In honor of Halloween, I thought we could talk about the oft-overlooked home entry. The entry is where the magic happens. It’s the place where the knocker is knocked, the porch light is lit, and the tricks and the treats doth flow (unless you are that curmudgeon who keeps his lights off and pretends he is not home!)

It is one of the most important elements in a home, but has sadly been value-engineered out of many new homes. We think that just ain’t right. So today, I asked Joel (the amazing and talented architect) to talk about what makes an entry so special.

Q: What makes an entry special?

A: A good entry has two parts — the front porch and the foyer. The front porch is helping to transition us from being in the public space of the street to the private space of the home. Think of it as spatially cleansing your palate for what comes next. It should be large enough to hold you in its own space as you transition from outside to inside.

The foyer performs two functions: It is an amuse-bouche (that little treat between courses that amuses your palate and increase your appetite) and it is a filter. You have the opportunity in the small and relatively enclosed area of the the entry to create a wonderful little design vignette to set the mood and inform your guests how to feel and be in your home.

Q: What can go wrong?

A: Unfortunately, many of today’s homes commit one of two sins. On the one hand, they leave it off completely. What is left is often a small stoop barely large enough for a couple to stand on next to the flower pot, and no cover to keep rain off heads and snow off boots. On the other hand, many homes have towering entries that can feel out of human scale, and can risk discouraging entry or intimacy.

Q: Give me five key elements of a great entry.

A: Sure thing:

1. The Size. Give a minimum of six feet deep, or room for a conversation (or a porch swing).
2. The Cover. Too tall and it is a monument. Keep the roof lower without being cramped. The guests should begin to feel “inside” on the porch.
3. The Door. Take your time and select one that matches both your house’s language, and your personality. This is your home’s first impression, and frequently the only part of the house a visitor will touch.
4. The First Step In. Good foyers filter visual access and preserve the layers of intimacy in your home. It allows you to invite people in at whatever level you are comfortable.
5. The Details. Guests are within inches of your home here, and the details matter. Does the latch stick? Is the brass on the knob peeling? Is the porchlight burnt out? These things have become invisible to you, but a guest sees them right away.