foyer
First room inside
A foyer is the entrance area of a building—the space you step into before reaching the main rooms.
In homes, it's the entryway where guests are greeted and coats are hung.
In theaters and hotels, it's the lobby where people gather before and after performances or while waiting to check in: We met in the foyer during intermission.
Enclosed space between doors
- atriumRoofed central hall
- antechamberEntry room before main
- rotundaCircular domed chamber
- porticoColumned covered entryway
narthex · colonnade · arcade · loggia · mezzanine · cornice · molding · pilaster
Point of access
- hallwayInterior connecting passage
- doorwayPassage into a room
- corridorEnclosed connecting walkway
- portalImposing entrance or gate
threshold · vestibule · passageway · ingress · coat closet · umbrella stand · shoe rack · welcome mat
Entryway or influence-seeking
- receptionAct of receiving guests
- conciergeGuest services attendant
- bellhopHotel luggage attendant
- check-inRegistering one's presence
front desk · waiting area · luggage · elevator · directory · intercom · seating · visitors
Generous treatment of guests
- greetingExpression of welcome
- warmthHeat you feel
- receptionAct of receiving guests
- first impressionInstant assessment of someone
guest · arrival · threshold · invitation · host · visitor · cordiality · graciousness
Entryway or influence-seeking
- intermissionScheduled performance pause
- playbillTheater performance listing
- ticketEntry permit slip
- usherOne who seats guests
coat check · chandelier · grand staircase · box office · refreshments · program · curtain call · premiere
vestibule
Enclosed space between doors
- atriumRoofed central hall
- antechamberEntry room before main
- rotundaCircular domed chamber
portico · narthex · colonnade · arcade · loggia · mezzanine · cornice · molding · pilaster · plinth
entrance
Point of access
portal · threshold · vestibule · passageway · ingress · coat closet · umbrella stand · shoe rack · welcome mat · hat rack
lobby
Entryway or influence-seeking
check-in · front desk · waiting area · luggage · elevator · directory · intercom · seating · visitors · security
hospitality
Generous treatment of guests
first impression · guest · arrival · threshold · invitation · host · visitor · cordiality · graciousness · courtesy
lobby
Entryway or influence-seeking
- intermissionScheduled performance pause
- playbillTheater performance listing
- ticketEntry permit slip
usher · coat check · chandelier · grand staircase · box office · refreshments · program · curtain call · premiere · opening night
- home layoutopen plan, open floor plan, floor plan, split level, great room
- movie theaterscineplex, AMC, screens, auditoriums, lobby
- covered entrancesporch, portico, awning, canopy, vestibule
- opera housestage, auditorium, orchestra pit, balcony, balconies
- synagogueark, bimah, Torah scroll, Torah ark, aron kodesh
- Room typesloft, suite, en suite, double room, single room
foyerexit
Way to leave
back door · back entrance · egress · backdoor · service entrance
foyerinner sanctum
Innermost private place
back room · back of house · living room · interior · main room
- grand foyerImpressive building entrance space