Entrance way makeover

We lived for 9 years in a house with an extremely small entrance way. It was a split-level ranch style home where you opened the front door and had about 4 feet of space which had to incorporate the door swinging open. You had to make an immediate decision to go up or down the stairs, and if you were not careful sometimes you made the trip down the stairs unintentionally.

Our new home has a proper foyer. It's still a split level home, but there is loads of space to come in, take off your shoes, hang up your coat and have a chat if you wish. No more awkward waving from the top of the stairs while others were coming or going.

The only problem we have now is that it is a very bland space. I believe your foyer is one of the most important spaces in your home. It is where you greet your guests, and it is the last space you see when you leave. It's the first impression, and sometimes the only impression your home makes when a person enters your home.

My husband and I have agreed that it is a space we need to decorate now. With my home childcare, I have many many pairs of boots, snowpants and coats to hang up, I have so many mittens to keep track of that I'm thinking of inventing a GPS system for that. While it's tempting to cram the space full of all the things I could not have in my old house, I want to keep the space airy and open. We have settled on a bench, some hooks, baskets, a mirror and one small shelf. We already have a closet in the foyer, so storage is not a huge concern.

After a search of many (many) stores, we chose a bench from a local classified website. It's a bit rough around the edges, but with a nice paint job and a slipcover for the seat, it will be very nice. We paid $20 for the bench. We already have some paint. The fabric will have to be very nice of course - so we will look through our stash first, but may splurge on something.

We've decided to keep the light colors on our walls in our home (at least for a while) and try adding splashes of color in the forms or rugs, curtains, art and throws, and then switch 'em up with the changing of the seasons. So we can make 2 slipcovers for the bench (and therefore extend the life of both).

Stay tuned for before and after pics, complete with a cost breakdown. Up next is the search for the perfect mirror.