Emphasis on Designing the Entryway

Introduction

Designing an entryway might seem like an after-thought, but it should be anything but. The entryway is the first step inside the interior of a home. It needs to be welcoming. It also needs to be functional as it is one of the most used areas of a home.

Your entryway sets the tone for your home. Warm and welcoming are two words the keep in mind while designing an entry.

The amount of space you devote to an entryway not only depends on the size and scale of the rest of your home, but how you plan to use it. One of the first decisions you need to make is whether you’ll require one entryway or two. It’s not uncommon to establish a formal entryway to greet guests at the front of your home and have an equally welcoming, yet less formal space — often a mudroom — for residents to enter. This area is where storage plays an integral role.

Front Entry

When guests step through the front door, having a pleasing line of sight into your home is inviting. One that emphasizes the post and beam frame and perhaps a fireplace or a spectacular view.

You may choose to reveal your home slowly. The foyer provides a perfect setting as a transition while also creating a sense of expectation for what is to come. Use a wall or a staircase to provide separation from the front door and the remainder of the home.

Either way you go, take care not to over-design this area. All too often, a homeowner wants to make a statement with the foyer for that “wow” factor, but the space ends up becoming overcrowded and cramped. Less is more in a front foyer.

Back or Second Entry

Back entries are utility centric. Many homeowners come into their house through the garage, so it stands to reason that this area doubles as a drop zone or mudroom, complete with a coat closet, a bench to make it easy to put on and remove shoes, and locker style closets for extra storage. It also could house your washer and dryer and a sink.

When planning your timber home’s rear entry, consider who will use this space just as thoughtfully as you would the entrance your guests see. Will young children use this area? If so, include room to stow backpacks and shoes, and make sure the flooring is kid-friendly: skid resistant, resilient, and easy to clean.

If children don’t live at your home, a rear foyer can be used for other purposes. Possibilities:

kitchen-storage overflow.
set up a larger drop zone that might include a small workstation for bill paying and charging electronics.
house cleaning supplies storage closet(s).
add a space for pet grooming.