5 Tips for Styling a Small Space Entryway

Those of us who live in small spaces count our lucky stars if we have an entryway – or at least a space where you can fashion an entryway of sorts! This is one of the things that I love about my current apartment – there’s a little cutout area in the hallway that works perfectly as a little “entryway” (even though it’s down the hall a tad from the front door). It’s just the perfect place to give yourself a last check in the mirror before you leave and drop your keys and mail when you walk in the door.

I’ve always found my entryway table to be a really fun surface to style as well. The console is from West Elm (you can see a wider shot of it here, it has another shelf), and it’s narrow enough to fit perfectly into the nook. They don’t seem to carry it anymore, but I love this one, which is skinny enough to fit into the smallest of spaces, as well as this one. I layered a couple of pieces of art and some of my favorite decorative accents to add some dimension, varying heights, and a splash of color.

Recently I changed out my old candle sconces for these – the HAY Lup Wall Candle Holder. HAY is a design company based out of Denmark, and they make a lot of really cool items which you can find here and at other retailers. I actually spotted this sconce at the McNally Jackson store a few years ago and loved them back then, but I only purchased them recently. Sidenote: I have to apologize for the wonky hardware – the sconces are great quality and actually came with matching gold hardware but I threw it out by accident (ugh)…but I really wanted to share these now so, oh well. Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good, right?

Anyway how gorgeous are these sconces? They’re simple, elegant, modern…so, so lovely and sophisticated. I’m obsessed and I love how the gold plays off of the metallic accent on the mirror. I love the tabletop version of the candle holder as well.

Here are a few of my top entryway tips:

Mix items of varying heights to keep the eye moving and help the vignette feel dimensional (not flat).

Layer – I did two pieces of overlapping art and added three objects in front. You want the items to be on different planes, rather than all in a row (so, taller items in back, with shorter items in front).

Stick to a color palette but don’t be afraid to mix a few different colors. I did black, white, and gold with two splashes of hot pink.

Add something natural – my console table accomplishes this nicely because it’s made of acacia wood.

Don’t over-clutter it – you want an entryway to feel a little like a drop spot, where you could park your keys and mail on your way in, so you don’t want every inch covered. Leave some breathing room. Another great thing to do is put a little tray or bowl on your entry table for the above mentioned mail and keys. I’ve done that in the past (you can see here), but I’m always styling and re-styling!

Sources: mirror // black and white art // ballerina art by Inslee // candle // vase // striped candle holder (also here in gray) // box

Do you have an entryway? How do you style it?

And OMG, PS – if you ever feel discouraged about photography and want to see where I started out, click here and look at a picture I posted of my entry table when I first moved to the city. If I could start there and improve, then anyone can! (insert cry laughing emoji).

Leave a Comment

  1. Monica wrote:

    Ahhh I wish yours was still available! I love it and we have THE most narrow space (well it’s plenty wide to walk through, but we definitely need something narrow to keep it that way)…it’s on my list of things to look for! Also LOL to your old photography! Always fun to look at the before and after 🙂

    Published 5.10.17 · Reply
    • York Avenue wrote:

      I know, I wonder if they’ll get it back! I really like it but there are some other good narrow options out there too I think…maybe I’ll hunt some down and post on it. And yes, LOL…my poor old self who thought that picture was awesome, haha.

      Published 5.10.17 · Reply
  2. Sarah wrote:

    Loving that Inslee print! And thanks for sharing the old pic, haha. Your photography is amazing- I am hoping to take a photography class this summer and I’m hoping I can improve my skills (or lack thereof, haha) bit by bit!

    xo,
    Sarah
    http://www.dctoat.com

    Published 5.10.17 · Reply
    • York Avenue wrote:

      Aw, thank you so much! Believe me, it takes time and practice but anyone can improve. And I still have a lot of improving to do…taking a class definitely helped!

      Published 5.10.17 · Reply
  3. natalie wrote:

    Love how simple you kept it! I love walking into a fresh and clean space, not too cluttered. Esp when it’s small!!! Love the art!

    Published 5.10.17 · Reply
    • York Avenue wrote:

      Thanks Natalie! Restraint is not my biggest talent but I like this simple arrangement 🙂

      Published 5.10.17 · Reply
  4. Laura wrote:

    Love this post! I recently moved into a tiny appartment in Seoul and I have nooooo idea what decor and interior to buy to make the most out of it!
    Thanks for the inspiration!
    xo Laura

    http://www.theseoulitelife.com

    Published 5.11.17 · Reply
  5. Offrs wrote:

    I seriously love everything about this tips! That wallpaper, the lighting fixture, that rug!!! Well done!!!

    Published 5.12.17 · Reply