Suggestions on how to decorate Split Level Foyer Wall

10 years ago

I'm buying a split level house next month & am dreading some of the spaces that need decorating. This picture was taken at the top of the stairs. This wall seems SO huge and like there could be a lot of potential on how to decorate it, but I have no idea where to start.

My idea as of now is to put a cute black bench that has a back where the current bench is showed in the picture. I would put a burlap pillow on it to soften it up, and then I'm thinking I would put a shelf above the bench that has hooks for an umbrella/quick place to hang coat. The shelf would also come out of the wall maybe a bit so it's deep enough to hold a few picture frames. Still with that being said, there's so much space above the garage door and to the right of the garage door that I feel like I should be doing more. I don't want it to look crazy cluttered either though.

My decor style is that rustic/chic/farmhouse type deal. I'm thinking maybe something with antlers would be cool here? Suggestions on where I should do one big statement piece or what- I really don't know where to start.

Thanks in advance!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
10 years ago
Maybe a triptych painting or some other type of artwork that aligns with the bottom edge of your front window to take up some of that space and make the wall interesting to view from the upper floor.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
10 years ago
Landscape Triptych
Related Discussions
Split Level Wall Decor
Q
Comments (1)
Not a “registered” designer word, but it works for me…I call what you have “wrap" walls. There is no trim separating one area from another. I would keep all the walls one color. You could paint all the trim/doors differently than the walls. Gray would work. It would give a lot of interest to the rooms.
...See More
Help Please! - Re-configure Split-Level Foyer House Plan
Q
Comments (7)
I agree with @calidesign about the bathrooms. If you close up the door on the right of the master bath and convert the other one to a pocket door, you would have space for a nice, large shower, a double vanity and possibly a little extra storage space. For a guest/downstairs bathroom, I would remove the small closet from the 2nd bedroom (there's already a large walk-in in there) and bathroom door, and convert the doorway near the bottom of the stairs to a pocket door. By removing one of the doors and absorbing the closet space into the bathroom, you will have a more spacious bathroom with storage and room for a larger vanity with counter space. I don't think it's worth sacrificing kitchen space or master bedroom space to put in a guest bathroom upstairs, unless you have guests over a lot (in which case you could create a small bathroom on the left side of your kitchen, but you will lose valuable real estate). I honestly don't see anywhere else it could go upstairs without putting in obtrusive walls in your living room. You could narrow the foyer but because your ceiling are so high, I think it would end up costing a lot for just a small bathroom. Also, it would throw off the symmetry of your house quite a bit (looking at the entrance from the open space, one side would be open and the other closed off; the window would be off-center).
...See More
How to style a tiny foyer (split entry home)
Q
Comments (5)
I don't think you need much -- the plant seems ok, or an umbrella stand if you come in and out this way. If you find something you like, then either wall is ok. If you need additional functionality here (not just for decor purposes), you could move the plant to the other side and put a little shelf for mail or whatever, with a small picture or mirror over it. Otherwise, I like the rug and I'd update the chandelier to something with maybe some black metal elements...
...See More
1973 Split Level - How would you update it?
Q
Comments (13)
Wow! Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to send me the great suggestions. - I checked out the Sherwin Williams visualizer and have been playing on it all day. I haven't managed to find a winning colour yet but I'm playing with the suggestions of a white, with black trim on the windows, black hardware, and cedar accents/door. - Thinking about it now, I think you're totally right, the Tudor trim has go to go. - We love the sage idea. Also playing with that, with lots of cedar. - You're right - the big shrubs have gotta go, too. But really struggling to figure out the landscaping. There are some houses in our area that are the same. They don't have the big landscaping or railing and they look barren. Maybe, as you say, add a big wide walkway (perhaps with a warm tone like brick?) - The budget is limited. Around 30k CAD but we want to add a gas fireplace insert in the living room, replace the floors with laminate, add built-ins and reface the fireplace, paint the kitchen cabinets and SOMEDAY replace the countertops.....the money we have will not go as far as half of that...oh, and replace all of the furniture (probably just IKEA stuff for now). - I love square, modern houses, but realize this is not that, and we will need to stay in the style of whatever this is....what is this??? (An attempt at craftsman?) Here are some pictures of stuff I like, and of the realities (you'll have no trouble identifying the realities! I know, it's awful...lol...I didn't want to spend any money on it until now. Nothing is 'our style' AT ALL, it was just stuff that came our way cheap and the kids and pets could ruin without us caring. The blue wall was an experiment gone wrong and the intention had been to paint the other walls white.) - my hope is to find floors like this house (that I looove)COREtec floors (in Calypso Oak)https://halfwaywholeistic.com/2020/01/13/a-review-of-2019-and-the-project-list-for-2020/?mc_cid=883a3c5691&mc_eid=d2789ebb79&epik=dj0yJnU9ZXoyS3Nfbk4wUHp3MUpfeTdOWlNFZFk3RWFNU1l2b00mcD0wJm49M2plQzNoNjlOUGk1NE5CT0tUenQ5dyZ0PUFBQUFBR0FWam80 ):
...See More
nelsmayview
Original Author
10 years ago
Ooh!! my mind is racing with ideas! I really love personal pictures, but I don't want this to be corny. I'm kind of thinking those large canvases you can make now with photos like on shutterfly. I just would have to be selective of what photos I use so it doesn't look too cheesy. Do you have any opinion on this idea?

Ps, so cool you could add what you were referring to in your photo. What did you use to do that ?!
User
10 years ago
I think you could do personal pictures there if you want. I don't have any suggestions as to what photo. Just make sure really love them!
Since they're expensive and I would have a hard time committing to a large canvas photo for an extended period of time, here's an idea (see link). I think three of these would be too small for the space and it would look better as a grouping. If nothing else you could tape up the form core (poster board would work better) just to get an idea of size and what you think of something up there. There are a lot of photo layout ideas online.

If you do use photos, I would go with all black and white or maybe sepia tone. (Quick fyi - After reading the tutorial again, down in the comment, these are engineering prints and can only be printed in b&w.)

Here is a link that might be useful: Dear Lillie-oversized poster tutorial

This post was edited by sheesharee on Tue, Apr 22, 14 at 13:05
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
10 years ago
I used Microsoft PAINT to add the images on your photo.
peaches12345
10 years ago
A friend of ours had a 2 story foyer to decorate and he went to an art gallery and purchased oil paintings of many sizes with colors in common and differing gorgeous frames. Hung them on all 3 walls from ceiling to floor. While this would be cost-prohibitive for most people and if I hadn't seen it in person I would have been skeptical about doing this, but I have to say it was spectacular and stunning.

Whatever you end up doing my only advice is not to put up anything too small. These walls are large enough that you have to make a statement with whatever you decide to hang.
katrina_ellen
10 years ago
I have a very small space so I am not familiar with large spaces, but it sounds like you use it as a sort of entry way. I think a nice standing coat rack would be nice for the corner that the bench is in now. The bench could go on the opposite side of the door and other items you need for an entry way. In mine I have a bench, a coat rack, a key holder and nice looking shoe racks according to how many shoe spaces you need. If you don't need it for that purpose you could do any number of things. I do not like the pictures over the doorway, I think it only emphasizes the area. I think I would just decorate the area up to the level of the doorway to add interest to that space.
User
10 years ago
Agree with katrina about pictures over doorways. Just hang things where it can be viewed straight on from the room you're in and don't worry about what's over your head or below your eye level. You have windows in the front and you want them to be the focus.

I have an open stairway and have resisted my DH's efforts to hang a large poster on the wall going up the stairs. No one will stop and look at it and they should be looking at the stairs anyway!
edie_thiel
10 years ago
I like Beverly27's rendition. I think that's what I would do.

Suggestions on how to decorate Split Level Foyer Wall

Comments (9)

BeverlyFLADeziner

BeverlyFLADeziner

Related Discussions

nelsmayview
Original Author

User

BeverlyFLADeziner

peaches12345

katrina_ellen

User

edie_thiel

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Suggestions on how to decorate Split Level Foyer Wall

Comments (9)

Related Discussions

nelsmayviewOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

nelsmayview
Original Author