A foyer is the first impression of your home, it is an introduction to the aesthetic of your home, a handshake, an invitation. It is the first sight upon entering and the last, while leaving, making it a crucial design and styling element.
Not only is it immensely significant but also a wonderful opportunity to create vignettes. The objective is to bring function and personality to the space, which will set the mood of your home. An underrated space when it comes to styling, if left cluttered can cause a lot of stress every time you walk into your home.
Are you now starting to see how you could be paying more attention to your own foyer? Not sure where to start?
In this blog, we will guide you through the simple formula of styling an entry table, and with a bunch of inspiration to get you going. Happy reading!
Let's begin with some basic styling principles before you start to plan your foyer space or buy a brand-new entry console table, for example.
THEME Keep your interior theme in mind, first and foremost. The difference in various styles will consequentially mean different styles of entry tables, décor pieces, wall treatments, etc. So, if your house follows a minimal theme throughout, you should stick with the same, and add unique character through various elements to make it slightly different from the rest of the house.
ENTRY TABLE Before buying or building your own entry table, measure your space to choose or design a table that's appropriate for the space. You don't want to mindlessly buy a table only to realise that it looks too bulky in your entryway, or takes up too much space. It can't even be too small that it visually contracts the space. If you have a very small foyer space, a couple of floating shelves should suffice without looking too dominating, or a credenza for larger spaces.
LESS IS MORE You might have a maximalist heart, but less is more when it comes to styling an entry table. No one likes to see a clutter or a busy visual space as the first thing upon entering. Keep the absolute essentials along with a few significant, decorative objects to keep the space clean, functional, and stress-free.
FUNCTION The foyer is your launchpad while entering or leaving the house. It is a good place for storing thing you'll need to carry when you leave the house, like keys, masks, sanitiser spray bottles, handkerchiefs, etc. Think about how you plan to use your entryway. Yes, an entry table can be purely functional, but it bodes well to also add function to it. Maybe you don't have a separate mud room but would like to leave dirty shoes at the entry, or would like to keep safe the mails and bills you receive. Think about how the entry table can serve you and make your life a little more convenient.
STYLING I know it might be tempting to cover the entry table with your favourite bunch of knick-knacks. Don't give in to that temptation because smaller items end up creating visual clutter, so instead opt for larger items to avoid clutter and create bold moments. Consider objects of different heights, to create a layer of moments. The layering adds depth to your vignette and creates visual interest.
REPRESENT YOU I will be getting to the part about what kinds of objects you can use for the styling of the entry table, but before that, whatever you select, make sure it represents you. Curate the things that you like and think about your functional requirements and how you will use the space so that your foyer makes you sigh with happiness every time you walk into your house.
There is a pretty simple formula to follow after keeping these general principles in mind, while styling: Console Table + Focal object for visual balance + Catch-alls + Light + Miscellaneous décor
THE STRUCTURE: CONSOLE TABLE We've already talked about the entry table briefly, a console table is used interchangeably with the same, in this context. An entry table by definition is one which is placed in the entryway, and a console table is any long, narrow table that is placed against the wall. You must have heard of TV Consoles more commonly, which follows the same definition. Keeping in mind the general principles mentioned above, the selection of console tables depends on the size of foyer space, design style of the rest of the house, for a cohesive visual flow, and the functional and aesthetic requirements from the same.
GROUND THE BOTTOM Make use of the space under the table, and ground it with visually heavier items, like storage boxes, ottomans, or portable benches. Use storage units as décor, like wicker and wire baskets, wooden crates, and the like, and store your essentials efficiently. You can store umbrella holders for ease of use or ottomans, small benches, and poufs under the table, so changing shoes upon entering is no hassle.
FOCAL POINT Elevate the top of the entry table by introducing a focal object for visual balance, like statement art, or a large mirror. Art pieces are windows into the soul and enhance the personality of the space. Mirrors, on the other hand are not only aesthetic or decorative, they are also functional if you like to check yourself out before leaving the house. Mirrors are also useful in making a space seem bigger, and since foyer spaces are not always very large, placing mirrors as the focal object above entry tables, enhances the visual size of the space. Large focal objects above the entry table create a balance between the visually heavier objects on the bottom, under the table and act as a visual anchor to the space. You can create layers of multiple objects if you can't seem to settle with one.
CATCH-ALLS A catch-all is something that is used as a receptacle for odds and ends, like a basket, bowl, or tray. In this case, it could be things you need to carry when you leave the house, like keys, or masks, or petty change of cash.
LIGHT No visual setting is finished without lights. The only thing to keep in mind while selecting lighting fixtures for the entry table is to keep the light accessible. The foyer space does not require a general overhead light, since it is not a space to lounge in. It will do best with an ambient light source, like a table lamp, or a pendant light. The ambient light creates a soft, welcoming glow, and an accessible light source makes it easy to be turned on when you come back home at night, in the dark and don't need to fumble for the switch.
DECOR As a finishing touch, go ahead and add some significant accessories to complete the space. For a burst of texture and life, my favourite element to add is something green or organic. Organic elements like plants, floral arrangements or terrariums enhance the depth and dimension of the styling of the space. They break the monotony of straight lines and primitive shapes, by making the visual space softer and more vivid. You can keep a potted houseplant, or a decorative vase with a gorgeous fresh floral arrangement, or terrarium jars, raised on a stack of books. Other decorative objects include candles and candlesticks, sculptures and figurines, or family photos that can either be hung on the walls or placed on the table with leaning frames. You can even incorporate smaller pieces of framed art or inspirational quotes to place on the table that will motivate you when you leave early morning or be a boost of energy when you come back home. Books are interesting, decorative elements that add unique character to the space. They can say a lot about you and what you choose to and like to read. These can be books on interior decoration, automobiles or technology, or biographies or your favourite classics.
I hope you've gotten the gist of the simple formula that is used for the styling of the first impression of your home.
Are you now ready to freshen up your foyer space? Are there other tips that you swear by? Drop them in the comments, so we can share it with as many people as possible!
Until next time,
xx Ishita
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