From the first step inside to the first seat at the table—depths, walkways, and lighting decide whether your home feels calm and expensive or crowded and improvised. This is TAS Living’s playbook for a seamless entryway-to-dining journey.
Why “flow” is the luxury you can feel
A truly luxurious home is not a collection of pretty corners; it’s a sequence. The entry slows the day down, the corridor guides you, the dining room welcomes you. When consoles, mirrors, sideboards, and lights are sized and placed to each other—and to the human body—spaces feel quiet, gracious, inevitable. That feeling is the point.
“Proportion whispers louder than ornamentation.”
I) Foyer fundamentals: console, mirror, lighting, trays
The entry is where intent begins. Keep it usable and edited.
Console depth & length
-
Depth: 30–40 cm works in most Indian foyers. Under 30 cm feels like a ledge; beyond 45 cm intrudes into movement.
-
Length: Aim for ½–⅔ of the wall it sits on; overshooting reads bulky, undersizing looks apologetic.
-
Placement trick: Tape the footprint on the floor; open the door and walk past. If you have to turn sideways, it’s too deep.
Mirror height (what actually reads elegant)
-
Hang so the center is around 152 cm from the floor (adjust to household heights). It elongates walls and feels natural for a last-minute check.
Layered light
-
Neutral, shadow-lite illumination looks premium. Combine soft ceiling/cove with a slim table lamp or pair of sconces at the console. Avoid harsh downlights that blow out marble or cast heavy shadows on brass.
Tray system (the invisible luxury)
-
A dual-tray setup keeps chaos edited:
-
Functional (keys, phone, wallets, courier slips).
-
Decorative (flowers, incense/diya holders for festivals).
-
Materials: brass for warmth, marble for cleanliness, leather for texture.
India-first note: In monsoon cities, choose closed drawers for letters/packages; in dusty cities, prefer easy-lift trays over tiny loose objects.
II) The handoff: corridor clarity & sightlines
Between foyer and dining, protect a walk band that feels generous.
-
Walkway target: ≥ 91 cm clear is comfortable; 100–110 cm reads hotel-grade.
-
Sightline discipline: Let the console composition point your eye towards the dining focal (artwork or pendant). Mirrors should reflect order (art, light), not clutter (shoes, packages).
-
Acoustic calm: Stone floors + gypsum ceilings can echo. A runner, curtains, and upholstered dining chairs absorb sound without breaking the luxury mood.
III) Dining clearances: chairs, sideboard, circulation
Comfort is math. Do the math and the room feels expensive—before anyone notices the finishes.
Around the table
-
Keep ≈ 91 cm from table edge to walls/obstructions for movement. If space is tight, prioritize this clearance on the main pass side.
Chairs: seat height & legroom
-
Table height: typically 74–76 cm.
-
Seat height: 46–48 cm for most adults.
-
Legroom: preserve 25–30 cm between the underside of table/apron and the top of the seat.
-
With arms: confirm arms slide under the apron; leave 2–3 cm margin.
Sideboard proportion & position
-
Depth: 30–45 cm (shallower in narrow rooms).
-
Height: 80–90 cm for comfortable plating and presence.
-
Length: ½–⅔ of the table or hosting wall—visually stabilizes the room.
-
Clearance to chairs: allow ≈ 91–110 cm from pulled-out chair backs to sideboard face so people can pass with plates.
Storage logic inside the sideboard
-
Top drawers: cutlery, napkins, trivets, runners.
-
Lower cabinets: platters, taller bowls, dinner sets.
-
Optional pull-out trays for festival service; an integrated wine rack for frequent hosts.
IV) Lighting that leads: from foyer glow to dining pendant
Light is the room’s punctuation. Use it to guide, not blind.
-
Foyer: soft lamp or sconces at eye level; neutral color temp so marble reads white, not cream.
-
Dining centerpiece height: hang pendants/chandeliers 75–90 cm above the tabletop (standard ceilings).
-
Scale:
-
Round tables: chandelier diameter ≈ ½–⅔ of the tabletop.
-
Rectangular tables: linear pendant length ≈ ½–⅔ of table length; keep narrower than the table to avoid head knocks.
-
Layering: ambient (cove/ceiling) + centerpiece (pendant) + accent (sconces/lamps on sideboard). Put the pendant and sconces on dimmers for evening hosting.
Design cue: Align the light to the table centerline, not necessarily the room’s, if the table is intentionally offset.
V) Room “recipes” you can copy
1) Apartment flow (round table, compact clarity)
-
Foyer: console 30–35 cm depth; mirror centered ~152 cm; lamp or pair of sconces.
-
Corridor: ≥ 91 cm clear; slim runner.
-
Dining: round table Ø 122–137 cm (48–54") for 4–6; compact chairs; sideboard 150–180 cm long at 30–35 cm depth on the adjacent wall.
-
Light: single chandelier Ø ½–⅔ of tabletop; hang ~78–85 cm above top.
2) Rectangular hosting (8–10 seats, generous service)
-
Corridor: aim 100–110 cm for ease.
-
Dining: table 213–244 × 102 cm (84–96" × 40"); armless chairs along sides; arms at heads if room allows.
-
Sideboard: 210–240 cm long at 35–45 cm depth; big artwork or bronze-edged mirror above; slim sconces.
-
Light: linear pendant length ½–⅔ of table; hang ~75–85 cm above top.
3) Narrow room, festival mode (smart staging)
-
Sideboard: keep 30–35 cm depth; choose pull-out trays for service.
-
Clearance: preserve ~91–100 cm behind chairs.
-
Light: slim linear with diffusers to avoid glare in tight spaces.
-
Protection: brass/stone trays for diyas; runners under hot platters.
VI) Material & finish harmony (the “one-palette” rule)
-
Metals: pick one dominant (brass/bronze) and repeat it in small touches (lamp, hardware, picture light). Allow a quiet secondary metal only if it repeats with intent.
-
Stone × wood: pair opposites for richness—light stone with mid/dark timber, or dark stone with light oak/walnut.
-
Upholstery: use the chair fabric to bridge table and sideboard tones (e.g., warm grey that nods to both).
-
Rug: silk or performance silk-look, low pattern; the table should “read” first.
VII) India-first realities (designed-in practicality)
-
Heat & humidity: breathable chair fabrics; sealed stone tops; soft-close hardware.
-
Dust: closed fronts on sideboards; trays for quick lift-and-clean.
-
Festivals: diya oil/haldi on protective trays only; wipe immediately.
-
Monsoon: ventilate edges; avoid porous woods in foyers; use neutral pH cleaners.
Mistakes that instantly cheapen a room (skip these)
-
Console too deep for the door swing; guests turn sideways to pass.
-
Mirror chaos: reflecting shoes, shoe-racks, or packet clutter.
-
Sideboard too close to chairs; servers can’t pass without bumping.
-
Pendant too high or too low; wrong scale to table.
-
Finish soup: gold + chrome + rose gold + black—all in one sightline without logic.
Summary
-
Foyer consoles: 30–40 cm deep; mirror center ~152 cm; dual-tray system; layered light in neutral tone.
-
Corridor walk band: ≥ 91 cm; 100–110 cm feels hotel-grade.
-
Dining clearances: ≈ 91 cm around table; ≈ 91–110 cm between pulled-out chairs and sideboard.
-
Sideboards: depth 30–45 cm, height 80–90 cm, length ½–⅔ of the wall/table.
-
Lighting: pendant 75–90 cm above tabletop; scale ½–⅔ of table span; always dimmable.
-
Harmony: one lead metal, balanced masses, edited styling, India-first care.
FAQs
What corridor width feels comfortable between entry and dining?
Plan ≥ 91 cm clear; 100–110 cm reads truly luxurious.
How far should a sideboard be from pulled-out dining chairs?
Aim ≈ 91–110 cm from chair backs (when occupied) to the sideboard face so people can pass with plates.
How high should I hang a dining pendant?
For standard ceilings, 75–90 cm above the tabletop; adjust a little for taller ceilings and sightlines.
What is the right console depth for foyers in Indian apartments?
30–40 cm keeps circulation smooth while still usable for trays and a lamp.
How do I keep festival setups from staining marble?
Always use brass or stone trays under diyas and haldi; wipe immediately after rituals.
