Best color for entryway

The 10 Best Foyer Paint Colors for an Elegant Entryway

Ashley Knierim

Ashley Knierim is a home decor expert and product reviewer of home products for The Spruce. Her design education began at a young age. She has over 10 years of writing and editing experience, formerly holding editorial positions at Time and AOL.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 01/18/22

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

Your home's foyer is the first space guests see when they enter your home, so it's important for setting the mood and tone for the rest of your residence. The transitional room can sometimes be an afterthought but is actually one of the most important design decisions you can make for your home. The best foyer paint colors depend on the size of your entryway and the tone you want to set. Keep in mind that neutrals like gray or beige are popular for foyers, but bright shades, moody hues, and subtle pale colors can also work well in the right setting.

Color Family: Various
Complementary Colors: Various
Pairs Well With: Various
Mood: Calming, cozy, elegant
Where to Use: Foyers

Here are 10 of the best paint color ideas for your foyer.

01 of 10
The Spruce
Whether you have a large or small space, a crisp, clean white is always a great choice. Sherwin-Williams' Extra White is a cool tone that opens up the foyer and highlights any of the natural light streaming in. An entryway that is simple, but welcoming and modern, makes a great impression on guests.
02 of 10
The Spruce
If you want to play with color but don't want to overwhelm the space, a soft pink can add a romantic touch that works beautifully in a foyer. The Spruce's Rose Power is a soft medium pink that is subtle enough to welcome guests and transition your space, but with just enough color to add a little depth.
03 of 10
The Spruce
If you have a lot of cuts and architectural details or very high ceilings in your foyer, a color with some depth to it will highlight the space. We love Farrow & Ball's Dimpse because it's a soft cool gray that reminds you of the air at twilight, but it's not too dark or overwhelming.
Tip
Apply low-stick painter's tape to the edges of surfaces that will not be painted, and make sure to only remove it when the paint is fully dried and cured. Many beginner painters make the mistake of peeling the tape off too early when it's best to wait about three days.
04 of 10
The Spruce
An unexpected color like Benjamin Moore's Hale Navy is a great way to make a statement in your home. This rich navy is a classic shade that is incredibly saturated and lends a moody tone to your foyer. Keep your trim and accessories light and airy, and navy will feel cozy and inviting when you walk in.
05 of 10
The Spruce
A beige shade such as Benjamin Moore's Sparrow is a good choice if you have a lot of different accessory colors or shades of wood in your home. This foyer paint color will tie them all together. This rich, latte-like beige is just dark enough to add depth, but won't feel dreary.
06 of 10
The Spruce
We love Sherwin-Williams' Aqua-Sphere because it can play similarly to a neutral, but still adds a fun pop of color to your entryway. It gives us major beach decor feels and complements a lot of different color palettes. It looks great with various shades of white (perfect for a coastal color scheme) and tan or topaz hues.
07 of 10
The Spruce
Magnolia's Silverado Sage is a muted green shade that is lovely for a foyer of any size or shape. Named for the sturdy Texas plant, its nature-inspired color has a soothing air to it. It has soft blue undertones and pairs wonderfully with either white or natural wood accents. Finish the look with a fresh bouquet of eucalyptus on your console table.
Tip
To create the illusion of more space, paint architectural details like window frames and crown molding the same color as your walls. This is an easy way to make a narrow foyer appear wider and taller than it is.
08 of 10
The Spruce
While many foyers stay neutral and minimalistic, that doesn't mean you can't experiment with a little color, especially if you want to stay true to the rest of your space. Sherwin-Williams' Reflecting Pool is a rich teal shade that packs a punch without feeling too whimsical. It has rich green undertones and pairs beautifully with natural wood.
09 of 10
The Spruce
We absolutely adore The Spruce Best Home's Lilac Sand for any foyer. Not only will it open up a smaller space and help it appear light and airy, but the dusty lavender undertones add a lovely hint of color that works well with a variety of decorating styles. Pay attention to the lighting, as it can influence whether the shade appears more gray or taupe.
10 of 10
The Spruce
If your home is classic, you'll want a foyer shade that sets a mature yet modern feel for the rest of your home. Benjamin Moore's Revere Pewter is a greige shade that lends just enough gray to feel modern but contains rich beige undertones to cast a warmth to your space. It's perfect for a traditional home or a modern farmhouse look.
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(Image credit: Future)

When adding color to our homes, it’s all too easy to forget the entryway; after all, it’s not as if we spend much time in this often small or narrow room.

As well as looking inviting in its own right, an entryway color scheme should set the tone for the rest of your home. Move it up on your decorating agenda: it’s a place to be bold and show your personality. Winning room color ideas and entryway paint ideas pay attention to the mood, size and natural light, so whether you go for something playful or serene, here are some entryway color ideas to get you started.

Entryway color ideas

Color is a remarkable decorating medium and is an easy way to make your entryway more inviting. What could be easier – or more impactful than adding color to your entryway? Use these pretty color schemes to update your entryway ideas.

1. Choose a color that works with neighboring rooms

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

When there are clear views from a hallway into adjacent rooms, think carefully about your choice of color trends and paint ideas to ensure that the eye is drawn naturally from one space to the next.

'Using color in the entryway doesn’t just make for a memorable introduction to your home, it also creates contrast with the rooms coming off it,' says Charlotte Cosby, head of creative at Farrow & Ball .

(Image credit: Paint & Paper Library)

The variety of hallway wallpaper ideas before us is now so extensive that preliminary research will always pay dividends, especially in such adventurous times for design.

The accent wall is one of the most popular recent trends. It is a classic design device, which draws the eye to a specific area. Striking, elegant and confident, black and white is always a winning combination and will make a dramatic statement in a modern entryway.

'We are seeing a trend for rich cocooning colors and those that bring a sense of comfort, perhaps a reaction to the turbulent world,' says Andy Greenall, head of design at Paint & Paper Library.

3. Add in element of yellow

(Image credit: Zulufish)

'Entryways can often be an overlooked area of the home, seen mainly as a space to pass through and yet gives the very first impression,' says Caroline Milns, head of interior design at Zulufish . 'Being a smaller space, it is also where you can have a little more fun and experiment with color and pattern to dramatic effect. '

'These charcoal and mustard geometric floor tiles are not only hardwearing and easy to clean – essential for an area of high traffic – but they also work in harmony with the monochromatic graphic lines of the floor-to-ceiling Crittal doors, the sculptural glass quad pendant and linear furniture. Fresh white walls finish the space reflecting the light along the full length of the entryway to the kitchen ahead.'

4. Create a serene feel

(Image credit: Bert & May )

'To create a cool and calming space when you enter your home, soft blue tones will make for a serene entryway,' says Lee Thornley, founder of Bert & May . 'Using tiles on the floor will allow you to introduce a strong pattern and variation of tone that won’t overwhelm the space, allowing you to keep the rest of the space pared back.'

5. Ground your entryway with a warming terracotta

(Image credit: Elicyon)

'Taking inspiration from the South Bank’s industrial heritage, we incorporated materials, textures and colors that speak to the local area’s history as a vibrant hub of natural craft and art,' says Charu Gandhi, founder and director at Elicyon .

'The color palette of "new neutrals" has been chosen to create a warm and heartening ambience, combining soft ivory and sandy tones, fall burnt oranges and ochres, flashes of gold and calming dark teal. Grounding the space, the entryway features a striking marble and oak console table by a Portuguese maker.'

6. Embrace a winning combination

(Image credit: Dado)

'Entryways are the perfect spot for making a big design impact,' says Kate French, creative director at Dado . 'Embrace the narrowness and lack of light and opt for a deep rich hue on walls, combined with pops of bold or bight color.

'Although transient spaces, an entryway and the spaces beyond can often be seen from multiple rooms, so consider a wallpaper that's easy to scheme. A small all over print bursting with color and detail 'Floral Ogee' in Madder by Daydress for Dado is the perfect paper for scheming in a host of ways, working beautifully when seen through an open doorway or up close. '

7. Lift a dark space with yellow

(Image credit: The Radiator Centre)

Yellow room ideas are having something of a revival, so perhaps now is the time to decorate 'sunny side up,' 'Symbolizing energy and optimism, yellow room color ideas are a great color choice for the home,' says Jennifer Ebert, Digital Editor, Homes & Gardens.

Andy Greenall , head of design, Paint & Paper Library agrees: ‘Yellow is a color that evokes happiness and provides a sense of positivity. It is perfect for areas of the home where there is much activity and socializing, such as the kitchen and dining room, where it adds energy and vitality.’

8. Take inspiration from nature

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

Calm, cool and collected, the color blue is a decorating win-win in an entryway: not only does it make a beautiful base for a scheme but it’s scientifically proven to be a subconsciously calming shade.

'The entryway is a space that welcomes you at the end of a long day, and the first glimpse your guests are given of your style – so it's the perfect opportunity to make a statement,' says Charlotte Cosby, head of creative at Farrow & Ball . 'Let your artwork or favorite piece of entryway furniture do the talking and use a striking contrasting backdrop with clean and crisp, white woodwork.'

9. Go for neutrals in a small entryway

(Image credit: VSP Interiors)

'Whenever you introduce a rich shade like ochre to a space that's on the small side, it's always worth painting the woodwork, doors and ceiling white to lift the look and create contrast,' says Melanie Griffiths, editor, Period Living. 'Here, the original stone flags also help to lighten up this small entryway idea, and they add the most perfect authentic touch.'

10. Forest green and stone for a natural look

(Image credit: Little Greene)

'Rich, dark greens have a receding quality that gives the illusion of walls being further away, doing away with the myth that smaller spaces should be painted in lighter colors to make them seem bigger,' says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene .

'Embrace small spaces with intense shades like ‘Brunswick Green’ which has a timeless, positive quality that works beautifully on a single wall or in an all-over scheme. Pair with woodwork in the neutral ‘Portland Stone-Pale’ to reflect the colors we see in nature.'

What are good colors for an entryway?

One trend which is currently being adopted in entryways is color drenching. ‘This contemporary, cohesive approach delivers high impact by painting woodwork, radiators, the ceiling and doors the same color as the walls,’ says Ruth Mottershead, creative director, Little Greene. ‘This will create a complete scheme, treating each element similarly, and will deliver a design statement when entering or viewing the entryway from other rooms within your home.’

What is the best color for an entryway?

The best color for an entryway is one that will make you feel at home – instantly.

'Entrance halls should make a statement about the house and owners as well as being a welcoming space,' says Mike Fisher, creative director and founder, Studio Indigo. 'Small spaces can be treated in a grand way – “be bold” is my advice. Large details can open up the space, such as using double doors but making them as tall as possible.

'Painting the space a light color will not make it feel bigger. Use strong color to make a statement and give personality. Lastly, we are great fans of polished plaster in hallways – it’s practical, tough and has a wonderful reflective quality that makes the space shimmer.’

Sophie has been an interior stylist and journalist for over 20 years and has worked for many of the main interior magazines during that time, both in-house and as a freelancer. On the side, as well as being the News Editor for indie magazine, 91, she trained to be a florist in 2019 and launched The Prettiest Posy where she curates beautiful flowers for modern weddings and events. For H&G, she writes features about interior design – and is known for having an eye for a beautiful room.

tips and tricks for choosing colors

12/23/2019

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It is difficult to overestimate the role of color in the interior. It sets the style and mood, affects the overall perception of the living space. Especially important is the harmonious combination of shades in the corridor. The absence of windows, a small area, a specific layout make the color scheme the central character of the room. It is not enough to decorate the walls and ceiling in your favorite shades. It is also necessary to choose the color of the closet in the hallway, take care of combining the rest of the furniture and decor elements in order to visually expand the space, fill it with light, pleasant contrasts.

The corridor is perceived by many as a utility room, boring and of little interest. Meanwhile, the functionality of the hallway is much wider than just a place to store outerwear, outdoor accessories and shoes. Competent design turns the corridor into a visiting card of the whole house. The standard way to create coziness and harmony in a room is to choose a good color palette for surface finishing, combine shades with fittings, furniture and decor. The corridor is no exception to the general design rules. But there are some nuances that must be considered when choosing a color:

The size and layout of the room directly affect the main shade. For example, dark colors should not be used in a small hallway. In a narrow and long corridor, horizontal contrasts in the form of stripes should be avoided. In a small room with high ceilings, it is better to decorate the surfaces in warm, soft shades.
The design of the hallway should be versatile to be a natural complement to a bright nursery, a discreet living room and a glamorous bedroom. In other words, the palette should match the overall style of the house.
The corridor is subjected to daily mechanical tests. Moisture and street dust that enters the room on shoes, outerwear, accessories make it difficult to maintain perfect cleanliness. Therefore, it is better to refuse to use white, blue, pink or light green colors. On light shades of a cold palette, every speck will be noticeable from any angle.

When choosing a future palette for decorating a corridor, it is worth remembering that color literally works wonders. It visually enlarges the space, emphasizes the advantages and carefully masks the shortcomings. But with the same ease, color can turn the hallway into a “well”, stretch an already long corridor, or significantly reduce the height of the ceilings.

Furniture and doors set the tone for the corridor

The color of the hallway largely depends on the carpentry elements (doors, skirting boards, arches, partitions), as well as existing or future furniture. Modern interiors are made according to the general rule: the shade of furniture and doors must match. Soft contrast is allowed, with a difference of no more than 2 tones. For example, walnut and Italian walnut, milk oak and bleached oak. The combination of dark doors, skirting boards, floors and white furniture looks interesting, in which the fittings match the carpentry details in color.

The interior of the hallway in a single tone creates the illusion of free space. A hidden storage area is carried out (a closet to match the shade of the walls or a wardrobe built into a niche), doors of the same color are installed and a plinth is mounted. In this case, a cabinet for shoes, a hanger, a bench, a wall mirror frame act as an accent in the room. They can be 2-3 tones lighter or darker than other surfaces.

In large hallways of the correct geometric shape, bright color schemes can be applied. Dark furniture and light walls are a traditional interior option. In a small, narrow and long corridor, it is worth limiting yourself to three close shades, one of which is the main one, and the other two are used as an accent.

Interior color

Color and style are inseparable concepts. Each design direction has its own characteristics that dictate the requirements for the palette. When deciding which color to choose for a closet in the hallway or finishing materials, you should first determine the style of the corridor. Using popular designs as an example, you can understand the general principle of color combinations:

Classics - blue, light brown, discreet yellow, a small amount of gold and bronze.
Scandinavian - ivory, milky, gray, gray-blue.
Loft - all natural shades, characteristic of the "rough finish". These include the color of concrete, brickwork, raw wood, "rusty" metal.
Provence - pale lilac, lilac, dusty pink, mint, cream, olive.
Minimalism - a laconic combination of white - gray - black. It is advisable to limit the game to two shades.
Pop art - cheerful shades of pink, blue, green, orange. The colors are bright, but not flashy, closer to the pastel palette.
Vintage - the main range is beige, sand, coffee. Accents are placed in noble burgundy, blue, rich pink and green tones.

Important: the style of the corridor should not be radically different from the rest of the rooms. To avoid color dissonance, it is necessary to consider "related" designs: classic and Provence, loft and minimalism.

Corridor color scheme: design tips

Structurally, the corridor cannot be a separate room of an apartment or house. The colors of furniture, finishing materials and decor are selected taking into account the overall concept of the interior. In addition, you should consider the influence of shades on the mood and atmosphere in the house. Beautiful, saturated gold, orange, red colors will bring only temporary visual pleasure. Literally in a month, inexplicable irritation, aggression or outbreaks of causeless fear will appear. If repairs in the corridor are done with a long-term perspective, it is better to refrain from exciting shades. This does not mean that bright, joyful colors are forbidden. With their help, you can place accents, emphasize the advantages of planning or the beauty of joinery.

When choosing a color scheme for the hallway, the color combination table, the advice of psychologists and designers, fashion interior trends, and personal preferences are taken as the basis. To understand the intricacies of a harmonious palette, a few recommendations from graphic designers will help:

Warm colors fill the room with additional light, which is more than relevant for the corridor. These include pastel shades: dull coral, sandy yellow, noble purple, brick red.
Cold colors are best used in small hallways. Muted variations of blue, green fill the corridor with volume, air and freshness.
The desire to make the hallway in light "girlish" shades is quite feasible if you choose a pearl gray tone as the main color. It is compatible with both warm and cold palettes. The gentle combination of gray + pink or gray + golden-copper looks great.
The height of the ceilings can be visually increased by using vertical stripes several tones darker than the main color of the coating. It is not recommended to use contrasting combinations - this is a relic of the past.
You can add width to a narrow corridor using horizontal decor. As in the case of vertical stripes, it is better to give preference to a concise, almost imperceptible wall demarcation. Otherwise, you will end up with a 90s-style design.
In the corridors, you can not take dark red, blue, black, brown shades as a basis. Gothic and hallway are incompatible concepts. The exception is old castles or houses with a huge hall. In standard apartments, with the help of saturated colors, accents can be placed. For example, use in the decoration of furniture or door leaf.
White color is preferred by perfectionists, but its use in the corridor should be limited. Ceilings, frames on mirrors, pillows on a banquette, a chandelier - there are enough elements where you can play with crystal whiteness. Wall surfaces should be decorated in more practical colors.
Contrasting furniture looks great in the interior of the hallway. For example, a dark wardrobe fits light walls. And vice versa, finishing in muted shades of beige, sand, purple, gray loves light furniture (milky oak, caramel, sand birch, etc.).

All recommendations are based on classic design techniques. But creating an interior is always a creative process in which there is no place for restrictions and rules. One thing is important, how the owners and guests of the house or apartment will feel in the future space. Color will help create your dream home. Experiment with shades and enjoy an unusual result!

Choosing the color of the hallway and corridor: 55 photos, fashionable combinations

Rules for choosing colors

In order to form a more harmonious atmosphere in the room, several important parameters are taken into account:

The color of the walls in a small hallway will look best in cold gray, blue or silver colors. For a small room, it is recommended to select soft powdery, muted milky, light brown tones or a discreet shade of ivory. In a small room with a low ceiling, a neutral ceiling finish that matches the color of the walls will help increase the height of the room.
For a long corridor, use a light or white palette that visually expands the space. Also, the wallpaper with a pattern in the form of horizontal stripes will allow you to adjust the proportions of the room. Walls in a narrow space are best painted as this coating is easy to clean and is more resistant to damage.
A disproportionate wide hallway can be made in dark colors.
To decorate a large hallway, choose warm red, orange, apricot, yellow or coffee colors.
If there is a south-facing window, blue, green or aqua colors are appropriate in the room.
For a pleasant interior that does not irritate the eyes, when choosing a color, it is necessary to take into account the harmonious combination of the wall covering with a touch of the ceiling and floor finishes.

What colors are suitable for the hallway?

Variants of colors used in interior design.

Photo of dark corridors in apartment

A dark palette allows you to give the room a certain shape and mood, as well as endow the interior with nobility and sophistication.

Finishing materials in dark colors provide an excellent backdrop for furniture pieces. Such a rich color scheme does not create dissonance in the room and emphasizes every object and accessory in the room, giving them a clearer look.

Dark walls make a great addition to a fusion, art deco or other eclectic style hallway, characterized by bright contrasts and a combination of incongruous.

The photo shows a large hallway in dark shades in the interior of the apartment.

It is believed that black shades make the atmosphere gloomy and visually reduce the room, so this color scheme would be extremely inappropriate for decorating a small hallway. However, a spacious corridor in black, combined with well-chosen furniture and proper lighting, will look very fashionable, expensive and elegant.

Dark tones are of inestimable beauty, originality and aesthetics. In the design of the corridor, the use of deep cobalt, dark blue, complex purple colors or mysterious indigo shades is relevant, which give the closed space a certain depth.

An expressive burgundy color scheme will add special aesthetics and sophistication to the atmosphere.

Hallways in light colors

One of the main advantages of a light color scheme is its ability to visually expand the spatial boundaries and make the room lighter and more comfortable.

This palette goes well with all shades. Against the background of a light wall covering, various decor and accent details look more advantageous.

The photo shows the design of the entrance hall with light walls covered with peach color paint.

Pastel colors fill the room with calm, cleanliness and freshness. The entrance hall in pale blue, lilac, pale green or ivory shades always has a well-groomed and pleasant appearance, and also has a warm and homely atmosphere.

By painting the walls in neutral beige or light gray, a small space will appear much larger and more spacious.

The photo shows the white and blue design of a small corridor in the apartment.

Brown corridor

Chocolate color in combination with wood texture will create a respectable corridor design. Brown is considered a classic choice for people with conservative tastes.

The most popular color solutions are coffee, cocoa or cinnamon shades, which have extraordinary softness and warmth.

The photo shows brown colors in the design of a spacious corridor.

Hallway in gray tones

The corridor in gray has a rich range, harmoniously combined with other tones. Thanks to such combinations, the interior will never be oppressive and faceless.

Gray is quite practical. Metallic, graphite, pearl colors or a shade of wet asphalt have a positive effect on the environment, contribute to relaxation and stress relief.

For decoration, it is better to use a lighter ash and smoky palette. Such a hallway in gray always looks airy, fresh and spacious.

The photo shows the interior of a modern hallway in gray tones.

Entrance hall in white

Snow-white coloring fills the corridor space with cleanliness, volume, comfort and gives dark furniture or decor extra brightness and attractiveness.

In the same way as outerwear and sometimes dirty or wet shoes are removed in the hallway, white decoration will quickly lose its impeccable appearance. Therefore, shades of ivory are suitable as an alternative. They look rich, harmonize well with other colors and add presentability to the interior.

The photo shows the design of the corridor, made in white.

Mint color in the interior of the hallway

If you choose the right companion colors for a delicate mint color scheme, you will be able to create a rather harmonious color composition that will match the dimensions and decor of the room.

The mint palette is effectively combined with white, gray, blue or gold tones. For modern design, an alliance with red will be appropriate.

Beige hallway

The coziest and warmest color that fits perfectly into the corridor space and creates a pleasant atmosphere in the room.

Beige walls go well with floor or ceiling cladding in discreet and natural shades of brown, white or gray.

The photo shows a corridor in shades of beige with white splashes.

Turquoise hallway

The turquoise interior is original and flashy. The natural shade of turquoise, which combines heavenly radiance and sea waves, gives the atmosphere an attractive charm and freshness. This color gives the hallway a discreet luxury, and thanks to different color duets it allows you to create an interesting visual effect in the room.

Hallway ideas in bright colors

The hallway in an apartment or house is a great place to create expressive touches and bold color experiments. Extraordinary tint solutions due to a short stay in the hallway will only positively affect the surrounding space and add to it a special tone and showiness.

For example, bright red tones will not leave anyone indifferent and will undoubtedly attract attention, orange ones will create an optimistic, positive and bright atmosphere in the corridor, and pink ones will simultaneously add richness, solidity and intimacy to the hallway.

Yellow, lemon or mustard colors have charming warmth and, thanks to their good combination with other color palettes, provide an opportunity to realize original design ideas and ideas.

The photo shows the interior of the corridor, decorated in red.

Style features of colors

In Provence-style interiors, color plays a decisive role. Pastel white, beige, cream and other muted and faded tones serve as the main range here.

A loft-style hallway characterized by neutral white, gray or brown colors. For a more interesting design, this palette is diluted with bright purple, red, green and other rich colors.

The photo shows a loft-style entrance hall in shades of brown, gray and white.

The classic hallway is distinguished by its light design, which combines white, cream, beige or light green colors. Snow-white, milky or almond wall cladding very harmoniously complements the classic direction. Light shades with the addition of gold or silver look really expensive and luxurious.

Color combinations in the interior

When designing a corridor, they follow the rule of 3 shades, when one color is used as the main one, and the other two as additional ones.

The best solution is a combination of similar shades. Beige-milky, gray-brown or turquoise-blue gamma is characterized by soft transitions and at the same time creates a very expressive interior. With such a combination, designers are advised to dilute the decor with small accents from a different spectrum.

The photo shows a white-beige-brown combination of colors in the interior of the hallway.

A bold and interesting option is the use of a contrasting combination. Muted and neutral backgrounds can be complemented by bright patterns, rich decor and other small elements, creating a contrast between flooring and walls, furniture and wall trim, or between floors, wall cladding and interior doors.