Consider adding a big house plant in a beautiful flower pot and some inviting art on the walls. Set the mood for entering your home. Maybe the mood could be altered for every season or holiday.

When I decorate for the holidays, I have a Christmas tree, nativity scene, and Holiday music in the entry way!

I'd go with fresh or good quality silk flowers with lots of color and a tall mirror on the wall behind them.

nice place for a bench along the stairway, as well.

I think the space will feel cramped with anything on the floor in that corner. I'd stick with artwork or a mirror on the wall. I do like the idea given about a bench along the staircase too!

are you all saying no table?

I meant for the flowers to be on the table that is already there.

These looks cool:



Or get a chic umbrella stand for the corner and hang one or more funky hats above it (couldn't find pic to show you, but like the photo below without the rest of the stuff.

I love the set up of the picture below, I hope it helps!

Well for the holidays a tall narrow tree, or one sitting on a round table.

@Luciana has some great ideas for your entryway! A well placed arm chair next to a small accent table is a great way to freshen up your entryway. Although the depth of yours may be better suited for a bench seat.

I would probably incorporate a potted tree next to a bench seat, possibly a ficus, depending on the light your entryway receives. The potted tree will create some height, giving your hallway some more visual interest, and it's an inexpensive way to create a welcoming feeling. If you have an outlet that would be hidden by the bench seat or pot, I would place one of these in the base of the potted tree for evening use, http://www.affordablequalitylighting.com/outdoor-lighting/underwater-fountain-lights/fountain-1-light-underwater-kit-marykit/. It's better to use waterproof fixtures to illuminate your taller houseplants so you don't have to worry about them when your watering. I'd even set the fixture on a tiny timer so you can always walk into a glowing welcoming home.

Happy decorating @wendi1965, I hope you post the results on the Before After page!

My foyer and staircase are very similar to yours. The narrow width of the wall that you have the table on is so hard to work with. Right now I have a small chest and a mirror with holiday decorations. It's pretty, but nothing has ever felt completely right. I've tried it so many ways. I thought a round table would be the solution but then I was confused as to which wall was the focal point. Any bench I've tried has felt too low for the space with the high ceiling. I don't like a console running along the staircase, something about the stair spindles behind it seems off. Chairs seem to stick out too far into the walking space. I've tried just a mirror or a long mirror backed candelabra. Then it seems empty, like the wall decor is just hanging out on it's own with nothing grounding it. I'm interested to see other's suggestions. It's a tough spot!
You have a pretty house!

The right plant can work wonders!

Stop fighting it. Just add a big palm in a nice ceramic pot, to corner. Too small for anything else.

Add a 5x7 area rug in your accent color a print like a Persian would work in reds. Center.

A low bench with throw pillows, or an upholstered bench, against the staircase would look best. I would leave the wall space open, because even the tallest item you can find will be dwarfed by the ceiling height.

http://houzz.com/photos/2346122

Depending on the space.. You can put a nice console table, a venetian style mirror and stunning sconces on both sides of mirror- will make a wow first impression.

A narrow bench, and narrow vertical artwork as a greeting card to visitors will look simple, elegant and functional. Allow for an even surround in your choice. Examples are for shape, rather than shade:

I would tackle the whole entry way, not just a corner. The entry door is very beautiful and light, but the rug cuts it away from the rest of the space. And what is there at the left when entering?

I would replace the short brown cabinet with a standing grandfather clock. It does not have to be the like old style ones. There are many modern looking ones and some of these are made of lighter colored metals rather than dark wood. The sound of a clock like this adds charm to the whole house as the sound travels each hour. Most of them can be programed to shut off at night and of course there is always the option to turn it off during the day if it gets to be annoying. But visually it will become the focal point of the space without taking up to much room.

Thanks for all the wonderful ideas! The reason I've never been able to find the "right" mirror is because it doesn't sound like a table is the best idea. I like the ideas for a bench and plant, although I do not have green thumb! To the right of the doorway entering the house is a study and to the left is the dining room. I have a 5x7 rug in the entry someone said it cuts it off from the rest of the space. Not sure what that means, it can only go width wise in front of door because the other way it would run into stairway. I really wanted a table with lamp on it but the idea of putting a light in a flower pot is a great idea.

I agree with studio10001, a bench looks like the best idea for you here are a few selections to help you envision it... A wall clock would look nice too check out CB2 wood wall clock.

http://www.westelm.com/search/results.html?N=&cm_sp=OnsiteSearch-_-GlobalNav-_-Button&itemsPerPage=24&page=viewall&sortBy=best&words=Bench

@wendi1965, not the table in your picture. Maybe a different color, and shape, but definitely not the one you've used in the picture.

here is our entry way for the holidays

@meghanalissa I love it! So warm and cozy. Just right for Christmas. You can hide the connection cord by buying a brown one from a hardware store. They usually sell those in different colors. during the holidays.

Also a great location for the christmas tree

the scale of the furniture that you have there is not right for the space

My suggestion would be a small 1/2 round table or a medium height apothecary cabinet with a low light lamp. I can picture a really neat looking wood or upholstered chair- with pillows of course (: !

If the table you have in the corner by the stairs is too big, maybe a small "telephone table" would fit in the corner by the front door such as the photo attached. This could hold a nice flower arrangement or you could put a mirror or artwork above it. A nice chair or bench in the corner by the stairs with a table beside it, too.

That is a really tall wall you have the small table against, so I would swap it out with something tall and narrow. The clock idea was cool, or a tall narrow cabinet with some artwork on top leaning on the wall, maybe with a mirrored door on it. If you do a bench along the staircase wall, then a tall piece of art or collection of art instead of a cabinet or clock would be better. If you need a place to stash keys, you could retrofit the inside of the cabinet door with hooks, etc. You do have a very pretty house, hope you enjoy it.

I think the piece you have in there is too small. Try a piece at least double the width of the one you have, and put it on,the stair railing wall. The top of the piece should not cover the railings. Looking at the height of your current piece, something that tall would fit. Then put a pretty lamp on the left side of the dresser. The wall space there will accommodate a lamp. A fake orchid plant or real plant, and a little knickknack or two will complete the look. Or some framed photos.. Then take your current piece and put it to the left of the front door. It looks like it might fit nicely there. Put a pretty bowl on it to catch keys, and hang a tall narrow mirror or picture on the wall. It's always nice to have a chair or bench somewhere near the door for putting on shoes.

Definitely ditch the little piece that you have there - it's too small to make it's presence known. If you want a more modern look, I would suggest that you mirror the tall thin wall so that it "disappears" and it becomes a great backdrop for a very tall house plant (let's say a nice benjamin fig or maybe a palm tree) in a tall earthenware urn. Definitely underlight the plant - it adds drama and it's nice ambient lighting in the evening. In front of the "stair" wall then, you could place a really interesting bench (long and low) to use when putting on shoes. Another option is to put a framed mirror or an interesting piece of artwork on the tall wall and a long console (almost the length of the "stair" wall and put a tall table lamp to the left with maybe a big healthy fern to the right (that will make the railings less noticeable and maybe some nice framed pictures and candlesticks in between. It could become a nice focal point for seasonal decorating, as well, seeing as it's the first thing you see when you enter your house. You also have the option of replacing the fern with maybe a nice silk flower arrangement or maybe one of those "twiggy" pieces If you go for the console idea, I would still consider adding a bench underneath to be pulled out as necessary.

How about you start the search for a very cool grandfather clock?

A grandfather clock is a great idea too. I did have an antique hall tree there that I was storing for my mother and it did look great there, it fit perfectly! Could anybody do any photo shop of my area with any of the ideas given. There are so many I don't know which I should start shopping for first!! I really appreciate all the ideas!

I think a round table in that small corner instead of the small square or rectangular one would work well. It would fill that area much better. Place a lamp there or a tall arrangement. A runner on the floor would be great. You have a lovely home.

I agree with the round table. I have a similar foyer layout. I originally had a mini "gallery wall" with 3 pieces of art. Houzzers suggested I try a round table....so I pulled from other rooms to create this new vignette for a change.

love the new vignette. It is always amazes me how a few simple changes creates a truly eye-loving place.

stephmal love your before and after! May I ask where the table is from and how high is it?

Thanks lizzyloves and wenwha....the table is approx 28.75 inches tall, diameter of 27.5. It's from Ethan Allen, around 2001.

I was surprised to not see any suggestions for ceiling medallions. Decorative molding can make a huge impact for a small price. http://gustoandgrace.wordpress.com/2014/01/17/a-quick-easy-inexpensive-entryway-update/

I agree with bench and art work on wall

Also, you could not go wrong, I don't think with grandfather clock and bench and maybe a nice rug

In your case, I would put a long narrow console table on the other wall where the stairs are. Something rounded out a little would be nice too. Just enough to put the mail or keys on when you enter. You do not have much room to work with. the wall you are using is just too small for anything of a table.

Hi, I found this shelving unit for $99 on HauteLook and thought you might be interested...

Although we have a hall closet to the left, company would often leave their belongings in the hallway so we removed the ficus tree and replaced it with a hall tree from Pier 1. I decorate it with more colorful scarves depending on the season. It's a great place to slip on shoes as well.