Decorating & Design
These Small Foyers Make A Big Impression
Updated on March 11, 2026
Don’t be fooled by their square footage; small foyers work even harder to achieve bold style and functionality. According to maximalist designer Cynthia Ferguson, a small foyer is a space for taking risks. Take inspiration from these condos and compact city homes that maximize every inch of space with standout tile, bold wallpaper and stylish storage. Scroll down!
Designer Linda Lam’s hardworking Vancouver loft packs a punch. In the petite entryway, a bright yellow cabinet (a bargain find) neatly stores her shoes, while pink-painted doorjambs echo the front door for a playful hit of colour.
To honour her circa-1878 home’s history, designer Lyndsay Jacobs thoughtfully designed each room. When the front door couldn’t be saved, Lyndsay made a custom copy. Checkered floors and the original stained glass transom window complete the old world look.
“Retiling a small area like a foyer can have a significant impact and can be done without disrupting the entire house,” says Emma Reddington of this entryway designed by Audrée Kemp Bélanger. Other updates like a mirror, table lamp and pretty accessories turn a utilitarian space into a considered design moment.
In a French-inspired pied-à-terre, a wall of black cabinets in the foyer hides the laundry machines and makes the narrow entry feel more dramatic.
This petite entry features vibrant floral wallpaper, graphic floor tile and a painted cove ceiling. “You can take more risks here because the small size keeps costs down,” says designer Cynthia Ferguson.
Unexpectedly pink walls set the tone at the entry of designer Natalie Tredgett’s long, narrow terrace home.
Herringbone tile floors, art and a built-in closet with brass statement pulls bring style to the petite entry in this Toronto semi. “I love when you can walk in to a space and not be able to tell what’s older and what’s been added,” says Jessica. “Everything should feel like it belongs.”
“We added a white oak archway as a buffer between the vestibule and the rest of the house,” says designer Veronica Martin of the entryway in her 2,000-square-foot Victorian.
Olivia Botrie of Dart Studio created a cheery foyer with patterned wallpaper and heated checkered floors in her new semi-detached house.
In this Victorian house by Tom Design Studio, the console boasts a vignette of mostly vintage finds and is a focal point of the foyer.
In designer Ashley Shaanan’s compact foyer, a deep green paint color creates a punchy intro. The hardworking space features an Italian quartz floating shelf for keys and a stool for taking off shoes.
Not every entry needs a mirror, according to stylist Nicola Marc. “I was totally in love with the wallpaper and didn’t want to break up the visual impact,” she says. “If you have a mirror, you’re always checking yourself out. Admire my wallpaper instead!”
In the entry of this century home by Quebec designer Michael Godmer, the original marble mosaic floor was rejuvenated with new grout, and a streamlined bench provides seating. The space itself was inspiring, with its ornate ceiling medallions, deep moldings and baseboards.
In this foyer, designer Jackie Di Cara modernized the look with a cool triangle pattern in place of the traditional black and white checkerboard floor tile often seen in Victorian houses.
In this 15-feet-wide townhouse, designer Mariam Aboutaam installed a hexagon mosaic tile “mat” that adds pattern and texture in the front entry, and gives it a distinct presence in the petite space.
A cobalt blue Dutch door is a cheery welcome at the entrance of this Vancouver Craftsman and hints at the eclectic interiors.
A walnut starburst door with halfmoon pulls in the main entry of this condo makes a ho-hum closet look like a work of art.
In the foyer of this Vancouver house, a simple aesthetic sets the tone for the space, with grab-and-go hooks, an antique bench and oversized art. Arches are a recurring design element that add to the European vibe.
A narrow nook off the entry of Tim Lam’s condo is the perfect spot for a console, mirror and pendant. DIY art hides the electrical box.