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lisette_s

entryway design ideas before

11 months ago

I’m about to complete the redesign of my entryway. I had some custom cabinets made for coats, shoes, boots, and accessories. I’d like to install a console table with a mirror and seating in an area that is about 40 inches wide.
Before I do something I don’t like can anybody give me advice on what colours I should go with? Should I match the red oak floor or the marble floor? I also have the white cabinetry to consider.

Comments (15)

  • 11 months ago

    Hi lisette_s!

    This might be a long read, I had a few ideas!

    GREAT CABINETS!

    Your color palette can go anywhere but true purple — the clash with red would be outstanding, and not in a good way!

    Are you familiar with the color named Livid? It’s grey-blue, sometimes called French Blue in the US, and it creates a fresh color wash near reds. Blues are beautiful near-neutrals as well — on walls or upholstery near any wood, they bring out golden or red tones without too high a contrast. High contrast can make things pop, and looks very clean, but can be a little much in an entryway (so sorry Dorothy Draper, wish every edifice were the Ritz!) Truly, any color but purple will work!

    My preference would be for a slim bench as well, but the finish is entirely up to you! Red tones tie in with the floor, while iron/metal finishes are often paired with marble flooring.

    My preference might be along the following lines:

    -Mirror, sconces, and plant stand/corner shelf in metal finish (if shelf, cabinet/wall intersection, height should be the as tall as the top stair)

    -Stand in matching metal on the landing — -Bench similar to those posted by freedomplace, red tone in the wood finish. -Hanging light fixture as well?

    -Umbrella stand, right over the heat vent?

    -If painting the walls a color, your upholstery remains a white tone.

    -Leaving walls Taupe? Then choose a color for your upholstery, and paint the stair vertical slat boards the same. Include this color on the plant stand as well in pottery or frames.

    -Painting or photo gallery, even a chalkboard if this is a less formal look, opposite the mirror!

    Sounds like a lot of stuff snd more shopping? it is! Worth the trouble! The entrance to your home is important, and with your cabinets, fantastic head start!

    Whatever you decide, trust what love most, and have a wonderful design adventure!

    ❤️











  • PRO
    11 months ago

    You can't put much there. The door swings to that 40" space. Hang a mirror with a shallow shelf, Paint the hallway a color, include the back of that door. Hang some art. Buy a nice entry rug!

    Most important? Ask the custom builder why he crossed the line at the hardwood/marble meet and didn't confine the cabinets to the hardwood?



  • 11 months ago

    Thank you all for your valuable feedback. I will incorporate it as I wrap up this area.

    Jan, I wanted the cabinet line to end at the marble line. However, the wall at the other end was crooked, and the cabinet installer had to use a filler in order to set the cabinets properly. It really wasn’t his fault because it’s an old house and some of the walls are not perfectly straight. I hate it too, but there was nothing I could do.

  • 11 months ago

    What ever you decide, go with a metal that coordinates with the cabinet hardware.

    A silver mirror and floating shelf?

    An area rug will pull it all together. Marble is very slippery when wet.

  • 11 months ago

    Are you framing the top of cabinets in at top with the crown?

  • 11 months ago

    Good idea KW!

  • 11 months ago

    Have the cabinet maker continue on with a wainscoting. The bare wall is too much of a shock next to the beautiful cabinets. The add some wallpaper and a skinny console and mirror.



  • 11 months ago

    Yes, we are framing the tops of the cabinets.

  • PRO
    11 months ago
    last modified: 11 months ago



    I realize you aren't holding his feet to fire. But He needed to PRETEND that the break in flooring materials was a fixed WALL. Doing so would have dictated filler in any scenario,ala pretending it was simply a niche, not unlike a vanity in a niche, or a coffee bar in your Kitchen contained between two walls.

    I'd extend the hardwood, lose the marble entirely and add a good mat. You need that in any scenario.

    As to any wall treatment such as wainscoting? It needs to suit the more modern flavor door, already a bit out of sync with crown molding and more traditional cabinetry. Abetter idea might be to have him make a bench to butt to the cabinet, same material and white. Paint the walls, add art.

    In other words? Clarify the feel you want. What's the flavor in the rest of the house?

    Decide that "flavor" so it's cohesive and consider your style in the rest of the house. Entries are an announcement of "what is beyond"

    Basically? As it stands right now, there is both too much and too little going on: )

  • 11 months ago

    Perhaps you could have a corner seat built at the end. Just an idea.

  • PRO
    11 months ago

    There is no place for seating I have no idea why the cabinets were done before the floor . I assume this is an apartment entry not a main entry in a house . Imo right now do the floors to match the wood a really shallow shelf to anchor a large piece of art and be done. I see even with the cabinets someone does not put their shoes away.I hope the crown is going to go above the cabinets and no wainscoting unless you have it everyhere in the place . If you have to have a mirror then above the shallow shelf . Anything sticking out past the side light will not work

  • 11 months ago

    Some ideas:


    --Due to front door swing, you can't really put a bench on either side. But you could place an interesting seat against the side of your cabinet.


    Or tuck one under a very slim wall shelf. Put a colorful art work across from the mirror to add some color to the entry. It will also be reflected in the mirror.

    Brooklyn Heights · More Info



    --You only have room for a very slim console table for the wall.


    --Get a a beautiful indoor-outdoor square entryway rug in white, brown, and one other color. While it's a shame to cover up the marble entry floor, a rug would solve the problem of the mismatched flooring.

    Oriental Weavers Hampton Grey/Gold Geometric Indoor/Outdoor Rug 3'3"X5' · More Info

    --paint the inside of your interior door one of the colors of whatever rug you choose.





    Edisto Drive · More Info


  • 11 months ago

    Great inspiration. Thank you

  • PRO
    11 months ago

    Great inspiration , with OPPOSITE door swing from what you have: )