living & bedroom

You never get a second chance to make a good first impression, as the saying goes. And perhaps that is why entranceways are so vital to a home's style statement. In the foyer, guests are greeted with warm embraces, children are kissed as they come from school and pets are patted and paws wiped. A home's entranceway sets a tone for visitors and inhabitants alike.

So what tone is yours setting?

Before setting foot in the house, the front door greets guests and inhabitants alike. A new door can transform a foyer (small entranceways benefit especially from doors with glass panels that let in light), but old doors can be given new life with a coat of paint and modern hardware. In fact, within a confined space, a door can pack a punch if painted a bold colour - ideally one that complements the palette of the rest of the house.

After crossing the threshold, the entryway sets the stage for the rest of the house. Create a focal point that hits just the right note and announces your personal style. If space allows, a narrow console table with an artful arrangement, sculpture or lamp is impressive, but in cramped entryways, hanging a piece of art, or collection of photos is equally so.

A chandelier, or another statement lighting fixture, will not only accessorize the space, but will also provide mood lighting, delineating the area while allowing homeowners to control the ambience - bright and cheery, or soft and subtle. (Be sure to put entryway lighting on dimmers which gives you even more options.)

Fabulous focal points, dramatic doors and signature light fixtures stage a scene and help obscure sight lines beyond the foyer, but they can't camouflage unsightly clutter, which tends to collect in entranceways. By situating attractive storage baskets (leather, or wicker perhaps) and/or beautiful bowls just inside the front door, you can stop clutter in its tracks.

Take full advantage of front-hall closets, too. Updating their functionality with baskets or versatile storage systems does wonders to keep everyday essentials, from coats and hats to umbrellas and shoes, organized and out of view. And don't forget the details. Shiny new hardware, in keeping with the aesthetic of the rest of the home, can provide polish and panache, and suggest great things beyond.

And, since stairways are very often visible from the front stoop, make sure that yours is at its best. Replace the runner (with a neutral sisal, maybe, or an eye-catching stripe), or, for wooden stairs, paint steps (using complementary shades, or varied intensities of hues, for tread and riser).

Whether your salutary style is warm and cheery or calm and collected, start a visit or a stay on the right foot with an entranceway that hits all the right style notes.