Designing Your Foyer for the Holidays
by Rachel Lyon, The House Designers’ Assistant Editorial Director
Get into the holiday spirit by decorating your home to celebrate the season! The time around winter solstice, when the days are short and the nights are long, has traditionally been full of holidays to brighten the mood, so start planning your holiday design now to get the most out of it. Since it’s the first space to welcome you home out of the dark and cold, your foyer is a great place to start.
Start with the Door
In the winter, keeping your home warm is a priority. You’ll want to make sure that your front door is capable of providing the level of insulation you require, but that doesn’t mean that you have to settle for a plainly designed one. Doors that combine beauty and efficiency are a great investment that will look just as amazing from inside your home as outside, so you can choose a model that will complement your entire house design and make it easy to dress it up for the holidays.
An entryway that features decorative glass automatically adds class and warmth to the space. By drawing attention to well-designed windows, you’ve already instilled a classy vibe in your foyer. Try to choose a door with natural wood detail, because it is easy to match to other natural decorations, like wreaths and garlands, and will give a homier feel as a result.
Amp up the Architecture
Have you ever noticed how most holiday movies usually take place in homes that seem to be a step above average? Fine details make all the difference, and they can make your home stand out as an example of design success.
Check out the different types of crown mouldings that will draw your eye across all of your space. You should take some time to find the perfect crosshead and pilasters to surround your door and any immediate cased entries, too. These areas are central to your foyer design and will give the area personality. Create the atmosphere you want to see every day—there are thousands of combinations! No matter which style you choose, it will add charming details to your home and make it easier to give it a dressed up, put-together look through the seasons.
Accent for the Holidays
A foyer designed well for any season will be easier to spiff up when extra decorations are called for. Since winter is a dark season, consider adding some extra light in your entryway. A table lamp or floor lamp near the front door will help you keep organized on your way inside in addition to creating a cozier atmosphere to come home to. Since a lot of foyers aren’t as well-lit as other parts of the house, this is your chance to choose a stylish lamp that will be functional as well as fashionable.
Finally, there are the finishing touches that’ll really make it feel like you’re embracing the holidays. Tie some ribbons around the banisters on your stairs to bring some color into your entryway. Red is the traditional choice, but gold and silver will also match just about anything. You can even use them to tie pine garlands in place for an especially festive look. And speaking of pine, nothing says that wreaths are only meant to be used outside. If you want to include some in your interior, go for it!
Decorating for the holidays means different things to different people. Whether you use poinsettias or Norfolk Island pines to bring some life to this dormant time of year, or you prefer to include ornaments and gifts in a holiday display on your console table, your foyer will be a warm welcome home during the cold winter season.