It's spring and time to look at the foyer.
Let's organize and spruce up the first room you enter through the front door. For small foyers you have the option of reorganizing or structurally expanding it.
First of all install wood strips (vertically) approximately six-inches wide from the floor to the ceiling and paint them white but if you install a new closet as described ahead, leave that wood wall until the end.
Keeping the original size you can remove the closet coat pole and install shelves for storing guest room linens, large bedding items as well as bulk buying items, conveniently unloaded through the front door from the car.
Next, install a nice new tile floor and mouldings around the ceiling and floor (remember never do just one moulding on a wall, it is unprofessional.)
Now for the original foyer you could nail a decorative but sturdy board with hooks for guest's coats, thick with blunt ends for safety and protection of clothing. Hang your own coats in another closet.
If you take on the challenge of a new closest construction in your foyer, it will add value to your home. You can use the original closet for storage. Cover the external wall structure with the same finish as the home's outside walls. Remember to leave the six-inch strips of wood for this wall around the new closet until it is finished. Don't forget the new tile floor.
Foyers are attractive spaces when they have a bench and/or chair(s). A huge mirror and colourful prints on the walls are a great idea.
A welcoming mat at the front door is practical. The theme of the foyer is reflective of the occupant or occupants' character and lifestyle.
Tradition foyers may have serene paintings of nature, an antique mirror frame, old fashioned bench or chair. A modern expression could be a straight edged mirror frame, frameless huge prints of huge flowers or abstracts.
An eclectic (old and new) look would be perhaps a huge antique mirror, a modern plain bench and modern art with antique frames. Also slipper chairs (low height) are a great mix. Other styles to mix with these looks are distressed shabby chic mirrors on old cupboard doors. Such is the first impression room of your home representing your character and tradition.
Carol Pinkerton is a retired interior designer.
