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biamel18

Blahhh front entrance, please help!

11 years ago
Need help with simple fix for my front entrance. I love my rug.

Comments (55)

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    I like Joe DeVitto's idea of a nice big vase with sticks. A vase complementary to your style.
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    Sausalito, CA · More Info
  • 11 years ago
    I don't think your entry is that blah at all :-)
    Love that little table. I think the 'problem' is the rooms that you look into when you enter your home. They look a bit bare.

    Couple of thoughts:
    Have you considered off white curtain panels for your family room windows? Can't really see what's on your sideboard, but something eye catching there would be nice.
    A colourful painting above the white sofa, on each of the narrow walls next to the front door I would hang two square images above each other....
  • 11 years ago
    That little table there is great and what would look fabulous on the table is a live fern. They look great everywhere. Be sure to protect the top of the table. I don't have a very green thumb but the ferns last at least a couple of months so it's cheaper than fresh flowers. :)
  • 11 years ago
    Forgot to ask, do you have a stunning chandelier in there?
  • 11 years ago
    There is chandelier but I do not like it. The paintings still need to be hang. I am not sure the style and size though. Would u out the fern on the floor or on the top of the little table?
    I also do not have a dining room yet so I want the entrance to make a statement :)
  • 11 years ago
    The entry isn't really "blah" so much as it is visually overwhelming. You can see straight to the back yard (and what is looking in the window??) and several rooms and stairs all at once. I completely agree with the fern or sticks advice...put a leafy plant on that little table, or move the table out and put a tall plant in that spot to block the view of the stairs and the TV room out as much as possible.
  • 11 years ago
    some kind of window covering over the windows next to the door would be helpful too. Those blinds that let the light through but keep your privacy might be nice.
  • 11 years ago
    Haha u made me laugh. It is a little ghost!
  • 11 years ago
    LOL, it worked then, it spooked me. :D
  • 11 years ago
    Coat rack! But a thinner one, and don't hang too many coats on it. I love coat racks because they are decorative, useful, and give a warm "home" feeling.
  • 11 years ago
    And I mean to put the coat rack where that little table is. It will accomplish what mmklein said, but add character.
  • 11 years ago
    I have one at home. I will take pictures
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    I agree, I think this is a nice entry. I really like the front door and the way the windows work around it.
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    I don't like coat racks. It adds clutter and visible dirty laundry. :( I do have a metal coat rack outdoors to dry the swimming pool towels though. Coat racks in mudrooms but I think this foyer is too pretty for a coat rack.
  • 11 years ago
    More colorful rug. And big potted palm in corner by stairs.
  • 11 years ago
    Rug is to wide. Show off beautiful floors. With color. No small items on walls. Walls to narrow for anything leave bear. Try plant next to sofa in corner by entry stairs.
  • 11 years ago
    You need window treatments. To finish your look.
  • 11 years ago
    I suppose this would be an expensive fix however I would have a carpenter extend your staircase so it's scrolls towards the door, like in victorian houses
  • 11 years ago
    Do u think works?
  • 11 years ago
    Pot don't work need a big pot with a tall plant ck TJMax
  • 11 years ago
    Try those pots by front door corner.
  • 11 years ago
    Nothing small think big by stairs.
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    I would pull the rug back so your feet hit it when you enter inside. I love the idea of the fern on that round table by the stairs and would love to see the glass pots by the window....with sunlight hitting them! NICE!
  • 11 years ago
    a palm
  • 11 years ago
    You need some color. Not those vases, they look too big for and bulky for the floor. That little table with a gorgeous bowl (use it for keys) the space looks confusing to guests. Which way do they go once they are in the door?
  • 11 years ago
    I like your entrance, and agree with some of the previous comments. Definitely move your rug closer to the door so you step on it when you enter. A tall plant (at least 6') by the staircase would bring color and life to the room and it would block some of the view to the other room. Put it in a pretty container, maybe a wicker basket. If there is room for the small table by the door, put it there with a pretty bowl for keys or a seasonal item. Finally, I would paint your front door for some drama. Choose a color that complements your beautiful rug!
  • 11 years ago
    I'm thinking a tree where the little table is. But I really like the idea of panel curtains on the windows. See this idea... http://www.windowsandmorebychrystal.com/2013/10/22/2-story-window-treatments-and-installations/
  • 11 years ago
    When you enter the front door and look right there's a white sofa or chair. Looks like there's nothing over it. Add a painting with some color--even though it's not in the foyer it would help brighten the whole area.
  • 11 years ago
    Forgot pics of pics
  • 11 years ago
    The entry should serve to introduce you, your family and your personality while hinting at what can be expected in the adjoining rooms. Here, all the adjoining rooms are wide open to the foyer, so there is no real need to make introductions. A large plant in a pot by the stairs, a pair of stacked pictures behind the column to the left, and great looking art over the sofa on the right side should do it. Softening, via floor to ceiling stationary panels on the windows in the family room would make a nice finishing statement.
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  • 11 years ago
    This is exactly what I am thinking. White panels drapery on the double windows. A nice picture on top of my white couch (by the way I loved your ideas, do u know where they are from?). I still dont know what to do in the entrance. I tried the vases, didn't work, than the coat rack, did not like it and also the little table! So for now I am still stuck!
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    Most of the pics I posted are from etsy.com. Look for large horizontal painting. You want something about 2/3 the length of your sofa and hang it only 5 or 6 inches above the back of the sofa.
    That will go a long way to give your foyer some personality.
  • 11 years ago
    Go with a pretty live palm in the foyer. The little table is really cute but I think a live tree would work better there. You can find another spot to put the table.
  • 11 years ago
    Went 'shopping' for you at Overstock:
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    Hi, I agree with those who think the area actually looks nice but the walls surrounding the area are incomplete. If you'd like, post photos of the walls as you enter the area (take the photos straight in front of the walls) and I'll superimpose my artwork on it so you can see. I think there's a lot you can do with art.

    https://www.etsy.com/shop/katshoa

    You have a beautiful space. Just needs a dash of color/texture.
  • 11 years ago
    Even tho the little round table, it is not strong enough in your entry. IMHO, you need a darker round table as just posted, or a square table, or even a small chest with an eye catching bowl on it and, depending on size, a medium tall lamp and smallish plant. A couple of stacked pics on the little left wall. Agree with the coloured vases near the front door, but place them closer together than you have shown. Is the plant near your white sofa real. You need a taller plant there, but it might grow, and a colourful pic above. Your rug is beautiful. Maybe you can use its colours in pix and accessories (even on the drapes in the Tv room) to carry the eye around and through the area.
  • 11 years ago
    I strongly agree that a colorful print over your white sofa will help your entry. That said, what about having a row of pictures going down the wall right as you enter your front door on the right. (
    Point Piper - Art Deco Inspired · More Info
    ) Then, I would put a potted plant in the corner by the stairs. (
    Shingle Style Estate · More Info
    )
  • 11 years ago
    Does this work?
  • 11 years ago
    No, the chair doesn't work. A live, tall plant would look great. The rug is a tad too wide but if you want to keep there anyway, scoot it down about 4 inches closer to the front door so the corner of the rug isn't so close to the post and will keep the rug in the "entry" only.
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    Well, being a stair company, I am going to suggest: change wood painted balusters to an iron with a pattern of some kind. Also, change the newels to a 6 1/4" box newel that will accent your columns built into your wall system. Simple balusters like plain bar, single knuckle then another plain bar. Repeat that pattern. That would make a world of difference. I see you have upstairs open railing so change those to match. Contact me if I can assist or even just point you to someone who can.
    Sam Foster
    sfoster@sumstairs.com
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    No, doesn't work. You need something more vertical for that corner. Plant, sculpture, vertical art on that wall...
  • 11 years ago
    Love the honesty! I will try to find a big tall plant this weekend!
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    I'm wondering if a cast iron coat rack would be an option?
  • 11 years ago
    As long as it doesn't get so loaded down with coats that it looks messy. I like the one shown by the door best.
  • 11 years ago
    I think if you take the rug out put about a 4 ft round table in center with pretty flowers and get rid of the stool and no one would even know it was the same room!!
  • 11 years ago
    I love this coat/umbrella rack. It can work closer to the door. I will try your idea Loulou2019 and I take pictures. I am not sure if the place is wide enough for a table in the middle!
  • 11 years ago
    I think a pedestal/plant stand with either a plant or a vase/ginger jar would look lovely in this corner. The pedestal and ginger jar are available at Ethan Allens
    http://www.ethanallen.com/Victor%20Pedestal/451567,en_US,pd.html
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    Since the room has many straight lines and angles I think a round rug would soften the impression. Some kind of palm would look good too.
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    I have a similar situation in the entry. A very narrow, small chest(10 inches deep max) with a small lamp or fern or piece of art or bowl would look less busy against the nice staircase. As it is, you see table legs with stair side of risers with posts and bannisters all looking into the other room. It's a confusing visual upon entering the house. Using a tall plant would just look like you were covering the pretty staircase. It is very hard to decorate with such a small space. And curtains on the family room windows will definitely soften the look as you enter the foyer and the view is straight ahead. I might put a small potted plant at the side of front door if it wouldn't look too crowded.

    alindamood's idea of a mirror on the wall is really good. It always is appropriate in a foyer. If you didn't want another piece of furniture there to anchor the mirror, you could use a narrow wall shelf or instead use a full length mirror with a decorative frame which expands and adds detail without using floor space. ( I was referring to the wall just inside the front door opposite the stairs. On the stairway wall, I would use a small piece of art.)
  • 11 years ago
    I think you need a mirror on the wall with a small table under it. On the table you could put a small floral arrangement and a tray to put keys on. If not a mirror how about a gallery frame.
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