Make Great First Impressions by Painting Your Foyer

Just about everyone has heard the above quote before. The reason why it may be so popular is that it is so very true. It is true about meeting people for the first time and it is also true the first time someone steps into your home.

At CertaPro, we believe that everyone should paint or decorate in whatever style best suits them. But if you are trying to sell your home, you must be concerned about your home’s first impression to get the very best offer you can. So can painting your foyer help create a great first impression?

The foyer of your home is the first place that most people see when they enter your home.  Unless they are “back-door” neighbors, guests will typically enter through the front door area of your home.

For any homeowner who wants to create a specific mood within their own foyer, it is important for you to choose your paint colors wisely.  The paint color of a foyer can either brighten up the space and create a welcoming environment for all.  Or it can become a dingy catch-all where everyone throws down their stuff as soon as they come in the door. Shoes, coats, and bookbags strung over and around are not a good impression for future owners to have upon entering your foyer. Even if you aren’t in the selling market, you don’t want your foyer to be a mess.

So, if you want to paint your foyer, here are some things to consider:

When creating a great entrance to your home, you first need to consider the size, the furnishings & the other elements you want to use in the foyer. Generally speaking, lighter colors will make it feel brighter and more open, and darker colors will feel warmer and cozier.

In a medium-size foyer, mid-tone colors can give the space a dramatic look without making it appear small or cramped. Cool shades like blue, gray, and sage can give your foyer an elegant look, while warm colors like terracotta or gold can make the space more inviting.

Using a darker shade in the foyer and lighter paint colors for the rooms beyond it can actually make the rest of your house appear more spacious. If your foyer lacks natural light, however, you may prefer using a light paint color that reflects more light to brighten the area. You can go with a soft neutral like white, ivory, or dove gray, but pastel shades like sky blue, butter, or peach are also beautiful options.

White is always a very good option; always classy in appearance and provides for a crisp, clean entranceway.  There are many shades of white available, so you may choose a bright white, or a creamier, off-white, depending on your preference.

The darker paint colors, such as dark gray, blue, green, and brown, provide for a space that appears smaller in size and tends to add to a cozy environment within the foyer.

CertaPro’s interior painting experts recommend painting the trim work a similar color, or even a warm white, in order to maintain a stream of consistency, when using dark colors on the walls.  You also may wish to use lighter colors for the foyer flooring options and the furniture, in order to prevent the dark colors from making the space feel closed-in and too cave-like in appearance.

Typically, a satin finish works best in a foyer. The paint has a velvety luster that helps reflect light so it can brighten the space even if it doesn’t receive much natural light. Satin paint is also easy to clean, making it a good fit for a heavily trafficked area like a foyer.

If your foyer receives an abundance of natural light, you can also use a washable flat or matte paint. A matte finish paint works especially well if your foyer walls have imperfections like small dents or scratches because it doesn’t reflect any light to emphasize imperfections. Be warned. Traditional flat paints aren’t easy to keep clean, but there are washable versions available. This makes it easy to wipe away stains or smudges.

It is easy to be overwhelmed by all the colors and finishes. But don’t be discouraged. CertaPro Painters are here to help you with the whole process. We have color consultants who can help you choose colors & finishes. And of course, we have expert painters that will take your chosen colors & transform your foyer into a great first impression.