Front double door - which door should be active?

5 years ago

I'd love to hear some other perspectives on this decision we need to make today!
At first thought, it seemed an easy decision to make the left door active, leaving things wide open to into the dining room. I'd like a little bench and hooks on the wall on that left side, but there's still plenty of room for that beyond the door's swing.
But now we think we're going to need to put our piano on that left wall, at the end of the entry. There's still room for a small bench and hooks between the piano and door, but there's only room for the bench if the right door is active. But will that feel cramped and unwelcoming?
Do I need to go with a left active door and just give up either the bench or piano?
The only other place for the piano is moving it into the school/flex room through those double doors on the left of entry, which isn't ideal. But that could work if the other plan is less tolerable! 🙂
Thoughts?

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Comments (14)

anj_p
5 years ago
I think a piano in an entry is a bad idea (being a pianist myself). I would hate to play the piano in the foyer, and I think it would be an odd thing to walk right into when you enter someone's house. I assume you already framed all this out - but if not, consider incorporating the piano into your design (see the piano nook in the sitting room below):

If it's too late for creating a space for it, I would put it in the flex room.

I'm also not a fan of double front doors for this exact reason (one door is always unused). If you are stuck with it, I would keep the right door fixed.
Jessica thanked anj_p
Lyn Nielson
5 years ago
I agree the the piano should not be in the foyer area. It needs a proper room for acoustics.

The bench and hooks should be convenient upon entering, whatever you decide.
Jessica thanked Lyn Nielson
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millworkman
5 years ago
Typical natural reaction approaching the house is to reach for the knob or handle for the right door.
Jessica thanked millworkman
Jessica
Original Author
5 years ago
Good thoughts, thank you!
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
5 years ago
"Typical natural reaction approaching the house is to reach for the knob or handle for the right door."

I usually reach for the wrong door.
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
5 years ago
Have you considered a single door?
Jessica thanked Mark Bischak, Architect
strategery
5 years ago
Both doors should be inactive, then demolished and replaced with a proper large single.
chispa
5 years ago
Another vote for single door with 2 sidelights.
Jessica thanked chispa
Caroline Hamilton
5 years ago
With our double doors the right one is active. I have used our double doors countless times over the years. They are very useful for moving furniture and appliances and the only 'straight shot' wide entry out of our home.
Jessica thanked Caroline Hamilton
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
5 years ago
"With our double doors the right one is active."

"Right" from the inside or "Right" from the outside?
Jessica
Original Author
5 years ago
@strategery, @Mark Bischak, Architect, @chispa, thanks for the single door suggestion! We did consider that, but we like that we can open both doors to move large items through and love the look of the double door. @strategery, both the active and inactive doors are each 3 feet wide, which feels plenty big for us. :)
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
5 years ago
42" wide single door.
Caroline Hamilton
5 years ago
Right from the outside. And with the doors open I have a 64" wide opening. 42" would not be enough.
strategery
5 years ago
@Jessica, 99.9% of the time you will be using a single 36" wide front entry door, which is small for humans.