The fall of the grand foyer: Why 2-story entries are no longer the ticket

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Published Date 10/22/2024

If you’re looking for a home with a voluminous grand foyer as you enter, your choices may become increasingly limited. While it’s true that a home’s entryway sets the tone for the entire living space, buyers as well as homebuilders are opting out of huge “statement entries” these days.

BobVila’s Sandi Schwartz admits that historically, fancy 2-story foyers have been a sign of luxury, whether at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Virginia or the mansions with high ceilings and winding staircases depicted on television shows and in movies. However, she adds, “The latest data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC) and tabulated by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) indicates that the market share of 2-story foyers has been trending downward over the past 7 years.”

In addition, she reports that the NAHB’s report found that 2-story entry foyers were one of the least desired specialty rooms of survey respondents, with 32 percent likely to reject a potential home with this feature and only 13 percent seeing it as a must-have feature.

Schwartz spoke to several experts about why 2-story foyers are on the way out, but also asked what you can do to make the best of the one you have.

First off, 2-story foyers are inefficient. “Two-story foyers waste energy because they create an air imbalance,” explains contractor/designer Tony Hoang. “Heat naturally rises, leaving the lower and upper levels colder, forcing HVAC systems to work overtime to balance the temperature.”

All those huge foyer windows also play a role in the efficiency level of the space. “Some 2-story foyers have exterior windows above their doors,” says Massachusetts-based designer Karen Dzendolet. “While window technology has had many improvements, heat still comes in through windows during the summer and there is some heat loss in cooler months,” she says.

Homebuyer priorities have shifted in recent decades. More homeowners are now focused on maximizing the spaces in their homes that provide function and value for their daily lives. “Square footage is at a premium, and many homeowners find these grand entrances to be wasted space that could be converted into functional living areas,” says Hoang. He adds that today’s buyers prioritize cozy, intimate spaces that serve a purpose rather than look impressive.

New Jersey-based Realtor Suzy Minken links this shift to post-pandemic priorities. “With the rise in work-from-home following the pandemic, many home buyers have shifted their preferences in what they are looking for in a new home,” she says. “Not only are buyers seeking out homes that offer one or even two areas in the home that could be used as an at-home office, but they are also interested in more gathering spaces for entertaining at home,” she says.

Some buyers are also looking for more usable main floor space (a guest bedroom, for example) as well as an increase in second story space as well. “By eliminating the 2-story foyer, builders are able to increase the usable square footage of the home to accommodate, for example, an upstairs lounge area for the family or a home office,” says Minken.

Grand entries are indeed a luxury, smacking of the elegance of yesteryear, where sweeping staircases and huge chandeliers announced a sumptuous interior, but, “Today’s buyers tend to be more about ease and comfort and less about formality in the home’s design aesthetic,” says Minken. Fewer people are looking for a dramatic entrance with a grand staircase.

Dzendolet also cautions that 2-story foyers require a lot more time and effort to clean and maintain. “If there are tall windows, a chandelier, and/or shelving, these design components may require special attention and the use of ladders to access, and need more maintenance than a single-story foyer,” she says.

So what to do about improving the function of the 2-story foyer you already have? There are ways to make the best of it to improve efficiency and utilize your space, according to Schwartz. One trick is to install insulated wall panels or soundproof curtains that can double as thermal barriers, says Hoang. “Adding strategically placed mezzanine floors or floating shelves to close off part of the height is a great way to reduce thermal drift while adding extra storage or decorative appeal,” he adds. Consider installing high-quality, smart thermostats with zoning capabilities can also help regulate the temperature in this space.

Here are a few more tips these experts recommend:

Choose energy-efficient windows and doors.
Install motorized window treatments that can be managed remotely.
Mount ceiling fans to improve heating and cooling efficiency.
Install in-floor radiant heating instead of using forced hot air.
Use LED light bulbs on all fixtures and put all lights in the foyer on a dimmer.

Repurposing or closing off a 2-story foyer would require some significant structural changes and most likely changes to other areas of the home, however. For thoughts on that it’s wise to hire an architect.

BobVila, TBWS

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