Hey Friends! After being gone a while from your home, do you walk in and grin? Is it comforting and inviting? Maybe you think it smells bad. Maybe you get no feeling at all. I thought our entry had been lacking for quite some time. In some aspects it still does. Then I decided a refreshing entryway to make me smile all summer long is just what I needed. Let’s chat about that.
A Refreshing Entryway to Make Me Smile All Summer Long
Post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. For full details, see Disclosure Policy.
Summer entryway table
Let’s start with a description. Our entry is awkward to say it politely. If you walk through the back door from the garage it’s fine because you have to walk through the entry to get to the rest of the house. If you enter from the front door you have to turn your back around to actually see the entryway. It’s weird. I can’t add a rug because if I center it to the door, the stairs are off. If I center it to the stairs, the walkway is off. It is what it is so I make the best of it.
Basket of hydrangeas hung with twine to side of entryway table
I began with a console table that I found at Home Goods. It was inexpensive, pretty and the perfect size so into the car it went. Once I got it home, I could start shopping the house and see what I had to make the space pretty. Like this basket with blue/green hydrangeas. Just a bit of color to coordinate with the rest of the house.
Braided 3 strands of twine to hang a napkin ring from the lamp for added texture
Typically, I start with lighting. I feel every large table needs at least one lamp. If I had my way, the curve next to the stairs is a perfect spot for a comfy chair and a table with a lamp but there’s no plug over there. So we have the spot under the clock and the spot behind the new table.
The lamp puts off a nice glow and the perfect amount of light so we don’t walk into a dark, uninviting home. I added a napkin ring for extra pizzazz. Isn’t it cute?! BTW, if y’all don’t use HUE bulbs, you should. Every bulb in the house is connected and controlled by our phones or by telling Alexa to turn the lights on or off, etc. The Mister has each room set to a specific time, gradual brightness and off at bedtime. Plus they are LED which costs pennies to run. Technology is making life so easy. Or is it making us more lazy?!
Anyway, after the lighting, you want to choose wall decor. It’s difficult to be proportionate with a 2-story wall but the print (or whatever you choose to add) should be taller than the height of the lamp or smaller (not the same height). I love the canvas painting. It has magical powers. After looking at it, it can change my attitude. Like if I wake up crotchety, it makes me happier. If I’m tired of the rain and gloom, it tells me to remember we need rain in order for the grass and flowers to grow and be colorful. Plus the colors are so summery and soothing to me. See? Magical. 😉
Wooden candle holder with pillar wrapped in book pages
After you have those 3 things, the rest is simple. You can either leave the table top empty or add a couple more accessories. I like things a little more full so a pillar candle, a plant and a vintage knob fills it all in nicely. Notice also that I kept to the odd-number guideline with accessories. Three on one side and only one on the other side.
I wrapped the candle because I dropped it and a huge chunk of wax came off. Can’t waste candles, they’re expensive. If you like to see the post with 3 other ways to decorate with book pages, you can see that here.
I also want the canvas painting to be the most noticeable so I kept the accessories in neutral tones like the table.
Love this vintage door knob!
If your console table has a base like mine, there’s no need to add anything to it. I just put the basket there because I have no more room in the accessory closet. Not kidding. It might be time to donate a few more things.
A QUICK RECAP:
One – Find the right sized table for your space.
Two – Add lighting (if possible).
Three – Choose Wall Decor and check size.
Four – Add accessories.
Okay, there’s a refreshing entryway to make me smile all summer long. Oh, did you notice you can’t see the cord to the lamp? I ran it up the leg and taped it to the back of the table using packing tape! Just keepin it real.
Your entry way is lovely. I need to do something with my entry way. I use to have a thin, small console table in the entry way but it seemed to take up so much room and the small space. Now I simply have a mirror on the wall and a small side table. But, it is what it is for now. At Christmas I do put something Christmasy there. Now you’ve got me to thinking about what I can do. LOL! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Author
I understand the troubles! Have you thought about shelves instead of a table? I know they stick out of the wall and may take up needed space but visually anything not sitting on the floor makes the space seem larger. Just a thought. Thank you so much Cindy for the visit and comment!
Love it! You made it work in the space that you have and it looks beautiful!
Author
Aww, thank you. You’ve seen the struggle so I really appreciate that. Hope you are having a great week.
It looks lovely, Cindy… that added texture to the lamp is so smart, and I do love the artwork, too!
Author
Thank you Julie. I knew as soon as I got the lamp that I wasn’t going to leave it blank like that. That’s like leaving a white wall empty. 😉
Oh, now you’ve done it, I’m thinking of what I might do to make mine look better. Thanks for the recap very helpful. Love your new table, I would smile too, everything is so pretty.
Author
LOL Marlene, you are funny. I really do enjoy walking passed it now. Before it was a constant battle trying to make it welcoming. And when I found the canvas print, I felt it was meant to be (insert loving sigh). 😉
Could you tell me where you got the print. I just love it ! Thanks !
Author
It came from Frisco Mercantile in Frisco, TX. Here’s the link to the store. https://friscomercantile.com/
You might be able to still purchase one and have it shipped to you. Glad you like it! Thank you Linda.
I love it Cindy! The picture is perfect for this location.
Author
Thank you Carol. As soon as I saw it, I knew I could stop looking. I love it too!
This entry space is stunning, Cindy, and these tips are so helpful too! I love your wall art and all the accessories you chose too. They’re perfection! We’re in the process of trading out all our lightbulbs now so I’m definitely going to look into the ones you suggested. They sound fabulous. Big hugs, loved and pinned, CoCo
Author
Thanks so much CoCo. One of the reasons we love the HUE bulbs is because the color of the bulbs are warm and inviting instead of the harsh daylight. At least that’s what we like. I know some like the brighter, bluer light. Hugs to you too!
beautiful design! can you share where you got the artwork? I love it!
Author
I got it at Frisco Mercantile. Here’s the link if you don’t live near Frisco, TX. https://friscomercantile.com/
Maybe they can ship one to you? Glad you like it and thanks for the visit Sarah.
I absolutely love your canvas painting! The whole setting is perfect!
Author
Thank you so much Susan. I appreciate that. Hope you are having a great week.
The tip about taping the cord to the back of the table is so simple, yet brilliant. I have a cord behind my entry table that drives me nuts! You just solved my problem! 🙂
Thanks, Cindy!
Niky @ The House on Silverado
Author
It is so simple and I almost didn’t add it in because I thought everyone knew it already. LOL. Thanks Niky!
Pretty entryway and I love the book page candle wrap idea Cindy! I may have to try that too! Have a great weekend!
Author
Thanks Michelle. I wrapped the candle because I dropped it and a huge chunk of wax came off (insert rolling eyes). Didn’t want it to go to waste so hiding the flaw was the next best thing. Happy Friday!