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What color to paint entryway


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.

10 best color to use in an entrance |

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.’ 

What color to paint the corridor in the apartment: our advice (+38 photos)

Content

  1. The role of color
  2. Choosing the color for a narrow hallway
  3. Decoration for a small white hallway
  4. Decorating with natural materials

  5. and brown tones (2 videos)
  6. Hallway color options (38 photos)

Many people, when making repairs, often do not attach importance to the interior of the hallway. They strive to make this room functional and forget that convenience can be combined with stylish design. Even the most modest hallway can be turned into a work of art with the right design. So, what color to paint the corridor in the apartment?

The role of color

Color is a key design element of the room. The selected shades depend on the style, lighting, area and purpose of the room. There are no strict rules in choosing colors for the hallway; full scope for creativity is limited only by the designer's imagination. The only thing that is recommended to be taken into account is that the interiors of the corridor and other rooms should be in harmony.

The walls in the hallway can be painted in any color: bright, pastel, saturated and muted - only white is recommended to be avoided. Classic light brown and beige shades are suitable for those who want to create, above all, a practical corridor. Light gray walls will visually enlarge the room, besides, this color is easy to combine with brighter tones.

It is advisable to combine no more than three colors in any room, otherwise colorful walls will "overload" interior . Before you paint the corridor, you need to think about whether the existing furniture will fit into such an interior. If it is possible to purchase a new one, then maintain a single style. Classical furniture is unlikely to fit into a red or black corridor, and minimalist furniture in pink.

Important note! The furniture should be darker than the walls, but not too gloomy. Black should always be balanced with lighter shades.

Selecting a color for a narrow hallway

Many people find a narrow corridor inconvenient. Place cabinets only along the walls, which, by the way, are constantly getting dirty. Pasted wallpapers often tear because bags and outerwear hit them, so the best option is to paint the walls.

A narrow corridor imposes certain restrictions on the selection of colors. The main rule is not to overload the corridor with an abundance of flowers.

It is important to make a narrow corridor well lit, not only due to lamps.

White would be a great solution, but its disadvantage is impracticality. This does not mean that it cannot be used in the hallway at all. A snow-white finish on a burgundy or dark blue background will look very impressive. If you do not want such experiments, it is recommended to choose light and delicate tones. Pay attention to the cold color scheme, which will help create a feeling of airiness in the interior.

Avoid monotony, it will tire you. You can create a smooth transition from a light shade to a darker one throughout the corridor. Another solution is to create an interesting wall texture, such as plastering before painting.

Decoration for a small hallway

Small spaces require a particularly careful design approach. What color to paint the room? It is not advised to make the walls in such hallways plain. For visual expansion, it is recommended to use horizontal stripes. Vertical lines will correct low ceilings, visually lifting them. The pattern does not always have to be straight lines, a pattern directed horizontally or vertically is sufficient.

The color scheme in a small hallway should not be too dark. Best painted in light cinnamon and beige shades with white and milky finishes. An interesting solution would be white-brown stripes-teeth. A white horizontal strip on the wall under the ceiling will visually lift it. Mirrors and metallic finishes can also be used to expand the space.

Small rooms are very capricious in terms of design. The emphasis should be on functionality, but avoid exaggerated minimalism.

Natural materials look good in a small apartment. Light wood finishes create a warm and inviting atmosphere, and if properly installed, will last for years.

Decorating with natural materials

Wood-panelled walls in the hallway are still rare, but this bold solution looks very advantageous in corridors of any type. What effect can such walls create? Thanks to the variety of shades and the natural structure of wood, you can create a unique interior.

Wood not only decorates, but also helps solve several problems. You won't have to level the walls, as the panels will hide any small irregularities. The room will not need to be insulated, which is especially important in hallways with a draft.

Natural materials look great in the right light. Wood needs warm, diffused light, while stone needs bright, direct rays.

An equally interesting material is stone. Of course, if you cover all the walls with it, it will look gloomy, but certain areas will be in harmony with the interior. It is better to choose the type of stone depending on what color you have chosen for painting the rest of the wall.

It is important to consider the style of the room. In classic and country style, wood will be appropriate, and modern , retro and minimalism gravitate more towards stone. If your interior is in high-tech style, then it is better not to use such a finish.

Illumination

Illumination is used to zone rooms or create accents on certain details. A place with mandatory enhanced lighting - next to the mirror. You can experiment with other corridor zones.

Colored lighting in a hallway with plain walls will create a completely different mood. And the color of the lamp can be easily changed if desired.

The color of the light source also plays an important role. Green is best used in a seating area, golden or pinkish in front of a mirror. Cold tones visually expand the space. Movable lighting devices will create an interesting effect in any functional area.

Before choosing which color to paint the corridor, you need to take into account all the functional features so that the color scheme improves the appearance of the hallway. A good hallway interior is very important because it sets the mood when you enter the house.

Hallway in white and brown tones (2 videos)


Hallway color options (38 photos)

trendy hallway shades, blue or lilac

Hallway. This space plays an important role. Already at the entrance to it, one can feel the harmony, the mood reigning in the house. Here we meet dear guests, friends who have dropped in for a cup of tea. I want to create the perfect interior here. To do this, you need to choose the right color.

Since entrance halls are often small in size and at the same time they form the first impression of the home, one should approach the issue of their design carefully.

What colors to paint the walls of the hallway (selection of photos)

Contents

When choosing colors for the corridor, consider all the nuances, especially the corridor footage and its layout. Not everyone can boast of a large room. Most often, the hallway is either too small or very long and limited in width. If you like dark shades, especially brown, then visually the width will decrease even more.

Cold colors are best suited for a small corridor: white, pale chestnut, azure, ivory, silver, haze, light brown, grayish.

When deciding on a color, take into account the area and configuration of the room.

The most acceptable design is light brown and gray. Their highlight is neutrality. What it is: a shadow falls on a milky one - a grayish one is formed, and gray in combination with yellow gives a light brown.

Colors depending on the interior style

Classic style. Many people follow this direction. It is not difficult to create it - paint or wallpaper is used to decorate the walls. This style is characterized by a wide range of colors, a combination of large elements, images, ornaments, and uniformity. In some cases, it is more expedient to decorate the hallway with panels - this is one of the most commonly used finishing options today.

Choosing the shade of the walls in the corridor, first of all, select washable finishes.

This style is characterized by the following combination: grayish with light brown, sandy with milky, dark with red, chestnut with red, light purple with light brown, milky with azure.

With a small footage, it is more correct to choose one of the above tones, and it is better to refrain from designing 3D, large drawings. If you live in a private house, the color should be soft, calm, otherwise it will seem that the walls are crushing. No one likes this feeling.

Whatever color you prefer, either paint or wallpaper must be moisture resistant and preferably with an anti-fungal coating.

For decoration, use wallpaper of higher quality than paper. These include non-woven, glass, vinyl, but they also cost a little more than usual.

Walls in a small hallway are best decorated in light and warm colors, they will significantly expand the space.

Modern style. Haven’t decided yet which tone to choose, but want to design it in accordance with fashion trends, the following materials and coatings will do.

Brick. With it, you can decorate all the walls in the hallway or apply only partial decoration and create a rather unusual design in the hallway.

A dimly lit hallway should be decorated in bright colors.

Additional information. If your main goal is to visually expand the room, then paint or decorate the side walls with the lightest colors or finishing materials. Refrain from large elements, massive pieces of furniture, large niches - this will visually significantly reduce the hallway.

Retro style. The use of stone is an acceptable option. It is permissible to use stones of various sizes here. The main requirement is that objects have relief outlines, be bulky, with rigid contours. This will allow the wall covering to look natural, realistic, as in the old days.

Whatever colors of walls, furniture, interior items you choose, the color scheme should vary within no more than three shades.

A distinctive feature of this direction is the use of natural decoration and established colors. The most suitable colors: light brown, milky cream, chestnut, sandy. Contrast and brightness are not allowed.

As for materials, use wallpaper, paint, as well as stones that imitate unevenness, attrition. The same result will give decorative plaster. Although it is expensive, it is used sparingly.

Embossed surface with various patterns, perfect for decorating any style.

Scandinavian style. This direction is characterized by an abundance of light. It is worth using neutral, soft, cool colors, bright colors are unacceptable. The selected shade is recommended to be diluted.

Stylistic design allows not only to create a fashionable interior, but also to reflect taste preferences.

Don't focus on just pale grey, light brown. Sandy, light yellow, azure, golden shades are ideal. With a small area, this is the best option that deserves attention.

Hi-tech. This style is no less popular in our time. Its key areas include the presence of elements of niches and metal decoration in the hallway.

Uncomplicated and simple types of functional finishes emphasize the fundamental features of this trend.

Dark tones are characteristic of the style: dark, greenish, dark azure, silver, etc. The use of stones, wallpapering, coloring are not excluded.

Country style. A few words about colors. The most suitable.

The room is expanded with mirrors, arches, large passages.

Each style is unique and interesting in its own way. Thanks to its features, it helps to create a unique interior.

Note. If you cannot decide on your own, contact the experts. They will help not only to choose the style, but also hide all the shortcomings of the room, create the perfect interior.

Why a corridor needs to be beautiful

This room needs a beautiful decoration as much as other rooms. This is like a “visiting card” of the house, so the design should be approached thoroughly.

Backgrounds and patterns should not be too contrasting in hallways with large wall areas.

In addition, the corridor requires a lot of space for outerwear, shoes and other accessories. But all this should be combined with decor. There is a large area for him - this is a wall. By designing this surface, where there are no clothes, you can radically change the atmosphere here.

To transform the area at the front door, consider these points.

  1. Compact - here the dimensions are smaller than in other rooms. In this regard, it is worthwhile to correctly approach the placement of the necessary items, create a design that visually expands this area.
  2. Thoughtfulness. After returning home from work, I want to plunge into comfort. Therefore, the design of the corridor should evoke only positive emotions, and the furniture should be cozy and multifunctional. Consider choosing a place for outerwear, shoes, mirrors to be comfortable.
  3. Quality. Choose high-quality materials, they will last a long time, and low-grade ones are unreliable, they will soon need to be replaced. Pay attention to the moisture resistance of the material, ease of cleaning.
  4. Beauty. Every room in the house should correspond to this word. If you yourself want to make repairs in the corridor, work hard on the interior so that it matches the style of the entire apartment.

    Make the floor darker than the walls and the ceiling lighter than the floor. In this way, the proportions of the room are visually preserved and the space is not hidden.

What color is best for the corridor

Starting repairs, I want to carry out all the finishing work in a quality manner, to choose the best design. But sometimes there are difficulties with the choice of colors. The best option would be the shade that will be combined with the home environment, interior and color of other rooms.

White. Many are sure that this color is not suitable for the hallway, that it is not entirely practical. Stylists are convinced that entering the white corridor improves the mood, and this is a strong argument in favor of white. In addition, the room visually increases. Of course, everyone finds their own advantages and disadvantages in milky color. But if you really wanted to decorate the interior in this way, you should not give up your desires.

This wall design is an excellent option for small or narrow spaces.

Light green. Green and its shades are gaining more and more popularity. When choosing a shade of green, the design you have conceived is also important. The corridor is small, light colors are ideal: light green, mint, grayish green. Appropriate finishing materials and decorative elements should be used.

Light green wall decoration is very trendy, trendy and modern. With its help, you can bring incredible freshness to the interior.

Please note! This color is basic, and what tone is better to choose, be guided by the footage and shape of the corridor, the type of lighting.

The brightest colors of green can also be used for a large corridor. But you need to be careful, as its overabundance can cause an aggressive attitude. More saturated green shades are also suitable - darkish green, yellow-green, especially with high ceilings and original layout.

The surface of the wall, highlighted with an unusual texture, bright color or pattern, is a special interior technique that guarantees an excellent result.

Inserts will give a peculiar effect. It is more correct to perform colorful inserts on a neutral background. This kind of contrast will make the room larger or visually make a large corridor smaller.

Light. The shade of coffee with milk is preferred by most as the most practical. Light brown decor and furnishings are perfect for different styles. Perfectly combines with dark chestnut, cream, light green.

A well-placed mirror, by adding perspective, will give the room spatial depth and spaciousness.

Let's designate some pluses of a light shade.

A good alternative to white is ivory. The shade is rich, combined with many colors and looks presentable.

Among the shortcomings, one can single out the short service life of such a coating and the likelihood of staining the walls with outerwear or shoes. But now produced moisture and wear-resistant materials will help to easily cope with this problem.

Grey. This color has many shades, it is considered an excellent additional background for colorful elements used in the interior. Painting the walls in the corridor in gray will help to make the atmosphere in the room peaceful and also unusual.

It is recommended to give preference to light shades of gray, which will make the room airy, fresh and spacious.

Unlike light, this color is much more practical, it has several shades: asphalt, metal, pearl. They have a positive effect on a person, soothe, relieve stress. But if there is an overabundance of dark gray in the corridor, it causes melancholy and despondency. Decorative plaster will add variety to such an interior, with its help you can recreate a different texture.

Lilac. This color, like others, is distinguished by a variety of palettes. Lavender belongs to the cool shades, it is best used in rooms facing the sunny side.

A lighter lavender color can be used in rooms with north facing windows.

Delicate lilac tone is ideal for minimalist and classic styles. And in any other style, it looks very impressive.

Some argue that for large rooms where we are constantly, this color is not suitable and it is better to use it in small rooms. One can argue about this. If residents really like this shade, they feel comfortable in such a room, it is quite advisable to use it for decoration. But everything needs moderation.

Dark. A corridor in a dark design looks intimidating, especially with the wrong lighting. In a narrow room, it is better not to use dark tones. Neither thoughtful design nor proper lighting will help with this. A small corridor can be decorated with a dark-colored rug and a small picture; for furniture, choose a wenge tone - it is amber chestnut or dark chestnut with black veins.

Dark walls will be the main accent and will look very elegant, chic and original.

To visually enlarge a dark corridor, it is better not to install interior doors, but to limit yourself to arches. Use a mirror for this. It is better to choose a wall-mounted and wide, built-in will not give such an effect. Suitable shades for the frame are silver or gold. The edges need LED lighting.

Bulky furniture is not suitable for a dark hallway - it makes it heavier. Shelves and hangers should be open, bedside tables are better low. Items choose polished, glossy or mirror. Install multi-level lighting: a chandelier, a sconce, along the edges of the ceiling - a diode contour tape.

Beige. "Business card" - this is also called the corridor, because by its appearance an opinion about the owners is formed. Therefore, they try to create a beautiful interior here. But this is complicated by the constant movement in the room, by the fact that its area is small, there is no natural lighting.

Painting the walls in gray or beige shifts the focus from form to content – ​​a small entrance hall in neutral tones will seem a bit bigger than it really is.

Beige color is best suited for decoration, it will visually enlarge it, add light. Perfectly combined with all colors. Here you can easily pick up furniture, decor. Beige shades will give the interior coziness, harmony.

Fashionable design solutions in 2019 (selection of photos)

Consider the fashion trends in the design of the hallway for this year:

  1. It is important to plan the arrangement of furniture when creating the hallway interior. Since there are few free walls left, decoration plays a secondary role.
  2. Repair is difficult for a large number of items. Be sensible by opting for minimalism.
  3. Use up to three colors for decoration: wood effect, white, gray or dark. Everything in the hallway has its own colors, for example, a wood-like floor, a snow-white ceiling, a dark rug. These colors are present in almost every interior. If you bring bright colors, it will look pretentious and ridiculous.
  4. Fashionable entrance hall with built-in furniture and concealed LED lighting.

    If the entrance hall is conceived in a neutral color and without bright accents, then you can choose combinations of colors close in palette.

When designing a small corridor, accuracy and functionality should be a priority. Make the background in neutral colors, and from finishing materials we advise you to focus on decorative plaster. It is reliable, stains are not noticeable on it, it is easy to clean. Optionally, you can choose wallpaper for painting or paint. If you have a spacious entrance hall or are planning a redevelopment, then the design will be completely different.

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