What Is the Meaning of Foyer?

Functional Foyer

• If your family members and visitors usually enter the home through the front door, your foyer should be functional as well as stylish. Place a large vase in one corner to serve as an umbrella stand. Place a coat rack in another corner, if there is room, or install hooks on the wall so you can quickly hang up coats, jackets, scarves, purses and hats. Place a small, unobtrusive table alongside one wall and put several baskets on it to hold keys and spare change.

Foyer Colors

• Choose a paint hue that complements the adjoining rooms, but don't be afraid to add small amounts of dramatic color. If the den neighboring a small foyer is painted dark blue, for example, paint the foyer bright yellow to add a burst of complementary color. Don't forget that the inside of the front door is part of the foyer decor; paint it to match the foyer walls for a subdued look, or paint it in a contrasting color for a bolder style.

Lighting

• A foyer needs pleasant lighting that complements the decor and allows guests to see their way in and out of the front door. Hang a large, formal chandelier in a foyer with a high ceiling to take advantage of the space. Avoid overhead lights in a foyer with a low ceiling; they are likely to cast harsh shadows. Add ambient light to a small foyer with stylish wall sconces; hang a mirror to reflect the light around the area.

Foyer Flooring

• Use the foyer flooring to visually lead guests to the rest of your home. Install wood flooring planks front to back so the lengths are perpendicular to the front wall, or put down a striped area rug with the stripes "pointing" toward the room you'd like to direct guests to. Since even the largest foyer is likely to be small in comparison to other rooms in your home, you can splurge on luxurious flooring, such as marble, for the space.