How to Create a Foyer that Appeals to Buyers

One of the most used phrases in home staging is “first impressions are everything.” You may be tired of hearing this phrase, but it’s the absolute truth. Buying a home is an emotional experience for many buyers. They make the decision to buy based on how they feel. Therefore, home sellers ought to beautify their exteriors and entryways first before moving indoors. Here are some ways to do so.

Start with the Exterior Home First

Regardless of how beautiful a foyer is, potential buyers won’t notice it if the exterior is ugly. Buyers usually judge a house depending on what they see outside. Home sellers should mow their lawns, trim shrubs and trees, and paint exterior walls. They should welcome buyers with inviting front doors. They can add planters to each side of their doorways for impact.

Liven Up with Paint

Paint can turn a boring entryway into a lively space. Sellers should not be afraid to paint their foyers no matter how small they are. However, they should stick to neutral paint colors as bold ones can turn off buyers. All the foyer walls should be the same color. Homeowners can also paint their front doors to add visual interest and personality. They can paint the doors a different color as doors are seen from a distance by buyers.

Add Function with a Foyer Table

A foyer table can add function and beauty to a foyer. They can also add storage if it  has drawers. If your foyer is large consider a large and possible a half circle foyer table. They can hold  keys and sunglasses and ensure buyers don’t forget their belongings as they go out. Homeowners can place lamps and flowers on their end tables to add color and interest. Those with ample space can add small armchairs. A word of caution: sellers with small foyers shouldn’t add end tables as they can make the area look cramped.

Integrate a Bench or a Chair

Benches and chairs are brilliant foyer choices and can serve as focal points. Homeowners with large foyers can add a bench or a chair to enable home buyers to easily take shoes on and off. A bench prevents people from removing shoes wherever they want.

Add a Rug

Choosing a rug for the entryway should not be an afterthought, it should be a major decision. After adding furnishings, homeowners should measure their foyer areas to ensure they get the right rugs. Large rugs are suitable as they add warmth to spaces. But the rugs should be easy to clean because foyers are high traffic areas. Home sellers with long and narrow foyers should choose runners. Rugs and runners give entryways added flair and prevent dirt from getting inside.

Hang a Mirror

Mirrors add amazing detail to any room. They can infuse beauty and elegance into any foyer. But home sellers should avoid placing mirrors opposite front doors as buyers will see their reflection when they step into the home. They can hang them on adjacent walls or above tables. A mirror placed on an adjacent wall is ideal for quick touchups and reflects light – making a foyer look bigger.

Bring Fresh Scents into the Space

Nothing feels as good as walking into a home that smells fresh. Advise your home sellers to choose a scent for their foyers to welcome guests and to make a statement. Even the most stunning of foyers can make a bad impression if it has an odor. Homeowners should add potpourri or a light a scented candle to tell buyers “Make this home yours.”

The foyer is the first room potential buyers see when they step inside a house and the last thing they see when they leave. Unfortunately, many home sellers don’t pay attention to it as they see it as a “pass through” area. Advise your customers to focus on their entryways if they want to gain a competitive edge over other sellers.