Affordable Ways to Update an Entry

Similar to many new-construction homes, the entryway of this traditional two-story house was built with basic, low-end materials including a contractor-grade staircase railing, stairs covered in cut-pile carpet and basic trim.

Over a three-day weekend and on a budget of $1,500, this entryway was transformed into a warm, welcoming space packed with understated elegance. The improvements included adding a salon-style gallery wall and incorporating shades of semigloss paint on the railing to camouflage its contractor-grade past.

The easiest and most effective way to add organization and decoration to an entryway is with an appropriately sized console table. At 66 inches wide, the angled wall of the entry could accommodate a freestanding piece of furniture no wider than five feet, and with a maximum height of 30 inches. By keeping the proper scale and proportion in mind, there is ample storage just off the front door.

It's common for entryways to quickly amass larger mail items such as magazines, circulars and catalogs. To keep piles of paper from taking over the area, store hefty baskets inside the console to house everything from unread magazines and flyers to last-minute necessities such as picnic blankets, towels and sunblock. Since most console tables are 18 inches deep, it's important to stick with 12-inch baskets to allow enough clearance to accommodate any items which may lean or spill over the side of the basket.