All About the Functional Foyer: Weatherproofing your Entryway

Walking through the front door of your home should always be exciting. It’s true that after a long day of work or running around, we all hope for a space that’s organized and comfortable.

This is why it’s important to pay attention to every area of the home, including the often forgotten foyer or mudroom. This transitional space should be well-sealed while remaining functional. How can you make it happen?

Well, we’re here to break down the best ways to use this space while keeping the warm air in and the cold air out.

What exactly is the foyer?

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Sometimes referred to as the mudroom or vestibule, this space is the entryway into a home. Generally characterised by its small size, it’s where all clothing, footwear and other outdoor items are left. Traditionally, these rooms were found in country homes, necessary for farmers working in muddy fields all day (hence the name)!

Of course, a multifunctional space like this is still useful in our modern world. Whether you’re leaving coats, hats, shoes, or larger items like strollers, sporting equipment or things for pets, the foyer allows for extra storage space.  So, what’s the best way to approach creating or reorganizing your front hallway? Keep reading, we’ve got you covered!

How to build a well-sealed, functional foyer

Considerations for your entryway: Storage

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Depending on where you choose to build your foyer, you should create as much storage as is conducive to the space. Having ample space for bags, jackets, and shoes will free up any overcrowded closets in other areas of your home.  Once you’ve planned out how much storage you’ll need, look at the different types of hardware you’ll require. Think about hooks, shelves as well as a chest of drawers to store items you don’t need every day.

Also think about open storage units as well as the aforementioned baskets for easy access to things you need on a daily basis. For smaller items such as keys, sunglasses, mail and other important items, think about building small, safe spaces to keep your things. Depending on the size of your space, build storage from top to bottom and cover as much area as possible. Even if your space is exceptionally small, find ways to maximize its organization.

Seating in the foyer

If space allows, seating is an excellent addition to any foyer. An upholstered bench with underneath storage will both encourage friends and family to take off their shoes or boots before making their way into the home whilst allowing for some excess hidden storage.

Make sure to work with dark coloured upholstery, especially if you have young children in the home. This is because light coloured upholstery is likely to get dirty. If you don’t have the space for a long, built-in bench, opt for furniture that can be moved like a smaller, free-standing bench or a practical chair. Any way to make the space more comfortable!

Flooring

The material you choose for the floor of your foyer is crucial. You should consider something that is easy-to-clean but that still looks great and blends in with the rest of your home. Since this is a transitional space, the flooring doesn't necessarily have to match the rest of your home, but allow it to blend in with other home decor elements.

Think about adding a decorative floor mat or rug during cold or wet months to soak up some of the excess water. This will also avoid unnecessary accidents, as loved ones could potentially slip on a wet floor. If you need a little bit of guidance choosing a floor for your foyer, check out our article on the subject!

Other elements

Your foyer should be tailored to the needs of yourself and your family. If you find yourself rushing out the door every morning, adding a mirror can allow for a much needed moment of reflection before leaving your home. A mirror can also help to open up a smaller or cramped space. Since your foyer is the first thing you see upon entering your home, you’ll want it to be inviting. 

Adding plants or painting one wall of your entrance in a bright colour can add some much-needed life into the space! Do what feels right for your home, and make sure that above all, your door is properly sealed. If you don’t know about weatherproofing, then definitely check out this article!

Work with what you've got

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If you don’t already have a clearly defined entryway, take stock of whether or not you’ll be able to create one. Do you have enough space by your front door to clearly define a functional entryway?

Make sure that practicality is at the top of your list when designing your foyer. Since it's right at the front door, you’ll need to incorporate elements that make it equal parts beautiful and functional. The key will be finding a way for it to feel open, big and bright while remaining organized.

Depending on how many people live in your home, you may need to think about different strategies for keeping things in order. If you have a large family, consider colour coding different cubbies or baskets for outdoor gear, bags or backpacks. This could be especially helpful for younger children, a fun way of encouraging them to help keep things tidy!  

If you find there is definitely no space to create a foyer indoors, you could build one outside. If you have a porch, consider sectioning off a portion of it and converting it to a specifically designed vestibule. If you’re planning a home renovation sometime soon, then we’d recommend working a small unit onto the front.

Not only will it serve all of the aforementioned practical functions, when properly sealed it will keep warm air indoors and cold air out. A properly sealed foyer can aid in the energy intake of your home, keeping costs down and helping to save money in the long run.