Hi there! Looking at the view into the house, it looks like you have a sort of walk-in coat closet to the right, is that correct? So you could place a storage bench in there since that is where you would put on and take off shoes etc. your hallway looks too narrow for either a bench or console table, so I would hang a large piece of art on the hallway wall and do a long runner made of indoor/outdoor material to make the space more welcoming.

What u mean runner, Karemore? My brain not working.

@karemore55: You are almost correct- there is a coat closet to the right side of the entry way and in addition to coat closet there is a laundry room, cute little powder room and Garage door. So there is really no space to keep a bench... I have attached few pictures from different views towards right side of the entry way.
We(my husband and I) use the garage door most of the time so we drop off our shoes in the garage. But when we have older guests or kids I believe it will be a good idea to have a bench so they could sit and put on the shoes.
I agree with having a runner and a art work or mirror on the wall. Any suggestions on runners?
Also, I have 2 paintings(pics are attached too) that I bought a year back from Ross or Home Goods (can't recollect now) , can these go on the entry way wall.

@Mark: I like your idea too :-)

How wide is the hall? Paris

I like Mark's idea best...think a bench with storage will feel too clunky.

Judging from the door and the side light panel 4 to 5 feet wide? If that is the case as a rule of thumb- 3 feet is the minimum. A narrow console would work nicely. Something with mirrors would cast light from the window and make the space appear larger. Add a painting you love over it and pair it off with tall narrow lamps flanked on each side - add a beautiful runner and tie the colors of it to the adjoining rooms. Paris

I like Mark’s idea. I’m about to do the same in my tiny foyer. You have such high ceilings so I’d take advantage of that. Use a mirror instead of the artwork to make it feel even larger. Add a table lamp on the console for some soft light as well.

I have a console table and a leather ottoman bench that has flip up lid storage. I love the storage ottoman because of the versatility of use for storing kids shoes and backpacks hidden inside (makes for an easy quick clean up when expecting guests) and we also use it for guests to set purses on it and to sit on to put on shoes. A seat by the door is always welcoming to guests. My console table has a lamp so that the space is warm and inviting.

Good morning SweetAdobe,
From the images you posted, I'm struggling to see where you have the space for a bench or a console. Could you please post a picture of where you want them to go? I'm worried you may not have the space. Were you thinking in the hall? If so, how wide is your hall?

Hi chookchook, a runner is a rug meant for a hallway, and is typically about 2.5 X 8' dimensions.

As I suggested earlier, and as mentioned above, I really don't think this hallway can handle a bench or table jutting out as it is only 3' wide. That leaves only 1.5' to skirt around a table and possibly less for a bench.

For best impact, a dramatic light,large pic on the wall and a colorful runner are all you need to say welcome.

Something like this.

How wide is your entrance @sweetadobe ? I think the entrance is at least is 4-5 ft wide. You should be fine with a narrow console such as the one I suggested.

I agree Mark, the area is much wider than 3'. The entry door by code has to be at least 3'. Just by a rough estimate I think that this area is at least 5.5' wide, and that is plenty of room for a narrow console and bench or storage ottoman. Also, I agree with the previous comments that a mirror is nice to have at the front entry rather than a piece of artwork.

Hi adobe rose, just got up and was reading posts out of order (haven't had my coffee yet lol), so I just read your explanation about the closet. Since the DR is on the one side of your hall, could you keep a side chair in the corner of that room that can be used for guests putting on their shoes, as well as pulled up to the table when needed?

For rug ideas, the first two below are Dash & Albert. The indoor/outdoor rug I posted earlier is also by them. Mcheck their website for tons of great choices. The third pic below is Ballard Designs and the fourth is Grandin Road.

I picked these based on your beautiful pic, which would be perfect in that hallway. You know your style and taste better than me, so I'm sure you can fine tune your choices. But I do like the idea of a flat woven rug, or an indoor/outdoor rug. I have one in my entryway and it is so easy to keep clean.

If it is 5.5' wide, then I'd pick a bench for functionality. Pic one is the Martha .stewart bench from home decorators, and pic two is the Threshold settee from Target -'it's 18" deep.

Alright! I am in game but I am back:-)) very useful comments all!! @ karemore, Paris : yes the width of the hallway is 5'5".

I love those benches, karemore55. I'll be checking those out to replace a temporary one I have. You are excellent at sourcing!

Truffle Lover, You would not believe how big my Pinterest boards are lol!

I would agree with Mark. I would go with both. Why choose. Each serves as a functional piece for the space.

What size of Rug should I go with here? 8x10? My entry way area is 5 ft wide

Sweetadobe, If you mean in your entryway, a 2 1/2 X 8' runner would look good. Alternatively, a 3X5 would be the biggest you could use there.

I am so glad I came across this post. Our entryways share a lot of similarities and I have changed mine repeatedly over the last 2 years that we have been in our home. But I have been leaning definitely towards the console/ ottoman ideal. Only because we previously had the bench with shoe compartments and no matter what I did I always felt as though the entry cluttered easily. I would prefer not to see coats or shoes at all. I really would like a runner but I am not sure if it should run the full length of the entry or where it should start and end? I just want to create a "warm" entry!

I have a similar problem. I just posted in a new thread. cant seem to define where the center of the double door entryway wall should be without having my door hit whatever is behind it. help pls

minniss, this is a very old thread. You'd probably get a lot more helpful advice by started a whole new dilemma.