I like the CL round table -- but not the chairs there, to avoid, as Marcolo noted, having it look like a dinette. Would the chairs work elsewhere? Or just store them so you can resell the whole set later...

The 46" table you showed for scale looks to be about the right size. With a to-the-floor round tablecloth and topper, you could even use it -- assuming it isn't needed elsewhere?

Instead of two smaller items like the vase and basket, one BIG item in the center would look better. Then you could have data sheets about the house or a sign-in sheet located there when you show.

I agree that the 'art' is a bit small -- but hold off until you get the table and centerpiece. You may not need anything else.

No, no, no, wouldn't use the chairs. Just the table. We'll haul the chairs away. Though at one point in our remodel, we did eat on our dinette set in the foyer....:-)

BTW, the other stuff on the table and wall is just for scale purposes, not necessarily what I plan to use there. It does show that I need BIG stuff, though. I'm going to hunt for some really tall stuff to put in the vase.

Thanks for everyone's help and ideas!

The seller told me the table is 53" diameter, and Dawn, you're right, it is Ashley. Going tomorrow afternoon to see in person.

Green, I have scoured thrift stores and consignment stores till I'm blue in the face. The thrift store stuff is all dated junk and the consignment stuff is overpriced around here. Even CL rarely turns up much good stuff, so this is an exception. It's been frustrating to try and do this staging on the cheap.

Get a table round with a long skirt. Have a basket of dried flowers or a green plant on it, and have flyers with your home facts on the table. Inexpensive, welcoming and useful.

I mistakenly posted on your other thread but will repeat myself here.
Why not take that large plant I saw in another room and place it in that corner, then hang a large piece of art?
I don't understand spending money (especially $200) on furniture you don't need and at a time you're trying to sell. When will the house be listed on the market?

Personally, I think a 53" table is too large for the entry. As I mentioned in the other tread, most realtors leave their cards and paperwork on the kitchen counter so I wouldn't worry about providing a place for those items.

I agree with Annz- Don't spend extra money on staging- Plus I feel like a table blocking that beautiful tile will move the buyers eyes away from it. I think maybe a rectangular table in the corner with a mirror above on the wall and maybe a few candle sticks on it would look nice and maybe a table lamp. Stuff you can take with you to your next house and use= YOu can go to the a unfinished wood store and get a decent rectangular table for fairly cheap.
Just my opinion. I just wouldn't want to block the tile..

I'd personally go for a corner table with a large plant or urn with something dramatic in it if you want drama. Something slightly leggy that won't obscure wall or tile.

Depending on your style, you can do amazing things with a few cheap sprays of tall curly willow in a gorgeous big flower urn. Put it on a corner table, or just set it right on the floor.

Either that, or something non-mass-market and unexpected:

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

If you really want to WOW 'em, you have to go with the stuffed grizzly:

Just a heads up on that Ashley table set - it's *heavy*
The chairs weigh a good 30 lbs each!

I agree with circuspeanut's first photo suggestion.... I don't think that tile rug should be covered by a round table or anything large; it wouldn't look right. So, that little corner table looks like it would be appropriate.

The only other type of items I'd put there would be something functional (a stand alone coat rack, a little bench, or similar..)

sombreuil--well, after all...it is April 1! good one

I would place a comfy chair (to sit on while putting on/taking off shoes), a small table (for keys, purse, etc.) and a large, dramatic mirror to check yourself one last time before leaving the house. A nice lamp on the table for light, too.

We seldom leave the house through the front door! It is almost always through the kitchen/ garage, so no need for a last minute check at the front door. Now that I think about it, we have no need for a table there, either. We always use the kitchen/ garage door.

Our guests do use the front door. Weedy, do you have a guest closet in the foyer? Also, since we don't remove our shoes in the house or ask our guests to, no need for a chair. It might look nice, though.

Love the lamps and art etc on this table. Could work with Jake's piece.

{{!gwi}}

I agree with AKtillery. That's a great look!

I've been thinking about this. I think you should have a non-functional piece of art there or a giant, real tree if there is enough light. Anything else...tables, lamps, chairs, bookcases, might look like you are just trying to fill up a useless space. I don't think drawing attention to it would be helpful. Chairs, etc., would be trying to make it look like something it is not. The house itself has many rooms with assigned purposes, so this foyer can just be a decorated foyer. Imvho, of course.

Well, the CL table turned out to be a no-go. The tabletop was blistered in a few places and the chairs were scuffed and chewed up in a couple places. Very worn.

So I think I'm going to go with Casey's idea and do taxidermy. Nothing like open bear arms to say "welcome home" eh?

The foyer is 10' x 14', and the corner walls are 6' (back) x 5' (side) so it's plenty big to handle a round table, and a pedestal wouldn't obscure the tile much. I think a small corner table would be too tiny. But the cheapest new option I found is $260:

We do have a coat closet, that's the door right past the end of the foyer.

Here's a photo with the plant in the corner and some other stuff, again, just to show scale. Would a console table with the vase on it work? Or a bench or chair next to the plant? I've also got a floor lamp that could be used somehow.

The house is going onto the market when it's ready. That's not meant as a flip answer, we're just plugging away. Spent all day yesterday on the outside landscape beds. Garage is the next (and near-last) to-do. 3 1/2 cars' worth of tools and materials. Hoo boy. :-)

I agree either a round pedestal table or a rectangular cabinet/sideboard work work well. Of the latest options, I like the piece in Jack's bedroom best. The flowers and vase look very nice. I'm sorry to say the bookshelves and chair or tree look odd to me.

I would put a rectangular table or dresser, fab mirror over it, and a large vase with REAL flowers in it. It's an opportunity to grab the buyer in another way--their sense of smell. And to all those who say it won't make a difference, it does. It all plays into the idea that their life will be better if they buy your house. I always had vases of hydrangeas or some other flowers in the house.

Depending on what's going on outside your house, you can go and cut branches from the cherry or crabapple trees and make a great arrangement with branches.

It's also a nice place to put that framed sign that thanks buyers for removing their shoes. ;)

I don't like any of the pictured options and def agree on no rug. I would only use a round entry table if you already have one and would not hang any random artwork. If people are too picky to buy your house unstaged they may also be too picky to buy it half-staged.

I am not a fan of fake plants. Maybe get a real one similiar in scale and add a bench next to it. That or just use the vase and and a console table with a lamp on the table.

The last house I staged, I used a real tropical frothy palm in a plastic urn I spray painted bronze and put in the corner of the dining room with a plant uplight to cast shadows on the wall. Spring time,the stores like Home Depot and Lowes sell large ones for under $30. After the house sold used them on the deck at our new place for privacy screen.
They really don't need much tending and will stay alive for quite awhile.
Another place,I staged I bought plants from a place that furnishes the plants for office and retail spaces. They change out the plants, trim them
and then sell for almost nothing. That house was empty and I just watered them onc a week and were fine.

A cool corner piece:

Flanked by fancy chairs each side:
{{!gwi}}

A vertical-emphasis wall art above chairs:

Casey

I agree with Bee -- shallow rectangular hall table, large mirror, vase with real flowers or branches (even branches of leaves if no flowers or flowering branches are available).

I just stayed in a rental home in Tucson and I loved what she did. She had a console table and the top was deocorated with a copper plate (charger type plate), a lamp and some tall candle holders. The plate was in the middle. Above the console table, she had a beautiful round mirror, placed lower than I would have placed it, but it looked fantastic.

I wouldn't put a round table there and no plants. On the left side of the wall, you could put three or four metal decorations...you can buy them in different colors and this would be something you could use at your new place or maybe you already have something you can use on the other wall. Don't let it over power the mirror.

A second option would be a writing desk with a chair (fabric or leather). Keep the decorations at a minimum, but def. a lamp. I love the glass blue lamp that was posted above (from Wayfair I believe). That would look great with your wall color.

Good luck! Devonne

I still like the round table idea, but would be curious to see the 'Jack's bedroom piece' there to see how it works. Don't forget -- with a nice tablecloth, it could be a CHEAP, UGLY round table, or even a card table with a round topper.

The plant wasn't bad, but (sorry) not that silk plant in the basket. A tall real palm (or palmy thing) would look good and you could take it with you.

I do think that this area - as the first thing prospective buyers will see - needs to look great. Something that draws the eye to the floor to highlight that lovely tile rug would be good.

I also vote for the piece in Jack's room as an option.

what about that table that's by the stairs in FR... and one of the chairs next to it and a lamp... is that table too low for brochures??

That table by the stairs is an end table: too low for the foyer.

If we go with the piece in Jack's room, it ain't goin' back, cause it's a heavy sucker and we're not lugging it back upstairs. So you guys will have to help me figure out how to make it work. :-)

I'm off to work out of town for the week. I'll keep watching CL, but if I can't find another piece, we'll lug Jack's thing downstairs. Will update again next weekend.

Joining late, but I'm not a fan of the round table. It's awkward -- not a wall piece, too large to be a side table between chairs, not a dining table and not centered in a large foyer. It just feels to me that it's trying to be everything that it's not.

I do think a console or something that goes along one of the walls and gives you a top for brochures, agents to leave business cards when they show, etc. would be good. You have the space for a chair or bench, which would be especially good if you are going to ask folks to remove their shoes on entering. Fresh flowers, a bowl of mints or chocolates - something welcoming, but it should look comfortable, not forced. You'd be better leaving a space where someone thinks about what they can put there than to have a space they think is awkward.

I love the oak sideboard but your entry feels too contemporary to me for it. I think you need a high but narrow console table, large mirror over it with simple but strong lines, two lamps that give off a warm glow, and if possible, a chair with some velvet to the side. Of course, a beautiful bouquet would be lovely with fresh flowers on days you take photos and have an open house would be great. Wouldn't hurt to have some wrapped candy out with a "please enjoy" sign when people come. I would buy nothing new for this or if you do, check Ikea.

Oops, just read the other suggestions. I apologize for being redundant!

Would a mission style table work? $50 on CL
{{!gwi}}

that's the best choice so far, imo... simple, yet funtional, and doesn't interfere with the tile floor design...

YES- I think it would look fine in the foyer. Add some flowers, a lamp and a mirror or art work above and you will be good to go.

Definitely! Add some large items on the bottom shelf or two large darker wicker baskets. I would add a large piece of art above in deeper rich tones. Add a large lamp and some other nice accessories and maybe a small plant on top.inite

Here is a picture of what it might look like. Sorry its rough.

{{!gwi}}

Oops, just read the other suggestions. I apologize for being redundant!

Damn! Someone else got to the table and bought it first. Grumble....

OK, I'm back. Bought a console table from target.com and got a few other accessories, based on some of the ideas above. I've still got tags and plastic on stuff, in case I don't keep, but let me know what you think so far, and ideas to finish it off. I've got an irridescent glass bowl around somewhere, but it's likely in a box somewhere, so probably can't use it here.

I agree with mtnredux. It looked better without anything.

Muscle up and bring the dresser/buffet down from Jack's bedroom. It is the most interesting option you have shown and will provide a touch of "country grandeur" to your lovely foyer! Plus is it free.

Love the similar example you posted April 1. It gives a nice warm welcome - make sure you use a nice lamp.

Tuesday

Where is the ceiling fixture? Is it centered above the tile "rug"? If so, I think you should bring that round dinette table back in but center it on the "rug" and directly below the light fixture. Put an elegant tablecloth on it and a tall floral arrangement. That can also be a place for real estate brochures.

The round shape will soften up all the hard edges and the tablecloth will bring in fabric to soften the room since you don't have a rug for that. The round shape will also provide a nice flow from room to room.

Maybe put a mirror or a piece of art on the back wall and that's it.

I don't know if you ever saw Sex and the City, but Charlotte's swanky penthouse had that in the foyer and I always thought it was so elegant.

Boy, this is certainly not the place to come if you're seeking a consensus! :-) I'm feeling constant buffeting between those who holler "Boring beige! Liven it up or your doomed!" and the other side that screams "Leave it alone, you're making it worse!" Ok, most of you aren't that extreme, but it's a lot all over the map to synthesize.

I'm not offended by either camp, and hopefully that's mutual to those of you that express opinions that I seem to ignore. In the end, I have to balance my budget, what I know about the house that doesn't always convey in the photos (things look starker and less colorful in the photos than IRL), and what the competition looks like. The stuff in my price range is mostly empty or sparser than me, or else it's cluttered and dated. You have to go up 100-200K to get the more fully-furnished-and-accessorized looks.

My decision is that we're taking a middle road. The sunroom bugged me being so sparse (feels like a forgettable "extra" room on the way to the outdoors), so we sprung for some more furnishings to fill it up and make it instead feel like a cozy destination room to watch the outdoors. I've added some accessories to de-sparsify rooms because they do make a room feel more comfy. I'm minimalist at heart, though, so I can't/won't do the cluttery look.

So, I'd still welcome anyone's input and further suggestions. If you can find it within yourselves to trust that I've got a decent sense of space and a good understanding of how dressed up it needs to be to feel good and sell, then come along for the ride. If it would help, then think of this less of a staging thread and more of a decorating-on-a-budget one.

A few final notes, responses to the last few posts:
-Mirrors on an entry wall are bad feng shui, so I'm avoiding.
-Round table in the center is a cool idea, but this foyer is 10x14, so the table would be an obstacle to maneuver around.
-Dresser in Jack's room is staying. I don't really want a "country grandeur" look, and this new table is bought, assembled, and staying.

And in case anyone's still reading, I added new photos to the "downstairs" thread and would love your feedback.

Here is a link that might be useful: Downstairs thread

It is super difficult to see what a room truly looks like in photos. Its even more difficult to ascertain the true feel of the home.

I think you can just beef up the table with one piece of art that is much larger in scale and a bigger, taller lamp. Add spmaybe a couple of large pottery pieces below and that will definitely read WOW and on a budget. Tuesday Morning and TJMaxx and the like sell large beautiful lamps for a steal! They also have great pottery for a steal as well.

I looked at the other thread and your place looks great! I love what you did in the sunroom and living room!

Good luck with this. It has got to be stressful!

Maybe I missed it, but when is the house going on the market?

For a large piece of art, have you checked to see if there are any furniture rentals in your area?

If we're looking at this as decorating on a budget instead of staging, my advice is that you need much larger artwork. I recently needed something large to go above an upright piano. (The piano is a rental. I'm not sure how long it will be here.) I stretched a piece of Marimekko fabric over a frame. It's 54" W x 46" H, looks great, and only cost $100!

I don't think the foyer is too small for a round table, but as aktillery said, it's hard to visualize and get a sense of the space. Just for a visual, I was thinking along these lines

Visualize a table instead of the strange ottoman thing:

[traditional entry design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-entryway-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_741~s_2107) by dc metro kitchen and bath Case Design/Remodeling, Inc.

This definitely says wow:
{{!gwi}}

This is larger foyer, but it has a larger table:

[traditional entry design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-entryway-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_741~s_2107) by chicago architect COOK ARCHITECTURAL Design Studio

If you decide not to do that, and I won't be offended in the least if you don't!, what about putting the table along the wall to the right and a bench with a back angled in the corner? There is an outlet on the right wall so you could still place a lamp there and the bench would give someone a place to sit down and take off their shoes.

I agree with mtnrdredux in that, "in a nice, new home, like yours, the absence of something is better than something that looks forced." If you fill the place with inexpensive items just to fill up space, you run the risk of the buyer questioning whether or not you have cut corners with the quality of your construction materials. Just another thought to consider.

I like the console table -- clean lines, nice shape, and it goes well with the slightly-Asian vibe in the living room. You can absolutely make it work with different accessories. A bulkier lamp or vase on the left, maybe a bowl for candy or Realtor cards, and a larger picture should be all it takes --

Have you asked some of your friends about borrowing accessories? What could be more budget-friendly than that?