Hallway interior

What Makes a Good Entry, Foyer or Lobby

The entry is the room guests step into first, so it says a lot about the people who live there and sets the mood for the whole home. Comfort comes first, but ergonomics and durable materials matter just as much. 3D renderings let you see the finished space before work begins and make decisions with confidence.

Lobbies and Reception Areas

• In a hotel, salon or office lobby, floors should be slip-resistant and forgiving of dirt - porcelain tile or stone - and walls finished in durable panels.
• Visitor seating is arranged ergonomically, with plants, mirrors and decor placed so people feel comfortable while they wait.
• The reception desk should be welcoming rather than loud, and fit the overall style of the business.
• Fire extinguishers, alarms and cameras are planned into the design so they don't spoil the interior.
• Restrooms should be easy to find from the lobby without asking.
• A restaurant or cafe entry continues the concept and makes people want to stay from the first step.

Entries in Houses and Condos

Entry flooring has to handle water, grit and frequent cleaning, so we favor porcelain tile, stone or durable luxury vinyl over delicate finishes. Walls get materials that shrug off bags, umbrellas and coats - scrubbable paint, plaster or paneling. In a larger house, natural stone works beautifully; in a condo, slim built-ins keep the space calm.

In a small entry, bulky furniture is the enemy: floor-to-ceiling built-in closets, niches and a bench with shoe storage inside work far better. A full-length mirror makes the space feel larger, and lighting should come in two layers: general light and task light at the mirror. In a larger home, the foyer is also the natural place to reach a powder room for guests.

Entry Styles

• Modern and minimalist - metal, glass, clean-lined furniture and a cool palette for spacious foyers.
• Classic - strict forms, bronze and gold accents, functional chandeliers and mirrors.
• Farmhouse and Provence - wood, light-colored furniture, wrought details, family photos and art on the walls.
• Art Deco - sculptural lighting, large mirrors and rich materials. More in our piece on Art Deco.

The Mudroom: A Pacific Northwest Essential

In Seattle, the most useful room in the house is often the one most people never had: the mudroom. With rain for much of the year, families need a place to take off wet jackets and muddy boots before they reach the rest of the house. We design mudrooms with a bench, open cubbies or lockers for each family member, hooks at kid height, a boot tray or drain, ventilated cabinets so gear dries, and durable porcelain or sealed concrete floors. A dog wash station, a spot for bikes and packages, and an outlet for charging are popular additions.

Where there's no space for a separate mudroom, we carve one out of the garage entry or a hallway with a built-in bench and closed storage. Many Seattle households take shoes off at the door, so generous shoe storage belongs in the plan from the start. The entry then flows into the main living space, which we design together on our living room design page.

Common Entry Mistakes

• too little closed storage, so shoes and coats are always on display;
• delicate flooring that scratches and stains quickly;
• a single ceiling light and no light at the mirror;
• nowhere to sit while putting on shoes;
• no outlets where a vacuum or boot dryer is needed.

Lighting and Technology at the Door

On dark winter afternoons, the entry should welcome you before you even reach for a switch. We like motion-activated lighting in mudrooms and closets, a warm pendant or sconces in the foyer, and soft exterior lighting at the door and steps. A video doorbell, a package shelf or drop box and a charging spot for phones and keys are small details that make the entry work for modern life, and they are much easier to wire in during the design stage than after the walls are finished.