Make Over Your Foyer
They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. And when it comes to the inside of your home, the first impression is made in the foyer. With a few simple decorating tips and staging tricks, your entryway will give guests a warm welcome as well as an impression of the rest of your home.
The experts at your local True Value hardware store can give you the advice and the supplies you need to spruce up your foyer. Try some of the tips below to give your entryway a make over.
Paint Your Foyer
A fresh coat of paint can completely redefine your entryway. Depending on the size and openness of your foyer, you can really create a welcoming atmosphere for guests and family members alike.
Step 1. Choose Your Color
Choose a color that compliments the rest of your home's décor. A warm neutral can be welcoming and complimentary. If your foyer is open to other rooms, pick a color that fits with the existing color scheme.
If your foyer is a separate space, you have more creative freedom to play with a color. A dark color can make a bold impression, and painting the ceiling can give the space more depth. Or try painting an accent wall to highlight artwork, photographs or a special piece of furniture.
With knowledgeable Color Experts and Idea Cards, your local True Value hardware store has the color selection tools you need to make picking a color simple.
No matter what color you choose, trust True Value EasyCare® latex paint to add the color, interest and drama you want in your foyer.
Step 2. Calculate Amount of Paint
To determine how much paint you need, multiply the total width of the wall you're painting by ceiling height to find the square footage to be covered. Subtract 15 square feet for windows and 21 for doors. A gallon of paint generally covers about 350 square feet, so divide your total square footage by 350 to determine number of gallons needed. Depending on the size of the accent wall, one gallon of paint may be all you need, but you’ll need a few coats when using deep, dark colors.
Helpful Tip:
< back to top
Step 3. Prepare the Foyer
Cover furniture and floors with tarps or drop cloths. Using a damp cloth, wash the wall surface with mild detergent and water. If any walls are damaged, patch holes with spackling compound. Scrape off flaky areas of old paint using a putty knife. Remove outlets and switch covers and cover edges with painter's tape.
Step 4. Prime and Paint
Even though it's not necessary to apply a coat of primer before you paint, it's a good idea. Doing so will improve the coverage and help the paint wear better. If your walls are stained or you're using a light color over existing dark walls, you will have to prime them first.
With a brush or roller, apply True Value EasyCare® latex primer widthwise in 6' sections, using a zigzag pattern of overlapping ''W'' strokes. Move from right to left, then left to right, spreading evenly with horizontal strokes.
Once the primer dries, apply True Value EasyCare® latex paint using the same technique. If necessary, apply a second coat of paint. You don't have to let the paint completely dry between coats, but your results will be better the longer you wait.
Step 5. Clean up
Thoroughly rinse your roller covers and brushes until the water runs clear. Store in plastic bags or hang them on nails or hooks to dry. Remove the drop cloths and pull off the painter's tape at a 45-degree angle to avoid removing any fresh paint. Reattach outlets and switch covers.
Add Accessories
Adding a few personal touches to your foyer will give guests an impression of what the rest of your home is like. Keep your accessories to scale with the size of your foyer; too many accessories can overpower a small space while too few can make your entryway feel empty and underwhelming.
The foyer is a great place for hanging photographs, artwork and other interesting accessories. Add a clock for decorative and practical purposes. Display artwork on the wall or hang a mirror to open up the space.
Before hanging mirrors or large pieces of art, be sure to find the studs in your wall. Use a stud finder to locate the studs and screw directly into them.
If there isn't a stud where you want your large frame to hang — or if you're hanging something that's not quite as heavy as a mirror or large piece of art — you can use fasteners. Check with the experts at your local True Value before you hang anything. Given the size, weight and type of item you want to hang in your foyer, they can help you find the right fasteners, wall anchors or bolts for the job.
Helpful Tip:
- When incorporating more than one framed object into your entryway, make sure the frames compliment each other — too many styles can make the foyer feel cluttered.
Add a Little Green
Adding potted plants or fresh flowers to your foyer will add some life. Your guests will find the sight and smell of fresh flowers and live plants inviting, and you'll find yourself enjoying them as well.
Once you have an idea of what kind of plants you'd like to add to your foyer, True Value's gardening experts can help you find the proper size pots and the right soil, as well as give you any green thumb tips you may need.
Nice work! With a fresh coat of paint and the thoughtful addition of a few accessories, you've made over your foyer. It's now a welcoming, functional space that guests and family members will appreciate. Head to your local True Value hardware store for all of your painting project needs.
For more projects, go to TrueValuePaint.com. >
< back to top
print project | email
