Entryway Molding - How to Style a Stairway Area

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This entryway molding is one of my favorite upgrades in our home. It makes this somewhat awkward area feel high-end and custom. Even though the entry is very spacious, it faces northeast and feels dark for most of the day. Painting it white makes it look lighter and brighter. However, long spans of white walls can feel plain and boring. Entryway molding creates visual interest and removes the need for decor on every wall.

Entryway molding, wall trim, stairway molding, hallway molding

Table of Contents

Entryway molding tutorial

You can find a detailed tutorial with a materials and tools list and installation instructions in my How to Install Hallway Molding post.

Let the entryway molding shine

Leave the stairway area empty and let the beautiful trim work take a center stage! Because the wall trim provides so much visual interest and is an architectural feature, you don’t even need to decorate the space any further. Leaving the entryway empty works great, especially in a narrow hallway. Here are some photos of my stairway area completely empty:

Entryway molding with a console table

The most common way to decorate a stairway entry area is with a console table. Many times hanging wall art on the walls is a challenge because the trim boards are in the way. I choose to lean the art against the molding instead of hanging them permanently. The white background of the wall can accommodate any color or wood stain but I like to keep my console tables in the light to mid-range tone. Below are some examples of console tables I have used in the past. I also have a post on the different ways to style the Everett console table.

Stairway molding area with console table, ottomans, lamp

Console table | Table lamp | Ottomans | Wall art

Console table with ceramic vases and wall art, flower basket

Console table | White vase | Beige vase

Entryway molding with a bench

My favorite way to style an entryway and stairway area is with a bench. It’s less expected but also easier because you can just place a throw pillow or two to decorate it. This is my favorite Shore bench from Serena and Lily: