There are several types of entrances for your home. These types usually include a utilitarian entrance, special-purpose entrances, and a formal entrance.
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The Utilitarian Entrance
The utilitarian entrance to a home is more of a service entrance and one that is used multiple times daily. This entrance is usually connected to the driveway and carport/garage area and near the kitchen.
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The Special-Purpose Entrance
The special-purpose entrance is usually connecting a space like your bedroom to something like a patio. However, this week we want to focus our discussion on perhaps the least used entry in your home: the front door and the foyer.
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The Formal Entrance
The formal entrance is seen from the street and drive up to your house. It almost always includes a foyer and is the first impression for the design of the rest of your home. This is the room where you want to receive your guests.
“A foyer is the room or space at the entrance of a home. Also known as an entry hall or entryway, foyers are often used to make a design statement by being dramatic.”
The foyer is hardly ever the most utilized space in your house, but it is still a very important part of your home. As the first room that your guest sees, its important to have a foyer that makes a statement. It’s an introduction to the rest of your home and is a good area to define your style. Its like going on a date, and you put on your nicest dress for the occasion. Because of this, the foyer is typically more formal than the rest of your home.
There are few key items that can aid in designing a successful foyer:
- Seating (if room allows)
- A focal point such as a mirror, window or work of art
- A console table
- Good lighting, usually a pair of sconces or a pair of matching lamps in addition to a foyer light or flush-mount fixture
- Plants or greenery if suitable
- Colors/textures that speak to the rest of your home.
- TIP: be conscious of balance and scale!
The foyer above is very rich and heavy with its dark tones which is nicely balanced by the delicacy of the mirror and the thin glass top table. The white flowers provide an organic and feminine touch. The large scaled mirror is cleverly and slightly tucked behind the console table,which gives a nice, well thought out layered look. Mirrors in a multifunctional foyer, like one in an apartment can give the feeling of openness, especially where natural sunlight or windows are not present. Foyer mirrors are also good for those last minute checks of appearance before leaving the house. There is a large chandelier centered to the space which grounds the room.
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