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Choosing a Console Table and Mirror for an Entryway

A reader, Melissa, recently wrote to me asking for help with her entryway.

“I just love your style and design approach of mixing the old with the new. I have recently moved into a new home (a 2-story traditional) and slowly adding my personal touch to each space.

I have been on the hunt of a great console table for our entryway. I love the idea(s) of a simple box frame console table against a large floor mirror, an acrylic waterfall console and/or a statement table. I like the less is more approach. The space where I would be putting the console table is approx 48″ W and is directly across our staircase. I have attached some links of the table styles I have been considering. Can you provide me with any suggestions of tables or how to choose the right console table?”

I’ve gotten similar questions in the past, so I asked Melissa if I could answer here on the blog. She agreed and also sent a few photos of her entryway so we could see the space she’s working with. I have several ideas and options, but before we get into all of that, let’s look at her inspiration photos.

Turquoise Blue Lacquered Console Table in an Entryway
Source: Taylor Jacobson Interior Design, featured by My Domaine

Leather Strap Mirror Above an Antique Table
Source: Jessica de Ruiter’s home, featured by One Kings Lane

Weathered Vintage Table in an Entryway
Source: Better Homes & Gardens

Melissa also linked to these three tables (each very similar): the Slim Console Table in Natural Steel from Room & Board, the Nolita Mini Console Table from CB2, and the Box Frame Console Table from West Elm.

Slim Boxy Console Tables

Very different from the inspiration images! And then there’s the acrylic waterfall console idea in there too. Here are a couple of photos of Melissa’s space. The spot where she would like to put a console table is about 48″ wide and doesn’t look to be very deep. She is planning on replacing the mirror.

Melissa's Entryway

Looking first at the entry with the teal console table, I found several similar pieces. I included a lamp and a couple of vases too, should the inspiration have as much to do with the color as it does the shape of the table.

Teal Console Tables

The Malone Campaign Console Table from West Elm is worth a look too. I included the matching nightstand in a post last week, but while that came in teal, the console table is only in white, mint, or red.

Next, we have several options for the vintage/antique tables in Melissa’s other two inspiration photos.

Antique and Vintage-Inspired Console Tables

Finding something similar online is a bit difficult, as your best bet is a combination of scouring thrift shops, flea markets, garage and estate sales, and Craigslist, plus patience. The newer tables above are a bit lacking in charm, but they’re very affordably priced and they’d be great paired with more interesting finds (mirror, lamp, accessories, rug). The antiques that I’m drawn to have turned legs or carved details. I included a few examples here that may be a smidge out of Melissa’s comfort zone, but if she’s into them, they could be amazing.

Two out of three of Melissa’s inspiration images had vintage Persian rugs (like this one), and all of them had white walls, simple accessories (like the glass column vases and lamp), and natural materials with texture (worn woods, woven baskets, a sisal rug). Keeping that as a base for mockups, I paired mirrors with six of my favorite tables from the options above.

6 Entryway Console Tables and Mirrors

Look 1: Tork Brass MirrorBeverly Table LampDahlias19th Century Oak Gateleg TableBeachcomber Round Basket
Look 2: Maroc Wall MirrorFig Leaf BranchesHarlow Console TableEyelash Baskets
Look 3: Moroccan Gilt Mirror (similar to Melissa’s) • Peekaboo Acrylic Console TableRustic Ceramic VasesRound Belly Baskets
Look 4: 1940 Églosmisé MirrorGlass and Gold Table LampSpanish Carved Console TableHalton Basket
Look 5: Acacia Wood MirrorDahliasPeterson Console TableHuntington Baskets
Look 6: Sailor’s MirrorFig Leaf BranchesNolita Mini Console TableBeachcomber Round Basket

Any of these combinations would work for Melissa’s entry — it’s just a matter of personal preference! Which is your favorite, and which do you think would be best for her space?

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  • Mary
    March 23, 2016 at 6:09 pm

    I love #1 & #4. The contrast of old & new is my favorite style.

  • Megan C.
    March 23, 2016 at 6:55 pm

    I think the #6 console would fit best in the narrow space but I would pair the large round mirror (#1) with it.

  • Laura Rennie
    March 23, 2016 at 8:26 pm

    I like the #6 console with the #1 mirror best, too! Good eye, Megan C. I do love the mirror she already owns, though.

  • Kelly
    March 23, 2016 at 8:26 pm

    I love your mock up of #4! the scale between the mirror and table is just right for me. I generally like simpler pieces like #5 or 6, but there is just too much negative space.

  • CJM
    March 23, 2016 at 8:39 pm

    So the problem Melissa has is that horrible baseboard heater! I feel your pain, Melissa! I have a similar issue in my dining room where I’d love to put a sideboard, but the heater has made it difficult.

    The tables with a bottom shelf are 100% out. I think that is why she provided three with very “open” bases. The ideal situation would be a table with legs wide enough apart to fit on either side of the baseboard heater, so that the back of the table could be against the wall. If the heater is EVER used, you simply can’t have anything sitting right in front of it. The alternative is a table that is 6ish inches out from the wall, still with no lower shelf. Another option is a table with a big back overhang. I’ve never seen one. But, you could probably make one out of either Ikea items, or wood if you had the skill. That means 3 and possibly 6 are the best available options. A final option is mounting a shelf there. I think that is the best. Wall mount a shelf at table height, 12 inches deep and add front legs for stability and look. Like this, but with any top and legs you like: http://www.popsugar.com/home/photo-gallery/3574854/image/3574864/Simply-screw-legs-shelf-fasten-table-wall

    • Making it Lovely
      March 24, 2016 at 12:56 pm

      That’s a good idea. Pretty Pegs makes table legs now in a sort of mid-century modern style, and of course a quick search will turn up any number of other options.

  • Sam
    March 23, 2016 at 8:41 pm

    Because of the radiator she might want to consider something wall mounted. Maybe not this one specifically but something like it http://www.houzz.com/photos/46990882/Custom-Furniture-craftsman-console-tables-chicago It can also be DIYed by cutting a table and using brackets.

    • Making it Lovely
      March 24, 2016 at 12:45 pm

      Yes, thank you for mentioning this because it’s something I meant to include in the post. Many tables can be converted (as long as you don’t mind a little alteration) to be wall-mounted with the back legs removed, and with a baseboard radiator to contend with, this might be the way to go for Melissa. Depending on the construction of the piece, it may be as simple as unscrewing the legs and adding brackets or cleats along the back.

  • Hannah
    March 23, 2016 at 10:27 pm

    Though I like all of the options presented, I’d like to add one similar to what Sam said above. I have a baseboard heater like she does and putting even a slim console in front of it would have left a very awkward gap between the table and wall. My solution was to mount a white Expedit-style unit from Target onto the wall. It’s not the fanciest (and I’m not necessarily suggesting she copy it), but it looks surprisingly good with my antique gilded mirror above it and a simple styling on top. Sometimes I keep the cubbies open and sometimes I use three baskets for holding winter gear. Just my two cents. :) I really like option 5, though I’d probably source something antique instead of new. Nice work as always, Nicole!

    • Making it Lovely
      March 24, 2016 at 12:58 pm

      The right mirror and accessories makes a huge difference! She can go with something similar and style it up in a way that works for her.

  • Kim
    March 24, 2016 at 12:53 am

    Blue Chiba all the way!

  • Mags
    March 24, 2016 at 9:16 am

    I love #5 for her place- I think it fits her general aesthetic better. With that baseboard, I would take an Ikea Ekby Alex (shelf and drawers) and mount it to the wall with two front legs on it- she could paint/stain it to look like the blue table in her first inspo pic!

  • Sarah
    March 24, 2016 at 3:43 pm

    It seems to me that the baseboard heater goes right into the corner, which would make it impossible to have a table straddle it. I second Mags’ suggestion of the IKEA Ekby Alex – I am 99% sure that the drawers can be reversed, and that the back doesn’t have that cut-out – so she could paint it a luscious blue and mount any hardware she fancied. I would be tempted to use ALL of the baskets from the inspiration pictures to hide the heater!

  • Amy
    March 24, 2016 at 4:39 pm

    My first thought is that the baseboard prevents most of these options from working. I would also like to know the measurements of the wall compared to the tables – scale is so important but I’m not seeing any noted- so even if there was no baseboard I find myself unsure which would work. I love reading about design solutions but this leaves many questions unaddressed.

    • Melissa
      March 24, 2016 at 6:19 pm

      Hi Amy, thank you for the feedback. The measurement of the wall is 51.5″ in length. What dimensions do you think would work best? The presvious owners had a chest console that measured 32″Wx 32″Hx 16″D. I can prob go about 1-2″ wider in debth but not much more than that. I am open to any and all suggestions. Thank you, Melissa.

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