Floorplans: Entry Ways

One of the big questions I ask whenever I look at a floor plan is, "What is the first thing I see when I walk in the front door."  As a guest I want to feel welcome, and as a host I want my guests to feel comfortable.  So, if the first thing a guest sees is a dark hallway or staircase, or a closed door whether it's to a coat closet or a powder room, they will very likely make them feel like they're intruding.  

Both hallways and doors have very strong subconscious cues for us human-kind.  A hallway is an exploration cue, symbolizing that the guest might be exploring our lives and "secrets" when all they were intending was to visit us.  A closed door can symbolize denied opportunities or being excluded, which might make them feel unwelcome before they've even stepped inside.

If the first thing the guest sees is a dining room set and ready but with nobody in it, that may set them on edge, or it may give them something to look forward to.  If it's not set, it may make them feel that there's work to be done so they can't relax.  Either way, it's not the message I want to send.

Let's take a look at a plan with an entry plan that I absolutely abhor.

1. The first place my eye would be drawn when entering this house would be the stairs.  It's at eye level, with progressive levels and depth, and something my eye would want to explore.  And of course, I'd immediately feel like I'm being nosy just by seeing the stairs.  Oops.

2. Trying to recover my politeness, I'd search for where I should look.  The next spot my eye would find would be the hallway.  Oops again, I must just be really, really nosy.

3. At this point I'd cast about to find my grace.  Since the door opens to the right (by the guest's reckoning), I'd look right, which would have me looking at the closed door of the study or guest room.  But perhaps the denial of a closed door would be welcome by this time.  ("Phew! It's only a closed door.")  Or possibly I'd be looking at the study itself, wondering what private secret might be setting out on the desk.

4. To completely top it off, my final respite, and the last place I possibly could look would be to the left, which would have me gazing anxiously at the dining room.

What I want my guest to see when they enter my home is warmth and friendliness.  Perhaps a comfortable place to sit, maybe a fire and a drink.  They should immediately feel like they can let down their guard and relax.  If the house is big enough to support a foyer, the foyer should be open and airy, a staging area for them to take off their coat and prepare to enter.  Foyer or no, the living room should be the most prominent place for the guest to go.  They should not be tempted by the kitchen, and should definitely not have to try to figure out which way the living room is.

This describes a house I would want to visit, and one I'd be happy to have my guests visit.