When it comes to choosing a foyer or entry wall colors it all depends on the size of your space and how open or closed it is.
A large and open two-story foyer is a transitional space with many cuts, such as doors, doorways, and stairs. Needless to say that if you make it too dramatic with a paint color, all these broken lines will make your eyes tired. So I stick with neutrals or light colors. But for a small, cozy entry you can be braver.
Here are some examples:
Two-Story Entryway
A spacious entryway doesn’t have to have a paint color that is too bright or too dark. Considering that the architectural “bones” are strong, it’s enough to highlight the space with the display art or personal photos and collections. Frankly, it’s not a good idea to overwhelm your two-story foyer with color but rather keep the paint color scheme simple.
Fresh, airy and clean, this wall color is so universal that any eclectic details will work here.
Small Cozy and Warm Entry
Earthy, simple, warm and universal, this wall color works with green, blue, burgundy, red, chocolate and cream. It is especially popular when you want to mix different wood finishes, for instance, dark and blond wood.
Light and Bright
When you desire simplicity and clarity, the white paint color is what you want. Bone White is a perfect neutral without being too gray or too stark. It looks the best in Regal Select and provides for smooth coverage.
True to its name Classic Gray 1548 is a soft gray color. As a classical paint color, it certainly works with delicate antique gold of the collected items. If you wish to display a collection, this is a perfect choice of a backdrop wall paint color.
Pretty and Simple in Beige and Off-White
Carrington Beige is one of the most popular paint colors as it can look good with any decor. For example, it can be very pretty with blues and teals.
Cream Tones for a Formal Foyer
If you crave a sunny, warm look use a pretty cream paint color that does not look yellow. Please note- it will look different under different light but still keep its cheerful quality.
For regal, high contrast, renaissance look that is quite formal, this wall paint color will do a splendid job when used with power colors, such as white and black. In addition, confident geometric lines, solid fabrics add to graphic qualities as they multiply a strong visual effect. Because of dramatic colors and finishes go easy with accessories.
Small Entryway
Because a small entryway allows for more drama, you can be a little bolder and use unexpected finishes. Below are some examples of striped walls for the foyer.
Graphic Black & White
Black and white stripes are juxtaposed by quirky floral of the chairs and wall sconces! The look is feminine and glamorous.
And since I just showed you so many different options now it’s your turn to name your favorite! Please tell me below in the comments.
Looking for a color for our two story foyer ? As you walk in ,the living room and dining room are on either side ( which will also be painted) and as you walk past those rooms you enter the family room and look into the kitchen. The foyer , hallway , living room were all painted SW restrained gold but it was time for a change even though I liked the color . It is an open floor plan and this area gets a ton of light .My favorite colors are greens/ sage , blues , warmer whites . It was recommended that we try gossamer veil or a gray and we chose gray for the foyer and sea salt for family room which has made the house feel cold and unwelcoming. I like color . Even considering a green now since the family room was Nantucket gray and we have used Svelte Sage before . , Concerned this may be too much green ? Any suggestions on entryway color ? Thanks
It is hard to choose a distinct color for a two-story foyer. If you want a warmer color try linen white BM 912. It is very neutral but has a bit of color.
Hi
My inside door is walnut color and I have a coat closet next to it and it is white. I don’t like the walnut and think the
inside door should be white. All my crown molding is
white.
what do you think
Barbara
Hi Barbara,
Are all the other doors white? If yes, I think it should be white.
Marina,
I just love your ideas! I have bought an older house and little by little trying to remodel and upgrade. One of the things I am stumped on is my entryway. It is a very long hallway and I have stones. I’m going to be putting vinyl on the floors but really just do not know what color to do with these rocks on the walls.
Sounds good, Randi! Good luck! It will be pretty. I still think you can choose one white for all the walls. As far as trim Chantilly Lace in semi gloss. The ceiling will look slightly darker always so you can do flat Chantilly Lace as well.
Hi, Marina – I am searching for a white BM paint for my new construction panelled 2-story foyer. I am attaching photos of the look I’m seeking. The painter has put several samples of whites up on the wall, but I don’t trust myself. Any recommendation would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Randi,
How gorgeous! This needs more consideration. Please let me know if your adjacent rooms are open floor plan, that is when a living room, kitchen and the entry are connected without doors. If so, I need pictures of those. Plus colors of any rugs or furniture that will be there. Kitchen cabinets colors. The more pictures the better. I am not sure if you will trust a free advice but I am now working on a paint color guide and you’re lucky- it will be free. Please email marinaklima@mydecoratingtips.com As soon as I get the pictures I’ll get back to you.
Thank you, Marina. Yes, it is open floor plan. The paneling in the double height entry will continue back into the formal living room (with fireplace) which is flanked by a den on one side and the kitchen on the other (these 2 rooms are not paneled, and I like BM Steam for the walls). The kitchen cabinets are white painted inset door/drawer cabinets. Floors are white oak, I intend to stain medium-ish walnut. Upholstered furniture is light beige. I don’t really have pictures that would be useful right now. The paint sample I think looks best (about 1’x1′) is BM Distant Gray. What do you think?
Is it really BM Steam? I couldn’t find that color.
If you are staining the floor medium walnut stain they will have a lot of warmth in them = yellow/brown undertone. Your sofa is light beige. Your kitchen cabinets are white (we don’t know which white). BM Distant Gray has gray undertone and it is a colder (cool) color. So, if you want a bit more warmth in the house I would go with BM Simply White OC-117 which has a bit more yellow undertone. Another one with a slightly less yellow (warm) undertone, which is NOT yellow, it’s just undertone, so it is White Dove OC-17. If you want to play safe and have NO undertones, choose Chantilly Lace, which is pure white. Also, pay attention to your lighting. When choosing bulbs use the ones that are 3000K or else space will look too cold. There is no need for the second color because it’s all open space. I could not find BM Steam, so please check if this is the correct name. LMK 🙂
Thank you, Marina! I will look at Simply White. White Dove looked too brown with Steam, a newer BM color, see attached
Hi Marina,
You’re blog is very helpful especially since we have no reliable independent interior designer in our area. Our current project is updating our two story 9X13 colonial foyer. We like our tile, chandelier and wood trim. We’re changing entry door, area rug, carpet on stairs and, most important, old outdated wallpaper (already stripped). We thinking Venetian plaster on walls, perhaps heavy on stairwell, and some type of two color paint design. The wood trim is walnut stained oak. Can we keep the wood stained oak and add painted architectural boxes on large walls, perhaps a shelf under window, and cove molding? In other words, what would you do to turn a drab two story foyer into an attractive entry?
Hi Kurt,
No problem. Please send me the pictures if the existing foyer. What color venetian plaster? What finish? It can be very polished or very matt. You can also send me pictures marinaklima@mydecoratingtips.com or right here
Hi Kurt,
Not sure if you received my e-mail. I wrote a new article to answer your question here https://mydecoratingtips.com/2019/08/01/how-to-turn-a-drab-two-story-foyer-into-an-attractive-entry/
Thank you for the wonderful idea. It will look great on my house as well. As of now, the colour scheme is beige on the wall, white tile flooring and a wooden stairway pink polycarbonate sheet railing. This was selected by the architect himself and went against my concept totally as I had wanted a blue tone. But now after reading this blog i feel like he was right
Great share. Thanks!