1. Barbara Tabak
717-541-1659
btabak@decoratingden.com
www.decdens.com/btabak
Decorating Trends, Tips and Tricks AWARDS
Whether you have a large formal foyer or a small hallway your home’s en- • 2009, 2007 and 2006 Window
tryway should create a positive first impression and show your guests your Fashion’s Vision Magazine’s
personality and design style. Foyers are often very challenging spaces to international Design Competi-
decorate, space is often limited, with numerous doors and pass through ar- tion, WOW Award, draperies
eas designed to move you and your guests to other areas of the house. and valances.
Following are a few tips and tricks to help you meet the challenge of deco- • 2009 & 2008 Readers’ Choice
rating your foyer.—Enjoy, Barbara Award for Interior Designer in
Harrisburg Magazine’s Read-
ers’ Poll.
TIPS FOR YOUR FOYER • 2009 Simply the Best Award
Become a guest. You’re used to looking at your foyer from the inside, so be- for Window Treatments in
fore you start your decorating project enter your home from the front door and Harrisburg Magazine’s Read-
assess the surroundings as your guests would. Is it welcoming, does it make ers’ Poll.
a statement about your decorating style and personality? • 2008 Central PA Magazine’s
Hot List, Best Interior
Foyers are a pass-through space, where you
• Designer/Decorator.
don’t spend a great deal of time, so it’s a
great place to use a bold or dark color to give • 2009, 2008 & 2007 Pyramid
the space depth. Forget the old-wives-tale Award from the Metropolitan
that light colors will make a space feel lar- Harrisburg Builders' Associa-
ger—light colors simply won’t make a large tion for Outstanding Interior
space out of a small area. Whatever color Decorating.
you select, be sure that it blends with the • 2009 & 2005 Decorating Den
other colors in your home. Interiors' International Dream
Room Contest in the Bath-
Select the furnishings for the space that are
appropriate in size and proportion. Furnish- room. Dining Room and Win-
ings should dow Treatment categories.
be large PUBLICATIONS
enough to
make an • Decorating...The Professional
impact but Touch
not be • Window Fashion’s Trend
overbear- Magazine
ing. • R & A Magazine
• Decor
Use a bold or dark color to give your
Add seat-
foyer depth. • Susquehanna Style
ing—an ot-
• At Home
toman
• Decorating Solutions
stored under console, wood trimmed ac-
cent chairs, or a bench where guests can • The Complete Guide to Win-
take off their boots. In bad weather keep a dow Treatments
basket of slippers next to the bench or
chairs for your guests to slip on when their
boots come off.
Think outside the box, use an antique bed-
room dresser in place of a console table, A bench provides an area for you and
your guest to sit and take off shoes.

2. build a banquette along one wall and use it for storage. Create a library by adding bookcases along the wall.
Accessorize with candles, unique pictures, ceramic umbrella stands, coat stands, clocks, and seasonal ar-
rangements. Add a statement mirror to the space to create the illusion of more space. A beautiful mirror
above a console table or leaning against the wall is a great place
for you and your guests to “keep up appearances”.
Select flooring that is forgiving to high-traffic that can take the
moisture and grit brought in from the outdoors. Tile, laminated
flooring, and polyurethane protected hardwoods are good
choices. Place an area rug at the entry door. Be sure that you
use a carpet mat to prevent skidding.
If your foyer is large enough use a round hall table to break the
flow of the space. Allow 3 feet of space for movement around the
table.
Keep your foyer well-lit. If you
have the headroom add a
beautiful chandelier but be sure
your tallest guest won’t bump
their head! Add buffet lamps on
a console, sconces or track
lighting in narrow hallways and
be sure to add dimmer
A unique statement piece such as this water fountain switches to help create a mood.
is a great conversation starter.
The foyer is a terrific place to
add an exquisite, hand-painted wallpaper or a luxurious silk fabric. Be-
cause foyers are often small you won’t need a large amount of paper or
fabric, so go ahead and splurge!
Add a statement piece or collection to the foyer—a unique sculpture, a
“collection”, a water feature, or a family photo gallery. A statement piece
tells your guests something about you and is an ice breaker, helping to
start a conversation.
This well lit foyer incorporates a chandelier
Create a welcoming greeting for your family and guests by incorporating wall sconces and a table lamp.
fresh flowers and greenery. However, fresh or living plants are not always
practical in an area where there is little light or if you’re like me, and lack of a green thumb. Instead use silk
plants and floral arrangements. Today’s silks are beautiful and are so well designed that it’s difficult to differ-
entiate them from the real thing.
If your foyer is just a narrow hallway add a small depth shelf constructed from wood or a remnant of granite or
marble. Place a basket, or a silver tray that coordinates with your design theme on the shelf to catch keys and
the mail.
Don’t forget the foyer closet, it’s one of the first close-up views your guests have of your home as you hang
their coats. Purchase attractive fabric covered, aluminum or wood coat hangers and storage boxes to coordi-
nate with your décor.
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