What Should an Entrance Do?
The entrance is the first thing guests see and the last thing the family sees before leaving, so it has two jobs: to welcome and to serve. Before choosing anything, answer these questions:
- Where will keys, wallet and post go?
- Where are shoes taken off, and where are they stored?
- Is there a place for a last look in the mirror before going out?
- Does anyone need a seat to put shoes on?
- Can someone at the door see straight into the house, or does the entrance need a screen for privacy?
Your answers decide the pieces: a console and mirror only, or a console, shoe cabinet and bench together.
Choosing a Console of the Right Size
- Depth: 25–35 cm is enough in a narrow hallway; up to 40–45 cm in a generous entrance.
- Height: usually 75–85 cm, comfortable for setting things down without bending.
- Width: roughly half to two-thirds of the wall, leaving space on either side so it does not look squeezed in.
- Clearance: keep at least 90 cm in front of the console for movement, more if the door swings towards it.
A console with drawers hides keys and small papers; one that is open underneath feels lighter and leaves room for two baskets or small stools beneath.
An entrance console takes keys and bags every day, so give it a scratch-resistant top: marble or stone, or wood with a durable finish, or simply a small tray to drop keys into. In entrances with constant traffic from guests and children, prefer sturdy legs over very slender ones, or fix the console to the wall.
The Mirror: Size and Height
A mirror above the console doubles the light and makes the entrance feel deeper. Keep it narrower than the console, about two-thirds to three-quarters of its width, and hang it with the bottom edge 15–25 cm above the console top and its centre near eye level, around 150–160 cm from the floor.
If the hallway is too narrow for a console, a tall wall mirror with a slim shelf beneath it does both jobs. A carved or gilded mirror frame becomes the main piece in a classic entrance, so keep everything around it simple.
Lighting
Entrances rarely have windows, and ceiling light alone leaves faces shadowed in the mirror. Combine:
- A general ceiling light or small chandelier scaled to the ceiling height, with its bottom well clear of people's heads.
- Two lamps on the console or two wall lights either side of the mirror, lighting the face from both sides.
- Warm light rather than cold white; the entrance is a place of welcome.
- A switch right by the door, and motion-sensor lighting in long corridors where possible.
Shoe Storage
Shoes piling up by the door ruin an entrance faster than anything. Pick a solution to fit the space:
- A slim shoe cabinet with tilting flaps, 25–35 cm deep, holding a good number of pairs in little space.
- A 35–40 cm deep cabinet with adjustable shelves for boots and trainers.
- A bench about 45 cm high with storage below, combining a seat and shoe storage in one piece.
- Ventilation slots in the doors or back, since a fully sealed cabinet traps odours.
Keep only everyday shoes at the door and move the rest to the bedrooms.
The First Impression for Guests
In villas and many Gulf homes, guests have their own entrance leading straight to the majlis, with a separate family entrance. The guest entrance deserves a statement piece: a classic console with hand carving and gilding, or a modern piece in natural wood with clean lines, plus art or a vase, warm lighting and a pleasant scent. The family entrance is about function: shoes, keys and bags.
If the front door looks straight into the living room or the women's majlis, a pierced timber screen or a tall cabinet set at a considered angle protects privacy without blocking all the light.
Common Mistakes
- A deep console in a narrow hallway that everyone bumps into.
- A small mirror over a wide console, or a mirror hung so high nobody sees their face.
- A console top crowded with ornaments and no space for keys; leave at least a third of the surface clear.
- Breakable glass pieces on the edge of a console in a home with young children.
- An entrance rug without a non-slip backing.
Building the Entrance to Size
Entrances are where ready-made pieces most often let you down, because the wall between two doors is rarely a standard size. At Arti Design we design the console, mirror and shoe cabinet as one set to the size of the wall, and approve wood, colour and finish with samples before production.
