Last week we discussed the important role mudrooms play as the side entrance and “drop spot” for homeowners’ outerwear, bags, and sports equipment. This week we will focus on the home’s main entrance and how a well-designed entry foyer immediately impacts the tone and character and of a house.
Unlike a casual mudroom, a foyer represents the more elegant transition from outside to inside and provides a resting place for guests to orient themselves before entering the home’s main rooms.
As described in our book, Timeless, we often design new homes or reorganize the interiors of historic homes along a spine (or series of spines) within the house. The foyer represents the start of that dominant spine and is where the home’s primary spaces unfold.
The foyer is, in a sense, the storyteller of what is to come in the house. Because they are located off the main entrance (and typically do not have a door to obstruct the view), foyers provide guests with a visual cue for the rest of the home. We design them as a special space that continues through the house with shaped ceilings, sconces, built-in cabinetry, and bookcases. They are a place where guests can linger and experience artwork, textures, and architectural details.
Because entry foyers are located off the main entrance of the home, they are more likely to be seen and used by guests. A well-designed foyer is where the home’s visual journey unfolds – providing guests with a preview of what is to come.