How to Pick Lighting for Your Foyer or Entryway

Co-authored by Juli Roland and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: July 29, 2022

Your foyer is the first thing that guests experience when they walk into your home. The right lighting will make your decorations and your design choices shine! In this article, we’ll tell you exactly what size and shape you should choose for your light fixture, as well as helpful tips on picking out wattage and an overall style.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Calculate Foyer Light Size

Add the room’s dimensions up, then change it from feet to inches. To get a quick estimate for the size of your light fixture, take the foyer’s height and width, then add them together. Change “feet” to “inches,” and you’ve got the perfect size that you should look for in a light fixture.^{[1]
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- For instance, if the room is 11 ft (3.4 m) by 14 ft (4.3 m), add them together to get 25 ft (7.6 m). Therefore, your light fixture should be 25 in (64 cm) in diameter.
- If the ceiling is really tall, add 2 to 3 inches (51 to 76 mm) to your final calculation.

Section 2 of 5:

How high should you hang a foyer light?

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Hang the light 7 ft (2.1 m) above the floor. This will give your guests ample room to walk underneath it, and it will take up space, too.^{[2]
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Research source} This rule of thumb is also a good one to follow if you have vaulted ceilings.
- If your foyer is 2 stories high, situate the bottom of the light in line with the second story.
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Give at least 12 in (30 cm) of head height. If your ceilings aren’t tall enough to accommodate 7 ft (2.1 m) of head height, that’s totally fine. Just make sure that the bottom of your fixture is at least 12 in (30 cm) away from anyone’s head as they walk through your foyer.^{[3]
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Section 3 of 5:

How to Calculate Foyer Light Wattage

Multiply the foyer’s length and width, then multiply that by 1.5. The strength of your light bulb determines how well lit the area will be. Too much wattage can make your foyer look over exposed, while too little wattage can make it look dingy. For a simple wattage calculation, multiply the foyer’s length by its width and then multiply that total by 1.5.^{[4]
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- For example, let’s say your foyer is 11 ft (3.4 m) by 14 ft (4.3 m). 11 ft (3.4 m) multiplied by 14 ft (4.3 m) is 154, and 154 multiplied by 1.5 is 231. Therefore, your ideal wattage is around 231 watts.

Section 4 of 5:

What kind of light should I use in my foyer?

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Hang chandeliers for large, open foyers. Hanging chandeliers take up space, so they’re great for tall ceilings. If you can’t decide between a ceiling-mounted light or a hanging chandelier, take a look at the height of your foyer. If it’s a 2-story foyer or the ceiling is over 7 ft (2.1 m) tall, opt for a chandelier.^{[5]
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- 2-story foyers work best with chandeliers that have 2 to 3 tiers.
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Try a semi-flush fixture for foyers without vaulted ceilings. Semi-flush fixtures don’t hang as low as chandeliers do. If your ceiling is tall, but it’s not vaulted, go for a fixture that hangs about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) below the ceiling itself. This type of fixture will hang low enough to take up vertical space, but not so low that you hit your head on it.^{[6]
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- Ceilings that aren’t vaulted look great with chandeliers or fixtures that only have 1 tier.
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Use ceiling mounted light fixtures for small foyers. Small foyers need subtle lighting that won’t stand out. As a general rule of thumb, if your foyer is less than 9 ft (2.7 m) by 9 ft (2.7 m), pick a ceiling mounted fixture. This type of fixture sits flush with your ceiling, so it will provide light without taking up any vertical space.^{[7]
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Try wall sconces for small areas. Wall sconces don’t take up vertical space, so they’re ideal for small areas. Add 2 or 3 wall sconces around your entryway or near the front of your foyer. Wall sconces give entryways an inviting glow without the hassle of adding a new light fixture to your ceiling.^{[8]
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- If you have a console table in your foyer, position a sconce right above it or next to it. This is a natural addition to the space, and your sconce will seamlessly light up the essentials on your table.

Section 5 of 5:

How do I pick a style for my foyer light fixture?

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Pick light fixtures that match your overall aesthetic. The vibe of your home will tell you what style to choose. There are a ton of different light fixture options out there, so you’ll have a variety to choose from. Take a look at the aesthetic of your house and your foyer, then try to match your light fixture to that to blend it in seamlessly.^{[9]
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- If your style is more modern, go for a sleek, polished light fixture.
- If your home has a rustic vibe to it, try a farmhouse style light fixture.
- Going for an eclectic or artsy style? Try a colorful light fixture in a whimsical shape.
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Choose a shape that matches your furniture. Square or round furniture can dictate the shape of your light fixture. If you’re still having trouble deciding on what kind of light fixture to go for, take a look at the furniture in your foyer and living area. If it’s mostly square with hard angles, go for a square or rectangular light fixture. If your furniture is round with soft angles, try a round or oval shaped light fixture.^{[10]
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- These style guidelines are all just a rule of thumb. If you find a light fixture that you love but it doesn’t align with any style guidelines, feel free to put it in your home!

Expert Q&A

Question

How bright should a foyer light be?

Juli Roland
Certified Color Specialist
Juli Roland is a Color Specialist and the Founder of PaintColorHelp.com, one of the first companies in Dallas, Texas metro area that provides in-home color consultations and helps clients create paint color schemes. Juli has over 15 years of commercial and residential color consulting experience, including seven years as a custom-matcher in the paint industry. She earned her certification in color strategy from Camp Chroma and is a member of the Inter-Society Color Council. She has a BA in Advertising from Texas Tech University.

Juli Roland

Certified Color Specialist

Expert Answer

Avoid fluorescent bulbs and LEDs that are too cold—you can see the "color temperature" listed on the package as the Kelvin rating. A higher temperature of 6,000 means a colder, bluer light, while a 2,700K bulb produces a more amber light. Look for something between that range if you don't want your bulbs to have a yellow tint.