OROA BUYING GUIDES / THE ENTRYWAY
A console table can give a narrow entryway a useful landing place for keys, mail, and a lamp. The challenge is choosing a piece that leaves the entrance comfortable to use. Depth is usually the first measurement to resolve; width and styling come next.
Think of the entry as a working route. People arrive with bags, open the door, turn, and pass one another. A console that fits against the wall can still interrupt those movements. Measure the space in use before choosing a favorite finish.
Start with the clear walking space
Measure across the entryway at its narrowest point. Then mark the console’s full depth from the wall, allowing for baseboards that may hold it forward. The remaining width is the space you will walk through. Consider handles and any other detail that projects beyond the main frame.
As a simple example, a 52-inch-wide entry with a console projecting 16 inches leaves 36 inches between the console front and the opposite wall, before allowing for other projections. That arithmetic is a planning check, not a guarantee that the route meets every household’s needs or applicable access requirements. Test the space with bags, a stroller, or mobility equipment if those are part of everyday use.
Use this entryway measuring checklist
| Check | Include in the measurement |
|---|---|
| Depth | Top, legs, handles, and any gap behind the table |
| Width | Door trim, corners, switches, and nearby openings |
| Door swing | Front door and adjacent closet doors |
| Storage access | Space for drawers to open and a person to stand |
| Lighting | Lamp footprint, outlet location, and cord route |
Choose a compact width without forgetting depth
A short console is helpful when the usable wall is limited, but it may still project too far into the hall. Compare both measurements. Mark the corners on the floor, then walk the route repeatedly with the front door open and closed.
The Bali Loom Beale console table is listed at 39 inches wide, 16 inches deep, and 30 inches high. Its single drawer gives small essentials a defined home. The gold-tone frame and green velvet drawer front add a decorative accent, while the dimensions tell you whether it can work in your particular entrance.
A 16-inch depth is not suitable for every narrow hallway. If the mock-up leaves an uncomfortable route, choose a shallower piece or keep the floor clear and consider another location for storage. A compact-looking photograph cannot settle that decision.
Decide whether drawers solve your actual storage problem
Drawers are useful for items you want out of sight, but they need room to open. Put a temporary box where the drawer front would extend and check whether you can stand comfortably in front of it. Also consider how often you need access while someone else is entering.
The Bali Loom Mae console table has two drawers and a listed footprint of 43 by 16 inches, with a height of 32 inches. Compared with Beale, it uses more wall width and provides a different drawer arrangement. Check the internal drawer dimensions if you need to store something specific.
An open console may feel visually lighter, but it will not conceal daily clutter. A lower shelf can hold a basket only if the basket fits fully within the furniture footprint and does not push into the walking route. Choose storage around what you actually bring through the door.
Plan the mirror, lamp, and tabletop together
Before selecting a table lamp, place paper templates on the proposed top to represent the lamp base and a small tray. Leave room for a phone or a bag to land briefly. A lamp that fills most of the depth can make a console less useful even if it looks attractive.
Check where the outlet sits and how the cord will reach it without crossing the floor. If the wall has a switch or intercom, keep it accessible. A mirror above the console can give the entry a focal point, but its position should work for the people using it and the surrounding trim.
Use the table’s width as a visual reference when arranging the wall above. A single mirror or artwork can keep a small entrance calm. Group several pieces only when there is enough wall space for them to read as one composition.
Connect the entryway to the rest of the home
Repeat one finish from the room beyond: a warm wood tone, a metal detail, or an upholstery color. You do not need a matching furniture set to create continuity.
The Bali Loom Lafoy console table combines a light brown wood finish with a gold-finished metal frame and two drawers. It is listed at 43 inches wide, 16 inches deep, and 30 inches high. Its dimensions are similar to Mae’s, while its frame and hardware create a different visual effect.
Compare front and side views in OROA’s console table collection. In a hallway, the side view and leg position matter because you approach the furniture from an angle rather than viewing it only head-on.
Frequently asked questions
What depth should a narrow entryway console be?
Choose the depth that preserves a comfortable route in your actual hallway. There is no single suitable depth for every entrance. Include projections and test a full-size footprint before ordering.
Can a console table sit behind the front door?
Only if the door can open as intended without hitting the table, its objects, or the person using it. Check the full swing and any door hardware before deciding.
Should I choose drawers or an open console?
Choose drawers for concealed small-item storage when there is room to open them. Choose an open design when display and a light visual outline matter more, while planning a separate home for clutter.