When guests arrive, there’s no better way to make a great first impression than with a polished and perfectly designed foyer. In addition to rugs and furniture, entryway lighting is one of the most important factors to consider when designing this space. When carefully planned out and executed, the right lighting can create an inviting ambiance that leaves a lasting impression on relatives, friends, and house guests. To help with your creative process, we’ve compiled our best foyer lighting ideas to help you find the perfect fixtures for your home.
If you’re looking to add the “wow-factor” to your space, a chandelier might be the best fixture for your entryway. Sophisticated and elegant, chandeliers exude glamour and style. Grand size chandeliers can fill up the space in a large foyer, while standard sizes work in moderate to medium size rooms. Regardless of what size chandelier you choose, remember to hang your fixture at least seven feet off the floor. If your front door has a window above it, make sure it’s centered with the door to allow the fixture to be seen from outside.
Pro Tip: If you have a second story that opens up to your entryway, your chandelier should be hung around knee level of someone who’s standing on the second floor.
Ceiling fixtures are ideal for smaller foyers or when space is limited. Though ceiling lights don’t make as dramatic of a statement as chandeliers, they can still create a very stylish, and welcoming ambiance in your space. Ceiling lighting casts an even warm glow onto your space, making guests and relatives feel right at home. If you’re looking for something in between chandeliers and recessed ceiling lights, semi-flush mount lights and pendants can serve as a dramatic focal point in your foyer in place of a chandelier.
Pro Tip: An easy trick to find the ideal size for your fixture is to add the width and length of your entryway; the number you get is the width of the fixture’s diameter. For example, a 10-by-18 foot room would call for a light that’s 28-inches wide.
The biggest mistake most people make when shopping for entryway lighting, is not buying enough! After you’ve selected ceiling lights or a chandelier for your foyer, don’t stop there! One of our favorite foyer lighting ideas is to layer light within your space. Wall lighting and sconces are a perfect way to add another layer of light, which is especially necessary in larger entryways. Wall sconces can also help to save room in a small foyer where there might not be enough space for a floor lamp. From swing arm lights to picture lights to scones, there are endless options to choose from when shopping for wall lighting.
Pro Tip: When installing wall sconces, remember to hang them about 60 inches off the floor. If you are hanging multiple wall lights in a row along your wall, leave roughly six to eight inches between each fixture.
In addition to wall lighting, lamps are another great way to layer the lighting in your entryway. Floor lamps are perfect for larger spaces, helping to fill up the room or an otherwise empty corner. However, if space is limited, table lamps are a great decorative addition to any foyer. Table lamps are a great way to showcase your personality and design style to guests right as they enter your home. Sitting atop an entryway table, lamps create a welcoming ambiance. If your neutral foyer is in need of a pop of color or a print, table lamps are an easy way to add a splash of pattern or color into your entryway.
Pro Tip: If your entryway table is long enough, another one of our favorite foyer lighting ideas is to flank each end with a matching lamp to create symmetry in your space.
