I recently asked on Instagram about topics that would interest you for the blog, and one of them was about ideas for making the most of small foyers.
I am not surprised by the chosen theme for two reasons:
- The foyer is the first place in the house that we see when we leave and when we arrive (the same as when we receive guests). I would define it as “the hug when you get home”. And, for me personally, I like hugs (warm of course haha), cozy and close.
- Curiously, it is the most neglected place in the house. Either because we do not know very well how to decorate it, because it is a transit area or because it is often too small.
However, that is precisely why it is one of the easiest rooms in the house to take advantage of; because with little you do the result will be incredible. And the trick is to choose the right furniture, use practical accessories and know how to make the most of the space.
A functional, cozy and organized foyer
Almost, almost like the first impression you had of your partner.
First impressions are what make you call him again or never call him again. So, if you want people to come back to your home, feel at ease when they enter or simply love your home as soon as they walk in the door, I recommend a few first tips to have a beautiful and useful foyer:
- Put away your coat, shoes, scarves, hat, the Liddle brochure you were given when you came out of the subway and, in short, whatever you are carrying in your hand. Believe me, tomorrow they will multiply.
- If you usually take your shoes off and put them on at the entrance, find a seat to do so instead of taking a chotis in the aisle.
- Make sure it smells good: an air freshener, a scented candle that you light when you arrive, a cologne that you like?
- Humidifies or dehumidifies the space (as appropriate). Especially when it is a small hall, humidity and bad odors accumulate.
- Receive and dismiss people as they deserve. There are no written rules for this (except for protocol), but it’s up to you how geeky you want to be.
How to decorate small and narrow hallways
You should take into account the proportions of the space, the type of flooring, the color of the walls and, most importantly, how you use the foyer. That is, if it is just a pass-through, if you store clothes or shoes, if it is part of a larger space, etc.
All of this will influence your choice of the following elements:
Freestanding or custom cabinet
It goes without saying that it is a very practical option for keeping order in small hallways, not leaving clothes in sight or freeing up another closet in the house.
Floor-to-ceiling built-in closets are ideal for taking advantage of as much space as possible. In addition, they are more discreet; although it all depends on the style of your home and the type of furniture you already have in the hall.
These can be with or without handles (smooth fronts) and, as for the type of opening, they can be with sliding doors or hinged doors. Keep in mind that the latter will need a clearance of at least 40 cm at the front to be able to open the doors(important if you have never used a cabinet with doors).
Mirror (to see what you look like)
Ideal if you don’t know what time of day you live in or if you don’t have a full-length mirror at home. In small hallways can be a good place to put a mirror of this type, not only to see if you wear shoes or slippers, but to give breadth to the space.
A mirror adds functionality, but it can also turn small, dark spaces into charming foyers, making them appear larger.
Organizers; the success of Mari Kondo
Be careful, if you invent something of this kind, you will make a fortune. And if they told my grandfather that his ashtray for coins and keys had digievolved, he would fall down.
You can find as many as you want (and more) at Amazon or IKEA; it is essential to have one for keys, another one for papers and a basket to empty your purse or wallet (a little tip on how to organize your purse with Mari Kondo).
Reinvent yourself
If your foyer doesn’t have enough space to put a piece of furniture on the floor, haven’t you thought that a wall fixture might work? As I say on my website, the difficulty lies not in new ideas, but in escaping from old ones.
They are called wall organizers, and can be with rails, one or several bars or die-cut panels (the latest IKEA release) where you can hang whatever you need: hangers, shelves, bags, etc. In addition to being an aesthetically pleasing solution, it is very practical because you can rearrange each element as you wish.
The hug you deserve
Are you lacking that punch of creativity to have a cozy and functional foyer when you get home?
What if I told you that you lack nothing and have everything you need?
Find out for yourself.
I’ll read you in comments! 🙂
