Best foyer colors


6 Best Entryway Paint Colors, According to Designers

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entryway

by Hannah Baker

updated Nov 18, 2022

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When it comes to decorating your home, the entryway may not be the first space you focus on. All those big ticket spaces like bedrooms and living rooms usually take precedence, and for good reason, since we spend so much time in both of these areas. But designers seriously advise against neglecting your entryway—not only is it one of the most trafficked areas of your home (thus, you see it a lot), it’s also the first place guests step into when they come over for a dinner party or a casual glass of wine.

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And you only get one first impression, right? So make sure it’s a good one and treat your entryway like it’s a decorating preview of what’s to come in the rest of your home.

Even the smallest of entryways could benefit from a fresh coat of paint and a little bit of strategic styling. And because it’s a space that’s used so frequently, it’s smart to choose an entryway paint color that you love, but also one that can withstand a little wear. For a bit of color inspiration, we spoke to four designers on their favorite entryway colors. Here’s what they had to say:

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1. Greige

Nicole Gibbons, designer and founder of Clare paint, is a big fan of using warm neutrals in entryways. “It’s a space that should feel inviting, so I love using warmer shades to make it feel welcoming,” she says. “Greige is the perfect combination of gray and beige, and it has a bit of depth, so it will also help hide scuffs and smudges that are likely to appear in an entryway, which typically gets lots of foot traffic.”

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2. Off-White

For something a little cleaner and brighter, Gibbons suggests another neutral. “On Point is a favorite, thanks to its airiness,” she says. “It’s a clean, super light neutral with a touch of warmth, and it reflects light beautifully!” Plus, choosing a pretty off-white shade like this for your entryway means you can go bolder when decorating the rest of the space. Try bringing in a patterned bench decked out with your favorite throw pillows, a mini gallery wall, or a dramatic light fixture that’s in opposition to the light walls.

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3. Bold Blue

Designer Caitlin Murray, founder of Los Angeles-based Black Lacquer Design, is all about big and bold when it comes to entryways. “I like my foyers to make a statement and serve as a sneak peek for what’s to come in the rest of the house,” says Murray. “If I’m using mostly white walls throughout the home, a punchy accent wall is a great way to create coziness, add drama, and define the space.”

To make a splashy paint color work in a small space, as Murray did here using Brilliant Blue by Benjamin Moore, we suggest layering in one or two more bright accent colors in the form of accessories, art, or rugs and then keeping the rest of the furnishings neutral for balance.  

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4. Blue-Green

Georgia-based designer Maggie Griffin, founder of Maggie Griffin Design, likes a striking deep blue as an entryway color. “One of my favorites is Newburg Green by Benjamin Moore—it has beautifully subtle variations of green, blue, and teal,” she says. “It’s the perfect hue to highlight with shades of coral and olive green.” Plus, thanks to its darker tone, you won’t see scuffs or dirt as easily.

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5. Deep Gray

To create an instant cozy factor in a home, Griffin likes painting entryways in an enveloping deep gray. “Antique Pewter by Benjamin Moore has smooth undertones of olive and blue and pairs well with vintage wood pieces,” says the designer. Play up the gray hue by adding in accessories in varying shades of silver, as Griffin did here with a throw pillow and decorative plates mounted on the wall.  

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6.

Warm White

Designer Jade Joyner, founder and principal of Georgia-based Metal + Petal, is also a fan of using white. “When it comes to entryway colors, a soft white like China White by Benjamin Moore is my favorite,” she says. “It’s a versatile shade that catches the natural light beautifully to open up a foyer and create an inviting, spacious feel.” Her tip for using white in an entry? Choose a satin finish, which hides smudges, scuffs, and small imperfections in walls.

The 10 Best Foyer Paint Colors for an Elegant Entryway

By

Ashley Knierim

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.

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

Foyer - 135 Best Hallway Interior Design Ideas

Khoroshevsky Residential Complex

BALCON

Fresh Design Idea: Modern style foyer with gray walls, medium parquet floors and brown floor - great interior photo

Création d'un meuble de rangement & redéfinition d'une entrée

Le Décor de Jules

APRES - L'entrée a été délimitée par un travail autour de la couleur et de l'habillage en bois, qui crée un filtre sur le reste de la piece sans pour autant obstruer la vue. La création de cette boîte noire permet d'avoir un sas intermédiaire entre l'extérieur et les pièce de vie. Ainsi, nous n'avons plus l'impression d'entrée directement dans l'intimité de la famille, sans transition. Le claustra permet de masquer l'ouverture sur le couloir et intègre des patères pour les petits accessoires du quotidien. nine0007

HALL D'ENTREE

Régis LANNOY

Les carreaux de ciment viennent se marier doucement au parquet chêne

Une entrée astucieuse

SOHA conception


Stylish design: small Scandinavian style foyer with white walls, ceramic floor, single door, white front door and white floor - the latest trend

Rénovation épurée pour cet appartement sur l'île de la Jatte

Mon Concept Habitation

L'utilisation ponctuelle de couleurs intenses crée une nouvelle profondeur à l'espace tandis que le choix de matières naturelles et douces apporte du style. Effet deco guaranteed!

Alameda Residence

Christian Rice Architects, Inc. nine0003

Coronado, CA The Alameda Residence is situated on a relatively large, yet unusually shaped lot for the beachside community of Coronado, California. The orientation of the “L” shaped main home and linear shaped guest house and covered patio create a large, open courtyard central to the plan. The majority of the spaces in the home are designed to engage in the courtyard, lending a sense of openness and light to the home. The aesthetics take inspiration from the simple, clean lines of a traditional “A-frame” barn, intermixed with sleek, minimal detailing that gives the home a contemporary flair. The interior and exterior materials and colors reflect the bright, vibrant hues and textures of the seaside locale. nine0007

Palm Beach Gardens Home

Insignia Design Group Llc

Sargent Architectural Photography
Home Inspiration: Neoclassical (modern classic) foyer with gray walls and beige floor

R|House Design Build 9002 beautiful foyer is filled with different patterns and textures.
Design ideas for a medium sized contemporary foyer with black walls, vinyl flooring, bi-fold front door, black front door and brown floor

Modern Farmhouse | 2019 Dry Creek Parade

Solitude Homes

Home-inspired medium-sized country foyer with white walls, light parquet floors, single door, white front door and beige floor

Hemlock Lane

s Design

Original design example of retro foyer with white walls, dark parquet floors, black front door and brown floor

Appartement Invalides

BAT & CO

Inspiration for a homey feel: large classic foyer with blue walls, light parquet floors, double front door, blue front door and paneled walls

Modern Tudor House | New Construction and Decorating

Bria Hammel Interiors

A fresh design idea for a neoclassical (modern classic) foyer with white walls, medium parquet floors, single leaf front door, glass front door and brown floor - great interior photo

Lake Champlain Home

Folkway Design & Wares Co.

Photo By: Jen Morley Burner
Design ideas for a small neoclassical (modern classic) foyer with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a single entry door, black entry door and brown flooring

Castlehill Project

Seventh & Grand

Pictured: huge neoclassical (modern classic) foyer with white walls, double doors, black front door and multicolored floor with

Edge Hill Project

Natural Selections LLC

Entryway with 5" white oak flooring and black stair railing. Hardwood flooring and door hardware provided and installed by Natural Selections. modern classic) with white walls, medium hardwood floors and beige floors

Best Designer Picks For Foy Paint Color 💡 Interior Design |0112

Baltic gray - Benjamin Moore | Olga Adler

Designer's Finest Foyer Colors

First impressions matter. Whether your home has a large foyer, or just a place inside the front door to set up your mail, this space sets the tone for your entire home. Raise your entrance as ten talented designers and decorators share their best foyer colors.

Benjamin Moore - Baltic Gray

Olga Adler: "My color for foy paint is Benjamin Moore 1467 Baltic Grey. It is a warm, soft shade of gray that is perfectly neutral. It works in all lighting conditions - looks great in daylight and at night, works well in warm California light and cool New England light (as pictured).
This is a color that gives you a lot of flexibility as it mixes well with all other colors. And perhaps most importantly, it creates the perfect backdrop for displaying art, and what foyer couldn't use a stunning piece of art for a first impression experience? " nine0003

Olga Adler : rentmyeye.com

  • Morning Sun - Sherwin Williams | Kerry Kelly

    Sherwin-Williams - Morning Sun

    Kerry Kelly : “Sherwin-Williams Morning Sun (SW 6672) brings the perfect amount of 'happy' to any space, especially the lobby. Warm yet grounded enough to provide a neutral backdrop, the shade welcomes guests graciously and sets the tone for home balance.”

    Kerry Kelly: KerrieKelly.com

  • Farrow and ball - Blue key | Lindsey Pennington

    Farrow and Ball - Blue Blue

    Lindsey Pennington: “My current favorite spotlight color is Farrow and Ball's Stiffkey Blue.
    This is a very dark blue, but not too green and not too brown. Only color
    creates depth and mystery while being sharp and classic. I love darkness and
    moody entrance. This creates the foundation for the entire home and gives
    a sense of comfort and security upon first entry. Rooms from
    the entrance should be lighter in color, creating a greater sense of space and
    light in the more practical rooms of the house. The front door painted in "Stiffkey"
    Blue "will also invite people to stop, rest, relax and
    comfortable in the minute they walk through the door. "

    Lindsay Pennington: Lindsay Pennington

  • Amazing Gray - Sherwin-Williams | Morgan Farrow

    Sherwin-Williams - Amazing Gray

    Morgan Farrow: “With the popular open concept design, we see the entire color of the house, which is usually neutral, continued into the foyer area. Color trends are, in general, a little upbeat - still light, but towards more "dirty" colors. One of my favorite colorways is "Amazing Gray" by Sherwin Williams. If I need paint with a touch of a more gray tone, I like to use "Repose Grey" by Sherwin Williams."

    Morgan Farrow : Tatum Brown Interiors

  • Monroe Bisque - Benjamin Moore | Jill Hosking-Cartland

    Benjamin Moore - Monroe Bisque

    Jill Hosking-Cartland: “Monroe Bisque Benjamin Moore, HC26, is one of my most reliable foyer neutrals. This warm, unusual color is wonderful because it highlights the architecture of stairs and windows, regardless of the style of the house.

    Jill Hosking-Cartland: HoskingInteriors.com

  • Loyal Blue - Sherwin-Williams | Ariann Bellisir

    Sherwin-Williams - Loyal Blue

    Arianna Bellisir: “One of my favorite entrance colors is Sherwin-Williams 6510 Loyal Blue. It's the perfect shade of blue because it's rich and adds drama, but the subtle greens add just enough warmth to keep this cozy space from feeling chilly and perfect.

    Arianne Bellizaire : Ariannebellizaire.com

  • White mountain peak - Benjamin Moore | Tamar Stein

    Benjamin Moore Mountain Peak White

    Tamar Stein: Go to Foyer Color: Benjamin Moore, Mountain Peak White 2148-70
    “Many whites tend to be shades of pink or peach. Not what you want in a room that represents your home! Mountain Peak White is a clean, warm white that looks brilliant in any foyer. I have used it over and over again with radiant results!"

    Tamar Stein: [email protected]

  • Jute - PPG Pittsburgh Paints | Dee Schloter

    PPG Pittsburgh Paint - Jute

    Dee Schloter, Color Manager for PPG Architectural Coatings: “The foyer is the first impression of a home interior for guests, it should reflect the homeowners, their style, their personality, and that should welcome guests.

    If your home has muted or neutral accessories and lots of wood furniture, Jute (PPG1098-5) by PPG Pittsburgh Paints Voice of Color will reflect your style in your entryway. The soft golden bronze color warms and welcomes when guests enter. nine0003

    For an edgy orange foyer tone that's energizing and inviting, go with Casuela (PPG17-23) from PPG Pittsburgh. Paint "Voice of color". A pleasant color tells guests that the home is filled with conversation, energy and fun.”

    Dee Schlotter: PPG architectural coatings

  • Aqua-Sphere - Sherwin-Williams | Lynn Dayton

    Sherwin-Williams - Aqua Sphere

    Lynn Dayton: “Blue is a great shade for a foyer. It can be considered as neutral
    as it matches and complements such a wide range of accent colors. i
    like using blues like you would see in nature on the horizon where
    the ocean meets the sky - a little misty, a little bit covered with chunks of
    clouds. Aqua-Sphere by Sherwin-Williams is the perfect choice. It can
    make you feel like you are floating! "

    Lynn Dayton : Dayton-Home.com

  • Benjamin Moore - Earring Ellie | Diana Hathaway Timmons

    Benjamin Moore - Ally's Heart

    My Go-to Foyer Colour: Benjamin Moore Allie Earring.


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