The foyer welcomes family and friends as they enter a home and sets expectations for the experience to come. And nothing makes a more significant difference to the first impression when entering a home than the entryway or foyer lighting. They can create a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere or make a dazzling statement.

What Is Entryway & Foyer Lighting?

Getting the lighting in the foyer right can go a long way in offering a positive first impression. There are so many options for entryway lighting that are both functional and beautiful. The entryway lighting design will be guided by the size of the space and the aesthetic of the home. This is key to making the foyer feel like it goes with the rest of the home. The right size modern entryway light fixtures will make the foyer feel spacious and put together.

Kelly Wearstler Melange 20 Inch LED Wall Sconce by Visual Comfort and Co.

For instance, if the entryway is small, an over-the-top chandelier or pendant will make the area look crowded and even smaller. Smaller, flatter lighting options will give the foyer a lighter, open feel. This pair of Kelly Wearstler Melange 20 Inch LED Wall Sconce by Visual Comfort and Co. make a stunning impression in a small foyer. Flanking the shapely mirror, the antique brass finish and alabaster glass shades embolden the gorgeous wallpaper and highlight the unique console table.

Aira 14 Inch 1 Light Flush Mount by Mitzi

Flush mounts offer room to install a larger light fixture without overcrowding a small foyer. Mixing classic with contemporary, the Aira 14 Inch 1 Light Flush Mount by Mitzi lights up a small foyer without sacrificing headroom or style. The simple, geometric shape is in line with the scale of the space and open, contemporary, and inviting design.

Where Entryway & Foyer Lighting Works Best

In larger foyers that are more than one story, or if the entryway opens up into a larger room, there is more leeway for big, bold statement chandeliers and pendants. Large pendants or elaborate chandeliers work well here. Not only do they fill the space with light, they easily take center stage.

Glendale 20 Inch Cage Pendant by Hudson Valley Lighting

The geometric shape of the Glendale 20 Inch Cage Pendant by Hudson Valley Lighting speaks to the straight lines and angles of the staircase in this spacious entryway. The aged brass finish contrasts beautifully with the dramatic black and white color scheme.

Sparta 48 Inch 18 Light Chandelier by Hudson Valley Lighting

The striking Sparta 48 Inch 18 Light Chandelier by Hudson Valley Lighting demands to be seen and takes center stage in this large foyer. Ice-like javelins of hand-poured glass radiate out from the black center with glass bulbs and metal balls interspersed throughout. When the design calls for something extra, this chandelier provides gorgeous illumination.

Kelly Wearstler Strada 50 Inch 20 Light Chandelier by Visual Comfort and Co.

A bold gold chandelier like this Kelly Wearstler Strada 50 Inch 20 Light Chandelier by Visual Comfort and Co. glams up any entryway and is the perfect counterpoint to the neutral walls and wood flooring. It instantly elevates the style while providing bright, sparkling light.

Piazza 31 Inch LED Chandelier by Kuzco Lighting

The clean lines of the Piazza 31 Inch LED Chandelier by Kuzco Lighting mimic the streamlined aesthetic of the modern design in this entryway. The suspended rectangular frame offers soft, luminous ambient lighting throughout the space. The minimalist lines give the lighting an airy, open, transparent, dramatically, stunningly simple feel.

How to Choose the Best Entryway Lighting

Before selecting entryway lighting, take into consideration the other elements of the area. Is there a window near or above the light fixture? Will that affect the type of lighting needed? Will the lighting be visible from the outside? These factors can determine the type of light appropriate for the home.

In a large foyer, unique lighting won’t feel too cluttered or overbearing. In these big spaces, modern light fixtures for entryways offer unique shapes, materials, textures, and design features.

Suzanne Kasler Morris 23 Inch Cage Pendant by Visual Comfort and Co.

This entryway features plenty of windows, and the fretwork forms a grid pattern that is echoed in the Suzanne Kasler Morris 23 Inch Cage Pendant by Visual Comfort and Co. It also echoes the angles in the ceiling, tying the two geometric patterns together into a contemporary vibe that adds to the overall design.

Roundout 26 Inch Large Pendant by Hudson Valley Lighting

With a series of ever-increasing cubes surrounding a Sputnik-style center, the Roundout 26 Inch Large Pendant by Hudson Valley Lighting is an impressive conversation starter. Its slight and airy style maintains the light and airy feel of the space. It’s like a mini golden sunburst of light that brings a warming glow to welcome visitors as they approach from outside.