The entryway table is often the first thing you see when you walk in your front door. This space should make you feel like your house welcomes you in with open arms. This area also makes the first impression on guests of your home. You want the space to reflect who you are and what you love.
The location of your entryway table will depend upon the design of the entryway itself and the amount of space available to you. Whether your space is large or small, read on for ways to experiment with these spots first.
1) Beside the Front Door
One of the most common places to put your entryway table is against the wall beside the front door. Notice which side your door opens to. Place your table on the opposite wall. Here the table is in a perfect location for you or your guests to see upon arrival in your home.
If your home is small, you may need to use your entryway as a place to prepare to leave and return. Do you need
- A niche for your keys?
- A place to deposit your mail?
- A spot to take off your shoes?
An entry table beside the front door is the perfect place to satisfy these needs. Place a bowl or basket on the table to hold keys and other small items. Choose a table with drawers that lets you put the items beside the door but allows them to remain unseen. Bins or baskets could be added to hold shoes.
A cabinet-style table might be another option, especially if keeping your space clutter-free. You could consider an old sideboard, an elegant buffet, or a traditional chest. By putting some thought into creative, eye-catching storage, you can keep your space inviting and welcoming but still organized and clutter-free.
2) Against the Stairs
If your entryway faces a set of stairs, the outside wall of the stairwell is a convenient place to put your table. While it may not be directly beside the door, it is usually still close enough to be both a useful location and a welcoming spot. This location has the added benefit of offering an attractive setting as you descend the stairs.
Many entryway tables are simply used for decorative purposes. The goal is to offer a beautiful space that draws the eye and pleases the senses. A graceful table, chosen to complement your taste, decorated with pieces that you love, will brighten the entrance to your home. It will put a smile on your face as you go up and down the stairs.
If the space beside your stairs is small, consider a pedestal table, rather than a full-size entryway table. A pedestal holding a plant or a vase of flowers may still have room for an attractive bowl for your keys. Or it can be a simple spot of beauty holding a favorite vase or small statue.
3) Against a Hallway Wall
When your entryway is very narrow or small, you may consider another wall nearby. Perhaps along a hallway or on the wall of a room just off the entry. This has the benefit of creating the sense of an entryway even when one is not present. Creative alternatives are a must for small entry spaces.
You may consider attaching a narrow shelf to the wall. A thin bookcase might also be perfect as a modified entry table or even wall hooks that could hold keys or a basket for mail. Add a mirror or a painting, and you have created a usable and pleasant entryway space without using an actual table. Place a creative piece of art above it.
Make sure you think about how far out from the wall you want the table to extend. In a smaller space, you will want to look for a narrow table. If you have width in the entryway but not depth, you may consider a small cabinet or chest. The variety is endless, both in upscale furniture stores and antique or thrift stores.
Before you go out shopping for a table, decide where you are going to place it and measure the space. It can be terribly frustrating to fall in love with a table you see in a store, only to get home and realize it does not fit the way you had envisioned. This is especially true in small or narrow spaces.
4) Behind a Piece of Furniture
In many houses, the door opens directly into the main room without any entryway. You can create an entry space with a little creative furniture arrangement. Place a sofa, loveseat, or a couple of chairs facing toward the center of the room. Leave enough space behind the furniture to add a table about the length of the sofa or chairs.
This arrangement does double duty in providing usable space for your entryway, as well as a decorative addition to your living space. Beneath the entryway table is the perfect place to add
- Ottomans
- Stools
- A bench
These seating options can easily be pulled out when family and friends gather for special occasions or when you just want to prop your feet up.
A small coat closet near the door is a common feature in an open room concept. You can magically transform your closet into a discreet entryway by removing the door. Add a small table or classy chest. Hang a painting or mirror above to enhance the welcoming feel of the entryway. It will also be a conversation piece with guests.
A small hutch against the wall of an open living space may look like just another piece of furniture. But it may be the perfect solution, providing a space to stop on the way in or out the door. Most hutches have drawers, lower cabinets, and sometimes built-in shelves. Match the hutch to your decorative style to add character to your room.
5) In the Center of a Large Entryway
If your home has a large entryway or foyer, you might consider placing a round table in the center of the space to serve as an eye-catching focal point. The table and its decor invite you and your guests into your home. In a large space, it also generates a sense of movement or rhythm to the flow of the room.
Depending on the shape of your foyer, you may have room for a small sitting area near your entryway table. Add a chair or loveseat and a lamp to create the perfect spot to make notes on your day as you go in or out. Another option is to add a bench as a spot to sit down and take off your shoes or drop your bags when you come inside.
There is an endless variety of entryway tables for you to choose from. Which one you choose for your space will depend on the style that expresses your personality and what you love in your space. There are so many choices that can make the enterprise overwhelming. You do not need to be in a hurry. Enjoy the process.
6) In Front of a Window
If there is a window in your entryway, you might choose to place your entryway table in front of it. The space beneath a window is valuable space, especially if you live in a small house or apartment. If your window happens to be a long window that comes closer to the floor, you can still pull off putting an open-type table in front of it.
When you place your table in front of a window, the window itself becomes the central point of focus. You will want your table and what you place on it to complement or offset what you see outside the window. If you have a wonderful view, then a long, low table with minimal decor may be the perfect way to highlight that view.
If on the other hand, your window looks out onto a fence or a wall, then you can use the table to bring the focus away from an unpleasant view. Small hanging plants in the window can complement the table decor while adding visual distraction to what is outside.
When you place an entryway table in front of a window, the window decoration also becomes part of your decorating scheme for the table. You may consider sheer curtains, shutters, bamboo shades, or other window treatments. If you are adding a table to an already established home, choose a table that will fit in with the window decor.
How Do You Decorate A Table in A Foyer?
Once you have chosen your table and placed it where you want it, it is time to decide what you want on the table. There are many different ways to decorate a table. Here are some design principles used by professionals that can help.
- Pick a focal point
- Find balance
- Repeat a motif
- Resist clutter
- Decorate under the table
- Make it yours
These tips should help you decorate your table so that it is both functional and beautiful.
Pick a Focal Point
A focal point is the first place your eyes come to rest when you walk in the door and see your entryway table. The focal point may not be on the table itself but on the wall above the table. Consider a framed photograph, a painting, a mirror, or a clock.
Your focal point may be on your table. A special vase that has a height or dramatic color works to attract attention. A lamp or a spray of flowers draws the eye. Whatever you pick will be the dominant theme to guide your choice of other accessories.
If you have a unique collection that you would like to show off, your entryway table could be the perfect place to invite your guests to come to take a closer look. Placing the entire collection on the tabletop may be too much, leading to a cluttered look, but rotating a few pieces is a delightful way to show off your collection.
It is most common to consider what the eye sees when deciding on a focal point for your table, but using your sense of smell can be a creative way of drawing attention to your entryway table. Experiment with scented candles or incense as a way of making the focus of your entryway welcoming.
Find Balance
Designers generally consider balance in terms of whether an arrangement is symmetrical or asymmetrical. You can achieve symmetrical balance by putting the same type of arrangement on both sides of the table. Symmetrical arrangements are often used by people who like a traditional style of decorating.
If you want a lamp on the table, buy two–one for each side. If you use a stack of books on one end, echo that stack on the other end. Choose objects that are similar in height for each end but not necessarily the same object. Use the center portion of the table as filler space that carries the theme established by the anchors on the ends.
Asymmetrical designs give you a bit more freedom but may be more difficult to achieve. Balance is still important, even though it is not created by similar anchors. Asymmetrical balance is more a sense that the weight of one side equals the weight of the other side, even though the objects are dissimilar.
You might use tall, slender objects on one side, like candlesticks or a vase of flower stems. On the other side, use smaller but heavier accessories, like a decorative box, a potted plant, or a few framed photographs. Consider one tall object balanced by three short ones. Choose an odd number of accessories rather than even.
Repeat a Motif
If you use a color in your table decor, repeat it. Complement your green vase with a couple of green books somewhere on your table. If your color palette is more neutral, you can create the same effect by using dark and light accessories. Or you can repeat shapes or textures for a similarly pleasing effect.
Another repeating technique is to use a larger number of objects that gradually increase or decrease in size. This creates movement or visual rhythm for the eye to follow. Another option for a more contemporary look is to choose accessories of all one color. This creates a clean, sleek line on your entryway table.
Resist Clutter
Too many knick-knacks on your table create a cluttered feeling. It is not what you want to see or feel first when you walk inside your house. Clutter affects how you feel.
- It can create stress
- It reduces your energy levels
- It raises cortisol, the stress hormone
If you are not sure whether your entryway table has too much on it, experiment with reducing the number of items. Take away a little at a time. Step back and ask yourself if the result feels more spacious. You may be surprised to find how much you enjoy the open space you create. Clutter does affect your senses.
If you need to declutter, do it with a plan. Do not just move things from one table to another. Be willing to consider packing some things away or even giving them away to a thrift store. Ask yourself if each item you are considering brings you joy or is just something you have kept for sentimental reasons. Less really is more in decorating your table.
Decorate Under the Table
When your entryway table has a lower shelf, you have an additional decorating challenge. You will want to use the space beneath the table in a way that adds beauty and useful value to your entryway space. Attractive baskets or bins can offer storage space. A bench or ottoman can add useful sitting space.
You may also want to consider a very simple arrangement of books or boxes so that you do complement your decor on the surface of the table without feeling cluttered. A single potted plant may be perfect underneath the table, a folded blanket, or a unique collectible.
Make It Yours
If you are not sure about what you love to decorate with, wander through a furniture store and notice what appeals to you. Check out your closet and notice the colors you love to wear. Go to a museum and pay attention to the pieces that make you want to linger. Look at home decorating magazines and experiment on your entryway table.
Your entryway table, no matter where you have decided to put it, need to express your style. It needs to put a smile on your face when you walk in the door. Know what you love when it comes to decorating and use it to create an entryway display that welcomes you into your home.
Decorating your entryway table should be a creative and fun experience that gives you the opportunity to express your personality and a chance to create a welcoming atmosphere for you and your guests to enter your home.