Greeting guests better than any cheesy welcome mat, entryways are a vital part of making a home feel inviting. As the name suggests, entryway consoles are just as important in furnishing these spaces, but it’s not as simple as plopping something down and hoping that it goes with the décor based on the name alone. In fact, there are a few common mishaps when it comes to utilizing entryway consoles, but there’s an easy way to turn décor don’ts into fashionable must-haves.
Mirror, Mirror – Off the Wall
Coordinating an entryway console with a mirror seems like an obvious choice, especially given where these pieces would be placed. Whether it’s for one last reflection before heading out or simply an ornamental function, mirrors go part and parcel with this part of the home. Unfortunately, what’s expected can also become cliché, and even worse, downright tacky if not handled correctly. The wrong pane of glass can end up undermining the console itself, making its presence there counterintuitive. For instance, a major mirror faux pas has a mirror that’s much wider than the console it’s placed above.
This distracts and completely overshadows consoles, especially one only as wide as the Charlotte Bayur Wood 24" Console Table with Storage Drawer. A better idea is to style this piece with a smaller mirror, such as the Jemma Round Capiz Shell 27" Mirror, ensuring that both the mirror and the console have enough room to be showcased without drowning each other out. Ensure to highlight the function of both pieces, as this keeps them from just being cliché entryway décor. This leads directly into perhaps the biggest issue that misused entryway consoles present.
Entryway Consoles Have a Purpose – Use Them Wisely
As the name might suggest, entryway consoles are meant to be part of a home’s “opening chapter,” which means that there’s going to be a lot of traffic in these areas. Besides bodies moving to and fro, other entryway elements might include a place to hang coats, store umbrellas, and other everyday items that should always be within arm’s reach. This is a function where the right entryway console can come in handy, but there always needs to be enough space to achieve this. By emphasizing style too much over everyday practicality, clutter is almost inevitable, and there’s barely any room to use an entryway console.
Styling an entryway console means taking full advantage of both its storage capacity and its frame, reducing clutter in both directions. The Marisol 31.5" Narrow Bayur Wood Console Table takes up the right amount of space while offering both a handy drawer and a spacious lower shelf. It’s big enough to act as an entryway centerpiece while also offering enough storage to keep the rest of the space from becoming messy and out of sorts. It helps that they might have a wide frame; they don’t intrude from the front, keeping the entryway itself easy to walk through while keeping style top of mind. Speaking of which, it comes in two color schemes, meaning that it can help make a statement for the entrance of just about any home. Pieces like this are integral to making the most out of an entryway while taking up the least space possible.
Add a Softer Touch for a Grander Entrance
Function is king with décor, but it isn’t the only factor that goes into making an entrance as inviting as possible. In fact, going too far in this direction can make a home feel too stodgy, dull, and downright dreary. To keep this from happening, adding something “softer” can help to take the edge off and turn a house into a home. This is vital with something more rustic, such as the darker variants of the Lila Fluted Leg 24" Console Table. In fact, using its shelf is actually a great way to make an entryway as cozy as possible.
Entryway consoles like the Lila can host pillows, folded quilts/blankets, or other comfy parts of the home on their shelves. Not only does this keep these items nearby for guests and others to use, but it also adds to the décor while contrasting with the sharp, utilitarian aspects of the entryway consoles. For optimal coziness, lay down homey and embracing mats or rugs that coincide with the overall aesthetic. Want to add a potted plant with a more natural receptacle? Put the Irina 22" Woven Rattan Basket or a similar piece near your entryway console to add an extra bit of earthiness or even place the basket (sans plant) on the shelf of the table.
A well-styled entryway doesn’t just welcome guests; it welcomes your home. When consoles are sized correctly, used intentionally, and layered with softer, lived-in touches, the space becomes calmer, warmer, and easier to move through. Avoiding these common mistakes allows your entryway to feel less like a pass-through and more like a true extension of the home, setting the mood for everything that follows. A strong first impression through entryway consoles doesn’t require more décor, just smarter use of it.
