Creating a Beautiful Entryway
You only get one chance to make a first impression! Your entryway is the first thing that guests will see when they enter into your home, so it’s one of the most important rooms to focus on when it comes to your house. Ignoring your foyer because it’s small is silly. It might be small, but it is mighty in the impact it can make.
So much depends on your floor plan, but ultimately foyers are a wonderful place to show off your style without having to put a tremendous amount into it. Here are a few key elements to think about.
You should consider having some kind of table or landing surface. It’s great to have a place to store or put things when you or your guests arrive. If there is space, a bench or soft upholstered piece serves as a nice drop zone or place to sit. It’s also a nice way to soften some of the harder pieces.
We also find having a mirror is important in your foyer as everyone likes to give that one last look at themselves before they walk out the door – lipstick checks are always important!
A good, durable rug is also key in creating a good space. Turkish rugs are a hot ticket item right now and they are great for entries as they are an easy way to add color, design, and impact in one item. Indoor/outdoor rugs are a great option also as they are still elegant, come in multiple patterns, and can be embellished with banding, nail heads, and more. The durability they offer is huge because of all of the foot traffic.
In smaller spaces, the ceiling is often a great place to turn up the design volume, especially if you have high ceilings. Ceilings of nine feet and above can take a treatment of some kind – even painting it a different color. Great lighting is also key, and a beautiful chandelier that can draw your eye upward is always a great choice.
We love wallpaper and it especially works well in these smaller areas. Use this as a space to show off your style and your house’s style. If you are lucky enough to have interesting moldings, this is a great place to highlight them.
This is also a good space to break out the little family heirloom pieces for accessorizing. An entryway should be about you, your house, and your family. It can be a place to take some design chances, but ultimately, it’s a place that welcomes people and makes you feel at home.
- About the studio
Alex Deringer and Courtney Cox combine their formal training in design and fashion with their renowned sense of style in Ivy Lane, a full-service interior design firm that curates casually elegant family dwellings that are elevated by a unique spark. Whether an entire house renovation or a one-room makeover, Alex and Courtney’s extensive experience and collaborative dynamic inform a successful design philosophy: thoroughly understand the client’s lifestyle, bring a thoughtful spatial perspective, and enliven the space with the freshest aesthetic interest.
309C Cameron Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
studio@ivylaneliving.com
703.566.6582
