Foyer Decorating Ideas to Refresh for $300 or Less

This post is sponsored by Lowe's.

After sampling paint colors for months and finally working up the nerve to give our secondhand cabinet a new look, it’s safe to say we can almost call this foyer refresh finished!

(I say “almost” because we do still have 1 little project left up our sleeves.)

Can you believe such small tweaks to this room have added up to make such a big change?!

It looks like an entirely new entryway, but we only did a couple of inexpensive DIY projects and bought just 3 decor pieces from Lowe’s that were $300 or less.

1. Paint Stair Risers

I’ve been dying to add a runner to our stairs, but a gallon of paint in the color HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams Willowleaf completely transformed our staircase all on its own.

We’re really impressed with the HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams Interior & Exterior Door & Trim paint so far.

I always recommend using an acrylic urethane enamel paint for trim, doors, cabinets, and furniture. So far, this one has proven to be super durable against our kids running up and down the stairs.

Related: How to Replace Stair Spindles – DIY Stair Makeover

Related: Top Recommended Contrast Trim Paint Color Ideas

2. Contrast the Trim

You can get contrast trim paint color ideas here. There are so many possibilities out there to make a statement with your trim. I especially love it in a foyer where it will make a surprising first impression. We used semigloss sheen on ours.

White trim can just be boring, ya know? Have fun with it, and let it add some charm, if that’s the style you love.

3. Paint Doors a Pop of Color

Doors make a statement when they’re painted a color other than white. I’ve been an advocate for painted interior doors to create contrast for years. It’s a great inexpensive trick to make your home look more expensive.

We finally decided to paint the backside of our new front door the same color as our trim and stair risers. I swear it makes this space seem bigger!

Related: How to Paint Doors and Best Ways to Make Them Durable

(This is what our foyer looked like with the old door last year.)

Related: How to Clean Wood Furniture to Make It Look New

4. Gel Stain Your Old Furniture

I am SO over the moon pleased with how this gel stained furniture makeover turned out! It completely transformed the look of our secondhand cabinet for less than $40.

I used Minwax Gel Stain in the color Coffee for a more classic, neutral wood color to work alongside our hardwood floors.

It took all of about 6 hours, not including drying time, to complete. Game changer!

Related: Best Light Bulbs for Every Room In Your House

5. Add Cozy Lighting

If your entryway doesn’t have a table lamp in it, add one now. I’m telling you; it makes a world of difference.

I love how cozy our foyer feels with this ceramic table lamp I found at Lowe’s. Always with a soft white light bulb because that’s the perfect bulb color for a relaxing ambience.

Related: Simple DIY Fall Centerpiece Ideas + the Best Fall Branches

6. Go Big With Greenery

The bigger the better with stems in a vase. Extra tall leafy stems add so much drama, and you can just snip them from your yard if you have a tree with pretty leaves.

I added some over-the-top faux stems to this smoked glass vase.

Related: The Ultimate Guide for Choosing the Perfect Rug

7. Try the Unexpected Red Theory

I tried out the “unexpected red theory” by adding this antique red wool rug I found at Lowe’s. It makes this space come alive! (Plus, I love that it’s wool so it’s stain-resistant and super durable longterm.)

The Unexpected Red Theory in interior design is all about adding a surprise pop of red to keep things interesting. It’s a fun way to grab attention and shake up a space, making it feel more vibrant and sentimental.

You can try it by adding a red lampshade, red rug, red piece of furniture, or red pillow into a room. Somehow it instantly makes a room feel like it’s steeped in history.

I still plan on switching out some picture frames on that family gallery wall going up our stairs, but this foyer now feels like it fits in our colonial home.

Foyer Decorating Sources

You can find all of the sources and decor pieces we used below. I forget to check Lowe’s for things like lamps and rugs, but I was so surprised to find so many good ones.

• Trim color: HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams Willowleaf
• Cabinet color: Minwax Coffee
• Red wool rug
• Off-white ceramic lamp
• Smoked glass vase
• Candle
• Black & white picture frames (similar)
• Antique gold mirror (similar)

More Entryway Decorating Ideas

Entry Table Decor – How to Style Step by Step Like a Pro

How to Hang a Gallery Wall Perfectly Every Time