Foyer Decorating Ideas: How to Style a Small Foyer

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Small foyers can be a challenge to design. The layout can feel awkward and tight and the proximity to other rooms in your home can make it a tough area to know how to decorate.

With that being said, the entryway to your home is what will set the first impression for guests.

Luckily, there are a handful of tips and tricks that can help you style your small foyer in an intentional and inviting way — and many of these ideas are a low lift!

From adding a narrow entryway bench to getting hands-on with a DIY statement wall, here are some of my favorite foyer decorating ideas.

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Foyer Decorating Ideas

One of the most frequently asked questions I get is, “How do I decorate a small foyer?” So often people want to take a small space and add lots of decor to make it seem larger. However, that usually has the opposite effect.

To avoid making a small entryway feel more cluttered, I recommend adding two simple focal points and styling around those.

In my entryway, I opted for those two items to be a statement mirror and a narrow entryway bench. Here, I’m sharing more details on how to make your own space a little more functional.

Add a wall Treatment to Your Entryway

First things first, I want to point out that my small entryway was made interesting by adding a wall feature first! Sometimes, when we have small spaces, the most important element to add is architectural detail.

This is how my small foyer looked before. Isn’t that sweet little bench precious? My father in law made it for me. If you’re looking for your own narrow entryway bench, I’m linking some of my faves in this post!

Back to the wall, it is very boring. In my first attempt to make it more interesting, it came out feeling cluttered. Cute, but still cluttered.

So, I followed my own advice from my book, Designing a Life: From House to Haven, and figured out what was missing.

I wrote a three part series on creating spaces that you love as part of this transformation!

Do you see the difference before and after?! So much more interesting! And there is no decor even added yet, besides my feeble attempt at making the space look decorated.

So, when in doubt, adding some architectural detail can take a small entryway from blah to beautiful all on its own.

Use a Narrow Entryway Bench As An Anchor

Over the seasons, my entryway wall decor has changed very little. I found a beautiful and simple mirror (shop a similar option here) and styled around it. The element that gives me more flexibility is my narrow entryway bench.

I needed a very small bench to fit this space with doors on either side. My father in law made this small bench for me and it is the one piece of furniture that my Instagram friends always ask me about!

The best part of using a piece of furniture as a staple in your decor is that you can add and take away simple accents like pillows and baskets to change up the look.

Plus, a bench serves practical purposes by providing seating to put on shoes and storage for things like hats and gloves.

If you love the idea of incorporating a narrow entryway bench into your own space, here are some of my favorite finds.

Consider adding a small table

If you have space, I also love my console table. Obviously, this post focuses on small foyers and my table is quite large. However, there are many small console tables available that are great options to create a drop zone or just add some pretty decor.

Depending on the shape of your entryway, you might be able to incorporate a table that has a circular shape. With that being said, square and rectangular shapes tend to take up less space since they sit flush against a wall.

Keep things Simple With a mirror

I mentioned above that I decided to create a focal point in my entryway with the simple inclusion of a mirror.

This is one of the best go-to’s when working with a small space. Not only does it leave all the existing floor space open, but mirrors are also known to bring in more natural light. This can be a major perk if you’re working with an area that’s small and dark.

Plus, you can find a quality mirror at various price points, making this an approachable and low-lift entryway decor option.

Make a statement with greenery

You can’t go wrong by adding plants to your interior and exterior spaces, and an entryway is no exception. Sometimes all you need to spruce up an area of your home is a dose of color and texture.

Whether you prefer live plants or are drawn to the ease of faux options, a plant of any size would make a welcoming addition to an entryway.

Consider placing your plant in a pretty basket or pot to make things more personalized to your style.

Don’t have room for a potted plant? If you have enough space for a small entryway table, you could always add a few plants on top! Another option: Set a medium sized plant on a small stool.

Provide pattern and color with a rug

Another almost “too easy” entryway decor idea? Adding a rug into the mix.

Rugs are perfect for making a home feel more curated and cozy, and they have added bonus of not taking up precious space.

Plus, there’s something about walking into a home and feeling a soft rug under your feet that makes things all the more inviting.

Depending on the shape of your small foyer, you could go with a rectangular or circular rug, or possibly a runner. Rugs also have the benefit of offering texture and color to your space.

Swap your decor seasonally

As you can see, my spring and summer entryway decor is very simple. We so often feel like we need to make big changes to a space for it to feel fresh. However, it’s much easier (and more affordable) to make small changes with color and texture.

For the fall, I swapped out the pillows on my entryway bench with some darker hues that mimic nature in autumn.

I also changed out the baskets for a fresh look and added pops of autumn colors. Nothing else changed!

If you follow me on Instagram, you may remember my leaf wall. That was a fan favorite last year that was SO SIMPLE! I love adding surprising elements to this space to pack a punch.

You can also see how I styled my entryway for Christmas here! It looks complicated but it’s really so simple to make a statement!

For winter, I kept things very simple. I wanted to change up the mirror situation slightly without purchasing anything new, so I added a realistic magnolia leaf garland for a happy little surprise.

I also swapped out the basket for a vintage find that feels cozier than my other baskets did. Adding a flocked pine tree keeps it feeling wintery.

Then, I simplified my console table. I love how it feels with piles of books and cozy candles for winter.

And, as promised, I’ve linked some of my favorite narrow entryway benches for you below! Just click the image to shop.

Stay Connected

I hope that this post has given you some ideas for styling a small entryway! It really doesn’t have to be complicated to be something you enjoy in your home. Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today!

I’d love for you to stay in touch! Follow along with me daily on Instagram, weekly on YouTube, and become a blog subscriber to gain access to freebies, DIY templates and a weekly newsletter!

~Sarah