How to Design Split Foyers for Kitchens

Design a landing space for upstairs and a lower level. Sketch an entry floor area about 8 feet square, for example. Plan a short set of stairs leading up to bedrooms. You can plan a set of five or six stairs, if bedrooms are on a level that is not a full story above the main part of the house. Design another set of stairs leading to a basement family room.

Figure the doorway openings and any doors. Don't add a door leading to bedrooms, unless you have plenty of space for an interior door to swing. Create this staircase as an open area right off the kitchen. Do plan to add a doorway leading down to a basement area, however. Install a heavy-duty door to keep the kitchen free of noise from a recreation room in the basement.

Plan the floor space of the foyer in an artistic way. Lay an interesting tile pattern to denote that the foyer is an entrance. Install a colorful cabinet with doors to hide coats or shoes when children come home from school. Use royal blue and silver floor tiles, for example, and install a lime green cabinet for storage. Design the foyer space to look separate from the kitchen floor space.

Give the foyer the personality of a separate room. Add plants, special railings and large mirrors to the foyer. Install hanging baskets of ferns and a simple metal railing to define the foyer's dimensions. Add mirrors for reflecting light and checking one's clothes before going out. Install a small bench, if you desire.

Treat the sets of stairs differently. Consider the upper staircase as part of the bedroom area. Use hardwood on the steps, for example, if your bedroom hallways and floors are hardwood. Design the staircase leading to the basement in a more artistic way. Use bright blue indoor-outdoor carpet, for example, especially if the basement is very informal. Be sure to plan for adequate lighting for each stairway. Install recessed lighting or appropriate light fixtures.