An entrance foyer in any home is a precursor of that which lies beyond it and sets the style quotient for harmonising the remaining living spaces. An interestingly designed foyer should be a teaser that shrouds the personal spaces from prying eyes but one that at the same time whets one’s appetite for a glimpse of the rest of the home.

A well-proportioned entryway is one that is appropriately oriented with respect to the other living spaces and should boast of a solid, attractive & well-crafted entrance door. A large window with a view of the outdoors will be a definite bonus. In many homes the stairway to the upper floors is also located here for the sake of convenience and ease of access.

 A foyer may also be a space within a bigger space, a zone that is defined as an entryway; this, especially in homes where space is a constraint. In such cases the space must be well defined with the help of partitions, furniture or other design elements that subtly segregate the zone while yet integrating it with the rest of the living space.

 To begin with, through the process of spatial design, the home owner should have a clear understanding of his/ her needs & the foyer is a good place to start. The journey from the entrance to the inner spaces of the home should be a seamless, natural progression sans any jarring elements that may destroy the functional or visual harmony of the spaces.

 Depending upon the kind of look (be it, ethnic, traditional, classic, country, modern or contemporary) the homeowner would like to project, the entryway into a home may either be purely decorative or address some functional needs.  A third option would be a foyer that is an attractive combination of the above-mentioned two options, namely;aesthetics & utility.

In the first case, the entrance foyer may consist of furniture placements & attractive fixtures that are neutral and impersonal as in a mantel table with a mirror or a painting above it, arranged along one vantage wall. A flower arrangement or art d ’object placed on the mantel will enhance the look of the foyer while a couple of chairs flanking the mantel will complete the look of the arrangement.

On the other hand, the furniture in the foyer may be built up to answer certain practical needs. This fixed "built to suit" or customised furniture or cabinetry may incorporate storage for shoes, umbrellas, coats & jackets.  If space is not a constraint, the storage may also incorporate space for sports equipment like golf or tennis kits, etc. depending on individual needs. A small seating space or a wooden / stonebench would be an added advantage. Additionally, drawers may be provided for keys & postal mail.

 The walls may be panelled in wood or clad with stone to add warmth to this otherwise rather neutral space.

The flooring should be of a resilient material like any polished / unpolished stone, hardwood or even a factory produced tile keeping in mind the fact that this is a high traffic zone in a home.

The ceilings may be wood panelled or raftered or provided with false ceiling in keeping with the overall character of the space.

Lighting can be direct or concealed in the ceiling and should be mellow and warm without being bright and overpowering. A chandelier suspended from the ceiling in the middle of the foyer may also be a great design element!

A telephone / intercom provided here might be useful.

All things considered, whether useful or merely pretty or a fusion of  both, whether elegant & classy or just cosy, warm & lived in; an entryway should have character & an identity that sets it apart as a very special space.