At a Glance:
Create a Soft Landing with a Rug
Make Your Foyer Feel Larger with a Mirror
Perhaps your foyer feels too small, too dark, too cluttered, disorganized, or awkwardly laid out. Don’t write it off just yet. Your foyer isn’t a throwaway space or a vestibule to hurry through. It’s the first impression for guests when they enter your home and—with the right foyer ideas—it can be a functional and beautiful part of your home. Our top foyer ideas will help you overcome typical foyer foibles, incorporate storage and seating, and create an inviting space that reflects your personal style all with foyer furniture pieces from Colder’s.
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Shop NowThe Problem with Foyers
First, let’s tackle some of the most common furniture complaints with solutions and foyer ideas.
Too Small
In tackling a foyer that feels too small, strategic design choices and foyer furniture ideas can make a significant difference. Mirrors, for instance, can create the illusion of space by reflecting light and opening up the area visually. Opting for furniture with a smaller footprint, tapered legs, or clutter-free open shelving can also help maximize available space. Additionally, choosing light, neutral colors for walls and decor can contribute to a sense of airiness and openness.
Too Dark
Addressing a foyer that seems too dark requires a thoughtful approach to lighting and color. Brighter light fixtures, including overhead lights and wall sconces, can help illuminate the space effectively. Light-colored paint or wallpaper on the walls can also play a role in reflecting and dispersing light throughout the area. Mirrors strategically placed can help bounce light around the room, further brightening it up.
Too Cluttered
To combat a foyer that feels cluttered, implementing smart foyer storage solutions is key. Baskets, shelves, cabinets, or shoe storage for foyer entries can all be used to contain and organize items, minimizing visual clutter. Establishing a system for organizing essentials such as keys, mail, and shoes near the entryway can help maintain order. Regular decluttering sessions, during which unnecessary items are purged, can prevent accumulation and keep the space tidy. Designating specific spots for each item helps family members know where to find things and where to put them away.
Disorganized
Dealing with a disorganized foyer involves creating functional storage solutions and establishing routines for maintenance. Foyer furniture pieces with built-in storage, such as benches or consoles with drawers, can help keep items out of sight yet easily accessible. Decorative bins or baskets can corral smaller items like scarves, gloves, or pet accessories. Labeling storage containers or shelves aids in locating items quickly and efficiently.
Awkward Layout
An awkward layout in the foyer can be addressed through thoughtful arrangement and optimization of available space. For example, what about furniture for a curved wall in foyer settings? A curved console table, bench, or shelving unit could be helpful. You could also opt for floating shelves, and a round or oval rug might work better than a rectangular one. Experimenting with different furniture layouts can reveal the most functional configuration. Removing or relocating furniture and decor pieces that impede traffic flow can enhance the overall usability of the space. Area rugs can delineate separate zones within the foyer and add visual interest while helping define pathways. Installing wall-mounted hooks or racks for coats, bags, and umbrellas maximizes floor space and keeps essentials easily accessible. With careful planning and attention to detail, even the most challenging layout can be made more practical and inviting.
Learn More: Unique Grey Living Room Ideas Everyone Will Love
Entryway Furniture Essentials
What do you put in a foyer? In terms of essential entry foyer furniture, we recommend:
- Storage
- Seating
- Organization (e.g., a credenza foyer, a foyer table, a cabinet, cubbies, or foyer shoe storage)
- Mirrors
- Lighting
- Décor
These must-have furniture for the foyer staples still leave plenty of room for your imagination and creativity to run wild. The color palette and design style are up to you. These foyer essentials can be combined and configured in limitless iterations so that no two look the same. So, let’s explore our top entryway ideas for home so you can create a foyer that expresses your style and functions for your family.
Add Foyer Storage
Foyer storage is essential because the entryway of your home can quickly become a dumping ground for odds and end: mail, backpacks, jackets, shoes, library books, and on and on. Nip that in the bud by bringing in a foyer bench with storage, a foyer table with storage, or a foyer ottoman that opens up to reveal—you guessed it—storage.
We Recommend: Signature Design by Ashley Garrettville Brown Storage Bench
Shop This Signature Design by Ashley Storage Bench
This foyer bench with storage has a seat that opens up to reveal a spacious storage compartment. You can stow away clutter all while introducing a cute vintage-looking furniture piece into your space. It’s made of solid wood with contrasting black metal hardware, and it works well whether you want to keep things neutral or introduce color and pattern with a fun wallpaper.
⭐Featured Garrettville Storage Bench Review:
“Great quality for the price and easy to put together. The color is darker than the pictures but it's still a good color. I bought this piece to put in the entry way of my living room and I use the inside of the bench to store my son's toys!”
Learn More: 7 Best Storage Benches for Home Organization
Don’t Forget Foyer Seating
Storage might be a no-brainer when it comes to how to design a foyer, but what about foyer seating? Bench seats are the most common option for a foyer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have an accent chair. The type of seating that works best largely depends on the size and layout of your space. The key is to remember size and scaling.
For narrow foyers where space is limited, opt for streamlined seating options such as slim benches or small stools that tuck neatly against a wall or under a console table. These seating choices help maintain an unobstructed flow of traffic while still providing a place for brief pauses. In foyers with ample space or distinctive architectural features like curved walls or grand staircases, try an accent chair for an unexpected and sophisticated touch.
We Recommend: Powell Bauer Beau White/Brown Cane Bench
This slim, streamlined bench is the perfect seating option for sitting for a moment. It’s ideal for a narrow foyer both because of its size and its light and airy feel. White wood and linen upholstery are perfect for a California casual, coastal, or transitional space.
⭐Featured Powell Bauer Beau Bench Review:
“This is a wonderful bench…Bench is very sturdy and well made. Seat cushion is comfortable and covered with a fabric that I'm able to keep clean easily. Very impressed with this bench!”
We Also Love: Flexsteel Ace White Moondust Chair
Shop This Flexsteel Accent Chair
Maybe you don’t have a handful of kids who need a place to take off their shoes when they get home from school. Or perhaps your entryway gets the best sunlight in your house, and it would be the perfect spot to curl up with a book. In that case, what about incorporating a plush accent chair in your entryway? This wingback foyer chair is subtle and comfortable—the perfect spot to rest for a moment or spend the afternoon relaxing in the sunshine.
Foyer Organization Is a Must
We’ll say it again: Keep the clutter out of your foyer! A console table with open storage might be lovely, but is it going to provide you with the storage and organization you need? Utilizing furniture with built-in storage, such as benches or consoles with drawers, helps keep essential items out of sight while maximizing space. Establishing designated spots for frequently used items, such as shoes or coats, encourages family members to maintain order and prevents clutter from accumulating. Consistent decluttering sessions and routine maintenance help homeowners stay on top of foyer organization, ensuring a welcoming and functional entryway for residents and guests alike.
We Recommend: homestyles Seaside Lodge Off-White Hall Tree
Shop This homestyles Hall Tree
We love the look of this storage unit, which easily adapts to farmhouse, traditional, or transitional designs. It combines hooks, bench seating, cabinet storage, and a mirror, bringing you all our top foyer ideas in one furniture piece.
Unwind with a Foyer Bar
Maybe you already have plenty of storage or there’s a closet nearby for coats, umbrellas, and backpacks. Having a bar in the foyer is more than just for a quick pick-me-up at the end of the day. It’s a stylish place to keep a personal coffeemaker with stirrups and an ice maker. It’s a functional place to store arts and crafts supplies. When it’s party time with guests or painting time with the kids, you can easily roll a foyer bar to any room on the first floor.
We Recommend: Signature Design by Ashley Kailman Bar Cart
Shop This Signature Design by Ashley Bar Cart
This stylish bar cart features gold and mirrored finishes to brighten up your foyer and add a dash of glamour. Stock it with your favorite cocktail ingredients and wheel it into your foyer for a quick pick-me-up when the time calls. Or simply keep your favorite coffee syrups and mug ready to enjoy a good cup of Joe before starting the day.
⭐Featured Signature Design by Ashley Kailman Bar Cart Review:
“I was looking everywhere for a cute bar cart that wasn't super expensive but still high quality and my search ended with this purchase!!! Love this bar cart so much, it only took me ~ 15 minutes to put it together myself and I love decorating it! I have gotten so many compliments.”
Create a Soft Landing with a Rug
We’ve talked a lot about storing and organizing your shoes—but what about the comfort of stepping onto a plush rug once you’re home for the day? That’s hard to beat. A rug adds warmth, texture, color, and pattern to a foyer. It can set the tone for the rest of your home and add a welcoming touch. Not only that but a rug helps keep your home clean by trapping dirt, dust, and debris from shoes as people enter. This prevents dirt from being tracked further into the house. Just make sure to vacuum your foyer rug regularly.
We Recommend: Rizzy Home Dimension Taupe 3’ X 5’ Rug
This transitional medium pile rug is a calming and cozy choice. The gentle taupe color combines with a subtle pattern to create a welcoming entryway. Easily adaptable to a variety of design styles and color palettes, this rug goes with almost everything, and it makes a beautiful first impression in the foyer.
Make Your Foyer Feel Larger with a Mirror
This last foyer decor idea helps expand the feel of the space. A mirror can create the illusion of a larger space by reflecting light and opening up the room visually. To maximize the impact of a mirror, consider positioning it opposite a window or light source to amplify the amount of light reflected. Additionally, incorporating mirrors with built-in lighting can enhance the illusion of space and add a stylish touch to the decor.
When selecting mirrors for a foyer, opt for sizes proportionate to the wall and room dimensions, avoiding overly small or excessively large mirrors that may disrupt the visual balance. While rectangular and square mirrors are versatile and commonly used, circular or oval mirrors can soften sharp angles and add visual interest to the space, particularly in foyers with curved walls or unconventional layouts. You could also incorporate unique shapes like sunburst or octagonal mirrors to add personality to your space.
We Recommend: Stylecraft Black Octagonal Metal Framed Wall Mirror
Shop This Stylecraft Wall Mirror
This octagonal mirror has a black metal frame, making it perfect for a modern, contemporary, or industrial design. It could also provide the perfect contrast to add grit to a modern farmhouse design. You could hang it over an entryway table or incorporate it as part of a gallery wall to display your favorite artwork and family photos.
From adding storage to incorporating a bar and creating a soft landing with a rug, our top foyer ideas can help you create an entryway that is both functional and beautiful. Our furniture for a foyer recommendations are handpicked to help you add storage and style to your space to create a foyer that is uniquely “you.” With a wide selection of stylish and affordable pieces, Colder's is the best place to shop for furniture in the Milwaukee area. Stop by one of our Wisconsin locations to browse foyer furniture in person.
Why Trust Colder’s?
Since 1942, we at Colder's pride ourselves on offering value, selection, and service. Serving Southeastern Wisconsin with four showrooms that stock quality name-brand furniture, appliances, and mattresses, Colder’s is sure to house exactly what you are looking for. And if you can't find it on our floors, chances are, we can order it for you. As a local, family-owned company, we are always doing our best to provide the highest value at the lowest cost to everyone who walks through our doors.
Colder’s is committed not only to continuously offering can’t-miss sales but also to working with each customer, making sure that you take advantage of every possible markdown — that’s our best price guarantee. Still need help? We offer zero percent appliance and furniture financing for your home needs!
Shop Foyer Furniture at Colder’s
Don’t put off happiness — and shop furniture online for unbeatable prices at Colder’s. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you discover even more foyer ideas, whether you call us at 414-476-1574 or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our Colder’s locations in West Allis, Oak Creek, Delafield, and Grafton, Wisconsin to touch, see, feel, and experience home products that fulfill your dreams. Visit us today!
Learn More: 8 Creative Bedroom Layout Ideas for Your Dream Space