There is a saying that first impressions last. In the case of a person visiting your house for the first time, it is normally the foyer which is the first thing the visitor will notice upon entering. Thus, making a good decorative impression starts with the foyer itself. A colorful bouquet of flowers placed in a pretty vase at the end of the hallway, an elegantly designed metal wall sculpture, or a striking combination of accessories can all add to a good first impression. Given that the foyer is a public place that is more commonly viewed than the other more private parts of the house, it makes sense to invest some time and money to make the foyer more impressive for your guests.

There are so many ways to decorate any type of foyer. The trick is to choose the type of accent pieces you can use for the space. Since foyers and hallways are usually narrow, there is not much floor space to work it. Thus, bulky pieces of furniture are out of the question. However, when you look at both sides of the foyer, you will see lots of space, wall space, that is! To infuse style into a foyer, you might want to consider decorating it using different wall accents. Here is a guide on how you can do so.

Step1 Identify the focal point of the space.

The first step in decorating the foyer is to identify the focal space. This is the main area that must be decorated, while all other areas may be simply decorated. From this, you will be able to determine the size of the design piece you wish to use. For example, if the foyer is narrow and quite lengthy, consider hanging a dramatic piece of wall art on the opposite end facing the door. For this, you can use any piece of contemporary wall art such as a painting, a huge mirror, an abstract metal art or a wall clock that is appropriately sized for the space. If you wish to hang family pictures on one or either side of the foyer, keep the end of the entryway simple to avoid a cluttered look.

Step 2 Combine style and function.

Sometimes, a clever combination of form and function can lend a charming appeal to this small space. For example, hanging a set of antique hooks on one side of the wall can make for interesting décor and functional racks. Or, you can add an elaborately designed mirror both for primping and for decorating. Depending on the look you wish to achieve, you can also use this space to showcase small collections, family heirlooms or any such collectibles in handsome hutches or wall-mounted cabinets. Busy families often use the foyer as a landing strip to store keys, cell phones and other items. Instead of a table, consider mounting a narrow shelf that will catch all these and maintain order in the entryway.

Step 3 Check out various sources of inspiration.

Different homes have different foyers; to get more ideas on how you can make yours a well-decorated one, go ahead and check out magazines, websites, friends’ homes, and other sources to see how various looks and styles come together. Do remember, the more you see, the better ideas you will have about decorating your own foyer.

All text copyright Relica. Photo from Flikr - "Woodruff Fontaine House foyer" courtesy of ilovememphis.