A traditional foyer was refreshed into a warm, modern farmhouse-style entry. Here’s the reveal of my front entryway makeover.
Our foyer had a very traditional look—but it felt blank and uninviting.
The space is wide open with few walls for furniture, which made decorating challenging. For years I’d only placed a demi-round table and mirror on a small wall and put a basket in the corner for a dog towel. It never felt finished.
One Christmas, with Anne’s help, I went all out decorating the entryway and it looked amazing. After that I wanted the cozy, farmhouse vibe year-round, not just during the holidays.
Do you struggle with style? I do too. I love modern farmhouse, a bit of industrial, and a dash of boho. Mostly I just mix what I love and don’t worry about fitting into one category.
Ready to see how I transformed our traditional foyer into a casual modern farmhouse with industrial and boho touches? This was a no-demo refresh—just thoughtful decor changes that made a big difference.
Before Front Entryway Makeover
The entryway wasn’t terrible, just underwhelming and not very welcoming. I wasn’t sure how to style the walls beside the door or the narrow wall opposite the table without making the space feel cluttered—especially since the foyer opens into a living room with a large gallery wall.
The first update was replacing the traditional table and mirror with a bench. A bench creates a more casual, welcoming feel and provides a practical spot to sit and put on shoes. It also offers a place for throw pillows and blankets to add texture and warmth.
How to Create a Casual Entryway
A simple spindle-back bench in black was ideal for bringing that casual, modern farmhouse look. It’s perfect for sitting while taking shoes on and off. We prefer no shoes inside for daily family life, but our guests are welcome to keep theirs on, so a round jute rug near the door helps wipe away wet shoes and softens the lines of the entry, making the space feel larger.
Between the rug and bench I added two lanterns. Their straight lines add a modern touch, and placing the smaller lantern on a distressed stool softens the look for a relaxed vibe.
I also added a large seagrass basket with a cozy throw blanket for an easy grab when sitting on the porch on cool evenings. Tossed blankets and baskets instantly create a comfortable, lived-in feel.
If You Can’t Find What You Want…Make it!
I wanted a long row of hooks above the bench but couldn’t find the exact piece. So I made a farmhouse-style coat rack from a reclaimed piece of barnwood I found at an antique store and added black metal hooks. The board spanned the wall perfectly and gives the wall both function and character.
The hooks are practical for coats and bags and also make a great spot to style seasonal items. For spring and summer I hung a favorite tote and a straw hat, plus a faux wreath for a touch of greenery against the rustic wood.
How to Fill an Empty Corner
In the before photo a small basket in the corner looked lost. The space needed height but the door swing limited options. After asking followers for ideas, many suggested an olive tree. I happened to have a tall olive tree that was intended for another room—moving it into the foyer was perfect. The tree in a wicker basket fills the corner, adds height, and looks far more intentional than a dog towel ever did.
I also hung a gold-framed mirror with a wood-bead hanger. While the mirror sits partially behind the tree and isn’t used for personal grooming, it bounces light into the entry and pairs beautifully with the other textures.
Alternative to a Traditional Front Door Wreath
Instead of a classic wreath on the inside of the door, I opted for a seagrass door basket filled with faux lavender stems. It’s a more casual look that adds neutral texture and a soft pop of color to the door.
After Front Entryway Makeover
So what do you think? I love the casual, welcoming feeling every time I walk into our front entryway. The combination of bench, round rug, lanterns, basket, DIY coat rack, olive tree, and mirror transformed a bland space into a layered, functional foyer.
For comparison, here’s a side-by-side of the before and after:
I’m still considering something above the light switch next to the door and I miss having a lamp in the entry—perhaps a wall-mounted light fixture would solve that. I’d love your ideas.
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Click on any image to view items used in this makeover.
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