Lighting the Foyer. Offer A Well-Lit Welcome

by: Chuck Lunsford

The home in which I was raised was small by today’s standards. The front door opened directly into the living room and always seemed to be missing something. Until I began researching lighting and interior design, I didn’t realize what that “something” was: a foyer or as some call it, an entryway.

When you enter a modern home today, the foyer is what leaves you with the first impression of what the rest of the home is like. If it’s plain, undecorated or drab, the impression will usually linger and affect the way you see the rest of the house. If the foyer is small or over-furnished, you may be left with a sense of being closed-in or crowded. If the foyer is not well lit or the lighting doesn’t enhance the overall entryway, you may be left with the impression that the home is dark or even gloomy. Finally, if the lighting in the foyer is ostentatious or over-done (for example, the chandelier may be far too large) an impression of tastelessness may result and will probably affect your impression of the homeowner.

What is critical in lighting the foyer is that both the size and the style of the lighting fixtures are appropriate for the space and that an understatement is far better than an overstatement when it comes to illumination. Choose fixtures that reflect the impression you want to achieve when a visitor enters your home. The foyer lighting you choose will definitely leave an impression with your guests. Your ultimate goal is to create a warm welcome to your visitors.

Foyers can present some challenges in terms of selecting the right lighting. Since the foyer is not true living (usable) space, they are often not well proportioned, have little room for furniture and often lack those decorating features that lend a warm and inviting appeal. As a result, the proper lighting is critical if the homeowner wants to make this area warm and full of character. Your entryway should promote a cohesive design from the accessories and wall color to the light fixtures.

Remember, all hanging fixtures are not chandeliers. The traditional approach to foyer lighting has been the chandelier but with the advent of the less dramatic pendant there has been a gradual shift in the trend towards pendant fixtures as the fixture of choice. However, both pendant lighting as well as chandeliers adds drama and sophistication to an area that could otherwise be dull and uninviting. Contemporary and traditional designs are available and should coordinate with the lighting style used throughout the house. If your foyer or entryway is particularly small, certain types of ceiling-mounted fixtures can do the job of illuminating the area.

Keep in mind that foyer lighting may be seen from the second story if a stairway provides access to the upper level of the home from the entryway area. Make sure that whatever lighting you select for the foyer looks good from whatever vantage point it is viewed.

Depending on the size and layout of the foyer, you may want to consider matching wall sconces as accent pieces keeping in mind that wall sconce lighting should always be positioned above eye level (66” – 70”) to avoid glare from the bulb. Sconces can also be used to illuminate adjacent stairways, as can small, chain-hung lights.

A decorating secret involves layering light by using several different light sources. This can soften or even visually expand the space.

If you have artwork in the foyer area, be sure the lighting you select highlights it without drawing unnecessary attention to it. The use of dimmer switches can give you the option of creating just the right balance of light in the area and the use of mirrors in the foyer can often make the area appear larger than it is and has the added benefit of offering your guests a way to check how they look, particularly when coming in from windy or otherwise inclement weather.

In summary, ask yourself these questions:

* How much ambient light is available in the foyer?
* What features or unique elements do I want to highlight in this area?
* What is the purpose of the room?
* From an architectural point of view, what types of lighting are feasible for the area?

Finally, don’t forget resale value. Two factors have been cited as critical in impressing the potential homebuyer: 1) curb appeal and 2) the first impression gained when entering the home.

I sincerely hope that this brief article will provide you with the proper perspective and mind-set when you consider the lighting needs in your foyer area.