Are Two Story Foyers Out Of Style? (Find Out Now!)

Ryan Womeldorf
by Ryan Womeldorf

There are some styles in homes that remain popular regardless of time period. There are others that fall by the wayside, perhaps coming back into the fold at some point in the future. Styles can be cyclical, after all.

There has been some debate in recent years about two story foyers. Two story foyers are becoming a bit of hot topic in the home design world. It has been shown that since 2012, two story foyers have become one of the most unwanted features for home buyers and builders. They still exist in some capacity but are becoming less and less popular with each passing year due to lack of energy efficiency and difficulty cleaning.

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What is a Two Story Foyer?

Generally speaking, the foyer is tied into the living room. There is a chance that you have heard of a two story living room. The two story foyer is much the same. Instead of the ceiling being slightly overhead as you enter, it extends up and above the second story.

For two story foyers, that means a lot of open space as the foyer opens up into the living room. Some foyers make use of a big lighting piece like a chandelier to fill in that empty space above. These are most common in big, luxury homes.

Two Story Foyers are Becoming Less Popular

Though they are thought to lend a sense of luxury to a home, two story foyers have been drastically declining in popularity over the better part of the last decade. Since 2012, according to the National Association of Home Builders, two story foyers have become one of the most unwanted features in both existing homes and new builds.

That said, there is some preference when it comes to generations. Surveys have shown that two story foyers are particularly unwanted when it comes to seniors and Boomers, but the numbers tend to skew more favorable as the generations get younger.

So, when determining whether or not they are still in style, it depends on who you are asking. Older generations do not like two story foyers and are unlikely to purchase or build a home that has one. Younger generations, meanwhile, are far more likely to want or at least be okay with a two story foyer.

What is the Difference Between a Foyer and an Entryway?

There is some confusion as to what the difference is between a foyer and an entryway. A lot of people think that they are the same thing but there is a difference between the two. Don’t just assume that they are one and the same because they are not.

A foyer is almost like a waiting area or lobby. It is a space where guests can wait to be received that is not directly part of the main living area. Foyers can extend quite a bit depending on the layout of the home.

An entryway, meanwhile, is a simple opening or even a hallway that enters into the main structure. An entryway is likely to be plainly decorated and won’t necessarily have the space to hold waiting guests.

Pros and Cons of a Two Story Foyer

Like anything else, there are clear pros and cons to having a two story foyer. Keep in mind that a two story foyer often ties right into a two story living room, so the two are considered to go hand in hand. And it is always worth remembering that things like these come down to personal choice.

Some may not like two story foyers for one reason or another. That does not mean that you should not have a two story foyer if it is something that you desire. It all comes down to what you want out of your home.

The Pros

Let’s start off with the pros of having a two story foyer/living room. There are two benefits in particular that those who want a two story foyer seem to enjoy: the overall size and appearance as well as the natural light aspect.

Elegant Look

The simple fact of the matter is that two story foyers often look quite elegant. You don’t see them in smaller homes for obvious reasons. A two story foyer indicates a large living space and the high ceilings can give any home a high-end feel.

Not to mention the fact that a lot of two story foyers have a mor elegant lighting fixture. The fixture not only fills in some of the empty space created but provides ample light and a touch of even more elegance to the space.

Natural Light

Two story foyers are also known for having plenty of window access. That means greater views looking out and a lot more natural light coming in. Natural light pours in not only from the ground-level windows, but the second-story ones as well.

Having a big, open foyer with a lot of windows can light up the entire space and the living room as well. You can have all the natural light that you need, making it easier to go without having to flip a switch.

The Cons

You can’t have pros without some cons to go against them. While two story foyers definitely have their benefits – more natural light and a definitely elegant appeal – they have some major detractions going against them as well. When you read through the cons it may become more clear why two story foyers are becoming less in demand.

Noisier

While it is easy to be preoccupied with all the natural light coming in, sound is actually a major issue with two story foyers. Sound tends to bounce all throughout the room, meaning that the sound travels to other areas of the home as well.

Because the foyer ties into a two story living room more often than not, that usually means a louder living room. If you have kids that are trying to sleep, that sound can easily carry and make it difficult for them to find peace and quiet.

Difficulty in Heating and Cooling

Perhaps the biggest issue with a two story foyer is the aforementioned natural light. With a lot of windows and window space comes a lot of sunlight. Sunlight – rather the rays from the sun – can heat up a room in a hurry.

The more windows there are, the more heat comes in. The higher the heat, the more difficulty your HVAC system has keeping the temperature under control. All of which equates to higher heating and cooling bills than a home that doesn’t have quite so much natural light.

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The Final Word on Two Story Foyers

Though they are declining in popularity, there is no ignoring why people like two story foyers. Two story foyers have an air of elegance and luxury to them like no other space in the home can. When adding in a large light fixture, it can feel like a mansion.

But with the difficulty of heating and cooling more efficiently, and the rising utility costs that go with it, more and more people are opting to not deal with two story foyers. It all comes down to what you value more: an elegant, spacious feel or less natural light and greater control over your heating and cooling.

Ryan Womeldorf
Ryan Womeldorf

Ryan Womeldorf has more than a decade of experience writing. He loves to blog about construction, plumbing, and other home topics. Ryan also loves hockey and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan.

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