Welcoming Entry Foyers | Vanderhorn Architects

While home layouts have become considerably more casual in recent years, one space that has remained well-defined and formal is the entry foyer. In fact, we have yet to design a new home without one.

Welcoming entry with dark wood floors and white walls featuring arched doorways. A staircase with white spindles curves upward on the right. Ahead, a dining room adorned with blue chairs, a wooden table, and floor-to-ceiling windows leading to lush greenery outside. A glass pendant light hangs above.

The entryway of our Classical Revival home

An entry foyer serves as a first impression for guests, setting the tone for the entire home. The best way to categorize our foyers is how they relate to the staircase, as nearly all of our homes have a staircase at or near the entry foyer.

There are three basic staircase relationships: within the foyer, adjacent to it, and somewhere else. Most of our staircases are within the foyer. Here are a few projects where the foyer is located under the front door:

Welcoming entry with a sweeping white staircase and wooden handrail under a large window. The floor is tiled in a black and white pattern. A wooden door beneath the window is flanked by two chairs and framed paintings, while a central chandelier enhances the elegant foyer design.

Our Classic Georgian residence

Elegant staircase with dark polished wood handrail and white balusters gracefully curves upwards, setting a refined tone for this home design. Paneled walls in soft grey, a large window at the landing, and a chandelier above enhance the welcoming entry. Wall sconces and the dark hardwood floor complete this sophisticated foyer.

Our North Country Colonial project

Here are a few examples where the foyer lies directly opposite of the staircase:

A refined entry foyer features dark wooden herringbone flooring and a white staircase with ornate balusters, complemented by elegant wallpaper. Classic light fixtures hang overhead. At the end is a welcoming console and mirror, while an arched doorway leads to another room in the background.

See more of our Rye Beach Shingle project

A bright, elegant hallway creates a welcoming entry with a wooden staircase featuring white spindles and a dark handrail. A patterned rug runs along the dark wood floor, while a cushioned bench rests against the paneled wall. Two pendant lights hang from the ceiling, illuminating this charming home design.

Our Greenwich Waterfront Shingle home

And here are a few instances where the foyer is located to the side of the staircase:

Our Waterfront French Eclectic home

A look from the top of the staircase down to the entryway

Check out some exterior shots of our Seaside Shingle Cottage

The latter two instances are the most common in our work. Somewhat less common for us are staircases adjacent to the foyer. They are typically in a defined space separated by a cased opening or colonnade, such as in the below pictured homes:

Our Waterfront French Normandy home

Take a tour of our recently completed Classic Georgian Restoration

Regardless of where the foyer is located in relation to the staircase, every entry foyer we create encompasses the personality of the home and is designed to graciously welcome guests when they walk through the door.