From Entryway to Foyer: First Impressions Count in Home Interior Design

12 June 2025 HOME TOUR
From Entryway to Foyer: First Impressions Count in Home Interior Design

The entrance of your home is not just a place to remove shoes—it’s the first space that greets you and your guests upon entry. In Singapore homes, particularly in HDB flats and condos where space may be limited, designing a functional yet beautiful entryway can instantly change and elevate the overall feel of your home. Whether you have a narrow corridor entryway or a spacious foyer, here are five tips on how to make your entryway leave a lasting first impression. 

1. Create A Defined Entry Zone

Many HDB flats and condo units are designed in a way that the entrance of the home seamlessly blends into the living room or communal area. By defining a dedicated foyer area, you can add structure and zone the spaces of your home better. 

Consider adding a built-in divider like a screen or carpentry to separate your foyer from the communal area. This also helps add a layer of privacy to your space, especially if your front door faces a corridor or high traffic zone. 

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If you prefer to keep an open plan layout, then a change in flooring material or an added rug can also define the entryway from the rest of the home.

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2. Add Practical And Aesthetic Storage Solutions

Clutter at the entrance of your home can be unsightly and distressing, be it to guests who visit or for yourself when you are returning home after a long day. Storage solutions are thus essential to neaten up the space and ensuring your shoes and keys are conveniently placed. 

Consider built-in shoe cabinets, shelves and even storage benches for the foyer. You can use full-height cabinets with seamless push-open doors or custom-built units that double as seating when removing shoes. For HDB flats with bomb shelters alongside the entryway, sleek carpentry can also be used to conceal it, making for an aesthetically pleasing look that matches the rest of the home. 

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3. Set The Tone With Suitable Lighting

Warm, layered lighting can easily make your foyer feel more inviting. Consider wall sconces, a pendant light, or even concealed LED strips in your entryway carpentry for an ambient glow. Avoid overly bright white lights and go for soft, warm tones to create a welcoming vibe.

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4. Install A Mirror For Style And Function

While mirrors are useful in the practical sense of getting ready before heading out of your house, a mirror in your entryway can also help to visually expand the foyer area, or the communal area if you have an open concept home. While mirrors directly facing your front door is discouraged in feng shui, a side facing mirror is believed to distribute positive incoming energy throughout the home.

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5. Showcase Your Personality Through Décor

What better way to introduce your home than to include some personally curated décor in your foyer. Being the first area that guests see when entering your home, the entryway is the place to make lasting first impressions. 

Consider adding an art piece or memorabilia to the space. This can be accompanied by indoor plants or scent diffusers as well. For visual consistency, keep close to the overall theme of your home interior. 

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The entryway does not need to be grand to be welcoming and impactful. With these design tips, your foyer can quietly reflect your home’s personality. With the right design elements, even a small entryway can have a big impact, making every first impression a lasting one. 

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