Upstairs hall is meh!

uk1982

8 years ago

Hello, me again. Turning my attentions to my upstairs hall now. I like everything in it and it's all new, but I just feel it's a bit....lacking. I feel it doesn't quite all come together. Perhaps it's missing something? Any suggestions would be appreciated from you wonderfully talented people! ive attached photos. the last two are taken with a wide lens to give you an idea of the area as a whole, but they do make the space look much larger than it really is.

Featured Answer

A S

8 years ago

Hi,
I love the neutral, timeless look you have created, I think you could stop it looking tad too bland by introdycing a little bit of colour through wall art, blinds or even a nice bunch of flowers for the window.

If you don't mind me asking, what colour have you used for the walls?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (31)

PRO
Normanton Designs
8 years ago
Hi,

It looks like you have achieved a good neutral starting point but, in the nicest way possible, it looks a little as though you haven't actually moved in. I suggest that you need to make this space more personal. I couple of ideas to maybe consider:

1. A 'gallery wall' up the stairs. photos, paintings, anything, preferably framed.

2. Blinds, shutter etc. for the windows. These could be in neutrals in keeping with the existing scheme.

3. The smallest amount of an 'accent' colour. for example, you could have an ikat cushion on the chair.

Hope this helps.
uk1982
Original Author
8 years ago
haha, a comment I often hear "it looks like no-one lives here"! I love the idea of an ikat cushion, green perhaps?
Related Discussions
Vinyl on upstairs landing?
Q
Comments (9)
I think that vinyl floors can look great. However if you have to overboard the floors to get a decent finish then it may not be that cost efficient. I would put the same polypropylene carpet everywhere and keep an offcut for when the bathroom needs replacing in 2 years
...See More
50's bungalow extension....4 beds upstairs possible?
Q
Comments (5)
Hi Sam, once you have decided on a layout, we can provide you with a budget cost estimate. The budget cost estimate provides a detailed breakdown of works and expenses as well as highlighting potential areas where you can save money. If this is something of interest please send the plans and photos to hello@nestestimating.co.ukand we can provide you with a quote
...See More
Advice on upstairs layout
Q
Comments (11)
Hi J Green, another vote for 4 bedrooms option from us. We are big fans of large landings. This is space where family can meet, chat and hang out in the morning or just before bed. If you have kids, they will love it. Add seating and it could be a nice space to be in when your ground floor is busy and you just want to escape or have a private chat. There are million reasons why but of course this is your home so go with what feels right for you and your loved ones. It is easy to annotate the drawing and write BEDROOM into the square or rectangle of space, but is it really a bedroom? Looking at the sizes, I am already feeling quite anxious that bedroom 4 and possibly also bedroom 3 are going to be difficult to furnish and made functional with decent size beds, storage etc. I would also suggest that you push your hired professional and re-visit your master suite design and your family bathroom design. If your family bathroom is efficiently designed, you will have more space to give to both bedrooms. Dressing room is a must these days, but the space you allowed for it seems really tiny. Also your en suite master bathroom layout worries me slightly. Good Luck with your project. Best Wishes Suzanne
...See More
Moving bathroom upstairs .. where to put it!!
Q
Comments (5)
Humm, what a difficult decision. I think perhaps you need a couple of agents to value it as it stands now as a 3 bed with downstairs bathroom vs a 2 bed with upstairs bathroom and more downstairs space. That will give you some idea if you will lose a lot of money just making it suitable for you and a good starting point. As a buyer - with no kids. I would rather have 2 bed and bathroom upstairs than the current setup. If I had children then that might change but do I want kids traipsing downstairs in the middle of the night to get to the toilet? Probably not either. I've found whatever you do, someone will want it different and if you are definately staying there for a few years and it doesn't devalue it much then you will gain the value back in enjoying your house more. Location wise - if you go with moving it upstairs, you might want to use the bedroom over the current kitchen for ease of plumbing as they will save money in the long run. If you keep it downstairs then you could look at moving the kitchen to the end so you have garden views and put the bathroom at the back of the old kitchen. If you could then squeeze at least a wc upstairs out of the smaller room (at the entrance so you don't cut up much of the bedroom) then that could work for having a wc in the night.
...See More
PRO
Normanton Designs
8 years ago
Green could work if it's the right shade and has a lot of white in the pattern. As everything else is so neutral you can't really go too wrong (in moderation). Happy shopping.
tamp75
8 years ago
A small console table at the top of the stairs - maybe in front of the radiator? I'd prob go for wood to lift it a little. Perhaps the move the chair to a corner under the window (if it's not in the way of doors) with a more colourful vision so you see it when you come up the stairs.
uk1982
Original Author
8 years ago
Unfortunately the chair won't fit by the window as both doors are pretty tight against the wall. could probably still fit a console table in there. Or maybe i could fit a slim table under the canvas.
uk1982
Original Author
8 years ago
I feel like maybe there should be something beneath the window. Not sure what!
PRO
Create Perfect
8 years ago
Hey - I love the look and also like the 'no one live here' look :)

I think you're missing some depth which could come in colour, texture or pattern. You could add a small rug in the centre of the hallway.. in a contrasting shade, a little darker.

The main thing I would say is that colour can add depth and life will give the lived in look so I would go for a potted plant beside the chair. It will soften the look and add the much needed depth.

Good luck and do let us know what you go for! :)
uk1982
Original Author
8 years ago
I can definitely imagine a plant by the chair, especially if I find a green and white cushion. What sort of rug/what size of rug were you picturing?
PRO
Create Perfect
8 years ago
Hi, Yes that sounds great. I would go for something that offers a contrast to bring depth. I have attached a few images. The style and material really depends on the style you're trying to achieve
and whats in the rest of the house :)
uk1982
Original Author
8 years ago
Food for thought! Thank you.
A B
8 years ago
I'd actually put a large plant partially in front of the window to give a focus as you come up the stairs. Something like a fig tree? I'd also have a patterned roman blind for the window itself.

http://lauren-nelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/How-to-care-for-a-fiddle-leaf-fig-tree-1.jpg

I'd also fill the wall to the left above the socket with either framed photos or a full length mirror. I'd also replace the light fitting to match the one over your stairs.
strawberry47
8 years ago
To me it needs colour. Perhaps replace the mirror for art work.
uk1982
Original Author
8 years ago
A plant sounds popular then. I like those fig trees. I'm afraid I'm rather attached to the mirror but I agree about needing colour, I think I might add colour via a cushion and blind or cushion and rug.
frango1
8 years ago
What colour paint do you have on walls?
uk1982
Original Author
8 years ago
dulux just walnut.
Andrew Millar
8 years ago
looks nice to me,maybe colourful artwork as said previously.
PRO
V.I.P Walls Interior Specialist
8 years ago
Hi Maybe a bit late getting infront of you guys but we could create some beautiful looking classic wall paneling . It really gives a luxury feel and a must for a space like this. check out examples on our instagram page.

Claire

V.I.P Walls Team
PRO
Corinne Natel Art Ltd
8 years ago
Hi - looks lovely and new but needs some art to bring everything together. I create original abstract paintings, here are some examples that could work well.

Please visit my website for more artworks: www.corinnenatel.co.uk. Feel free to email me for more information: design@corinnenatel.co.uk
PRO
Mille Couleurs London
8 years ago
How about a very comfortable armchair and add bookshelves on the walls to fill with your current read and make it into a nice cosy reading area?
PRO
Hillarys
8 years ago
Hiya,

What about a Roman blind? With such a neutral starting point, you could really mix things up. You'll probably want to keep the same scheme, but you could opt for a tribal/ikat design as others have suggested, or introduce a really decadent texture.

Good luck - it's a lovely space!

Zoe
uk1982
Original Author
8 years ago
loving the roller blind suggestions. Roller blind maybe in an ikat print, a large plant, and possibly a console table. Time to go shopping! Thank you everyone. A S, the paint is Dulux Just Walnut and I love it!
A B
8 years ago
please come back with pictures :)
Ellie
8 years ago
I think it needs a bit of colour. Photos/pics on the wall with black frames? Also the chair, as nice as it is.....do you need a chair on a top hall landing? Is it likely anyone is ever going to sit there? I think the space would best be used for a console table that sits above the radiator with a plant on. Or a low table in front of window with plant/vase on it. I don't like to put things on window sills so that I can open/close blinds easily!

Where do the 2 doors near the window lead to? Is it just eaves storage?
uk1982
Original Author
8 years ago
Haha you are correct, I have no intention of sitting down in the landing! :) the chair is really there because we use it occasionally at a table when we have guests and we have nowhere else to store it! I do like the idea of a small table here, perhaps I could make it work whilst keeping the chair there. One of the doors is a storage cupboard, the other is the bathroom door.
Alison King
8 years ago
Why don't you decorate your hall with a theme.
Deer wallpaper on the window wall with a tartan blind. Chrome candle lamps ( battery candles are fine and give a warm glow ).
A tartan throw on the chair etc. Next have a great selection and it is so cosy and inviting all year round.
( you'd never guess I'm Scottish ) !
PRO
Renaissance Interiors, Hartley Wintney
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Heckfield Window Dressings · More Info
The landing needs to be treated as a room in itself and given its own personality. I can see that minimalist is your style so I wouldn't add stuff so much as adding detail. If you were to add a wallpaper on the window wall taking it up to the flat ceiling, this would add a lovely surprise as you come up the stairs. It is separate from the main stairs so doesn't have to follow anywhere else. I would keep some neutral tones in it but if you fancy a snippet of colour then go for it.
Pirbright Kitchen · More Info
Add a cushion in a similar palette to the chair and possible link the two with a rug.

Another idea is to make a feature of the stair window. You have loads of space there and could really make a statement with the window by setting a cascade roman blind quite high above the window so the hem just sits on the top of the window frame.

This will left your eye, make the window feel much bigger and give you something lovely. Again, it doesn't have to be colour, it's the detail that counts.

Heckfield Window Dressings · More Info
This cascade roman is set high above the window using the wall for the stack rather than taking away the natural light. The other photo above I can't seem to move but it shows another cascade blind that shows that the pleats are the feature and you don't have to have anything too patterned to make a design feature.

I hope that's helpful.
PRO
Isidora Markovic
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Hi kconboy1982,

Perhaps you could have framed photographs or artwork(s) lining the walls of the stairs as you walk up? Just an idea if you've not already made your mind up!
PRO
Shabby Store
8 years ago
You could add a side table with accessories such as a plant, photo frames, candleholder and even lanterns that you could place on the floor which would be perfect now that we are heading into Winter. Sticking to your colour scheme you could use chrome side table to match with your mirror or maybe a more scandi style table.

For more inspiration ideas visit our Instagram page! Shabby Store Instagram
PRO
Wallsauce
8 years ago
We love the idea of adding artwork to this space! For a real 'wow-factor', you may want to check out our collaborations with artists who have turned their work into unique wall coverings http://www.wallsauce.com/wall-murals/designer-wall-murals/ - they're all made to measure and easy to install - just let us know if we can help!

Nicole :)
PRO
Feature Radiators
8 years ago
A new radiator would make all the difference, not that I'm biased ;)

My suggestions initially would be a multicolumn model, in white or maybe silver??? Here are some suggestions that came to mind but you might be better looking at our website www.featureradiators.co.uk

Radiators in shabby chic spaces · More Info

Radiators in eclectic settings · More Info

Radiators in industrial spaces · More Info

Radiators in industrial spaces · More Info

Radiators in rural settings · More Info