39 Before and After Foyers Designed for Social Architects Who Know the Party Starts at the Front Door

The double-height entryway is either the most squandered space in residential architecture or its most powerful — and the difference between the two is almost always intent. These 38 transformations take builder-grade beige, hollow-core disappointment, and brass chandelier mediocrity and replace them with spaces that do what great entry design has always promised: they tell you exactly who lives here before a single word is spoken. Backlit onyx walls glow like lanterns. Waterfall channels frame brass pivot doors with the sound of falling water. Acid-etched botanical glass turns suburban daylight into something luminous and alive. Fluted marble columns, gold leaf ceilings, dichroic glass, and living copper portals announce that the party — the real one, the considered one, the one worth arriving for — starts precisely here, at the front door, before the coat even comes off.

In order to come up with the very specific design ideas, we create most designs with the assistance of state-of-the-art AI interior design software.

Moody Maximalism Arrives in Black and Bronze

The transformation swaps beige walls and a traditional brass chandelier for charcoal-painted surfaces with a bronzed metallic finish that catches light like burnished leather. Black steel-framed glass doors and sidelights replace solid white double doors, introducing vertical and horizontal grids that anchor the tall entry. A modern bubble chandelier with multiple glass globes hangs at varying heights, creating sculptural drama in the two-story space.

Amber LED cove lighting runs along the ceiling perimeter, casting a warm glow that softens the dark palette. A black console table sits against the left wall, topped with a sculptural black vase filled with bare branches. The abstract painting on the right wall features rust, gold, and amber tones that mirror the ceiling lighting. A patterned area rug in burgundy, black, and cream grounds the space, while a low brown velvet bench provides seating.

Arched Black Steel Door Framed by Cove Lighting and Natural Textures

Replacing plain white double doors with an arched black steel and glass entry creates instant architectural drama. The door’s grid pattern echoes the matching steel transom window above, while the rounded arch softens the geometry. Cove lighting runs along the ceiling perimeter, casting a warm glow that highlights the textural contrast between the smooth walls and natural materials below.

Pampas grass in a ceramic vase anchors a live-edge wood console with hairpin legs on the left. A woven rattan globe pendant hangs from the vaulted ceiling, its organic form balanced by the black-framed botanical print on the right wall. The bench now features cream boucle upholstery, sitting atop a geometric patterned rug that adds subtle visual interest to the floor.

Sage Green Walls Meet Walnut Doors and Tray Ceiling Uplighting

Sage green walls replace builder beige, while dark walnut double doors with vertical brass pulls anchor the entry. A tray ceiling painted in matching sage houses perimeter LED strip lighting that casts a warm glow upward. Terracotta vases on a travertine console and circular terracotta plates arranged on the right wall introduce earthy contrast.

Gold Hardware and Warm Amber Tones Replace Traditional Beige Neutrals

Cove lighting runs along the ceiling perimeter, casting a soft glow across white walls that now feel warm rather than flat. The original chandelier gives way to a circular brass fixture with candle-style bulbs suspended from three slender rods. Flanking the reeded glass double doors are two vertical frosted glass panels that amplify natural light.

A geometric area rug in mustard yellow, burnt orange, and cream anchors the terrazzo-style floor. The curved orange velvet chair and abstract artwork in similar tones create a cohesive palette. A rounded brass mirror above a sculptural white console table replaces the traditional silver-framed piece and wood entry table.

Cove Lighting and Cascading Glass Orbs Frame Redesigned Wood Entry Doors

Indirect LED strips embedded in the ceiling perimeter wash white walls with ambient glow while a modern chandelier composed of aqua and clear glass spheres drops from the vaulted ceiling. Light wood doors with vertical black handles replace the paneled white pair, flanked by narrow black-framed sidelights that reveal greenery beyond. A floating shelf in pale oak attaches to the left wall with brass brackets.

Tropical Maximalism Overtakes Neutral Beige with Jungle Wallpaper and Living Plant Wall

Bold botanical wallpaper in emerald green and butter yellow wraps the upper wall, depicting oversized monstera and palm leaves. A living vertical garden covers the right wall, anchored by a geometric brass grid. The original white double doors shift to walnut slabs with curved bronze handles. A modern bubble chandelier in gold and green glass spheres replaces the dated fixture.

Dark porcelain tile grounds the floor, layered with a custom rug that echoes the leaf motifs above. A curved green velvet sofa and mustard ceramic vases introduce saturated color at eye level. Narrow sidelights flank the new door, framing views of outdoor palms.

Amber Side-Light Windows and Bronze Relief Doors Emphasize the Curves

Faux sky ceiling panels set into a recessed tray bring dramatic vertical interest to what was once a flat white expanse. Backlit clouds cast a warm golden glow across textured wallpaper in charcoal and gray-blue geometric patterns. The arched double doors feature intricate carved relief work in dark bronze, flanked by narrow vertical windows with amber uplighting that emphasizes the architectural curves.

Large bronze urns anchor each side of the entry on a stone bench, while the original tan carpet gives way to pale stone tile arranged in an irregular mosaic pattern. A circular wrought-iron chandelier with bronze candle-style arms replaces the dated brass fixture, suspended by heavy chain from the sky-painted ceiling above.

Pink Marble Trompe-l’Oeil Wraps Cathedral Ceiling While Deep Emerald Doors Command Focus

Pink veined marble wallcovering extends across every wall and vaulted ceiling plane, backlit by continuous LED cove lighting that creates an amber glow throughout the double-height volume. Twin pink marble-look columns flank the new emerald green double doors outfitted with elongated brass vertical pulls. Flanking windows reveal lush outdoor greenery that echoes the forest green accent wall on the right. A curved blush velvet sofa anchors the space beside fiddle leaf fig trees in pink marble planters, while an ornate floral chandelier with crystal drops replaces the original brass fixture.

Textured minimalism makes way for a return to warmth and architectural detail.

Black Entry Doors with Brass Porthole Windows Anchor Tray Ceiling LED Cove

Glossy black double doors fitted with circular brass porthole windows replace the flat white pair that previously disappeared into gray walls. Narrow sidelight windows flank the entry, bringing natural light into the space. Tray ceiling cove lighting runs the full perimeter, casting warm illumination upward. Textured grasscloth wallpaper in cream coats the walls. A curved sectional in beige linen occupies the right corner. The arched floor mirror on the left wall reflects a built-in console with integrated drawers. An antler chandelier hangs where the dated brass fixture once centered the room.

Cove-Lit Ceiling and Sage Millwork Soften the Sightlines

Arched double doors painted in muted sage green replace the white paneled pair, with matching sidelights and transom extending the curved frame. An oversized lantern pendant in gold leaf finish hangs where a traditional brass chandelier once centered the space. Tray ceiling cove lighting runs the perimeter, casting indirect glow upward. A tall arched mirror leans against the left wall above a console table painted to match the doors.

High-Gloss Navy Doors and Gold Surfaces Amplify the Drama

Navy high-gloss double doors with vertical brass pulls anchor this reconfigured entry, flanked by sidelight windows with matching deep blue frames. Gold mosaic tile covers the accent wall and wraps the vaulted ceiling, catching light from integrated LED strips concealed along the perimeter. A modern sputnik chandelier with exposed bulbs hangs at center. Navy velvet bench and abstract artwork in cobalt and gold echo the metallic palette throughout.

Vertical Wood Paneling and Recessed LED Strip Frame Minimal Glass Pendant

Warm timber panels cover every wall from floor to vaulted ceiling, concealing the former white doors with flush custom cabinetry. Recessed LED strips glow along the ceiling perimeter, washing the wood grain in soft light while a modern circular glass pendant hangs low.

Terrazzo Resin Panels and Amber LED Strips Replace Beige Builder Walls

Horizontal wood paneling wraps the full height of the entry, bathed in amber LED cove lighting at the ceiling plane. Translucent terrazzo resin panels cover the door glass and transom window, scattering soft light across the space. A cascading bubble chandelier drops through the double-height volume on thin cables. Curved archways frame the doorway, while a floating marble console and arched floor mirror anchor each side.

Rose Gold Leaf Panels and Starburst Chandelier Command Two-Story Entry

Blush pink metallic wall panels encase both levels while a sputnik chandelier with globe bulbs descends from a coffered ceiling detail. Reflective glass door surrounds flank bronze-framed entry doors. LED strip lighting runs behind wall panels at the ceiling line. Diagonal stone tile flooring anchors a rose-toned area rug bordered in gold.

Sidelight Views and Two-Tone Cladding Redefine the Entry

Dark navy horizontal shiplap wraps the right wall while natural pine planks in a vertical orientation cover the left, creating a two-toned architectural statement. The vaulted ceiling receives blonde wood planking with indirect LED strips installed along the upper perimeter. A rope chandelier with exposed bulbs replaces the traditional brass fixture, and wood doors with brass pulls stand behind sidelights that frame views of the front yard.

The floor gains a geometric navy and cream rug with bold tribal patterns. A built-in console with light wood grain sits flush against the left wall, topped with white ceramic vessels. The bench on the right adopts a similar pale wood frame with a neutral cushion.

Glass Door System and Full Sidelights Flood the Entry with Light

The ceiling receives a complete gold leaf treatment that reflects light across the vaulted surface. A sculptural cloud chandelier with layered white fabric petals replaces the dated brass fixture, casting soft ambient light throughout the double-height space.

The door configuration shifts from solid double doors to a full glass panel system flanked by sidelights, flooding the entry with natural light. A curved sofa in oatmeal fabric anchors the right side, while the left wall gains dimensional white paneling and a floating shelf with mercury glass vases. Abstract art in neutral tones fills the wall space above the doorway.

Copper-Toned Artwork and Mirrored Walls Echo the Palette

Bronzed mirror panels cover every wall surface, reflecting ambient LED strips installed in recessed ceiling coves. A cascading crystal chandelier hangs where a traditional brass fixture once dominated. Black double doors with vertical bar handles anchor the entry, flanked by transparent glass sidelights. A curved velvet bench in champagne upholstery sits against the right wall beneath an abstract cityscape print in navy and copper tones. Chocolate marble flooring creates veining that contrasts against black border tiles.

Rustic Beams and Black-Framed Doors Rebuild the Whole Mood

Reclaimed timber beams stretch across the vaulted ceiling, introducing structure and warmth to what was once a flat expanse of beige. The ornate chandelier drips with dried florals and Edison bulbs suspended on matte black chains, creating a focal point that draws the eye upward. Black French doors with muntins now anchor the entry, flanked by fiddle leaf figs in oversized concrete planters. Board and batten paneling climbs the walls in crisp white, contrasting with natural wood shiplap that wraps the left wall.

Cove lighting tucked behind the ceiling perimeter casts a soft glow across the room. A large abstract canvas in muted neutrals leans against the right wall beside pampas grass stems. The original white double doors and understated chandelier have been replaced entirely, giving the space a layered, collected aesthetic. A curved linen sofa sits to the right, grounding the seating area with its organic silhouette.

Cream Ribbed Paneling and a Gold Greek Key Border Define the Frieze

Ribbed vertical paneling in cream wraps the lower walls while a gold Greek key border runs continuously at the frieze line. Recessed cove lighting washes the tray ceiling in soft amber glow, highlighting geometric gold inlays at the corners. Large sliding glass doors with brushed brass frames replace the small transom window, flooding the marble-tiled floor with natural light. A geometric brass chandelier with globe bulbs hangs where the traditional fixture once centered the space.

Zellige Wraparound Walls and Moorish Lines Create a Courtyard Mood

Terra-cotta zellige tiles blanket the walls in a handmade grid, their uneven glaze catching light from clusters of pierced metal lanterns suspended on blackened chains. An arched steel door with divided lites replaces the conventional double doors, its silhouette echoing Moorish architecture. Exposed wood ceiling beams in natural oak cross overhead, anchoring the vertical scale.

Potted olive trees in unglazed clay vessels flank the entrance, while a sun medallion in hammered brass punctuates the wall above the arch. A vintage Persian runner in rust and cream grounds the terracotta floor tiles, and a curved ochre sofa introduces soft seating opposite wall-mounted lanterns.

Arched Windows and Celestial Lighting Flood the Space with Atmosphere

A midnight blue celestial mural overtakes every vertical surface, constellations mapped in gold leaf across walls and ceiling.

Bronze studded arched doors with circular moon pulls anchor the entry, flanked by matching arched windows that introduce natural light. Cove lighting glows amber along the ceiling perimeter, defining the vault while spotlighting the star chart overhead. A spherical chandelier with bronze orbs echoes planetary motion. Concrete floating console on the left holds indigo glass vessels, while a gold floor lamp arcs over a navy velvet bench. The constellation-patterned area rug mirrors the wall art, unifying floor and ceiling in celestial geometry.

Botanical Wallpaper and Brass Beams Transform Gray Traditional Entry

Vertical shiplap in pale cream wraps the walls and ceiling, while exposed brass-clad beams frame the vaulted space. Tropical leaf wallpaper in sage and cream tones surrounds the window above wood double doors with long brass pulls. A modern molecular chandelier in brushed brass replaces the traditional fixture. Green velvet curved sofas anchor the corners on a botanical area rug layered over blonde oak flooring.

Glossy Coral Doors and Oversized Ring Pulls Punch Up the Entry

Glossy coral doors anchored by oversized ring pulls introduce a bold tropical palette where beige drywall once dominated. Custom rattan paneling arranged in grid formation wraps the door surround and extends to the transom, framing narrow sidelights that reveal lush exterior plantings. A woven rattan dome pendant replaces the ornate brass chandelier, its wicker texture casting geometric shadows across coral-painted walls. Tropical palm wallpaper in olive and burnt orange tones covers the left wall, while an abstract canvas in peach and cream leans casually on the right.

A curved pink velvet ottoman sits low to the floor beside the door, its sculptural shape mirroring the pendant above. The marble console table from the original entry disappears entirely, replaced by terrazzo flooring in coral base with painted palm fronds radiating across the surface. Natural wood trim in the grid panels introduces warmth against the saturated coral backdrop, creating depth the flat beige walls never achieved.

Bold Tilework and Saturated Blue Walls Energize the Composition

Weathered gray wood planks wrap the entry walls in a horizontal grain pattern that anchors the richly stained mahogany double doors and built-in cabinetry. A decorative tile panel featuring a geometric archway design in cobalt blue, marigold yellow, and coral orange hangs above the entrance, flanked by narrow vertical windows that frame views of tropical palms.

One wall shifts to deep sapphire blue, displaying an abstract painting with geometric shapes in mustard, green, and cream. A patterned kilim rug in rust, navy, and cream tones covers the polished concrete floor. Cobalt ceramic planters hold heliconia stems, while a curved yellow velvet bench provides seating opposite a floating concrete shelf.

Gold-Trimmed Glazing and a New Door System Open the Entry Wide

Pivoting glass panels framed in brushed gold swing open to reveal a completely reconceived double-height foyer. Vertical wood slats in honey oak line the right wall, complemented by recessed LED strips that outline the ceiling perimeter. A geometric chandelier composed of elongated gold tubes descends from the vaulted space, replacing the dated brass fixture. Large-format marble tiles with gold veining cover the floor, while abstract artwork in cream and gold tones anchors the statement wall behind the new door configuration.

Cylindrical Cage Chandelier and Warm Cove Lighting Frame the Drop

Deep navy walls anchor this entry, with horizontal white shiplap running along the left side for textural contrast. A large brass chandelier with 16 globe bulbs suspended in a cylindrical cage drops from the double-height ceiling, framed by a cove detail with warm LED strip lighting. The door system shifts from solid white panels to French-style folding glass doors finished in gold hardware, flooding the space with backyard views.

White marble floating shelves flank the entry, holding cobalt blue ceramic vases that echo the navy palette. A large abstract canvas in cream, gold, and blue tones hangs on the right wall above a navy velvet bench with brass legs. Patterned navy and cream area rug grounds the hardwood floor beneath the chandelier’s glow.

Orange-and-Gold Persian Rug and Dark Wood Doors Ground the Drama

Mustard yellow floral wallpaper covers all walls from floor to ceiling, introducing an ornate pattern with trailing botanicals. Cove lighting wraps the ceiling perimeter, casting warm amber light across the space. A hammered metal wall panel in gold occupies the entire right side, adding reflective texture. Dark wood double doors feature geometric inlay in a starburst pattern with brass hardware. The chandelier suspends a sculptural arrangement of golden leaves and exposed bulbs. Purple velvet benches with brass drum bases replace the simple wood bench. Decorative brass vases sit on a floating console beneath an arched mirror. An orange and gold Persian rug anchors the entry floor.

Rippled Plaster Ceiling and Cove Lighting Soften the Edges

Continuous blonde wood panels wrap all four walls from floor to ceiling, concealing the previous double doors behind a trio of full-height glass doors with brass frames. The new entry opens directly to a garden view through transparent panes. Above, a sculpted ceiling introduces organic curves that ripple across the surface, with LED cove lighting installed along the perimeter where walls meet the decorative plaster.

A modern chandelier with multiple frosted glass spheres suspended on brass arms replaces the traditional fixture. An arched mirror leans against the left wall above a low credenza. Fiddle-leaf fig trees in cream pots flank the doors. The original wood floors give way to pale stone, and a large area rug with watercolor-inspired abstract patterns in taupe and sage grounds the seating area.

Cascading Crystal Chandelier and Starry Navy Ceiling Over Gold Marble Walls

Floor-to-ceiling marble panels with golden veining frame the entryway, flanked by vertical sidelights that reveal lush greenery outside. A celestial navy blue ceiling inset features scattered constellation motifs, outlined by recessed LED cove lighting that casts a warm glow. The central crystal chandelier descends in three graduated tiers, its glass rods catching light above brushed gold double doors with minimal pulls.

Paper Orb Pendant and Recessed Cove Lighting Replace Traditional Chandelier

Recessed LED strips now outline the coffered ceiling perimeter, casting soft ambient light across white walls. A spherical paper lantern hangs centered above the entry, replacing the brass multi-arm chandelier. Flanking storage doors feature integrated brass-trimmed niches that glow from within. The wood console and mirror vanish, making way for built-in marble benches and floating shelves.

Charred Wood Beams and Cascading Edison Bulbs Over Modern Concrete Walls

Dark stained wood beams frame the double-height ceiling while dozens of Edison bulbs drop from black cords in a dramatic cluster. Textured concrete planks clad the right wall, contrasting with floor-to-ceiling translucent glass panels that flank the carved wood diamond-pattern doors. A tan leather sofa anchors the space beside a live-edge wood bench, both resting on dark tile flooring.

Native Textiles and a Teal Leather Bench Layer the Southwest Mood

Hammered copper tiles cover the entire back wall, extending to side panels that frame the entryway in metallic warmth. A wrought-iron chandelier suspends a turquoise glass bowl beneath candle-style lights. The original white double doors give way to glass-paneled wood doors with horizontal bar pulls. Terra cotta floor tiles in varied shades introduce an earthy base, while a woven rug layered with turquoise diamond patterns anchors the space. Native American textiles hang beside a teal leather bench positioned opposite terracotta vessels.

Botanical Murals and Emerald Lacquered Doors Over Art Deco Terrazzo

Hand-painted tropical foliage wraps the walls in sage, ochre, and forest green, mirroring the custom leaf-patterned inlay on the polished terrazzo floor. Deep emerald double doors with brass crescent hardware anchor the entry beneath a domed ceiling decorated with coordinating botanical art. Arched wall niches house abstract sculptures, while geometric stained glass panels in amber and emerald flank the doorway. A bubble chandelier in amber and green glass spheres replaces the traditional brass fixture that hung in the neutral space.

Backlit Onyx Panels and Crystal Raindrop Chandelier Over Marble Doors

Translucent honey onyx slabs glow from behind with integrated LED strips, creating an illuminated feature wall that wraps the upper entryway in warm amber tones. The double doors wear book-matched marble veneer in cream and caramel veining, framed by brushed brass handles and vertical door pulls. A cascading chandelier drops multiple tiers of clear crystal rods in a cylindrical formation, catching light from the cove ceiling treatment above.

Vertical wood slat paneling in blonde oak lines the left wall, contrasting with a geometric metal trellis on the right that holds live greenery in a living wall installation. The bench transitions from wood in the before to a low profile design with natural oak grain. Marble tile in soft beige covers the floor, while the recessed ceiling detail houses linear LED tape that washes the onyx with indirect uplight.

Backlit Honey Onyx Walls and Amber Globe Pendants Over Bronze Entry Doors

Honey-toned onyx slabs cover the vaulted walls and ceiling, each panel backlit to expose swirling caramel and cream veining. The double doors gain bronze metallic cladding with vertical seams dividing each panel into thirds. Flanking sidelights frame views of mature oaks outside, while narrow windows above the entry echo the same divided pattern. A cluster of amber blown-glass pendants descends from the apex, mixing spherical and teardrop shapes suspended at varying heights.

Vertical fluted paneling wraps the right wall in pale limestone or plaster, adding texture against the glowing onyx. A curved tan velvet settee anchors the right corner beside a brass floor lamp with amber fabric shade. The console table disappears entirely, replaced by a low white plinth displaying oversized amber glass vessels. Warm beige marble flooring with darker veining completes the tonal palette, reflecting the honeyed glow from every lit surface overhead.

Floor-to-Ceiling Windows and Warm Cove Lighting Flood the Foyer

Pale travertine walls with pronounced horizontal veining establish a neutral envelope for the renovated space. Floor-to-ceiling windows flank the new bronze-toned entry doors, flooding the foyer with natural light while framing views of landscaped grounds. A custom chandelier composed of multiple amber glass teardrops descends from exposed timber ceiling beams, creating a vertical focal point in the double-height volume.

Cove lighting installed along the perimeter ceiling casts warm uplighting across the light wood planks above. Curved bench seating upholstered in cream linen anchors one corner, while floating wood shelving on the opposite wall holds organic sculptural elements. The swirling pattern inlaid into the stone floor adds movement beneath the entry doors, guiding circulation through the vestibule with flowing concentric lines in tan and cream tones.

Tiered Crystal Chandelier and Bronze Paneling Over Dark Wood Entry Doors

Bronze metallic panels wrap the double-height walls with integrated LED cove lighting running the perimeter of the ceiling plane. A four-tier crystal chandelier descends over dark walnut entry doors fitted with vertical brass pulls. Narrow sidelights flank the doors, framed in polished brass. A floating marble console extends from the left wall beside a curved velvet bench with brass legs.

Warm Walnut Paneling and Sculptural Relief Above Illuminated Alcoves

Rich walnut panels line every wall, while a modern carved relief stretches across the upper focal wall in cream tones. Three arched alcoves flank the double doors, each backlit with golden light and displaying tall ceramic vases. The door itself features vertical fluted glass with polished brass handles.

A cascading amber chandelier drops from the vaulted ceiling, its teardrop pendants multiplying downward in a waterfall effect. The patterned black and gold rug anchors the space with abstract animal motifs. Integrated LED strips run horizontally near the ceiling, casting warm light across the walnut surfaces and geometric floor pattern.

Art Nouveau Plaster Relief and Stained Glass Doors With Floral Chandelier

Sculpted plaster walls depict sinuous Art Nouveau vines and blooms in cream and tan, framing double doors inset with stained glass panels of yellow irises and green foliage. The floral chandelier echoes the botanical motif with amber and emerald glass petals. Green marble flanks both sides, while a patterned floor rug repeats the organic curves in green and gold.