Stunning Foyer Design Ideas To Wow Your Guests

A traditional foyer with a groin vault ceiling and arched entryways - by Archways & Ceilings

Let's face it, the minute your guests step foot through your front door they get an impression of your home.

Your foyer is so much more than just your entrance hall. Think of it as the first introduction to visitors. It sets the tone for the rest of your home.

Whether you choose beige walls and high foyer ceilings or splotches of unexpected colors and playfulness, you want to impress your visitors from the moment the door opens.

Putting together an interior design for your entrance hall doesn’t have to be stressful and complex. With a few simple additions, you can transform the room to suit your desired style.

Foyer Ceilings And Entryway Design Ideas

That sounds all well and good, but where do you even start?

Don’t worry, inspiration won’t take long to strike for you to design a stunning foyer. Here are some tips and ideas to get you started. 

This massive wood-finished groin vault with arched windows adorn a beautiful grand foyer - by Archways & Ceilings

Modern Foyer Design

Modern foyers are all about straight lines and minimalistic placement.

The idea behind modern foyer interior design is to keep the interior design as clean-cut as possible. Think about gray walls or white walls, and then incorporate one or two statement features like a large mirror, a vibrant rug, or even a sleek cabinet.

You can open up the space to natural light by making use of glass for the door. This opens up the room, while also highlighting the space. 

The key to modern design is avoiding cluttering and overt busyness. So don’t be scared to use stylish and practical furniture, like a table, an entrance bench, or hooks on the wall for hanging coats and bags as people enter the house.

Using a modern design creates a moment of peace as you enter your home. Its sleekness and clean corners almost feel meditative before you enter the rest of your home. Although, the beauty of this simple design trend is you can couple it with more traditional designs - if done right. 

Consider using groin vaults to create a sense of space and lightness in your room. By lifting your ceiling up, you add a bit of accentuated style while also giving the room open space.

Modern yet classic foyer with groin vault ceilings - by Archways & Ceilings

Contemporary Modern Foyer Design

For a more contemporary modern look, add splashes of bright color and play around with shapes and asymmetry. This is a great way to make your entryway look more inviting while still emulating the clean-cut nature of modern design.

A radius ceiling is a great option if you’re looking to make more of a statement as soon as your visitors walk through the door. Pair it with a modern statement lighting fixture and you can instantly transform your entryway into something more contemporary.

This custom entryway ceiling features a double Radius Ceiling and a modern ceiling fan - by Archways & Ceilings

Small Foyer Ideas

Just because you have a small foyer doesn’t mean it can’t have style. In fact, a small foyer is an awesome adventure for you to experiment with. Having a foyer in itself is a statement. Most homes enter straight into the living space.

So, if you do have a foyer, you’ll want it to provide a warm welcome to anyone that comes through the door - even if it's just a small area.

When working with a small foyer, our advice is to make the space appear bigger. To do this, make use of white walls and natural light. The light bouncing off the walls will immediately create the perception of space.

Get creative with this. Consider using mirrors strategically in a corner or adding in high windows.

Plus, by using arched entryways instead of closed doors, you can open up the room and make it feel more spacious and airy. It will also help create a natural flow from the foyer to other rooms.

If your foyer design tends to be busier, consider using wall niches and vertical space. This way, you can creatively organize your entryway to showcase some beautiful décor.

Another great idea for a small foyer is to place a beautiful oval mirror above a small table. On this table, you can place a sculpture, flowers, or even books of your choice. This immediately connects to the style of the rest of your house.

You can also simply contrast white walls with a center table and a bold-colored door. Just because you are working with limited space doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your entryway themes. 

Wall Niches come in a variety of styles and are perfect for foyers and entryways - by Archways & Ceilings

Farmhouse Foyer Ideas

If you are a fan of going big and bold, the farmhouse foyer may just be for you.

This foyer design is about creating a warm and welcoming entrance for any and all who step into your house. You can contrast beige walls or white walls with a bright rug and unexpected colors. Or, you can keep it more neutral and rustic.

A farmhouse-style foyer is the opposite of a modern foyer. However, the first thing to do before getting carried away is to plan. Do you want a more rustic farmhouse entryway or would you prefer to tap into that historic charm?

Simply understanding the style of your foyer design will help you determine which furniture would suit it. You can open up the hallway with a hand-carved wooden table and chairs. Or, opt for colorful doors mirroring a bold rug. An interior designer can help you pick out the perfect pieces to complement this style for your entrance hall. 

To achieve the farmhouse look , you’ll want to use lots of wood and natural textures. Think about a beautiful wooden table or woven storage baskets. For lighting, consider adding a simple, wrought-iron chandelier or lantern-shaped pendant light.

What will really help you transform your entryway, is a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams. Exposed wooden beams are a classic feature of the farmhouse style and they will instantly elevate your home.

This groin vault ceiling and rustic metal chandelier complement a farmhouse-style foyer - by Archways & Ceilings

Long Foyer Ideas

If you have a long, narrow foyer, you may think that there’s not much you can do with it. There might be limited space or you may find the space always looks cluttered. However, there are some tips and tricks to open up the space and make your long foyer stand out.

Consider pairing long white walls with glass panels or mirrors. This gives your foyer an open and clean look that can then be enhanced with a few pieces of décor. You can even bring in some greenery to liven up your long entrance hall.

If you are wanting to leave your guests in awe the minute they walk through the front door, make use of a barrel-vaulted ceiling. We guarantee that this is a sure win. 

Not only does a barrel-vaulted ceiling give some depth and character to the room, but you can pair it with just about anything and give it a finish to match any style. Maybe even try out two or three pendant lights to draw the eye and create flow down the entryway.

Another benefit of having a long foyer is playing with wall niches . You can use the wall niches to create depth and focused spots of design to display your favorite or most important décor pieces.

Barrel Vaults are versatile and are perfect for grand foyers/entryways as well as long hallways - by Archways & Ceilings

Elegant Foyer Ideas

There is nothing that screams grand entrance more than a grand piano and chandelier. If you are a fan of the finer things of life, put them on display - especially if you have a large foyer that is framed by an elegant staircase.

The most important tip for keeping it elegant and chic is don’t over-clutter. Know which pieces you want to put on display and build your foyer around them.

An example of this is if you have a stunning, period piece chandelier. Perhaps pair it with a wooden table and some elegant décor. Then for the floor, you can use clean marble and bring in more natural light with a large arched window .

Make sure you use the same color palette throughout and you will be sure to have a home that will leave your guests in awe.

Additionally, if you want to create an idea of not only floor space but ceiling space consider using a domed ceiling . This classic style of architecture adds a splash of sophistication to any room and is perfect for creating a truly grand foyer.

An elegant foyer is a really stunning way of setting the tone of your home. You are guaranteed to wow your guests the minute they enter your home!

This elegant foyer features a beautiful elongated dome ceiling, arched windows, and arched entryways - by Archways & Ceilings

Final Thoughts

Putting together the design for your foyer can be an absolute blast. Your foyer is the first impression of your home to your guests. Whether this is clean and practical or loud and dramatic, it is a reflection of your home and your family.

Unlike the other rooms in your house, your foyer is not a practical room that you’ll spend lots of time in. So, think of it as almost an art gallery with your choice of decoration and home design.

The best part is that when you start putting it together, anything goes. Whether you want to contrast a minimalistic room with a bold blue door or a dramatic cross-vaulted ceiling - you can! It’s all up to your personal preference.

Contact us anytime  to see how we can help give you the foyer of your dreams!