Hi Joshua,
When you enter my home there’s a set of stairs immediately on the left and a kind of entry way foyer area that is a little squareish which then on the right opens up into the living space. I’m not sure what to do with this space or how to decorate since the stairs are open to the foyer. I have a coat closet there as well, so I don’t really need or want extra storage. I’ve attached a picture and any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Amy - Pittsburgh, PA
California casual style foyer designed by Joshua Jones, JJones Design Co.
Hi Amy,
Thanks for writing in and sharing the picture and info about your space. So, I feel there are often 2 essentials an entry should have if at all possible; a table and a place to sit. A table can take many shapes and sizes depending on the space you’ve got to work with from a grand round table welcoming guests to a slender console table pushed up against the wall. The can provide form, decorative objects and creating an initial first impression to your home, as well as function, a handy place to place keys and mail.
A place to sit is welcoming to visitors and is highly practical for taking shoes on and off, and is an especial must if you are a no shoes indoors kind of home. It’s especially thoughtful if you have small children or anyone older with balance or mobility challenges where a place to sit is appreciated instead of hopping from leg to leg or trying to bend over putting on shoes or tying laces.
For your particular space, I’ve found a picture, shown above, that illustrates what I’d recommend doing. I’m just using this picture as illustrative of my points, as I recognize that it reads a bit southwestern with the color palette, accessories, and rug; which I’m not specifically recommending for you. Against the staircase itself, I’d put a bench. This could either be a bench with a back or a flat bench. In your entry, you don’t have as much space as this picture, so you’ll only need to include a single bench.
The best place to put a table in your space is the same space, in the corner by the bench, as the picture illustrates. Moving the table into the center of the foyer obstructs movement too much into the rest of your home. I’d go for a round table and include a table light, some accessories, and plant(s), faux or real, of some kind to add some color and visual height into the space. Put something on the floor as well between the bench and table; a vase, storage basket, stack of books, etc…
I hope this addresses your question and provides some help on how to really finish your space. Good luck and I’d love to see final pics!
Warmly,
Joshua Jones
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