Standard Entryway Dimensions: What Size Entryway Should I Have?

Your entryway is often the first impression guests have of your home, whether it’s small and cozy or grand and formal. Entryways can vary in function, size, scale, and formality, depending on how much square footage you want to devote to the area surrounding your home’s entrance. We explore different kinds of entryways, entryway dimensions, and what affects the size of your home’s entryway.

What Is the Standard Entryway Size?

While entryways vary widely in size, the average size is about 2% to 4% of the home’s total square footage. Some homes don’t have an entryway at all, with the front door opening directly into the living space, while others have grand entrances, often with large staircases, entrances to different rooms, and a luxurious feel. Entryways can range from as small as 15 square feet all the way to 400 square feet or more. 

Entryway Size by Type

Small Entryway

A small entryway can be just a few square feet inside the door and may or may not be delineated with different entryway flooring or full or partial walls. Small entryways are common in houses from under 1,000 to 1,500 square feet and may measure from 3-by-5 feet to 4-by-7 feet.

Mudroom

You may not think of a mudroom as an entryway, but these utility rooms often function as an entry from a side or back door to the rest of the home. Mudrooms may also double as laundry rooms, storage areas, or more, and commonly measure between 32 and 60 square feet.

Average Foyer

A standard-sized foyer for a 2,000- to 3,000-square-foot home can measure between 40 and 80 square feet. These entryways may include closets, furniture like a bench or console, and welcoming decor, and may be clearly delineated with walls, different flooring, separate lighting, and other design elements.

Grand Foyer

When it comes to grand foyers, there’s almost no limit to the size and scale of these imposing entryways. They can be up to 400 square feet or more and encompass grand staircases, decor displays, seating areas, and more. Grand foyers are usually found in larger homes of 4,000 square feet or more. 

How to Measure the Right Size Entryway

If you’re doing a remodel or a home renovation and want to adjust the size of your entryway, plan to allocate 2% to 4% of your home’s total square footage for this purpose. How you measure the area will depend on the specifics of your home, but you’ll want to determine the width and depth of the area directly inside the front door. 

Factors That Influence Entryway Size

The wide range of entryway sizes and functions are determined by various factors, including home size and style, architectural features, and ceiling height. Take a look at how these factors can affect entryway dimensions.

Home Size

Smaller homes are less likely to have space dedicated to substantial entryways, so minimal entryways are more common in homes with less square footage. Larger homes, on the other hand, have more space to devote to grand entrances, so you’re more likely to see a large entryway in a home with significantly higher square footage.

Home Style

Certain home styles, like Victorian, Greek Revival, or Italianate, often include large entryways as part of their traditional design. Others, like Craftsman, colonial, and ranch-style homes, have less space set aside for entryways and reserve more of their limited square footage for functional living spaces. 

Architectural Features

Homes with larger entryways often include architectural features like multi-story lofted ceilings, grand staircases, decorative pillars, and more. Entryways can be configured to highlight these architectural features to make a grand statement as guests enter the home. 

What to Do if You Have the Wrong Size Entryway

If you’re looking to build an entryway addition or even do a complete home renovation, a local home remodeling pro can help you design and build the entryway of your dreams. On the other hand, if you currently have too much space allocated for an entryway and want to transform some of that square footage to other kinds of usable space, a remodeling pro can help you reduce your entryway size and gain space where you really need it.