Modern Style Living Room Interior

Every homeowner wants guests to appreciate the home's design from the first steps into their property, just by entering the foyer. This small space serves as a kind of outpost of the house or apartment. The style of the foyer forms the initial impression of the guest about the inhabitants, their tastes and preferences. Aesthetically attractive decoration of a foyer in urban apartments is associated with certain difficulties caused by the modest area of the space. However, with the right approach to interior design, this problem can be solved.

Modern foyer design

Besides modest dimensions, modern foyers have other challenges – lack of natural lighting (typical for "Khrushchyovkas"). In private houses, small windows are usually present, and the area is larger; but the first corridor bears additional load – people coming from the street bring moisture, dust and snow. Unlike urban dwellings, there are no stairs or passages where some dirt can be left. Therefore, it is worth noting some features and requirements for the design of modern foyers.

1. Practicality. This refers to simplicity of use and maintenance of the foyer. It is necessary to use wear-resistant water-repellent floor covering, it is better to finish the walls with plastic or wooden panels. All this will protect the foyer from damage caused by heels, umbrellas, large purchases and others.
   
2. Style. Here it is necessary to follow the main rule: harmony of the foyer style with the overall interior design. But it is necessary to keep in mind that the foyer should only "remind" about the style of the apartment: i.e., if it is done in "classicism", a chandelier in the foyer will still be inappropriate. It is sufficient to limit oneself to more modest features of style: decorate the mirror accordingly, maintain the color palette and hang classical sconces.
   
3. Style choice. Designers do not recommend experimenting with such a room. Modern foyer photos available on this website are better done in styles implying minimal items in the room, including decorative elements (hi-tech, minimalism, modern classic, modern and others). All efforts should be focused on ensuring maximum convenience.
   

Options for decorating modern foyers according to their dimensions

Project author: Anton Bazaliyiskiy

Modern foyer design is directly related to its shape and size. Therefore, it is worth considering how to better decorate several of the most frequently encountered room configurations.

Square

Owners of such a foyer can most easily handle its decoration. In a square corridor, you can place a regular wardrobe-cupboard, small poufs, hang a shelf for headwear, and if the area is sufficiently spacious, it makes sense to install a console table. It is better to place it opposite the wardrobe and position seating furniture nearby. Hang a mirror above the console table. Pay attention to wallpapers: if they have vertical stripes, the corridor seems to stretch in height, and horizontally oriented patterns create an impression of elongation of the foyer.

Narrow

The main problem in such rooms is placing furniture items. To make the interior of a modern foyer attractive, one needs to divert attention from the difference in wall sizes, i.e., implement zoning. This can be done through a multi-level ceiling. Mirrors hung on longer walls or photorealistic wallpapers with well-developed perspective will also have an effect. Another additional option is installing an arch into the adjacent room. Don't forget about color: light tones expand the space.

Corner

Design: Anastasia Buraykova and Angelina Zakharova

Here, to rationally use the area, you need to buy a corner wardrobe-cupboard. This is a fairly voluminous piece of furniture where you can store not only clothes and shoes, but also large items: a vacuum cleaner or even a child's bicycle. It is good if the wardrobe has a mirror that visually expands the space and "removes" the bulkiness of furniture.

Small (in "Khrushchyovka")

These spaces in old Soviet residential buildings usually represent a hallway with doors to other rooms or a regular corridor. Radical changes here can only be made through re-planning. If this option is not considered, buy light finishing materials and install a glossy ceiling. With a significant area deficit, refuse the wardrobe and replace it with a hanger, hooks and shelves. You can hang attic storage with LED backlight (strip).

Open

This is a modern foyer of relatively large dimensions formed after removing partitions. The first thing to remember is that such a space should be decorated in the same style as the room it smoothly transitions into. The advantage of an open foyer is that you won't need to install multiple mirrors and stick to light tones: the relatively large area gives more design options. Below are several techniques that help improve the foyer interior:

• use a two- or three-level ceiling to separate the hallway and the rest of the corridor;
  
• a wardrobe-cupboard spanning the entire wall fits well in the space;
  
• if the corridor is wide enough, a round chandelier will add expressiveness to it (if it harmonizes with the style);
  
• when creating such a foyer to increase the total living area, limit furniture to a pouf and hanger.
  

With window

Even a small window is a favorable distinction for the foyer compared to a similar space without this necessary feature. The advantage here is not only in the presence of natural lighting. For many people, it is very important that a person entering a corridor with a window does not feel like they are in a closed space. When decorating modern foyers of this type, some nuances should be taken into account:

• if you prefer the loft or Scandinavian style, any curtains are excluded;
  
• in other cases, you can use roller blinds (choose light-diffusing fabric for windows facing the street) or venetian blinds;
  
• if there is one or two windows on the wall adjacent to the entrance, draperies (for classical style) and Roman blinds are allowed;
  
• place living plants on the windowsill (this feature of the construction is not recommended for use as a shelf for keys and other small items).
  

Usually, a console table or chairs (poufs, benches) are placed under the window for changing shoes. If you have a window from floor to ceiling, using curtains is inappropriate: it is impossible to close such an expressive part of the interior. Along the glass wall, vases with live flowers can be arranged, and furniture placed opposite the panoramic window.

Popular styles of modern foyers

The choice of a particular style is determined by several factors. Among them are compliance with the overall interior design, zoning. It is also necessary to remember that a modern foyer should have a minimal set of essential items: hangers or hooks, chair or pouf, good lighting. What do people choose today?

Provence

Its origin is due to the southern part of France, where there are many flowering fields and vineyards. Provence is characterized by pastel shades reminiscent of lavender, olives, grass, and boundless sea. On the other hand, rough wooden floors, such walls, and simple furniture in light shades with forged elements are appropriate here.

When finishing, use wallpapers with ornaments, images of flowers and other vegetation. A good effect is achieved with decorative stucco because it shows the graininess of the surface characteristic of interior wall finishing in houses in southern France. Decorative details are highlighted by forged items:

• hangers for clothing;
  
• stairs (balusters and railings);
  
• mirror frames;
  
• furniture elements (legs).
  

Floors are better made of tiles: they are much more wear-resistant than wooden flooring. Choose chandeliers in the southern French style: using glass and forged elements, as well as fabric. The main idea of the style is a modest yet comfortable interior design. If there is no old furniture, artificially age new furniture (there are special technologies). Buy wardrobes and console tables of the old style: round and small. Also, consider lighting. The style requires bright light, which is a problem in Russia during winter.

Japanese Style

Before choosing the decoration for a foyer, as in this country, it is necessary to understand that this design requires perceiving the Japanese lifestyle and psychology, not just imitating national conditions and design. Otherwise, the look of the foyer will be simply oppressive. What characterizes Japanese style?

It is asceticism, simple finishing with straight geometric shapes, and the presence of national ornaments. Rich and eye-catching shades are absent. There is little furniture in the corridor, and tones are only natural: cream, milk or beige. Accent elements are helped by black or brown shades.

The foyer is decorated with materials typical for Asia: rice paper, straw, bamboo. The floor is better made of tiles imitating natural stone. Furniture can be represented by a standard rectangular wardrobe-cupboard and console tables: all is kept in traditional stylistic color scheme. For additional details, the following can be used:

• marine shells;
  
• corals;
  
• vases with flowers.
  

A chandelier for lighting here is not suitable: the light should be not bright and diffused. Therefore, the best solution is spot ceiling lights.

Hi-Tech

It is characterized by simple design, distinguished by laconicism. The main materials here are glass and metal, which can always be found in furniture and decorative elements. Features of decorating modern foyers in this style are below:

• flooring – from glossy monochrome large tiles, but there is also another good option – 3D poured floor that becomes a real art object with the appropriate pattern.
  
• for wall finishing, monochrome decorative stucco or the same wallpapers can be used; if such decoration looks boring, then apply any futuristic pattern to the surface.
  
• the main requirement for the ceiling is a perfectly flat surface, which can be achieved by installing a suspended or stretched structure;
  
• colors: two to three shades (blue, violet, gray or green) are sufficient with no contrast, accents are created by a moderate amount of black or blue color;
  
• furniture: choose items with maximum functionality, glossy doors and chrome details. An essential attribute is a tall mirror up to human height. Lighting should be spot – LED.
  

Modern

This style, originating in the late 19th century and then forgotten, is now beginning its "victory march" through residential buildings. The popularity of modernism is due to its ability to make any room original, but without compromising functionality. For modern foyers, it is characteristic:

• relaxed and flowing, transitioning into each other outlines of items;
  
• artistic finishing, implying flower and plant ornaments;
  
• concave and convex surfaces.
  

Some complexity of the style is that its foundations must be laid at the construction or renovation stage. These are gypsum multi-level ceilings, different flooring separating the hallway from the rest of the area. The existing inter-room doors are recommended to be decorated using stained glass windows. Classical modernism implies parquet flooring with a spiral pattern. Walls are finished with decorative stucco, on which plant ornaments are applied. It is also acceptable to use plastic or wooden panels with wave-like patterns. Appropriate will be gypsum relief sculptures. Colors – muted: light yellow, soft pink, lavender, etc. The main advantage of modernism is the impossibility of stamps and rigid canons.

Minimalism

This style was specifically developed for small rooms, in which the presence of non-functional items is a luxury that cannot be afforded. Therefore, when decorating a small foyer, minimalism is a very relevant design direction. There is no place for lavish decoration in the form of cornices, columns or stained glass windows here. Minimal finishing with clear, without rounded lines. For flooring, linoleum or laminate is used – inexpensive and easy to clean materials. From furniture, it is desirable to choose a wardrobe (if possible, built-in), hanger and several shelves with a small mirror. If there is enough space, place a bench for changing shoes. From colors, choose warm beige tones with light brown shades. Lighting of the foyer is provided by simple wall lights of geometrically correct shape and spot LED lamps on a suspended ceiling.

Furniture and decorative elements for modern foyers

When selecting furniture items, it is necessary to take into account the overall style of the room and the functional purpose of the items. What can be said about furniture for modern foyers?

1. Wardrobe. This is the main object in which you can store clothes, shoes and some other items. The best option here is a built-in wardrobe-cupboard with a mirror: it takes up little space and looks modern.
   
2. Hanger. If the entrance corridor is very small, you will have to give up the wardrobe. Instead of it, suspended shelves and a hanger can be used. In the latter case, it is worth considering the floor model. Manufacturers offer compact hanger models, some of which look like an open wardrobe, which is very convenient for a small foyer.
   
3. Space for footwear. Usually, it is placed in the wardrobe. But if there is no wardrobe, you can buy a special console table that can be: closed, open or combined. The last option is the most optimal: closed models protect from dust, but do not contribute to quick drying of shoes, open ones – vice versa.
   
4. Mirror. The best option is on the wardrobe door, but if there is enough space, choose a full-height mirror so that when dressing, you can fully assess your appearance. For a small foyer, a mirror in an elegant frame that becomes part of the interior is suitable. Remember about the placement of the item: the light source should be behind, above and not reflect. Also, it is not acceptable to install a mirror opposite the entrance.
   

Choosing finishing materials for modern foyers

Here, the main thing to remember is several of the most important points: everything that will be used to finish the corridor should be wear-resistant, have good resistance to mechanical impact, moisture and be easy to clean. What to choose?

For walls

There are several options for decorating walls in a foyer. Considering its style (including the shade) and the above-mentioned requirements, you can make your choice:

• vinyl wallpapers that are washable: they are characterized by a dense outer layer that easily withstands repeated washing, ease of application (no special knowledge and experience needed) and affordable price;
  
• glass wallpapers: a textured material that is well resistant to damage and can be painted;
  
• decorative stucco: its use guarantees complete masking of uneven wall surfaces, creation of unique patterns and ornaments, as well as durability of the coating due to the presence of stone chips in its composition;
  
• wooden panels: the most expensive and fashionable option, requiring the services of a specialist for installation;
  
• plastic panels (or MDF): easy to clean and affordable;
  
• laminate: earlier used exclusively for floor finishing, but because the material has very high wear resistance, which is relevant for a foyer, it can also be used to decorate walls;
  
• ceramic tiles or artificial stone: also expensive options, if you take into account that you will have to hire a professional.
  

For ceiling finishing, suspended or stretched structures are usually used, which can be matte or glossy. Everything depends on the chosen style. For floors, ceramic tiles are optimal, which are distinguished by durability and ease of care. Laminate is also suitable: it is necessary to choose a material with increased wear resistance (grades 32 or 33).

In conclusion, it should be noted that foyer decoration should be planned in advance – at the stage of renovation or construction. This will help make more characteristic changes for a particular style in the room, as well as prevent possible rework and re-planning in the future.

Several examples of decorating a very small foyer