Whether you live in the hills of California or on the shores of Florida, your entryway often sets the tone of your home. It’s the first thing you see when you get home at the end of the day and the place you greet your family and friends when they come over for a visit.
The only problem is, not every home has large foyers, which means you have to get creative with your entryway sometimes. There are many ways to create a warm and inviting entrance without having a large formal foyer.
As long as you have a few key items like a small place for storage, a place to sit, and an area with some personal items or photos, you can still have the entryway of your dreams. With a little forward planning and DIY, this can easily become your favorite spot in the house.
Here are 8 ways to transform your small foyer into the most welcoming room of the house.
1. Add a Console Table
Console tables are a great addition to your small foyer because they’re specifically designed for tight spaces. You’ll still be able to display your favorite pictures, decor, and plants, but the table itself won’t be in the way.
You can easily walk by even with groceries or shopping bags in your hands, and you won’t have to worry about knocking over the table because it’s out of the way. This is a great opportunity to enhance your home by choosing a unique console table that matches the style of your home.
2. Create Functional Storage
Even awkward entryways can be useful if you get creative. Adding storage to a small foyer can be a great addition to your home. You can display your favorite books or decor from your travels and keep essential items like shoes and umbrellas tucked away.
Creating built-ins made for storage could be a great addition to this space. If you incorporate a bench with storage cubicles under it and on the sides, it will seem like it’s been there all along. You can decorate it to match the style of your home, which will make the area feel authentic and welcoming from the moment you walk in the door.
3. Make a Cozy Seating Area
Adding a cozy spot to sit as soon as you walk in the door can make your small foyer feel warm and inviting, no matter how big or small it is. Creating a spot where you or your guests can sit their bags down or just take a seat and enjoy the day can enhance this space.
You can get creative with your seating options by choosing an antique chair, a comfy stool, or a unique love seat. Try to keep it small enough to move around as needed in case you need more room for many guests coming in and out. Add a lamp and a side table if you have space, and this could become your favorite reading spot!
4. Use a Bowl For Small Items
When you walk in the door, you’ll probably need a place to set down your keys, wallet, and spare change. Incorporating a unique bowl or vase to hold these items is essential. Whether it’s on a shelf or a console table, adding something to hold these objects could save you from searching the house for these items before work in the mornings.
Try to find a unique bowl from an antique store or from your own travels that can hold these items. It doesn’t need to be large or flashy, but choosing something that can bring character or authenticity to the space is a great idea. If you don’t want these items to be seen through the glass of the front door, choose a solid color or a deep bowl to keep your valuables hidden from the outside.
5. Incorporate Family Photos
While not every room in the house calls for personal family photos, this would be a great place to include them. Whether it’s family portraits, pictures of your beloved pets, or a series of candids from over the years, including them in the foyer will be a lovely addition to your entryway.
Your guests will love getting a small glimpse at what you value most when they come to visit, and you have a chance to remember these fond memories every day before you leave for work and when you come home. Whether you use traditional picture frames, fun canvas prints, or polaroid prints, they will look great in this space.
6. Use Shelves Instead of Tables
If you have a very small entryway and you need all the floor space you can get, consider using shelves in this space instead of even a small console table. This allows you to still display your favorite photos, keep a dish for your keys and wallet, and even add a small lamp if needed.
You won’t lose out on valuable space by using shelves instead of a table. Consider the style of your home and choose between modern floating shelves or traditional wooden shelves. You’ll have plenty of styles to choose from, and you can arrange them in any way you want.
7. Add Hanging Planters
Incorporating fresh plants can brighten up any space. Using them in your foyer will make the area feel earthy and welcoming, and you can change them up as much as you’d like. It’s an easy way to keep this space fresh and evolving without rearranging everything.
You can use hanging planters or incorporate plants that hang over your shelves in this space. The possibilities are truly endless, and this allows you to incorporate your personal touch. Try to choose low-maintenance plants so that you don’t have to worry about watering them every single day.
8. Make a Bench With Hidden Shoe Storage
One of the last things you do before you walk out the door is put your shoes on. Incorporating a bench that also hides your shoes is the perfect addition to any size foyer. You’ll have a place to sit down and put your shoes on and have a place to store them once you take them off after a long day.
You can make this a DIY project with some spare planks of wood and create a bench that will perfectly fit your space. You can change the size or length depending on the size of your family or your specific needs. Add some throw pillows and a cushioned seat to it, and you’ll have a comfortable and stylish place to store your shoes.
