Make that initial impression count
Since every buyer likes spaciousness, the more spacious your entryway feels and looks, the better. It's not difficult to "get them at hello."
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| A demilune table like this black one takes up minimal space, but gives you a surface for staging a vignette. The lamp is cordless. Photo: Room for Tuesday |
One way to make your small space feel bigger is with good lighting. A well-lighted hall looks larger and more welcoming.
If there is no overhead light or wall sconce, and no outlet for a lamp, you can use cordless lamps that are battery-powered. One of my favorite bloggers, Kristi at Addicted2Decorating, shows how to convert a standard lamp into a cordless one.
Another way to magically enlarge the look of a room is staging with some transparent or translucent furniture pieces. A see-through table that almost disappears is perfect for a small foyer. The more floor that's visible, the larger the room will look. Mirrored furniture is also a great choice, since it bounces light around, and seems to erase boundaries.
Most well-staged entryways include a wall mirror. Reflections create the illusion of spaciousness by tricking the eye. Some real estate pros insist that when buyers see their reflection in a mirror, it helps them envision themselves actually living there. It sounds like a bit of a stretch, but for sure it's true that a mirror enlarges a space visually. That's especially true when the mirror is oversized.
Another trick decorators use is to ensure there is a view into other rooms. Even if the entry is small, it should offer a glimpse of the rest of the house. Don't let visitors be greeted by a blank wall.
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| A small entrance is a perfect opportunity to use a Lucite console that practically disappears, but adds a contemporary vibe. Photo: Kim Scodro Interiors |
Tease buyers with a preview
Let the style of the entry reflect the style of your home -- rustic, modern, formal, coastal, urban, farmhouse, eclectic, or whatever you've decided your home "wants to be." For a together, more intentional appearance, your decor style should play nicely with the architecture of your home. When buyers see a McMansion decorated cottage style, it devalues the property in their minds. And your simple ranch home filled with formal furniture and 18th-century antiques doesn't do your home any favors either. Be true to your provenance.
So, what you put in your front hall tells buyers what to expect -- a home they can't wait to tour, or one that leaves them lukewarm, or even disappointed. Disappoint them at the door, and it's difficult to dispel those poor first impressions.
Add some decorative touches
Just the way you'll do in other rooms of your staged home, add some props to your entrance to make your house look interesting, friendly, and desirable. You can round up the usual suspects: books, vases, plants, sculptures, candles. pictures, or interesting boxes and baskets, and choose two or three (not all!). A rule of thumb is that a staging prop should be no larger than a cantaloupe. That means it's big enough to be interesting, but small enough to not steal the show or disappear into someone's pocket.
A runner or rug is usually a grounding element and makes the space feel pulled together. You just don't want to create a tripping hazard or add an area rug that's so small it looks like an afterthought or one that hides a beautiful floor that's a selling feature.
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| This hall runner breaks up the dark expanse of flooring, yet coordinates with the black and white color scheme of the area. Photo: Tracey Ayton. Room design: Karla Amadatsu |
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| There's something so Hollywood about a mirrored piece of furniture. In this entrance, its look is softened with books, a large plant, and some charming vintage luggage. Photo: Adore Magazine |
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| When the architectural details of your home are what you want buyers to notice, simple decor in the front foyer is best. Photo: Unknown source |
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| A roomy foyer can tolerate a useful addition like this cabinet. Clearly, this entrance is part of the front room, but still acts like a separate area. Photo: BHG |
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| When your entrance is this grand, a simple staging shows it off best. A mirror over a clean-lined table with a tray and some flowers won't steal the show from the gorgeous flooring and staircase. Photo: Laura Casey |
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| When visitors enter this home, it's clear they'll be treated to a beachy interior. Photo: BHG |
Get the look, get the book
