Floor change suggestions also please

Wow lots of possibilities. I love wallpaper in a vestibule like that. I actually like the current tile but a rug would be nice. You need a larger bench and center it on the wall. I like the windows open so I wouldnt spend money on roman shades necessarily. New paint and light fixture. It all depends on your style and also what your adjoining foyer looks like.

One leads to the kids floor (that carpet is coming out and being replaced with wood), the other leads to the formal living room.
Wall paper just on the wall where the bench will be?
Rug - any suggestions of what kind? Long runner kind?

What direction do you want to go with the light? So many options. As for the rug, I suggest either a solid color or an abstract or smaller pattern to go over your tile. Right now the two patterns are conflicting since they are very similar in size and design.

Even though it must function as a bit of a mudroom, the entry should serve to introduce you, your style and the expectation for the adjoining rooms. So, any bench and light fixture you choose should relate to the overall style of your home. Personally, I would match the entry flooring to the new stairs and the room downstairs. The honeycomb pattern and the gray/blue color are not working with your warm woods and wall color, and the whole area looks quite choppy.

Light - something hanging down like the one now but just a more updated style unless there is a way to make that look updated. It just looks so worn out and old.
Size of rug? Like a door mat size or more to cover a good size of the tiled area?

Carol - I like that yellow rug because I want some color there

Decoenthusiaste - The door, I can paint a different color. The stairs are going to be similar to the wood floors going to the living room. So with more brown coming in from the stairs, should I do a darker or lighter color on the door?

I like the idea of a wallmounted console for a bit of storage and a natural spot for a mirror above. I would consider trying to combine a seat with storage below plus a wall console on the wall opposite the door. Maybe a corner bench, starting where your baseboard heater ends. Similar idea to the last photo, but a sleeker more contemporary style like the 4th photo.

I don't mind the floor at all, hexagon is in. The wall color seems to clash though. Are you willing to paint out the trim to a fresher lighter colour?

Bette - so the bench would be under the Windows? I am totally open to changing any color on the trim. Etc. the only issue with changing the paint color on the wall now is that it flows/goes to multiple rooms so I won't be able to do the big paint job now.

How about bench that matches your trim? If you want to "L" it around to be partly under the windows, a cantilevered style would not interfere with the baseboard heat. I like your trim as it is. If you need room to store shoes, use a lidded bench.

What are your storage needs/wishes for this space?

I was going to suggest that you pair your bench with a taller piece that could double as an entry table (place to drop keys and mail, say) and storage for either shoes or mittens and the like. Hang a mirror or a nice painting over it to make the space welcoming.

I like the table idea but somehow also need a bench to sit on. We still have little kids and older parents who need to sit to put their shoes on/off. I like the L bench idea actually so that corner space will be used up. Storage wise maybe just some way to store a couple pairs of shoes. Like we usually have two pairs of flip flops there when we run out for a min to pick up mail and such. Maybe a couple of hooks but not mandatory. We have a nice size coat/shoe closet right before the living room so I can use that. Any rug suggestions, size wise I mean. It does get quite dirty especially with all the snow/salt.

I would find a washable rug as big as you can get. So, start searching for washable rugs, then pick the biggest one available. And by washable, I mean you can throw it in the machine. I have one in my sun room (which is the way our dogs come and go) and it catches lots of mud and grass, but washes up great.

Carol - the space that I can put a rug on (without hitting the baseboard, stair wall etc. is 8 ft, 2 inches by 4 ft, 10 inches.
I am seeing 4x6 or 3x5 size rugs, will that look ok, so tile will show around all sides
I am looking for the machine washable kind, found this under that category but have to confirm if it is machine washable. This type of design ok?

Betty, that looks great. Do you have another rug by the door or just the round one?

The rug you posted looks very cool. Do the colors tie in with your walls (hard to tell on screens). Looks kind of big to be really machine washable. I only suggested the washable since you mentioned kids and mud. I just hate having to spot clean a rug that is needed to catch dirt so it doesn't come into the house!

I agree Carol, that wouldn't be easy to wash. Would a runner style rug look weird? Wide as the door and go straight down to where the bench is now?

Give it a shot/ You may like it and you may not. I have a 2x3 rug at my back door that is just about the right size.

I meant to say mine is 3x4.

I think a wooden bench the full length of the wall opposite the door with sliding doors to place the shoes, flip flops, etc. Such as in the 4th photo that Bette P. posted. Add a rubber backed washable rug that will sit inside the door in a plain color. Have it go the full width of the door & sidelights.

Add a round mirror at about the height of an adult to check themselves as leaving or coming in. Add decorative hooks mounted on a piece of wood to go at both sides of the mirror. Leave enough room between the hooks & the mirror so when coats are hung it doesn't look crowded. Replace the hanging light in the entry to a more updated one. Leave the windows bare for the light it gives you.

A simple jute rug would work.

Flor makes great 2 x 2 carpet squares that come in myriad colors and can be removed at will and washed and then replaced where they were.

You need to make a decision on what you will be buying FIRST to determine the design. Then add things you need that support your design goal. Country, MCM, Transitional, Traditional, Contemporary. I should all fall into place but you need to decide the design theme so you can know what exact item to buy.

Betty Wasserman shows a mcm bench, rug, wall color, and organic clean lined mirror.....they all look 'modern'. What ever you choose you have to start somewhere and you will find what comes next.

I just looked at flor tiles and absolutely love it.

If your stairs are going to be wood and the other room is as well, and since you see all 3 areas as you enter, I would match the foyer. I have a large natural fiber rug in my entryway and because it's woven with darker threads, marks are not easily seen (have one in my kitchen as well). Deciding on the décor is personal, but I agree some type of bench is important. Storage would also be my priority and adding some roman blinds will really warm up the space. If you look at Houzz photos of Front Foyers with storage, there are lots of great ideas in this regard, but also for lighting, styles, etc.

Maureen, like the color of a sisal rug?
I found this too.

That would work well in that you can change out any squares if needed and it feels modern, rustic and warm. It would also save your wood floor underneath if you are heading in that direction. You may want to define the style of the room/furniture, etc. first as you may decide to with color coordinated tiles.

Abstract art might be an option, please check out my work. http://www.houzz.com/projects/1193942/abstract-art