Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Nov. 06, 2019
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	FFWM
Entity Registrant Name	FIRST FOUNDATION INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001413837
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		44,653,847
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	001-36461
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-8639702
Entity Address, Address Line One	18101 Von Karman Avenue
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 700
Entity Address, City or Town	Irvine
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	92612
City Area Code	(949)
Local Phone Number	202-4160
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false