Foyer Light Fixtures

Style

• The fixture you select for the foyer should reflect or, at the very least, reference the architectural style of your home. If your home is in a Tudor style, installing a sleek and contemporary fixture probably isn't the best style choice. Instead, select a fixture that is more decorative and traditional, perhaps with candle lights and decorative shades. If your home is a cozy, beach bungalow, a fixture made of driftwood would reflect the casual, beach vibe of the home.

Floor Plan

• Not all foyers are created equal. Some are very grand spaces in their own right, with soaring ceilings and massive staircases, while others open right into the main living space of the home. The type of foyer in your home should be taken into consideration when selecting the light fixture. A formal foyer typically calls for a chandelier with all the bells and whistles. Crystals, beads and candle lights would designate this type of foyer as a formal space. Alternatively, a foyer that is just a small part of the living room would not need such a strong statement. A more casual fixture would better suit this type of foyer, such as hanging pendant lights.

Room Size

• The size of the light fixture is typically determined by the size of the room in which it will be installed. Very large foyers will require an equally large chandelier that has substantial visual weight. An undersized pendant light would be swallowed up in a large foyer and wouldn't provide the amount of light needed in such a large space. Smaller foyers, those 75 square feet and below, obviously can't accommodate a three-tiered chandelier, so a simple one-tiered chandelier or flush-mounted fixture would be a better option.

Ceiling Heights

• In general, when ceilings are a typical 9- or 10-foot height, the bottom of the fixture should be at least 7 feet from the floor. This allows only 2 or 3 feet at most for the fixture, so many chandelier styles are not a realistic option for a standard room. Flush-mounted fixtures are excellent options for standard ceiling heights. There are additional factors to take into consideration when foyers are open to second floors with a window above the front door. If this is a feature in your foyer, consider centering the chandelier between the top and bottom of the window to create a stunning view from the outside.