Materials, with name and reference.
Guide 2 min read
Tips for decorating the entrance hall
Console, bench, mirror, light and light colours: how to decorate the entrance hall, with the measurements to keep the passage clear.
Short answer
90 cm
of clear passage in an entrance hall
An entrance hall works with little: a console or a bench for putting things down and storing them, a mirror, good light and light colours. Leave 90 cm of clear passage. An entrance console should be 30 to 40 cm deep, and the mirror above it about 2/3 of its width.
The hall is the first room you see when you come in and the one you walk through most often. It has to welcome and to serve: a place for keys, coats and shoes, without getting in the way.
01Only the essentials
The hall is a passageway. Every extra piece takes up space and makes you walk around it. Choose a few simple pieces and leave at least 90 cm of clear passage between the furniture and the opposite wall.
In a narrow hall, choose low, shallow pieces, or built-in solutions such as a niche with a bench.
02Storage
Storage at the entrance is what keeps the rest of the home tidy. The most useful pieces:
- Console: for keys, post and a lamp. In a hall, a console 30 to 40 cm deep keeps the passage clear.
- Bench: for putting on and taking off shoes, about 45 cm high. With drawers or space underneath, it stores the shoes.
- Shoe cabinet and coat hooks: or an entrance wardrobe, which hides everything behind doors.
A hall 130 cm wide is enough for a 40 cm deep console and 90 cm of passage. The HALL console is 100 cm wide, 40 cm deep and 87.5 cm high, with a matte lacquered front and velvet-lined drawers; the HALL WOOD has the same measurements, in natural wood veneer. The STRATA bench, with 2 drawers, is 127 cm wide, 40 cm deep and 45 cm high. To choose the console, see Sideboards: measurements for the living room, the dining room and the entrance.
The pieces in this guide
Sizes in cm
03The mirror
A mirror at the entrance is for a last look before going out and makes the hall look bigger. Above a console, choose a mirror about 2/3 of the width of the piece and hang it 15 to 25 cm above the top. A full-length mirror also works on a free wall, if the passage allows.
04The light
The hall needs an even, warm general light, 2700 to 3000 K, that feels welcoming. Add a low guiding light for the night and a light by the mirror. If the hall has a window, do not cover it. The light for each room is in How to light each room.
05Light colours
Halls are often narrow and windowless. Light colours on the walls and ceiling reflect more light and make the space look bigger. Light wood, on furniture or on a wall, adds warmth without darkening. More ideas in Tips for a brighter home.
To add interest to a wall without taking up space, boiserie or wood slats work well: see What is boiserie? and How to use wood slats?
More pieces in the Entrance hall collection.
06Summary of measurements
- Clear passage:At least 90 cm.
- Console depth:30 to 40 cm.
- Bench height:About 45 cm.
- Mirror:About 2/3 of the console width, 15 to 25 cm above the top.
- Light:Warm, 2700 to 3000 K.
07Frequently asked questions
What furniture should go in an entrance hall?
A console or a bench, a mirror and a place for coats and shoes. Few pieces, to leave at least 90 cm of passage.
How deep should an entrance console be?
30 to 40 cm. In a narrow hall, the shallower it is, the more passage stays clear.
How high should a mirror hang above a console?
15 to 25 cm above the top, at about 2/3 of the console's width.
How do I decorate a small, windowless hall?
With light colours, a mirror, warm light and shallow or built-in pieces.
The piece in this article
strataHallway bench in wood veneer with 2 drawers and a tray€2.155,00Made to order in 4 weeksSee the piece
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