How to Decorate a Console Table in An Entryway (31 Ideas for 2024)

A Step-by-Step Guide to Styling Entry Table Decor

Are you wondering how to decorate a console table in an entryway but don’t know where to start?  These pro tips work with any entry space and every style!

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Some people are just naturally good at decorating. I am not one of those people. But, I have found some tried and true tips that not only work on console tables but any decor in your home.

You’ve heard “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” In this post, I not only share modern entryway table ideas, but I show you simple design principles to use for decorating any console table in your home like a pro.

The main function of an entry table is for display purposes as it is the first impression for the rest of your home.  And the accessories on an entry table and how they relate to each other is called a “vignette”. 

But this guide is for people, like me, that don’t use the term “vignette” in everyday life and just want a cute arrangement of accessories that make sense together on their entry table.

Your home’s décor is for no one else but YOU.  It should bring a smile to your face, uplift you, and even remind you of what is most important to you.

However, decorating a console or entry table can be a daunting task if you don’t know some basic steps to help you create a display that you’ll love to come home to daily!

 What’s the Difference Between a Console Table and an Entry Table?

If you are wondering about the difference between a console, entry table, and sofa table, there’s no real difference in that they are all just display tables and the same guidelines apply for each. 

The only distinction is that a sofa table is usually behind a sofa, an entry table is often in an entry and a console technically is a table against a wall.  But for the purpose of this post, I’ll use those terms interchangeably.

How to Decorate an Entry Console Table

DISCLAIMER: There is one major rule for decorating an entry table and it actually applies for all home decorating in general.  Whatever decor or style you like trumps any decor advice anyone gives you.  In other words, these “rules” below are just guidelines to help.

For every one of these rules, you can probably find a gorgeous entry table display on Pinterest that breaks that rule. 

You have the final say on what looks best and these guidelines are here to help you get started.  It’s YOUR HOME so embrace what YOU like. Remember that your home and its decor is there to serve you – not the other way around.

VIDEO TUTORIAL – There’s a short video tutorial with this post. If it doesn’t pop up, you can find it and my other videos here: How to Decorate a Console Table, YouTube Video

Step 1: Where to Put a Console Table

The first thing is to decide where to put your table. There are no hard and fast rules regarding the right place to put an entry table in your home but it’s such an easy way to create a great focal point in a room.  For the purpose of this post, I’ll focus on decorating a console table in an entryway but the same principles can be used anywhere in your home!

(Later in the post, I’ll give specifics on how to decorate an entry table in front of a window and behind a sofa.)

Also, it’s important to note that a console table can be any sort of display table like a buffet or even a cute dresser.  I’ve even seen sewing tables and pianos function really well as entry tables in open spaces.

Console tables are the perfect solution when you have an open space that needs to be filled. Ironically, a well-decorated small console table can give the illusion of more space. RELATED: 23 Tips for Low-Cost Living Room Decor

Step 2:  Pick an Anchor When Decorating a Console Table in An Entry Way

Every entry table should have a piece of art, a large round mirror, or even an old window above it as the focal point or anchor. 

Think of your anchor piece as the framing of a house that everything else relates to.  The width of your focal point should always be less than the width of your table.

Wall mirrors are always really easy to work with because they make the room look larger and you don’t have colors to coordinate with as you would with a piece of art.  Also, they provide a crisp, clean look for any decor in an interesting way.

Step 3: Entryway Console Table Decor Ideas – Pick An Arrangement Option

There are two basic options to get you started:

Symmetrical Entry Table Décor Ideas

One classic way to style any display table is with symmetrical décor.  Carrie from Lovely Etc has an excellent example of this with her vintage metal entry table.

Notice how she has flowers on both sides to create a symmetrical look.    Often with a symmetrical layout, you will have the same or a similar tall object on either side with filler items in the middle.  You can use vases of flowers, lanterns, or a pair of lamps as your two tall items. 

Also, I love how the flowers on each side are not exactly identical.  This makes the entry décor a little more interesting and frees you up to find similar items you already have around the house.

She uses the books as filler to fill in the negative space under the mirror.  You can also use several short votive candles, or a long flower box with hydrangeas as filler. All of these are great options for a long table in a narrow space.

Non-Symmetrical Entry Decor 

The other great option is to have asymmetrical décor.  What works well is to have one side with accessories that are tall and skinny and the other side with accessories that are short and wide, which creates a real sense of balance to your accessories.

Notice how the accessories on my faux-stained entry table follow this rule with the skinny and tall vase of flowers on one side and the shorter, wider accessories on the other.

 

Step 4:  Pick Accessories for Your Entry Table Decor

Here are some basic guidelines to make picking the right accessories easy:

 

Use “Groups of Three” When Decorating A Console Table

A great starting point for arranging console table decor is the “groups of three” rule. Often groupings of accessories look best in odd numbers. 

If you have three narrow skinny items on one side of your table like a tall lamp or candlestick, have a combination of heavy objects or short shapely pieces on the other side.

To make items look taller, add a short stack of books underneath. There is no wrong way to do this but by using groups of three you can organize your decorative pieces easily and create great focal points.

You’ll notice how Emily at Small Stuff Counts does an amazing job of decorating with clusters of three.  Also, I love how nicely the accessories fill the negative space around the round mirror.

Via Small Stuff Counts

Notice how she keeps the bottom shelf simple too but that doesn’t mean it lacks storage options, as you can see from the basket and white box where she has lots of extra space.  

 

Decorating a Console Table in an Entryway with “Color Friends“

Everybody needs a friend and the same applies to decorating!  To help the accessories in your entry display to tie together, make sure each item has a ‘color friend’ so there are always at least two objects of each main color in your color palette.

Notice how Angie of Postcards From the Ridge applies this concept making sure that each item has at least one other item of the same color to tie the whole display together.  The fresh greenery in the boxwood wreath ties in with the vase and the purple of the lavender ties in nicely with the throw.

Consider incorporating natural materials and organic elements like woven baskets, wreaths, small plants or faux flowers to add interest to the overall look of your entryway decor.

 I love how she uses this bold wallpaper, elegant lamp, and other decorative items to create different focal points in this small entryway.

Not only is this white entry table a great addition to her small foyer, but it is a main focal point of her home by adding lots of her own personal style.

Avoid Clutter With Your Entryway Decor Items

The most appealing console table displays are the ones that are not overcrowded with accessories because it creates a cluttered look.  This is one of those instances where less is actually more – especially for console tables in smaller spaces.

Don’t feel like you have to fill every empty space on your table with decorative objects. It’s good to air on the side of things being a little sparse as it creates a big impact and a good first impression.

QUICK TIP: If your console table is behind your front door, be sure to put a door stop hinge so your door doesn’t hit the table when opened completely: Hinge Door Stopper

Use Items Larger Than A Cantaloupe

Sometimes small items can make a piece of furniture look too busy. A good rule of thumb is to make sure that all small decor is larger than the size of a cantaloupe. This will automatically create the illusion of more surface space.

See how Diana of 204 Park creates plenty of interest with bold statement pieces and decorative items with the “less is more” approach. 

She puts enough to fill the negative space on both sides but keeps her entry decor simple.  I love the ottomans underneath that are not only stunning but are a great idea for extra seating.

 

How to Decorate a Console Table against a Wall

Whether you hang a piece of art, a large mirror, or even a tv over your console table, here are some tips to make sure that your wall art is in the right proportion to the console table. These are not hard and fast rules but a perfectly proportioned mirror really makes the look come together: How to Hang Wall Art Evenly

Front Entryway Decorating Ideas for any Style and Season

Now that you have some ideas on how to get started, here are some ideas on which accessories to choose.  Here are some beautifully decorated entry tables to help you decorate your own! 

There’s absolutely no shame in copying some of the hallway table ideas you see online and adding your own spin.

How To Decorate A Console Table For Christmas

When decorating an entry table for Christmas, the same rules above still apply.   Notice below that I use a group of three on my black table.  Also, the colors are balanced as the teal, red and silver coordinate with the tree. 

In addition, the kraft paper and frame on the letter board are similar in color.  To see how to make your own kraft paper wall decor click here: Easy Scroll Wall Decor (Free Templates!)

Entry Table Decor Ideas for Fall

This gorgeous dresser by In My Own Style, is great to give you extra space for storage as well as a beautiful display space for larger and smaller decorations. The bottom of the stairs is the perfect place for this console table with storage space.

How to Decorate a Farmhouse Console Table

If you’re into Farmhouse décor, check out this Coastal Crafty Mama on Etsy.  I am in love with this painted sign and how she incorporates farmhouse elements into her entry table decor!

For more rustic console table ideas on how to accessorize your entrance table, click below.  These pins work for any entryway console decor ideas:

Farmhouse Console Table Decor: Pinterest

How to Decorate a Console Table With Coastal Decor

I’m personally a huge fan of coastal decor, maybe even more than farmhouse!  I know…<gasp!>  If you are into coastal decor like I am, Kim at Sand and Sisal has tons of cute ideas on how to integrate a beachy, driftwood look into your existing decor.

To get more ideas on how to integrate coastal decor ideas into your entryway, click here:

Coastal Entryway Table Ideas and Decor: Pinterest

How to Decorate an Entry Table for Spring

Perhaps my favorite season when it comes to home decor is Spring.  The bouquets lend very easily to decorating entry tables to give a fresh look to your decor.  Here are some gorgeous ideas to integrate into your own home:

Susan over at Kindred Vintage & Co. outdoes herself with this gorgeous Ikea sidebar makeover, adding lots of blossom stems to a galvanized container and glass vases. I love the addition of the basket with blankets on the side of the table.

Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick decorates her entry with Spring decor and this stunning console table!  I love how she layers the frames to create more visual interest.

Linda from The Home I Create decorates this stunning console table for spring by integrating white flowers with her traditional blue and white accessories.  She illustrates that you can create entry decor for a specific season while combining it with the classic decor you already have.

Katie over at Little House of Four does an incredible job with her entryway, making it versatile to decorate for any season. She also includes evergreen decor like photo frames that work year-round. 

I adore her shiplap wall serves as a beautifully contrasting backdrop for her spring decor. You can find her wood entry table here: Everett Foyer Table

How To Decorate a Console Table Against a wall – More Ideas

Here are more hallway table decor ideas and tips to create your own inviting entryway decor!

Console Table Decor With Mirrors

Mirrors are the easiest and classiest way to make a small space feel larger. It adds dimension to any space as it does with this large wall mirror from Small Stuff Counts.

Black Console Table Decor

Interior designers will often tell you that a good rule of thumb is that every room needs something black to give the room contrast and a sense of depth for the rest of the decor. I love this statement piece that you can build yourself by Crafted By The Hunts.

How To Decorate an Entryway Table In a Small Space

You can also build this pretty console table by Abbotts At Home which is perfect when you don’t have a lot of floor space to work with.

I love this pop of color and how they incorporated simple design elements into the eclectic style of their foyer table. It brightens up and uses this small area in a way no other piece of furniture could!

Notice that just because they have a small entry table, they didn’t just stick to small decor as the woven basket and throw pillow fill the lower shelf nicely and are also functional.

Modern Console Table Decor Ideas

What Do You Put Above an Entryway Table?

A piece of artwork or a large mirror is always a must for decorating your entry table. Wall art can be a main focal point where you would otherwise have dead space in a dark entryway. Using family photos to make a gallery wall is a popular option as long as you pay attention to the scale of items on your table.

You want a piece of wall art or mirror that is large enough for the top to be at least 8 inches above eye level and the bottom edge to be high enough that it doesn’t leave much space between the table accessories.

You can get away with smaller wall art if you use taller or large decorations like a large lamp to fill the space. For tips on the best way to hang wall art, click here: The Easy Way to Hang Gallery Wall Art

The entry table above by Bloom in the Black is an excellent example of a narrow table that uses wall space to make a big statement. She incorporates organic elements in an unexpected way to communicate her personal style, which always sets a good impression for the entire house.

How to Decorate a Console Table Against a Wall With Symmetrical Decor

You know I love a good faux finish and this table from Repurpose and Upcycle is stunning! The two equal sides of this table are a great opportunity for symmetrical decorative elements like the set of table lamps and large wicker baskets for an organic element.

I like how she combines short, heavy objects like the book ends with taller objects to create interest in a unique way.

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Decorating a Console Table in an Entryway – FAQ’s:

How Do You Accessorize an Entryway Table?

So often the best console table accessories are already in your home. Not only is a console table a great way to display important items but it’s great storage for functional pieces in your home. Consider your color scheme before you go looking for items.

Examples of foyer table decor are a large vase, decorative bowls, faux plants, fresh flowers, picture frames, stacks of books, wicker baskets or a large mirror. Each of these items adds a personal touch that makes your decor uniquely yours.

How to Style Entryway Tables On a Budget 

You don’t have to spend a lot to decorate your entry table decor.  In the picture above, you can see my half-moon entry table with an old window as my anchor.  On it, I put my DIY Scroll Wall Art which cost less than $5. 

I also spray-painted some old candlesticks, decorated an old frame with spray-painted keys and burlap, and added some boxwood balls from Target.

ENTRYWAY CONSOLE TABLE DECOR IDEAS

 

How to Decorate a Round Entry Table 

For a round table or half-moon entry table, you can use the same guidelines as I explain above.  You are just limited on space with the rounded corners so it’s best to keep it simple by only accessorizing with a few items that coordinate with your anchor piece.

 

How to Add Storage to a Console Table 

A console table with storage is a great plus because the items you store are out of sight but also easily accessible.  Use baskets galvanized buckets or white boxes for sleek and simple storage ideas. 

You can see how I used baskets for storage with my coffee table here: Easy DIY Farmhouse Coffee Table with Storage.  If your entry table doesn’t have a lower shelf, you can add an ottoman or two that also serve as extra storage like this one: Tufted Ottoman with Storage

 

What to Put on the Bottom Shelf of an Entry Table

Many entry tables have a bottom shelf like the pic below.  This gives lots of options for decor but also storage.  Decorate the lower shelf in the same way you decorated the top of the entry table. 

Use the same guidelines with having slightly taller/skinnier objects on one side and wider/shorter pieces on the other side.  If you use the same concept on the top of the console table, make sure your tall items are not on the same side to make it more interesting.

How to Decorate a Console Table Behind a Sofa

Decorating a console table behind a sofa (or sofa table) is easy.  The only main difference is you have no anchor as of course there is no wall to hang a mirror or picture.  Often, it works well to go with symmetrical decor, as we mentioned earlier in the post, since there is no anchor.  You can decorate with lamps on each side which provides additional lighting if there’s not enough natural light.

How to Decorate a Console Table in Front of a Window

When decorating an entry table in front of a window, the window itself serves as an anchor.  Make sure your decor coordinates with curtains. 

This is a great place to have a coffee table with ottomans underneath as there is probably a chair not too far from the window.  The ottomans can be easily pulled out as a footrest.

Here’s a more typical decorating scenario for decorating a console table in front of a window.  See how the table fills the blank space in front of the window and enhances the view.  You don’t want to obstruct the view through the window but add to it.

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How Do You Use a foyer Table so it’s functional? How Do You Use a Foyer Table for storage?

Just because an entry table and it’s decor are beautiful doesn’t mean it can’t be functional. Consider wicker baskets on a bottom shelf to store blankets. A console table is a good place to put a small bowl for keys or a wood charging station for your phone. Smaller items can also go in a beautiful wooden box on top of coffee table books.

How Do You decorate an Accent Table or Other Furniture Piece?

You can use the exact same decor ideas to decorate any prominent piece of furniture. Whether it’s a coffee table in the middle of the room or side tables in your living room, these guidelines will help you find the right table decor for any flat surface in your home.

How Do You Style A Hall Table in a Small Space?

First, it’s a good idea to pick a narrow foyer table so you have plenty of room to walk around it. Always use a simple table for a small space. Even if you have a lot of walk space to work with, go with a rectangular foyer table that’s not very deep so it doesn’t stick out in a narrow hallway.

A small tray, a statement lamp, and a gallery wall that reflects your personal tastes is more than enough. Use the rule of three and incorporate color friends in your decorative items to give a cohesive look to a small table. My favorite places to buy small console tables are Hobby Lobby and Amazon: Entry Tables for Small Areas

How to Decorate a Console Table Under a TV?

The same tips for decorating entryway table decor under wall art apply to a table with a TV on the wall. Make sure that the width of your TV is not longer than the console table.

Also, leave 6-8 inches between the tv and the top of the console table. You can see more tips here: How to Hang Wall Art Evenly

How Do You Style An Entryway Console Table That’s Under a Window?

An entry table in front of a console table is such a fun opportunity to decorate with houseplants. You can use a grouping of three different plants on one side with art on the other side or maybe two table lamps on either side with a box planter of succulents in the middle. The options are endless as indoor plants make such beautiful home decor accessories in any room.

How Do You Make a Console Table Look Expensive?

You don’t have to spend a lot to get the look of high-end entryway table decor. To add a little character to your console, you can always give it a fresh coat of paint, or better yet a faux finish: How To Apply Paint To Look Like A Stain (9 Shade Options)

You can use the tips above for decorating but the most important piece of advice is to not decorate with too many items. And make sure the items you do place on your console table are bigger than a cantaloupe.

Decorating with only a few larger items will give a high-end look as opposed to several small items that look cluttered.

What Can You Do With a Console Table That Needs Refinishing?

Say you find an entrance table on Facebook Marketplace or a garage sale. You can make it look like new by giving it an easy facelift. Here are two posts that will work will any furniture piece: How To Faux Stain Furniture With Paint | Easy Raw Wood Finish on Furniture | A Beginner’s Guide to Painting Furniture

What Decor To Put On A Console Table?

Entry Tables are such versatile pieces of furniture with so many types of tables to pick from. But regardless of the size and style, their function is to provide a first impression of your home. Try decorating with items that represent your family’s likes and dislikes. Decorate with items you already have like pieces of art, picture frames, or a house plant. You don’t have to be an interior decorator to have a stylish entryway table you can be proud of.

How To Decorate A Console Table Against A Wall

All of the entryway table decor ideas in this blog post work great for styling a console table against a wall. You can go with a symmetrical look with a pair of table lamps or a layered look with “groups of threes”. Let the anchor for your console table decor be a beautiful piece of art or large picture frame.

What is the Purpose of An Entryway Console Table?

First impressions are important and one of the first things you see when you walk into a home is your entryway table.

Even small entryways give you a little space as a drop zone to put your purse, keys or wallet for easy access when you come and go.

Whether you like traditional console tables or more rustic console tables, one of the most important considerations is how your entryway makes you feel. Let it be a reminder of what’s important to you. A beautifully styled console table is not one that meets a certain style quotient but gives it a fully layered look of decor that represents your life and brings you joy.

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• How to Hang Picture Frames Evenly

 

Final Thoughts on How to Decorate a Console Table Against a Wall

You don’t have to be an interior designer to create a warm welcome with your console table accessories! Entry table decor can be a little intimidating because there are so many options and different styles for decor pieces.  However, it’s easy when you know where to start and have some basic guidelines to help reflect your own style and tastes.  A great way to decorate is by using these console table ideas with the items you already have in your home! 

The great thing about the design principles in today’s post is whether you love farmhouse style, coastal decor, or want to decorate your console table for any season, there are plenty of options to choose from!

If you want to save this post on Decorating A Console Table In Entryway, pin it here:

How to Decorate a Console Table, YouTube Video

What are your thoughts, my friend?  Do you see yourself integrating some of these ideas in your decor?  I love to hear your thoughts and answer any questions!  Scroll down to leave a comment and I WILL reply! ❤️

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

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How to Decorate A Console Table (Entry Table Decor Ideas for Any Budget)