Welcome, my dear readers, to my latest blog post on styling an entry! As an interior designer, I’ve seen the importance of making a good first impression. The entryway is the first space your guests will see, so it’s important to make it beautiful and welcoming. Today, I’m going to share some tips on how to style your entry to create a beautiful and inviting space. Just remember that your entry sets the tone for the entire home so make sure it matches the style of the rest of your spaces.
First things first, choose a grounding piece of furniture. This can be a round table, a console or even a bench. Whichever piece you decide, it should match the overall design aesthetic of your home. For a modern home, go for a sleek and minimalistic design. One of my favorites is a vintage piece because vintage can often be utilized in almost any style of home depending on what its paired with (we LOVE vintage for its versatility). If you have a lot of space in your entryway, you can go for a larger console table, or if you have a smaller space, choose a smaller piece that won’t overpower the area. Here we are going to look at my entry and take a deep dive into each design decision.
In my entry I utilized a furniture piece that I have had for years. It offers ample storage and can be used in several different ways. When buying a large piece of furniture it’s always a bit of an investment simply because of its scale. I make sure I can think of at least 3 different ways it can be utilized to ensure its longevity through versatility. For this console, it could work as an entry console as it is here, a media console, or a buffet in a formal dining area. This gives me confidence that I can still use it as I change the spaces throughout my home or even move from house to house. When spending money on your home it’s important to do it wisely and this rule of 3 is a great way to think through your decisions.
After you have chosen your grounding piece, in this case a large console, create a focal point by adding some art or a mirror above. A beautiful piece of artwork can introduce your color palette and establish personality to your entryway, while a mirror can make the space feel larger and brighter. A mirror also has the added benefit of providing a spot for your guests to check their appearance before they leave your home. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s the right size for the console and the space above it. As a designer I use a variety of tools to ensure all pieces are of the proper scale. Honestly, some of it is experience and my “guess” is typically pretty spot on, but I will also draw things out in CAD or use painters tape and cardboard to physically stand in the space and get a feel for scale and pathways for furniture (I often do both). I ordered this particular art piece custom from Heirloom Printshop on Etsy. Because it is a custom size it is non-returnable so to ensure accuracy I cut cardboard to size and hung it in place of the artwork to make certain it was scaled properly before I placed my order. Design is not cheap so ALWAYS double check every detail—even the smallest. This vintage painting depicts a moody beach scene and fits the color palette of the rest of the space.
- When styling a round table in an open entry, my focal piece is typically a large vase with tall greens. This creates a lot of presence and draws the eye. Once you have your vase selected it’s just a matter of finding supporting pieces of various sizes, heights and textures.
Now that we have our focal point, it’s time to add some practical items to the console. The key is to strike a balance between function and aesthetics. Start with your large, foundational pieces. In a traditional setting it’s common to place a pair of matching lamps. Lamps are great because they offer an easily accessible way to get light while walking in the door. Our eyes crave symmetry and utilizing matching lamps is never a bad idea. For me, I sometimes like a little bit of asymmetry. The key to using asymmetry is to pay careful attention to balance. I have been in love with the lamp I used here for years and I’m pretty sure my husband hates it, but I don’t care.
The scale is HUGE, but it makes sense for this space. The console itself is quite large, and it sits in front of a large window. A smaller lamp would not have the same gravitas and would feel “off”. An important part of good design is knowing how to properly fill a space and more times than not people go too small. To balance this behemoth of a lamp, I paired a large vase in a contrasting texture (shiny lamp vs. matte vase) and a slightly smaller vase of a similar hue and rough, earthy texture. By combining textures it keeps the vignette interesting and introduces an element of coziness. Adding the large greens gives this grouping the same visual weight as the lamp. Plus, adding a touch of nature brings a sense of calm to the space.
After selecting your large pieces, it’s time to move on to decorative objects. You want the console to be both beautiful and practical. For example, you could add a decorative bowl or tray to hold keys and other small items that tend to accumulate in an entryway. I always love a basket and it’s a great place for keys, mail, etc. Coffee table books are easily one of my favorite decor pieces because they add personality, plus I actually read and enjoy mine! They can be placed under an object to add height, they can help ground a grouping or they can be utilized to introduce color. So versatile!
Another option is to add objects such as links, sculptures or candles to the console. These items can add texture and depth to the space. These really are essential objects because they help you achieve different heights in a vignette. Having these varying heights keeps the eye moving and keeps things interesting while maintaining a relationship between the short and tall objects without disconnect. A candle is great to welcome guests with a pleasant scent. I have dogs and almost always have a candle burning. When adding decorative objects, be careful not to clutter the console with too many small objects as it can make the space feel chaotic and overwhelming. If you have several small objects try grouping them on those coffee table books we talked about or placing them on a tray. Just keep in mind that sometimes the best practice in design is editing and knowing when to remove something.
Last but not least, consider adding a rug or a runner to the space. A rug can anchor the console in the space and add some warmth and texture to the area. Protecting your floors and your guests is of utmost importance and a rug can help protect your floors from debris and your guests from slippery falls when it rains. If you have a larger entryway, consider going for a larger rug that can also provide some comfort for your guests as they enter your home. For a smaller space, a runner can do the trick and create a focal point for the console. As far as type of rug, I love a good vintage rug that helps hide traffic, or an indoor outdoor rug that can be taken outside and cleaned with a hose.
Have you taken the time to style your entry? If you use any of these tips, we would love to see. Tag us on instagram!
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