An entryway table is small, but it sets the tone for the whole home. It is the first surface you see when you walk in and the last one you pass on the way out. A good console looks styled and still has room for keys and post.
Here is a simple formula, plus nine ideas to make it your own. The same approach works for a console in the hallway, behind a sofa or on a stair landing.
Choose the Right Console First
- Depth: about 12 to 14 inches for most entries, or 8 to 10 inches in a narrow hall. Keep at least 36 inches of walking space.
- Height: about 30 to 36 inches, so it is comfortable to drop keys on.
- Width: leave space on either side so the door can open fully and people can pass.
See entryway decor ideas for more on sizing.
The Console Styling Formula
- Something tall: a lamp or a vase of branches.
- Something to hang above: a mirror or art, about two-thirds the width of the table.
- Something low: a tray or bowl for keys.
- Something below: baskets or a bench for shoes.
Arrange the items in a loose triangle, with the tallest at one end, the mirror or art in the middle and the lowest items at the front. Leave some empty surface for keys, mail and bags.
1. Start With a Lamp
A lamp gives height and warm light. Place it on one side for an asymmetric look.
Choose a lamp that is roughly in proportion with the table: about 24 to 30 inches tall for a standard console. Put it on a timer or smart plug so it is on when you come home after dark.
2. Hang a Mirror Above
A round or arched mirror softens the straight lines of the table. A mirror also bounces light around the entry and lets you check your look on the way out.
Hang it so the bottom edge sits about 6 to 10 inches above the tabletop, or above the top of the lamp shade if the lamp is tall.
3. Add a Vase With Branches
Tall branches or dried grasses balance the lamp on the other side. Branches last for weeks and cost little or nothing.
Choose a heavy vase so it doesn’t tip over, and change the stems with the seasons: blossom in spring, greenery in summer, autumn leaves in fall and evergreens in winter.
4. Stack Books
Two or three books with a small object on top add height variation. Choose books with spines in your color palette, or turn them so the pages face out for a neutral look.
Large-format art, travel and design books suit an entry table best.
5. Use a Catch-All Tray
A tray or bowl for keys keeps everyday items contained. Marble, brass, wood and ceramic all work. Choose one large enough for keys, sunglasses and earbuds.
Add a small letter rack or a box for mail, so post doesn’t spread across the table.
6. Fill the Space Below
Baskets, a bench or a pair of stools under the console add storage and fill the visual gap. Lidded baskets hide shoes, dog leads and reusable bags.
Leave a little floor visible around the baskets so the entry doesn’t look crowded.
7. Try Symmetry
Two matching lamps and a centered mirror feel formal and balanced. Symmetry suits traditional and classic homes and wide consoles.
Add a single low bowl or tray in the middle, between the lamps, to keep the arrangement practical.
8. Add a Small Plant
A small plant or succulent adds life. Snake plants, ZZ plants and pothos cope well with lower light, which many entries have.
If there is no natural light, choose dried stems or good-quality faux greenery.
9. Swap With the Seasons
Change the stems in your vase, add a candle in winter or pumpkins in autumn. Keep the base pieces, such as the lamp, mirror and tray, and swap just one or two items.
See seasonal decor ideas for ideas through the year.
Console Styling by Style
- Modern: a sculptural lamp, a round mirror and a marble tray.
- Scandinavian: a white ceramic lamp, a light wood tray and a vase of branches.
- Farmhouse: a wooden console, woven baskets below and a galvanized vase.
- Traditional: matching lamps, a gilt mirror and a stack of leather books.
Common Console Styling Mistakes
- Too many small items. Group them on a tray.
- Everything the same height. Combine tall, medium and low pieces.
- A mirror that is too small. Aim for about two-thirds the width of the table.
- No space for keys and post. Leave part of the surface clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you put on an entryway table?
A lamp, a mirror above, a tray for keys and a vase or books.
How do you style a console table without it looking cluttered?
Use three to five items of different heights and leave space between them.
How high should a mirror be above a console table?
About 6 to 10 inches above the tabletop.
What size lamp goes on an entryway table?
About 24 to 30 inches tall for a standard console, so it is in proportion with the table and the mirror.
Final Thoughts
A well-styled console follows a simple formula: something tall, something low, something living and something useful. Start with a lamp and a mirror, add a vase or branches, a stack of books and a catch-all tray, then fill the space underneath. Swap a few pieces with the seasons and your entry table will always look fresh.
Back to entryway decor ideas. The same rules apply to coffee table styling.
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