In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes receiving a large frame area (LFAREA) request, including a request for a plurality of page frame table entries (PFTEs) to back a plurality of frames in an LFAREA of main memory. Each of the plurality of frames has one of a first size and a second size, where the second size is larger than the first size. The method further includes counting how many frames in the main memory have yet to be initialized and have one of the first size and the second size. A size needed for the plurality of PFTEs is calculated, based at least in part on the counting. A storage area is reserved for the plurality of PFTEs, by a computer processor, where a size of the storage area is the size calculated based at least in part on the counting.