairing millwork with wallpaper—it’s an elegant way to elevate the space and add character to the foyer.” A hint from our pros: the space can be designed to include hooks for hanging jackets and other essentials.
Let there be light.
You walk home on a dark night, enter through your front door and hit a light switch—what greets you? “An entryway isn’t a task-heavy space where you need bright, functional lighting—it’s all about setting the right mood,” says Nicole Forina of Nicole Forina Home in Tinton Falls. Our experts agree that a pendant or ceiling-mounted fixture is a must in this room. The height of your ceilings will determine which you should go for. Adams says: “If you have 8-foot ceilings, then a flush mount light is the way to go. However, when you have tall ceilings, then go big or go home!”
Malorie Goldberg of Marlboro Township’s Noa Blake Design also calls a statement chandelier “essential” in two-story foyers. She explains: “Lighting is the jewelry of the home; it adorns your spaces in a way that elevates them and makes them feel special. Adding sconces to the walls or table lamps to a console incorporates those textural elements and makes things shine.” In Connor’s view, wall sconces are great for a narrower space; she reminds you to take advantage of the space on that console table. “Table lamps on consoles are a great way to add ambience and glow to a foyer,” she says.
Admire the view.
The one essential piece of wall décor in an entryway? The mirror. “An entryway is never complete without a mirror,” says Gardner. “Entry spaces are frequently small, and mirrors can really make a space feel lighter, brighter and more open. They also give you one last chance to check your appearance on the way out the door.” Leone says mirrors are “especially effective when layered over bold or patterned wallpaper.” What size? According to Forina, “bigger is almost always better! A large mirror makes the space feel more open.”
Because the entryway is your home’s first impression, this is a great place to give a sneak peek at the personalities of the people living in it. Selvaggio says, “We work closely with clients to understand what resonates most—whether it’s family photos, which we might display in oversized frames as a gallery wall, or artwork that reflects their style and interests.” It can also whet the appetite for the home design to come, as Shoshana Halpert of Teaneck’s Shoshana Halpert Designs says: “It should hint at the color palette to come in the rest of the house.”
Watch your step.
Ideally, says Tara Rotelli of Rotelli Interiors in Hasbrouck Heights, what’s underneath your feet in a foyer should start at the building stage. “When it comes to flooring, practicality is key, and natural stone remains my top choice,” she says. “Some view it as fragile or high maintenance, but I remind them that natural stone is as timeless as the earth itself. It can be easily cleaned and restored should any stains or issues arise.”
If you’re not designing from the bones up, then a good rug is the best way to control the floor in this room. According to Halpert, “A rug adds texture to your entryway. In a room that likely has no soft textures, it’s a way to add color and warmth to the space.” Always consider size as well. Connor advises: “Choose a rug that fits proportionally—either a runner for narrow hallways or a large rectangular rug for open entryways.” Sun Ju Valenta of Sun Valenta Design in Madison adds that “if your entryway is narrow and directly connected to another room, you can draw your guest in with a runner.” “Entry rugs should ideally be grounded by a piece of furniture so they’re not just floating in the space,” Epstein declares. “A round pedestal table in the center of a large foyer looks great on top of a square rug.” Her personal cautionary tip? “Never use a round rug in a foyer. They look cheesy.”
Want more advice from New Jersey’s home design experts? Click here to read the June/July issue of NJ HOME.