How to Decorate a Foyer With a Western Style

Folks from the Lone Star state are fond of declaring, "Everything's bigger in Texas." That said, moderation and attention to scale play essential roles when you decorate a Western-style foyer. A foyer functions as one of the foremost welcoming elements in most homes, and it should help direct guests toward the main living spaces. Western regalia fans should welcome the opportunity to flaunt their creative decor, but reign in impulses to create a sensory stampede as soon as the doors open. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Make a detailed plan of your foyer. Thoroughly assess the shape, dimensions and lighting. Take account of how much space you will require for decorative fixtures such as racks, shelves, hooks, artwork and seating.

2

Take inventory of the decorative features that you'd like to display. This includes wall coverings, antiques, regalia and art works. Keep an open mind. Unless you're dedicating the foyer to a particular Western motif, a mix of western collectibles may enhance a foyer best. Artifacts from South America to certain areas of Canada could be eye-catching options. Also, you have ample options for enfolding American Indian imagery into the motif. Make initial determinations of where to place these items for the best visual effect.

3

Edit the items to be showcased in the foyer to a precious few. Keep in mind that many decorative Western items can be space-eaters, be they hats, boots, saddles or lassos. One or two large, evocative items such as steer horns or a rodeo belt can anchor a theme foyer without bogging it down with a tumbleweed of collectibles. A thick western-style rug in the entryway is a simple yet powerful means of conveying the theme.
Keep decorative items in good taste. The "wild, wild West" truly earned its reputation. You may have an impressive collection of authentic cowboy pistols and rifles, but the foyer may not be the best place to display them. Visitors might be put off by them, as well as any overt homages to perceived "outlaws." For a Western-themed foyer, let artwork that evokes natural beauty take precedence over individual personalities portrayed by the likes of John Wayne or Clint Eastwood.

4

Select primary and secondary colors for the foyer, one neutral and the other bright. Keep the colors simple. The tones of sand, earth, cowhide, blood and sky dominate Western color schemes. Consider silver and turquoise as accents.
Choose shades that coordinate with your Western decorative features and help them stand out. For instance, a horse blanket woven in vivid hues can drape a dark wooden banister, a saddle leather chair or a rough-hewn stool to great effect. A strategically placed collection of horse shoes and sheriff's badges may be all you need to make simple turquoise and tan walls appealing to the eye. In an otherwise earth-toned space, a framed version of a Western state's flag (current or historical) can make a bold statement. Native American rugs or stone-fired pottery may add the few necessary splashes of color. Raw leather accents (collectible items or seating) add texture to the foyer's decor.

5

Give your decorative impulses free reign. Use holsters to contain cut flowers, spittoons to hold umbrellas, boot spurs attached to wood planks for coat racks, faux oil lanterns as a light source, or cattle rope as an alternative to crown molding around walls.

6

Blend the best of your remaining Western regalia into other areas of the home. This fosters a sense of decorative continuity throughout, with the foyer serving as the thematic entry point. Foyers should conduct guests from the front door into other inviting rooms. So while an old set of saloon doors might be quaint, they could also easily detract from the first impression of your home if you position them awkwardly, so that they impede traffic flow.