If you look at the foyer pictures on Houzz it is uncommon to have a different color in the foyer, but I have seen it done and I like it when it's done right, so personal preference enters into the decision. Since you say your foyer is dark, I would go lighter - SW Origami White is suggested as a coordinating color to Rare Gray on their website. I don't know what your trim is, so you would have to see whether that works with your trim, or try a different off white. Another option is to use the trim color in matte. While I like the picture over your console table, a picture with more color might be a better choice here. The foyer sets the tone for the rest of the house, so take your cue from at least the rooms opening off the foyer as far as color and style.

I think the color looks great with your door and wood floor so I wouldn’t change it. But since you want it to be lighter go with the lighter color on the same swatch as Rare Gray.

I’m looking at the SW fan deck. The lightest color is SW 6196,Frosty White (3 shades lighter than Rare Gray). I think the next one SW 6197, Aloof Gray being 2 shades lighter is better than the lightest.
I still think what you have is beautiful. The green undertone complements the wood floor and door. Maybe brighten up your accessories for a little more pizzazz.

Before you start painting...I don't see a mirror in the foyer. Normally I would suggest a mirror across from a window. You don't have an opposite wall, but I see light reflection on either side of the front door. Try two mirrors there. They should reflect light back into the room.

I don't mind the chair, but the side table, the console and ottoman, art and lamp base are pretty dull (No insult intended) and bold colors brighten, like new art over console and new lamp.

Mercury glass will brighten the space, too.

1. Since your foyer/front door is offset from the hallway, I suggest you consider a SQUARE rug for this area 9x9 would be perfect, but they are scarce.
2. You could repaint the walls or try to work with what you have. That rug, however, is not working so I have located a few alternate choices that could embrace the finishes in your foyer.
3. Take a look at the foyer & then a critical look at what you have placed in the room. It looks to me like you have Mercedes Benz architecture filled with Big Lots furnishings. Never a good combination. Better to have a few spectacular pieces than a room full of junk.

The square rug is quite handsome in your foyer.

Thanks everyone for your comments. I’ve obviously struggled with the foyer. @BeverlyFLADeziner, if I start from scratch, do you recommend that I purchase a rug first? The square rugs look great. What type of furniture would look best? I appreciate your honesty and direction.

Yes easiest to start with rug first. I’ll put a few furnishings together for the space also

Here are a few more square rugs I found that might work. They are taking you out of your comfort zone I know. I just don't know the style of the LR so I have not idea what style might coordinate.

Thank you! Traditional style with mostly neutral color is throughout my house. I prefer greens and blues as color accents. I do find the first rug in the second group (animal theme) very appealing.

All are very pretty and it’s nice to see my wall color as the backdrop for the second group. The third picture fits the rest of my house the best. Love it! Thank you.

I like the foyer to introduce you, your style and hint at what's to come in the adjoining spaces. A quick look at the rooms off the foyer might give us more direction to help you.

Of course! I’ll take pictures tomorrow morning.

It's a beautiful room, I wouldn’t switch out your lovely rug for a common, mass-produced one. I think it looks so pretty, is a nice scale for not covering too much of the floors, and looks unique and collected.

Can you get a picture of the wall the chair is on?

Thank you, Jinx. I have to admit that I would have a hard time explaining replacing the rug to my husband. I recently purchased it and it is a wool, rug made in Turkey that really doesn’t fit anyplace else in my house. I do like it! I’ll get that picture of the wall soon.

New door(s) that allow more light into the foyer?

Wood Doors for Worthy Spaces (Custom Solid Wood Doors) · More Info

Traditional · More Info

Contemporary Iron Doors · More Info

As requested by Jinx, I am attaching a picture of the unseen wall in the foyer. Also, this picture of my dining and living areas. Thank you!

Beautiful home!

Seeing that wall helps a lot — I like your chair there, but think a small round table would look better than the rectangular one. Maybe the chair slighty more in the corner, facing the door more, with the table to the left.

You have a very elegant, understated style and I think the other side of the entry (and rug) looks perfect. That table is wonderful.

Your home is beautiful!

I agree the rug is lovely. I see beverly's point about the rug shape but I don't think replacing the rug will do much to address your concerns about darkness. I would take the suggestion to repaint the walls in a different sheen from the trim color. I would also remove the table by the chair and probably not replace it.

Some random thoughts on lightening the room's feel - I would remove the heavy leather ottoman from under the table but I might replace it with something funkier - like the ones beverly or @elcieg posted, especially if you liked the animal print rug. I also agree that a glass or metal lamp to echo your fixture would lighten the room's feel. I would also change out the ceramic vase with a taller glass vessel with some tall faux branches. It looks like you have lots of places where the ceramic would be a nice addition.

Angle the blue Louis chair in the corner, hang the mirror vertically, centered at 5' above the floor, and move the round plant stand from the dining room to sit near the doorway with a larger plant. I like the soft feminine look of a maidenhair fern with the delicate chair legs. Do you have any other Queen Anne pieces that match your dining set you could use opposite the chair? You have a delicate, feminine side and then the other side is rustic and masculine. Perhaps a larger painting with a battery operated art lamp above it would be all you need on the wall beside the window. It might be cool to find a Louis style bench you could paint and upholster to match the chair.

Interesting ideas decoenthusiaste! I will try the mirror vertically. Love that idea. I have other dining room pieces in the attic that are in need of upholstery, but that is an easy fix.
I definitely see your point about the feminine side versus more rustic/masculine side. Thank you for your suggestions!

I'm curious how the rug would look if you turned it 90 degrees?

I agree with chair in the corner and plant under the window. Also that the console is too thick and bulky looking imo, and the bench can just go to the curb lol.

You've got a great start though! Just need to make a few adjustments. and gosh, if a new front door is in the budget that would make a huge change.

The front doors are spectacular. Add lighting. Leave doors. To replace arched top double doors, probably close to $10k if you could match arch. The main thing I would consider is the scale and tones in this space. I see a lighter piece of art in the dining area. Could you swap the one in entry with that one. I don’t think the Bergere chair is the right scale for the entry. Do you have a round mirror for the wall on left side? Something round there would be nice or an arched top mirror to echo door shape. A tall plant in the corner with a small bench for guests to set a handbag or package down would be great. Some black accents would help ground the entry and bring things together.

Thank you all for the suggestions! Before reading Flo's ideas, I made a couple of changes. The mirror is now vertical and the rug turned. Also, I included a picture of a console from elsewhere in the house. I never thought the style was right for the foyer, but here it is for discussion.

Mirror better and might reflect something prettier. Pool’s rug suggestion was what I was thinking too. She is so smart! I like it much better that way. Are you open to painting that console? It could work. Would it fit under mirror? And move chair to other side. The chair is just a bit too big for that area. I found this for entry possibility. A little animal and fun. We could measure the space under that white console and see if this bench would fit under it.

You have a lovely home and the shift in the rug direction is spot on.  Have you by chance considered wallpaper for just the entry?  i think it could add a nice unexpected feature and could help lighten up the room...could bring in blues and greens...

As I imagine both “lines of sight” of your beautiful entry, I have reimagined the space. It looks like your front door swings in on the left so people enter on left of entry as you look at front door from inside. That might mean your “views” from inside you see more of items on right. So I have created a “view” from inside looking toward front door and another creating entry in from front door. I moved your Bergere chair to that side tucking into that corner. I added floor lamp and small table for a little reading spot and added lighting. I added open bookshelf with tray on top to drop keys or small items. Keeping that side open feeling. I featured branches for Bois French feeling. I put your white/light console on other side and the plant to right of door since that is live of sight spot and that door is probably seldom opened. See if you can envision these concepts.

The wallpapers are lovely, Theresa, but I don't think I'm up for choosing one. Too many choices!

Flo, I prefer not to paint the console now. You are so right about the chair being big for the area that it was in. I moved it to the other wall and it fits much better. Here is a picture of the original console where the chair used to be. If it stays there, I don't know what to do with the other side! I tried another chair, but it may be too big. Maybe forget the chair and look for a bench?

The French chair fits nicely on that side! Your other chair is way too bulky. You are such a good sport to test different things out. Thanks. I think we can figure it out. If the white console fits on the right side that could work. It is more narrow I believe. Two lamps for ambient lighting is a very good idea. You could put wall sconces along hallway too. So I would try lighting improvements before changing paint.

I also think it might help to get a runner that coordinates with other elements but lighter tones.

Another thought... possibly a round table under the chandelier... possibly a couple ottomans tucked under or round table under chandelier with two chairs across from each other against the walls...

I moved the light colored console back to under the mirror, along with the lamps that are usually on it. By the way, Flo, if I ever do decide to paint that console, what color did you have in mind? I have a couple of pieces of art that I wondered might work in the foyer. I can imagine the brass and glass shelves by the blue chair!

Oh yes! Love those paintings! I like the console as is. If painted, I would go black and touch the center circle details with an antique gold rub n buff.

Something like this.

You want to repeat the whites. Put a dark narrow tray or bowl on the console for placing small items like keys, mail etc.

Other wall.

Great buy for low bookcase from Overstock.

A little composite with antique copper wash tub and textured throw. The copper picks up front door tones. You might have something like this or can pick one up at a local antique or resale shop.

Thank you so very much all who have helped with ideas for me. Flo, I appreciate your mock ups and great ideas. I am excited to proceed to complete the start that I have on the foyer. This site is just a wealth of information and the people are the best.

My pleasure. You have a beautiful home and I think you are on the way to transforming your entry and hallway. Enjoy!