I would put a console table on the wall across from the bench with a lamp and some accessories. I would also put a nice mirror over the console table. I like the bench, maybe put some nice pillows for a pop of color and larger piece of artwork above the bench. Also this looks like a nice entryway for an area rug.

I would put a 3 x 5 rug in front of the door. Then in place of the bench a nice console table, lamp and mirror! Good luck!

We agree to add a nice thin table that slides right up against the opposite wall from the bench. Rugs are always warm and welcoming, a bright color and pattern would give a nice pop to the entrance. Baskets could easily be slid underneath the bench creating extra storage space for shoes, hats/gloves, dog leash, while also looking contemporary. If that space is used mainly for guests, maybe a coat rack or a place to store their bags would be helpful!

I would try a shallow console with mirror or artwork above it. If space allows try a pair of small stools, a single bench or sculpture below the shallow console.

@decoenthusiaste. Thanks for the rule(s) of thumb. Very helpful!

That is too general for everyone. Some are much taller than others. Art, and mirrors for that matter, need to be hung at eye level. Consequently, art you view when in a sitting area is hung lower than in a hall or entry that you walk through.

This is quite a dark space, so I suggest a light chest or table with light colored trunks under for hidden storage on the right and a light colored rug to brighten that dark expanse of flooring. Choose similar colors in rug and art. Place a pair of matching 3 way, silver or color from rug/art, lamps with beautiful wide colored or silver bowl or tray between to catch outgoing mail, keys, phones and maybe something that tells something about you - a golf ball, knitting needles, art brush, camera, etc. Hang a large mirror above to reflect natural and artificial light.

Hang a bright water color painting/print framed with glass (also a subtle way to reflect light) above bench. Both frames of wood painted white or shiny silver. Add 2 small pillows, of colors from rug and art, to bench.

There are beautiful contemporary coat trees now. You might like one next to the bench for another variation in height and for your guests' coats, hats and bags. Welcome home.

Rules are made to be broken, but it is good to have a basic guideline which works in most cases. The major problem most people have with hanging items at "eye level" is that it depends on the eye level of the person hanging the piece. Seems many men think eye level means where they're looking when they hammer in the nail, and that usually means they're hung too high. Eye level when seated can actually be too low when you stand up, so a simple average standard works for most applications, and can be adapted to your specific needs and items to be hung.

My only hesitation with adding a console table is because I already have one in this other space. I was planning on doing a gallery wall with family pictures, unless someone has any better ideas? Or maybe I should move that table all together and do something different? Thanks again for all the suggestions!

@vickie daelley

I would add a floating shelf with a bench slid under on one side, an area runner and an oversized mirror leaning on the opposite wall/floor. nice artwork over floating shelf to reflect in mirror

you just need some art, and to lower the art that is over the bench, try that piece over the console table. or get to large prints for that wall. i have to say im not a fan of the light fixture. what a bout a long runner to bring some more color to the party too. put a door stop so the door doesnt hit the wall. i can see bringing in some white to lighten things up , maybe a mirror.

If you live in an area that gets snow, consider a space for guests to leave boots, and then a place where they can sit to change back into their boots. Maybe you can have a winter design and a warm weather design??? Very nice entry area.

I would put a more dramatic foyer light, a rug/runner, a slender console with mirror on top, identical lamps and I agree what the others said; a bigger art above the bench.

I agree that your entry way would look welcoming and elegant with a stunning pendant light reflected in a mirror over a console table or floating shelf and a cheerful rug all from IKEA.
A larger painting hung lower over the bench would complete the picture. To try it all out perhaps you could use existing items that you already have in the house? Hope this is all helpful. Great advice everyone!

Monica....I can't believe how similar our front hall areas are!! I love the flooring...very rich looking! However you have LOTS more area than I do, so this is what I would do with the space.....

Yes, you definitely need a different light...something much more "substantial" for the area...not small and dainty....perhaps a stunning chandelier? Check out Lowe's for some reasonable but gorgeous ones!! (( my hall previously had a small, flush, ceiling fixture...I added a chandelier I had used over a previous dining room table, and switched out the lampshades to black ones with gold lining to coordinate with rest of décor ))

I WOULD move the console table down to wall across from the bench, as it appears there is already an outlet on that wall for a lamp for the table.....(( if there is an outlet on wall where bench is, I would switch them around so console table is seen first when door is opened, not the bench )......definitely put a large mirror with wood frame to match console table, over the table, which will reflect any natural light and also light from lamp or chandelier. (( I am blessed with tons of indirect lighting in that same area, so I use my table for plants....I have a small secretary desk with lamp and mirror above on opposite wall, and my bench holds baskets which I use for my recycling as kitchen is just off the front hall ))

It "appears" that as you enter the front door, the room off to the right is the dining room??? I think that's a high chair in the corner of the picture...LOL....taking my cue from that, the wall where you presently have your console table could accommodate a much larger piece of furniture....like a hutch!! Your hall is very wide so this would not "overwhelm" the area and should present no problem walking past it....

These are just my random thoughts as I would do the area...GOOD LUCK!!

Maybe a piece of artwork? A water wall will not take up any room and is a creative way to greet guests as they come in. See more http://www.luxewaterwalls.com/

I love this space! Here is what I envision: I gorgeous medium size chandelier so it could reflect the light onto the walls and sparkle at same time against the wall. Add a mirror console, with decorations on top of your favourite cloud. Be bold and go with a fuscia or a teal. Above that, have a fancy mirror to reflect the light of the chandelier and make the entrance way appear larger. On opposite wall, add some framed photos. Beside the console on floor, add a coloured case or statue and finish of with a light coloured floor mat to match the decorations on top of the console. Good luck and post photos of "after"

I would love the console opposite the bench IF you have enough room. It looks like you only have a couple feet on each side of the door, so the console and bench would leave only 3' in between - not very comfortable when people are taking off coats, boots, etc. If you're not sure you have enough space, you don't. Space is luxurious if it's properly decorated!

If you don't have room for both, I would vote for the console table with a wooden chair next to it and a coat rack in the corner behind the door. Agree with the mirror and artwork comments re the console table.

Re a chandelier. Unless you have high ceilings or short friends, you're not going to get a chandelier to work in an entry way. With a standard 8' ceiling, you have maybe 6" before you start feeling like you need to duck. You can find interesting lights that are flatter to the ceiling. You're not going to be reading novels there anyway.

You might consider a runner vs a 3x5 rug for the space. It will lead people out of the entry and into the rest of the house rather than defining the space - people will tend to stay there which can clog up a party.

On the wall where the console currently lives you could put a more substantial piece, like a dresser or a secretary (desk with hutch, both close and hide all your paperwork mess).

Great advice. I agree re the lighting. About the height of the present one gives you plenty of scope. The right runner / rug, mirror, console table (with storage or a floating shelf), a couple of paintings, fresh flowers and the entryway will be transformed. The bench and the console table are not directly opposite each other and the entryway widens at the area where the console table is. I have just visited Port and Manor who have some beautiful narrow console tables in any finish you choose for amazingly low prices to the public. Worth a look!

Hi Monica! We suggest flipping the location of your bench and console table. Your idea of a gallery wall will still look fabulous on that wall above the bench. As others have suggested, a more substantial light fixture would go a long way for lighting this area as well as adding a table lamp to the console table. A large mirror, as others have suggested, or a nice piece of art would do well above the console table. Adding a rug to this area would give it a pulled together finished look!

Floating shelves

New light fixture

Thank you for all the help! I'll be sure to post after pictures!

A bit of color never hurts.

I don't know the measurements of your foyer but I would place a larger square or rectangle rug (5x7, 4x6,) with 4" of space all around and only to the doorway. That way it will appear as a separate room and make it look like a grand foyer. The runner is too small.

1. Brighten the space with lighter paint color
2. Add console/entry table
3. Add table lamp to console
4. Bring in some sort of greenery to liven the space
5. Add an area rug with color.
6. Choose either a suitably sized mirror (48" x 30")? or large scale art piece to hang above the console.
7. Add other art pieces on the other wall.

I love your hallway, I wish I had your problem. I am a fan of beautiful area rugs and lots of artwork, in this case at least one good sized pieces of art on the wall where your console is currently.

Hello, I have got an idea for your wall decor first :
with New York photographs half in black and white, and half in sepia color,
For the second idea with flowers in black and white. If you have any questions or others suggestions tell me know.

You can check out my work at : http://www.photoforwall.com

How about an antique church pew with baskets? Some sconces and some art over it? I would also consider a lighter color although perhaps the sconces would help with lighting. It looks dark. I think some pillows on the pew for texture and pattern would warm it up. It is a really nice space.

bright chandelier, round table centers at the confluence of the the doorways and hall that extends farther back large mirrors on either side of the hall at the front door. Mirrors bounce light in a dark space, round smoothes out hard edges and reduces cluttered walls

the possibilities are endless but for my foyer I added a couple matching chairs to the table and some bling on the wall :)

You have a beautiful foyer. I would add a mirror and a rug. Do people use the bench when they come in? It would crowd the space to add a console table unless you took out the bench. You need space for people to come in while you hold the door for them. You could add a beautiful umbrella stand in the corner for a little height. Maybe switch the console table and the bench and then add your gallery wall above the bench. You have a beautiful blank canvas to work with! Take your time and enjoy it.

The very first thing is it needs a nice, thick rug. It seems dark, is there enough lighting?

I think that the area needs something with character.
Possibly something antique or vintage.
Currently it looks too generic.
It needs light and personality.

I found a very narrow rustic antique table for my daughter's entry at an estate sale for $20.
It fits the space, has character and is unique.
She found a mirror to go over it and a lamp, both vintage.
A few personal things and you have a style that is your very own.
It looks like where the console table is now might be a good space for a desk or a display piece, maybe a china cabinet or a vitrine.
Maybe a telephone bench or something.
As dear as space is in our homes none should be wasted.
Put that space to work and make it reflect your personality.

Since you already have a console table why don't you move that one into the foyer and see how it looks? You can post a picture with the results. If you like it then you can put either a large piece of artwork where the console used to be or a large piece of furniture. Also, I'm not sure from the photos, but I would put the console table on the wall that the front door opens up towards. Mirror over console; a lamp on the console or sconces next to mirror; you have throw pillows on bench but I would change one to a lumbar style for interest; basket under bench for visitors shoes, etc.; large art over bench to be relfected in mirror. Don't forget to post "after" pics!

Hi Monica, I'm just a reader not a pro! I think all what you have is more than enough!light and simple.. It's just the shades an colours of the walls that feel too dark and sombre..If this was my entrance would freshen it up with light airy colour!some fresh flowers

Regarding your question of how to keep the front door from hitting anything - like the nice bench or table or whatever you decide to place on the wall behind the door - when it swings in, I recommend buying a simple door stopper that attaches to the hinges. I have one in my home to keep the door from hitting the bench in my entry room, and it works great. I imagine most hardware stores would carry them. They look something like this: http://www.zoro.com/i/G0878787/?utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google_Shopping_Feed&gclid=CjwKEAjw5ZKiBRDhqa-Yjcml9kYSJABia-RnUCEZ9ikbEAPI6jR85j5vOsvTdiiFPhCsposeHvY6LxoCMffw_wcB. I'm sure they're available in other finishes if your door hardware is not bright brass like the stopper pictured.

I will put a console table with a nice lamp and some accessories ( a tray to put the keys, nice figure, a vase with fresh flowers) on top of the table a mirror. If your budget allows it, change the light fixture for a more dramatic chandelier. where the bench is located, hang a big and nice picture and some colors pillows on the bench and you will have a nice and cozy entrance to your home.

Maybe a photo collage over existing console, and a large standing mirror on the wall across from the bench. Also a large piece of artwork over the bench.

You have a beautiful space! The floor and walls are really elegant. Maybe bring in some rich jewel tones when you choose art or pillows, or when placing fun objects.

I would add tasteful but unusual antiques. They can be from an era, for a function or pure eclectic. There is something otherworldly (in a nice way) about something from another time. Plus as they gather dust they also gain in value. Shopping antiques is fun too.
I tend to like midcentury modern personally but I also like to have an area that just takes you back, opens you to new/old possibilities and genuinely interesting.

Plus, serendipity can rule, if you like, you do not have figure it out and can have fun shopping with family or best friends.

I have found a theme emerges on its own.

I like what you have so far. Looks good!

How about adding more art work above the bench. Looks like what you have now is a. It too small...add more of the same size, or else something bigger.

You could also add large artwork on the parallel wall or else an interesting mirror. I actually like the console where you already have it.

One thing you could do to really elevate the space, is to add more dramatic lighting. This will really change up the space.

Good luck, and I can't wait to see the end result!


- Janis, GKB

My recommendations for the space is to place an area rug center to the door, also add a piece of art work above the bench, then I would move the console table over opposite the bench wall and place wicker baskets under for storage. Above the console table you can place a decorative mirror, also to add more character try adding either an umbrella holder or coat rack. For the wall where you moved the console table from I would suggest to add a large piece of art or placing a shelving unit. Hope this helps!

Sorry my pictures did not upload

A few more

Runners - aren't they supposed to be as wide as an average front door, or not? You might not people wiping feet on wool as when I tried that it just got soppy... but maybe one by console?

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I would a larger piece of art work above your bench - the one you have is too small and gets lost in the wall. I would then add a floor length mirror to the opposite wall. You need a rug with a low pile - I would pull colour from your bench.