Make a Grand Entrance
When designing the perfect house, there is one area that is often overlooked –the entry/foyer of a home. The entry experience is important for a few reasons: It is a transition from the public domain of the street to your private domain of your home. It’s the “middle place” to let one adjust and ease into other rooms that may be more private. It’s the first thing you and your guests see as you enter your home. You want it to be warm and welcoming, to reflect your personal style and make you feel happy and comfortable as you walk through the door. This space sets the tone for the rest of your home.
Just as you would evaluate and design for every other room in your house, the entryway deserves just as much attention. Here are some ideas to consider.
Personalize the space. Decorative accessories, such as artwork or family portraits etc. will help to reflect your personal taste. Display a collection of mementos from your travels. Even if your space is small, you can make a large impact. Experiment with eye-catching wallpaper and bright patterns. If you’d rather keep your walls neutral, opt for a colorful hallway runner. Just make sure it is hard-wearing to accommodate this high traffic area.
Lighting here is just as important as any other room. Make the most of natural light by selecting a front door with sidelights or a transom. Installing a skylight can also make a world of difference to small spaces. Depending on the height of your ceilings a large hanging pendant or chandelier adds drama and can set the tone and style of the adjoining rooms. For larger hallways, scones and uplights are both practical and stylish and perfect for giving hallways that welcoming feel.
Storage and “drop zone” features are critical in preventing the entry from becoming a dumping ground for shoes, backpacks, coats, and all that is needed to get out the door in the morning. With a few decorative pieces, such as a side table, coat rack, or storage unit, clutter can be kept to a minimum and keep you organized. A bench is useful for putting on and taking off shoes and may offer hidden storage for out of season items.
One of our favorite entries is this beautiful one we built for this Craftsman whole house remodel in 2014. From the moment you enter, you feel welcomed and have a sense of the entire home.
Beginning with the elegant, handcrafted front door, the natural light shines through the door lights and architectural side light panels.
A hanging pendant complements the stained glass door panels and adds color and artistic interest.
Because this is the clients’ “forever” home, the hallways are extra wide creating an open, spacious feeling while allowing for “aging-in-place” in the future.
The wood floors are embellished with a simple yet pronounced design.
Placing the hutch, close to the front door provides a convenient and organized place for keys, and other items necessary for arrivals and departures for the day.
Midway down the hall, a darker trim is used to break up the space and add interest.
And finally, aside table indicates the entry into of the rest of the home and provides the perfect place to display seasonal items or personal treasures.
More photos of this project can be found on our website under Projects/Whole House Remodels/Craftsman, Campbell CA.
Resources
Stay organized as soon as you step inside, with modern entryway storage furniture at CB2. Hang up your jacket on one of their unique coat racks and keep shoes and bags tucked away in a stylish storage bench or sleek credenza. Perfect for foyers, mudrooms, and hallways, their entryway furniture and accessories will stop clutter right at the front door.
Stanford Electric Works has a great new showroom at 126 San Antonio Circle in Mountain View, just a few short minutes off the Bayshore Freeway. They have a large selection of quality and stylish products that’s perfect for all homeowners. Find out more on their website.
Make a statement with FLOR Carpet Tiles. A modular and sustainable design process. Customize to your heart’s content. You can get exactly what you want – the right size, the right style, one square at a time.
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