Christmas Entryway Decor Ideas (14 Easy Looks for Any Size)

The entryway is the first thing guests see, and it is also the place where coats, shoes, and bags pile up. Good Christmas entryway decor has to look festive and still leave room to walk. These 14 ideas come with exact sizes, three ready-made setups, and tips for a small or narrow entry.

Two rules that keep an entry usable:

• Keep a clear walking path of about 36 inches, which lets two people pass.
• Decorate in layers: the floor, the table or bench at hip height, and the wall. Do not fill all three to the top.

Part 1: The table or console (ideas 1 to 5)

1. A tray on the console. A tray gathers keys, mail, and decor in one place, and you can lift it off when you need the space. Most console tables are about 30 inches high and 10 to 14 inches deep. Pick a tray at least 2 inches shallower than the table, such as 8 by 16 inches for a 10 inch console or 12 by 18 inches for a 14 inch one.

2. A garland on the wall above. Hang a 6-foot pine garland above a 4-foot console with the ends draping down 8 to 10 inches. Use 3 removable hooks and check the weight limit on the package.

3. A mini tree on one end. A pencil tree of 24 to 30 inches, in a pot or basket, fits a console of 10 to 14 inches deep. Put it on one end, and leave the other end for the tray.

4. Flameless candles in three heights. Use pillar candles of about 3, 4, and 6 inches, with a timer. They give a warm glow in a dark hallway with no fire risk.

5. A bowl for gloves and hats. A 10 inch wood bowl with a few pinecones and 6 small ornaments at the bottom still leaves the middle open for real hats and gloves.

A garland above, a tray, a pencil tree, and 3 candles make the console.

Part 2: The bench and the floor (ideas 6 to 9)

6. A plaid blanket on the bench. Fold a throw over the end of an entry bench, and set 2 pillows of 16 inches on top. Choose red plaid or cream.

7. A basket for shoes and boots. Put a basket or a boot tray of about 30 by 15 inches under the bench, so wet boots have a place.

8. A holiday doormat and rug. A 2 by 3 foot doormat outside and a runner of 2 by 6 feet inside. Use a non-slip pad under the runner, so no one trips.

9. A tree skirt basket for a floor tree. If you have room, put a 3-foot tree in a large basket on the floor. Keep it at least 3 feet from a heater or radiator.

Part 3: The wall and the door (ideas 10 to 13)

10. A wreath on the inside of the door. A 20 to 24 inch wreath on the inside of the front door welcomes guests as they walk in. Hang it from an over-the-door hook, not from adhesive.

11. A mirror with greenery. Tuck 3 or 4 stems of pine or eucalyptus behind the corner of a mirror, and add a few small ornaments. The mirror doubles the light from your candles.

12. A row of stockings or a coat hook line. Hang 4 stockings on a row of hooks along the wall at about 54 inches high, so the middle sits at eye level for most people.

13. A string of lights along the doorframe. A battery strand of about 10 feet around the inside of the door frame. Use clear clips, and keep the cord out of the doorway.

A wreath on the door, a mirror with greenery, and a plaid blanket on the bench.

Part 4: Small and narrow entries (idea 14)

14. No table or bench? Use one wall shelf. A floating shelf of 24 inches wide and 6 inches deep holds a mini tree of 12 inches, 2 candles, and a short garland draped along the front. Add 3 hooks for coats and 3 stockings below it. In a hallway under 4 feet wide, keep the floor clear and check that the door can still swing fully open.

Three ready-made setups

The neutral setup uses only cream, white, and wood.

For the outside of your front door see our Christmas front porch ideas. For the room beyond, see our Christmas mantel decorating ideas, Christmas tree decorating ideas, and Christmas coffee table decor ideas. To light the window next to the door see our Christmas window decorations.

Budget tip

You can style an entryway for about $28 to $62. The simple version is a 6-foot garland $12, 3 flameless candles $9, and 3 removable hooks $7, which comes to $28. The full version adds a 24 inch pencil tree $14, a wreath $12, and a non-slip runner pad $8, for $62. These are planning estimates for U.S. stores, exclude tax, and vary by store and region. Pack everything in one labeled box, so next year you can set up in minutes.

Mistakes to avoid

• Blocking the path. Keep about 36 inches clear, so guests can walk in with coats and bags.
• Low glass with pets or toddlers. Use shatterproof ornaments and pieces that cannot tip over.
• Too many tall pieces. Use one tall piece, such as a pencil tree, and keep the rest low.
• Loose cords across the floor. Use battery lights, or run a cord along the wall under a flat cord cover.
• A rug that slides. Always use a non-slip pad under a runner.
• Real candles near greenery. Use flameless candles near a garland, a mirror, and a blanket.
• A tree next to a heater. Keep any tree at least 3 feet from a heater or radiator.

Safety

• Keep real flames, if you use them, at least 12 inches from greenery, paper, and fabric, and never leave them alone.
• Wet boots and a smooth floor are a slip risk, so keep a mat or boot tray at the door.

Helpful safety sources

• NFPA: safety with candles: Fire safety tips for candles, such as keeping them away from anything that can burn.

FAQ

How do you decorate an entryway for Christmas?

Start with a garland above the console table, then add a tray with 3 flameless candles, a pencil tree of 24 to 30 inches on one end, and a wreath on the inside of the door. Keep a clear walking path of about 36 inches.

How do you decorate a small or narrow entryway for Christmas?

Use only the wall. A 5-foot garland, a wreath, and a 10-foot battery string of lights are enough. Keep the floor clear, and check that the door can still swing fully open.

How big should a Christmas tree be for an entryway table?

A pencil tree of 24 to 30 inches fits a console that is 10 to 14 inches deep. Put it on one end, and use the other end for a tray of candles and small decor.

How do you hang garland over an entryway table without damage?

Use 3 removable hooks for a 6-foot garland, and check the weight limit on the package. Clean the wall first, and let the hooks set for the time the package says before you hang the garland.

How much does it cost to decorate an entryway for Christmas?

A simple look costs about $28: a 6-foot garland $12, 3 flameless candles $9, and 3 hooks $7. A fuller look with a pencil tree, a wreath, and a rug pad is about $62. These are planning estimates and vary by store.

What can I put on a console table for Christmas?

Use a tray that is at least 2 inches shallower than the table, such as 8 by 16 inches for a 10 inch console, with 3 flameless candles of different heights. Add a mini tree on one end and a wood bowl with pinecones, so there is still room for keys and mail.

Related articles

• Christmas Front Porch Ideas
• Christmas Mantel Decorating Ideas
• Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas
• Christmas Window Decorations

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