18 Inviting Entryways We Love

Pure and Simple

Design: Murphy & Company; Construction: Elevations Homes, Wayzata MN; Photo: Steve Henke Photography

In a chic reimagining of a country door, this no-frills foyer designed by Elevation Homes inspires guests to reminisce about simpler times. Glass sidelights flanking the ivory door allow natural light to shine on the touches of greenery, a glass console table, and the black walnut flooring that seamlessly leads guests to the living room through an elegant pocket door.

Farm to Foyer

Rustic meets modern in this farmhouse-style foyer from Calista Interiors, with fresh-looking white-painted walls and a warm maple wood floor topped with a flat-woven area rug. The cheerful space benefits from the natural light that pours in from the clerestory window that overlooks the staircase.

Old Is Gold

Curran & Co. architects evoked old-world ambience in this modern-day foyer with the help of richly hued furnishings and herringbone-patterned hardwood floors. Regal wingback chairs offer guests an imposing view of the gilded armoire and luxe chandelier.

Rustic Royale

Design: The Cottage Home Company; Photography: Level Exposure, LLC

Designed by The Cottage Home Company and photographed by Level Exposure, this entryway with gilded mirrors, wall-mounted family crests, and copper sconces is truly fit for a royal. A low-shag area rug warms up the dark hardwood floors and beckons guests into the refined space.

State of the Art

Designed by Paul Stuart Rankin, this Fairfield County foyer looks as pretty as a picture, due in no small part to the hand-blocked Zuber print that covers the walls. The colorful pastoral setting of the
mural grabs the viewer’s attention, thanks to both its impressive size and the creamy, understated paint color that graces the adjacent woodwork and French doors. The dark green Dutch door and bright brass hardware highlight the mural’s colors, pulling them out of the background and into the room for a unified appearance.

Midcentury Modern

This midcentury modern-inspired marvel in the heart of Washington, D.C., designed by Balodemas Architects, transports guests to yesteryear with bold color
and contrast. Subdued gray walls, slate floors, bright-red statement doors, and a white-painted wooden screen define the foyer and make it distinct from the adjacent family room, establishing boundaries in an otherwise organic, flowing floor plan.

Georgian in New England

This Bostonian beauty, designed by Meyer & Meyer, pays homage both to its Georgian facade and the admiral who once resided here. A minimalist tripod lamp and arched doorway with decorative leaded-glass windows brighten the room, while a sunny yellow area rug, coordinating pillows, and modern artwork add a contemporary tone to the classic space.

Island Sanctuary

Don’t live near the beach? Bring the island indoors, just like Island Architects did to enliven this spacious entryway. The brick ceiling, dramatic vase, and honey-toned wallpaper work together to create a restful retreat. An arched doorway that leads to the rest of the house, beautiful in its own right, affords a memorable view of the sinuous staircase beyond the foyer.

Regal Runway

Nineteenth century-inspired furnishings, floor-to-ceiling drapes, and an Eastern-influenced rug strike a bold note in this long and lean Dallas foyer. M. Barnes & Co married sophistication with a playful sense of style by arranging an artful selection of ceramic urns on the console table, and mounting a backdrop of old wooden shutters to highlight an ethereal abstract painting.

Pretty in Pink

Step inside this eye-popping entryway from the DIYer behind A Beautiful Mess for a quick pick-me-up of feel-good colors and patterns. If you’re not instantly cheered up by the pink front door, the gold polka-dot wallpaper and tropical plants are sure to put you in a party mood.

Dreamy Down South

This Tennessee treasure has no shortage of Southern charm, courtesy of a vibrant tableau of textures. Wood and wicker coexist beautifully in the console table and armchair, and find their rustic complements in the hardwood floor and stair treads. Bright cushions, ornamental jars, and a bit of greenery energize the Nashville nest with a few splashes of color.

Stairway to Haven

There are surprises at every turn in this entryway that ties together the open floor plan of a Connecticut abode. The winding wainscoted
staircase, adorned with an elegant paisley-patterned runner, creates a theatrical focal point. At the foot of the stairs, a vivid blue vase atop a glass table provides a small but striking pop of color in the otherwise neutral-hued space.

Surreal Sophistication

It’s no wonder this mansion in Charleston is the shooting location for many popular TV shows. One look at the lavish foyer is enough to make visitors feel transported to a ritzy paradise, complete with a grand wood staircase, a bejeweled waterfall, and sleek tile floors.

Two-Way Foyer

Nestled in the sumptuous foyer of this New Orleans residence are a space-amplifying area rug, a lavishly curtained doorway, and vintage furnishings you might expect to find in an historic home, but with a contemporary twist. Doorways on either side of the old-world entryway lead visitors to an equally luxurious living room and an amenity-rich kitchen.

Arch Support

If the front hall of this Philadelphia residence looks larger than life, it’s because of the open entryway design conceived by Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd. Flanked by high archways that lead to interior living spaces, the foyer takes on palatial proportions. Slim entryway console tables and benches add comfort and storage without subtracting much floor space.

Living in the Past

Design Logic Ltd.; photography by Phillip Ennis for Design NJ

Marrying awe-inspiring antiques with modern furnishings, this foyer from Design Logic Limited, Inc. proves that you can keep history alive, even in a contemporary home. Artifacts sourced from the Monmouth County Historical Society, such as an antique Kuba rug, a gentleman’s dressing table, and copper lantern, are seamlessly integrated with the modern oak floor and wainscoted walls. Everything works together to preserve the past for future residents.

Dark Secret

Crisp Architects; photography by Rob Karosis

There’s more to this entryway than its flaxen walls and pure white door with vertically opening sidelights. Crisp Architects perfectly countered the ethereal entrance with the darker tones of the aged pine floor, majestic wooden staircase, and wooden console table arrayed with demijohns, adding depth and intrigue to the space.

Art Couture

Prudhomme Design & Interiors cultivated excitement even in the neutral tones of this foyer through clever selection of artwork and textiles. A striking seaside painting, vibrant area rug, and wall-mounted tapestry provide just the right amount of color needed to perk up the wood-trimmed white staircase and marble floor without distracting from the drama of the ornate double doors.