Make everyone feel welcome with these foyer design ideas
When designing your home, take time to plan out the foyer. It’s the welcoming center of your home. There’s nothing worse than walking into a home only to have nowhere to hang a jacket, sit, or be dark and dingy. The perfect foyer design ideas include thoughts about space, decor and functionality.
This foyer makes it feel like you are walking into a huge home with its high ceilings, wide stair case, stunning light fixture and loads of natural light. This house is only 1687 sf! foyer design ideas are an important consideration for the best first impression.
A punchy powder room
Don’t leave this as an afterthought! Location, location, location! Size doesn’t seem to be such a factor here, I would rather pop into a small powder room that is hidden under the stairs, then try and sneak into the loo that is next to the kitchen. That’s just bad planning. A great place for your powder room is in a hallway, or a small extended wall so the door it out of site of an living area. Make it pop! Add in a fun wall paper, a trendy faucet or fun color on the vanity. In a small space it won’t be a huge cost but will be a huge impact!
This brilliant powder room is located in a small hallway behind the kitchen, the door is placed just past the entrance to the kitchen for added privacy. The tile and wainscoting make it feel open and timeless, all while flowing with the overall design of the home.
Spa like ensuite
The master ensuite – make it your oasis! If you don’t have the sf for a tub, shower and a double vanity don’t try and fit it all in. What do you really need ? Do you shower 90% of the time, then maybe don’t add the soaker tub. Make your shower the focal point, and pick a feature tile that pops, extend the base and add a bench. If it’s just you in the house do you need 2 sinks ? Consider dropping the second one and add a make-up vanity.
Dropping the door into a bathroom can make it feel more open and custom, in this custom spa the extra-large sink and tucked away toilet let you have it all in smaller sf bathroom.
Den or office space
Do you work from home or have kids that need a space for homework? Make the space in your home for this. Consider designing the kids rooms a bit smaller or incorporating your laundry room with the mud room. Having a dedicated area for a computer and homework will save the rest of your home from being cluttered with. It doesn’t need to be big, it could even be a large closet properly set up with a desk and chair that are hidden when the door is closed.
Butler’s pantry: un-clutter your kitchen
So this one may not fit into all homes under 2000 sf homes, but if your designer can carve out the space for it you won’t be disappointed! Different then a small corner pantry, it rescues a crowded kitchen. A butler’s pantry is an extra room or walk way leading between a kitchen and mudroom or kitchen and dining room. Most have a counter top and space saving cabinetry. They store serving wear, china, wine cooler/wine rack and appliances that are not regularly used…. the list is endless. Leave your kitchen for everyday items!
Laundry matters
Bungalow or 2 story, having a space that is dedicated to all things laundry is a must. In a bungalow is the basement finished? yes- make the a room for it. No – add it into a mudroom. 2 story home, plan for where the most laundry will be (upstairs or if you are a tv watching folder like me the main floor) Make sure there is storage space for laundry baskets, ironing board and if you can swing it, a sink and place to hang laundry are a definite must!
Natural light make this laundry room inviting and has all the space you need to sort, fold and wash.
Built ins- go custom
A great way to make any home look more custom is having functional built ins added. I am not talking the full oak TV wall ones from the 90’s. Think more on the lines of a built in banquette setting in a breakfast nook or custom cabinets flanking a fireplace.
This custom shelving under the stairs adds storage and interest to the staircase.
Mud room
Who doesn’t love a good mud room! This seems to be a huge one for everyone right now, and for good reason. Is it at your back door or coming in from your garage. Whatever it is, look at your needs and plan for it. A mud room can have anything from a dog wash station to a locker system for the little ones. Just like the foyer, be sure to add a place to sit, a place for your bags and somewhere to hang coats. One thing that seems to be over looked in this area though is a place for your cleaning items.
Design was remembered in this one.
Flex area- what do you need ?
You might not need this space, or think you don’t have the sf for it. Take a look at your home plans is there a landing at the top of your stairs with only a linen closet or space under a stair case? These spaces can be easily re-configured into a flex space for your little ones or even a hide-out for you. Take out the closet at the landing and add a comfy chair and a side table ta-da! It doesn’t always need to have a door to create a comfy place in a home.
Lighting – last but not definitely not least
Oh lighting, some builders give you an “allowance” for your lighting needs. Usually just enough to get you the “builder special”. Take your home to the next level by stepping out of the cookie cutter lighting. Even it is just a few feature lights throughout the home. Feature lighting in the foyer, dining room, master bedroom (let’s face it you deserve it) can really take you home from feeling like an average smaller home, to a large show stopping home without all the added sf
At the end of the day – look at your needs and wants. Remember you don’t have to sacrifice all your wants in a small home. So many things are possible when you step out of the cookie cooker model. Contact us today to start your dream home creation!