You have the right idea. The table just needs to be more substantial. Also, you could have the thermostat moved for less than $200.

Something like this: http://www.potterybarn.com/m/products/louisa-metal-glass-console-table/?pkey=cconsole-tables

You can add wood wall paneling

How about a small dresser to replace the table and bench or seat by the door?

It looks like you need a bench and place to store wet shoes when you come in.

a bench/storage thing to the right of the door. a rug. a larger table/chest. chests give places to store gloves and scarves, etc. what are all those small objects de art to the right of the door?

I think a bench is always practical at an entry and if it stores shoes all the better. So nice storage bench and great piece of art on the wall and you are done.

I agree...something more substantial/larger. Also, what about a pop of color? Maybe a collage of frames on the open wall area. I'm thinking this: http://www.polyvore.com/pottery_barn_lucy_console_table/thing?id=96409848

Move the table right of the door with a container on it for keys, then put a bench at the stairs.

I'd put a small hutch in that space. I think it would be fun to do something colorful, maybe distressed.

T stat has to stay there. Infloor heating for that area, all other are outside walls. Would really like to see a change for this area. As for shelf for boots etc, we have a side entrance we use. This area is usually not used. Someone had mentioned to me to paint the front door black.

Like decoethusiaste idea - move demi lune table to right of door, add bench or perhaps 2 hassocks to staircase wall.

I'm guessing that your home is traditional? Small spaces like this are great for having some fun - doing something that pushes your comfort zone a little bit.

Follow the slope of the stair wall - you want to emphasize the angle. Place a chest or small hutch on the wall with a chair or two arranged with it [depending on how much room you have. The case piece can be painted or wood finished. The chairs can be recycled dining chairs - found at thrift shops or flea markets, painted and the seat reupholstered [perhaps monogrammed?]. Either a captain's chair with arms, or the dining chair without or one of each. Easy to do, often more interesting than newly purchased, and soooo much cheaper! Try the placement using your existing dining room chairs. It's always nice to have a chair by the door.

This wall could also be painted using a color that is in the new pieces - upholstery or paint in the decoration of the chest/hutch unit.

-- You need a large rug by the door - demilune or oval, that is long enough on the flat side to span the door and sidelights. The rectangle one shown here also come in ovals so ask about that when shopping. These shapes will allow for the shape of the floor in front of the door. I forgot to add the demilune shape! Drat!

You will need some [or a small] item[s] for the wall to fill in. Think about hanging something other than a mirror or artwork - unless the frame of the mirror/artwork is absolutely stunning. Again, areas like this are where you can push yourself a little into uncharted territory and it is fun.

Consider hanging an object - framed or unframed! There are ways to get just about anything up on a wall these days. You probably have something around the house now that you would like to showcase here! Like a large ceramic tile, a small oil painting, an antique purse on a unique old hook, a Majolica charger . . . . Depending on how busy/ornate the chest, chair, rug are, you will know how busy/ornate this small piece should be. Remember to change up the scale of the image and it's details. Too much going on can make you dizzy or - and I'm not kidding - nauseous!

what about something like this http://www.mmfurniture.com/melange-ogee-patterned-chest-hooker-638-85048.html

How about a pendent light? You can go with something dynamic like our Fine Plumb or more subtle like our Crimean Pinecone.

This is a nice choice - very neutral. Is this the direction you want to go - keeping the space cream/taupe? Or, are there any colors throughout your home that you might want to use in this area?

Sandy I do like what you posted above. Just not sure I can go that bold. I have moved another piece of furniture into the entry way. This can be painted any color. I am also posting a picture of the living room. The entry way flows right into this room. Does this piece work or should I just start fresh

I like that piece - much better size! What about some rsh flowers and a bowl/tray for keys? Or so etching special you have to go with the lamp?

"something" special

Oh darn - "fresh" flowers

I like that piece too. Just move the lamp over to block the thermostat and add two more things to the table.

The chest looks good there. Agree with tennisanyone about moving lamp over to hide thermostat, then I would add a small, colorful art piece on the wall to the right. Maybe a small ceramic tray or bowl on the chest. Try different objects. You'll know when it's right, usually for me, it's the first glance and I know if something works or not.

How about a nice rug?

I like that furniture piece. I figure a thermostat is necessary and so are electric cords- those two things don't bug me anymore.

Can not put the lamp in front of the t stat because the heat from the lamp will cause the t stat not to come on. Have infloor heating. I could put a smaller lamp and maybe cover it as mentioned above with a picture.

What about changing the color of the table or leave as it is. Can you post pics of items that I can go by to place on it.

I think a painted Bombay chest would look wonderful here.

From your suggestions so far this is what I have come up with. Refinished the cabinet with new knobs. I am looking for a new light. Should I just scrap the cabinet and go with something larger? Is the mirror to small?

Wondering if a larger lamp would be better. Still feel missing something. Not getting the look yet

The cabinet looks great there. I would like to see some colour somewhere.

Its good what you have done compared to how it was before but i just feel that the table and space is too small. Everything on top of it looks overcrowded. If i were you i would just get a huge nice plant pot, the other option is to just leave that space as it is and just put some hooks to hang something like a jacket. I just feel that the space is small to clutter it with anything.

Kyekuu, not in favor of hooks. That would be an open invitation from some family members to start hanging coats, hats, etc. Just wondering if the problem is actually the cabinet, maybe should be bigger. This decorating is not easy.

Noting the shoes in your initial photos, I agree with Patricia Colwell's suggestion that something to store shoes is important. That might go adjacent to the door, of course, but could work near the stair. I suggest a piece that tops at about one step down from the landing, slightly wider, with three (or some odd number of suitably proportioned) items on top. If the lamp is required, stay with the height shown and, perhaps, place a round mirror on place of the square, with the elephant (or something slightly smaller) in front of that. This tableau does look a bit crowded. My own taste calls for some colour and/or texture given a very neutral palette, but that is indeed a matter of personal likes!

-- Your cabinet looks nice. The lamp is great too! What is missing is some color on the wall. Measure the wall space between the lamp and edge of the cabinet top and the height up to the stairway. This is just for an approximation of the size of the artwork. A vertical print is going to fit this wall space best. . It is just fine if the lamp layers in front of the painting. A mirror is not going to give you the hit of color that is needed here. Also, this is the wall where you can ignore the rest of your house's palette. If your other artwork is traditional, you can get an oriental, contemporary, etc. for this grouping. The important thing is to find a piece with saturated color. The poppies print is actually a vertical - no enough room for it here, I guess.

Do you have a rug in this area? That would help to finish it off.

Another idea would be to place a large plant [silk or real[ on the floor by the cabinet. Something narrow and tall.

-- Here are a few examples of silks that might work in your entry to fill in. The area where the plant meets the "dirt" should be camouflaged or hidden by the plant's leaves.

Also, pay attention to the color of the green in the plant. This green should coordinate with any greens in the artwork and rug [should you get one]. Just one more detail that will help the group be cohesive.

I had a client with a similar situation - see photo. I like to include a mirror, sconces, table (with at least one drawer) in entry halls. Just take care to use items that are scaled to work together. It's amazing how much you can fit in a small space under the stairs.

The picture, does it need to be framed or is canvass style ok?

-- A canvas is just fine as long as you get some color for the area. . . nice going!

How about adding some shelves.

Another comment to muddy up the mix, but I liked your original purple vase against the wall color and I thought it was the right vertical height for the space. The original table was too small and showed the charger cords. A wider, closed cabinet style piece would work better, with the vase and the white elephant on top maybe?

I'd add more color to the mix, and I was going to suggest some colorful artwork but because of the widget on your wall, I don't think that will work. Maybe you can bring back the colorful vase and put a tall plant to the left of the table (you'll need to pull the table to the right).

You can also add some color to the living room. Check out my artwork for ideas. Currently running a 15% off sale plus free shipping of canvas prints to US.

Available work here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/katshoa

Enjoy decorating!

Here are a couple more ideas. Find an oak chest - old or new - that goes well with the staircase. Paint the staircase wall a few shades lighter than the other walls. Place the chest on the wall, add a lamp and artwork. The artwork should have the color of the oak, the grape from your livingroom, and another hue for accent. Add a traditional rug with these colors in it to tie it all together. Other accessories on the chest can be determined after you have the other things in place.

Another option would be to paint the small wall a dark color, like a grape [from your LR], place a chest on the wall as above, and a painting with a light palette.

Notice the muted red, grape and oak tone in the paintings and rug. Grape pulled from the LR, oak from the woodwork and the red is a new introduction. Muted blue-gray would be lovely also in your space.

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