Creating a Functional Entryway in an Empty Hallway


I’ve been helping my mom decorate her new condo in the city…because if mom is happy then everyone is happy! You guys absolutely loved her blush bedroom makeover. But I wasn’t surprised…it truly is a gorgeous space.

My Mom’s CondoA neutral bedroom with blush accessories

And you also went gaga over the symmetrical gallery wall of frames we hung. Another awesome project.How to hang a group of symmetrical photo frames in your hallway

As promised (and by request!), I’m sharing even more of her condo with all of you. As a reminder, my mom moved from a big house in the suburbs to a modern condo in the city to be closer to her kids and grandkids. We love having her nearby and I really love helping her decorate every inch of her place.

Creating a Functional Entryway Spacehow to create a functional entryway space in your home

We recently created a functional entryway in her place and I thought you guys might like to see it! This is the first space you see when you walk into her place, so we knew we had to make it look good.ย Take a blank wall in your home and create your own functional entryway

Small space living comes with its challenges, but it can be especially hard when you’re used to being in a much larger space. Luckily, my mom is the ultimate purger and doesn’t accumulate a ton of stuff. She is also keen on making every spot in her new place work for her, and that’s why we love this entryway so much.A slim console in a hallway makes for an easy entryway space.

She could have easily just left this long hallway blank, but when you’re living in the city it’s important to find storage and function everywhere you can! So we found a slim console, a mirror, and some accessories…and we now have a cute little drop zone.

The Console

This west elm console fits perfectly in this blank hallway space

The console is from West Elm and it fits this space perfectly. We didn’t have a ton of room on that wall (less than 6 feet), so it was important to maximize the space. This console is slim, fairly long, and it has drawers! My mom specifically requested that I find a console with drawers so she could have a spot for pens, pencils, scissors, etc.ย  Also known as her “junk drawer.” We all have one, don’t we?!

She was thrilled when I sent her this one! I love the color of the wood because it really warms up the gray walls (the paint color is “Balboa Mist” by the way).ย Use a lidded basket to hide clutter in your hallway

It’s also nice that it has a bottom level, because we were able to put a lidded basket down there for secret storage.

Adding a Mirror & LampAdd a large mirror over a console to create a drop zone in your hallway

My mom and I found the mirror at HomeGoods and immediately scooped it up. It’s the perfect size toย hang over the console. Some people choose mirrors that are way too small, but this one fills up the wall nicely. Plus, notice how it’s hung about 6-8 inches from the top of the console (more tips on hanging in this post). Not too high, people!

I always recommend a mirror in an entryway…it bounces the light, brightens up the space, and gives yourself a spot to check out your reflection before heading out the door!
This blue lamp from West Elm is a perfect petite light for this console

The lamp is another West Elm find. At first, my mom was a little hesitant about the blue, because she really wanted to keep things neutral. But, I think it adds a bit of color and livens up the neutral space a bit. Plus, this lamp is the perfect size for the slim console. I didn’t want one that overwhelmed the surface and this narrow one gets the job done.

Bring it Home with AccessoriesThis large white vase covers an outlet in this functional entryway

My mom has had this large vase (I think it’s originally from HomeGoods) for years and we added it to this spot to distract from the wall outlet and lamp cord. I’d much rather look at the curvy lines of this pretty piece than an ugly outlet anyways!ย Use a mail sorter and key bowl to corral accessories on your entryway console.

A dish for keys (I love the bowl selection at Anthro) and a mail sorter are practical accessories that liven up the top of the console too.Create a functional entryway space using a slim console, large mirror, and lamp!

Serene, calming, uncluttered…and full of function! This little spot works hard in style.

I’m so happy to see my mom’s place coming together. She has a lot of BIG things happening in there right now…including a built-in wardrobe in her bedroom and built-ins in her family room. I’ll be sure to share more as projects get completed.ย You can make an entrance with a functional drop zone in your entryway space.

My mom is so funny because she keeps mentioning how things are moving slowly around her place, but I try to remind her that that’s a-okay! Decorating your home with intention takes time. Oh, and I remind her that we lived without a dining room table for about a year before deciding on one. So she is doing pretty darn great in my opinion!

Casey

More of Jan’s Condo


The Year of Casey

Hey there!

Iโ€™m Casey Finn, the voice behind The DIY Playbook. I’m a Chicago gal teaching you how to design, DIY, and maintain your home…by yourself! Learn more about me right here.