Are you wondering how to create a foyer when there isn’t one?
I’ve been there, too.
The good news is with a little imagination and creativity, you can turn an open space into a cozy foyer that serves your lifestyle.
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How to Create a Foyer in an Open Floor Plan
Many of today’s homes have an open floor plan with the door opening into the living room. If your door opens into the living room or you have an open concept home, there are still ways to create a foyer in your home.
How to Create a Foyer in an Open Living Room
Does your door open into your living room?
Place a console table behind the couch and position them perpendicular to the door. This will give you a surface for your guests to drop their keys, cell phones and purses. If there is room, put a basket under the console for shoes.
You can also try setting the couch with it’s back parallel to the door, if there’s room.
How to Separate Your Foyer from the Dining Room
In many homes, the dining room sits right next to the front door. My favorite solution for making the best use of this space is to let your buffet serve double duty. Set it on the foyer wall across from the dining room. That way you can use it as a console table and to store dishes, silverware and linens.
4 More Entryway Divider Ideas
There are, of course, several other ways you can create a separate entryway.
You could use:
- an armoire – armoires are a great option if you need a coat closet as well.
- a bookcase – an open bookcase could serve as both a room divider and decor for both spaces.
- a dresser – the drawers would provide great storage options for keys, mail, gloves, scarves or pet supplies.
- a privacy screen – privacy screens or room dividers come in many styles and work well to separate spaces.
Once you’ve decided how to create a separate the foyer, you can add other elements to further define your space.
What to Put in an Open Foyer
Whether your foyer is open or not, there a few items that will give it form and function.
- Mirror – Use a mirror for last minute checks before leaving the house. For particularly tall ceilings, go for a tall, vertical mirror. You can even use a leaner mirror if your ceilings are tall enough. Otherwise, I really like a round mirror in foyers.
- Rug – A rug is a great way to further define the space. Depending on how much traffic your entry gets, you might want to go with a natural fiber rug like jute or sisal rug or you can try a washable rug. You can place a small rug at the door, or get a bigger rug to really define the space and add some color to the entry.
- Table – A table or other surface is the perfect spot to hold keys and mail. If you have a large foyer, try placing a round table in the middle. If the space is on the small side, stick to a narrow console table. Dressers can work well as a console table, too.
- Lighting – Both a ceiling fixture and if possible, a table lamp.
- Hooks – Use a hall tree or install wall hooks to hang coats, scarfs and purses.
- Baskets – If you have the room, a well placed basket is perfect for storing shoes as you come and go.
- Flowers – Fresh or faux flowers help make a foyer feel more inviting
I’ve curated my favorite foyer picks in one easy spot to make shopping a little easer.
For more space planning ideas read:
- How to Set Up a Family Command Center
- How to Set Up a Home Office
- Home on Purpose: Mindful Living in a Hectic World
Before you go, be sure to get your free space planning worksheet for designing any room like a pro. Just enter your information below.
Wishing you a warm, welcoming foyer for you and your guests.
Anne@DesignDreams says
Great tips Sharon! Love the inspiration photos!!
Lauren @ Mom Home Guide says
Great tips! My “foyer” is maybe about 10 square feet. I’ve added a wall-mounted coat rack, a shoe rack and a mirror. I would love to find a way to make the space more formal. (The space also has linoleum, which I would love to replace!)
Mrs. Hines says
Sounds like you’ve made great use of your space. A rug could add a formal touch until you replace the linoleum. If you’d like to send me pictures of your space, I’d be happy to give you some ideas.
Cynthia @ A Button Tufted Life... says
Hi Sharon,
Your tips and inspiration photos are great. I have also had homes with and without a foyer and I do prefer with! There is something so welcoming and grounding about it. The ideas for creating one when it isn’t there architecturally give us all options to create that mood!
Bravo!
Heather @ new house new home says
These are terrific tips. Thanks for sharing them. It’s so important to have a welcoming entry, but hard to do in some of the new builds.
Patti says
I love your ideas and the photos are great. Very practical and easy to understand. I think this post will come in very handy and inspire many homeowner who would like to create this space.
Funky Junk Interiors says
I’m fortunate to have one where I live now, but that sure wasn’t always the case. One good thing about not having one… you keep that area cleaner! Oops… 😀
Mrs. Hines says
hahaha…can’t clean what’s not there, right? 🙂
Mrs. Hines says
I sure hope to inspire others, Patti. Thank you for the encouragement.
Mrs. Hines says
It is hard to find… I miss old homes and all of the separate rooms.
Mrs. Hines says
Exactly! And thanks for the kudos…I feel honored.
Michelle Lepak-Dandelion Patina says
I have to say that the screen partition is my favorite. But, it wouldn’t last long without tipping over in our house with little ones and fur kiddos. I love all the ideas for creating a foyer when you don’t have one. We have a very teeny one and we actually removed a dysfunctional coat closet. Now, there is more light and more space to greet visitors! Thanks for sharing!
Mrs. Hines says
I love the look of the screen, too. I’ve also removed a dysfunctional coat closet before.. Made a world of difference. But, it does seem dangerous for little ones. Congratulations on the newest addition to the family!
Lory at Designthusiasm says
This completely resonates with me! When we first bought out house, it had the tiniest foyer – barely room to walk into with the teeny-tiniest closet and an itsy-bitsy shelf. That “room” opened into the living room. When we did some other renovation, we wound up moving a few walls and stealing some space from a little used living room to make the foyer I, too, always wanted. Nice post!!
Linda says
Thanks for all your foyer tips..but mine or should I say no foyer our front door has a very small landing , that leads straight up the stairs to a hallway…can you picture this….so I placed a table and some art there.
Mrs. Hines says
I think I can picture it, Linda. I love tables in a foyer and I’m sure your foyer is very welcoming. 🙂