How to Style Your Hall for Maximum Impact
Make the most of this often overlooked space and create a ‘design moment’ in the first room people see
Those parts of a home that make you pause and admire, feel happy, surprised, intrigued or nostalgic – those are all design moments. Throughout a happy home, there are special details everywhere – some are clever, some are very personal, some are big and in-your-face, while others are quiet and thoughtful. In person they stop you in your tracks; online they make you linger on a photo and save it for inspiration.
In this series, we’ll be looking at some of these design moments room by room – and why we love them. I’m going to start with a high-traffic area: hallways. Often we think of these odd-shaped spaces as purely utilitarian, simply a way to get from point A to point B. If you’re doing that, you’re missing out on a great chance to create another special moment inside your home.
In this series, we’ll be looking at some of these design moments room by room – and why we love them. I’m going to start with a high-traffic area: hallways. Often we think of these odd-shaped spaces as purely utilitarian, simply a way to get from point A to point B. If you’re doing that, you’re missing out on a great chance to create another special moment inside your home.
Play with shapes
This charming trio works via shapes and heights. The table has three interesting legs, the chair has a lovely silhouette, and the hat stand is tall and full of character. The bowler hat is the perfect topper for this particular design moment.
This charming trio works via shapes and heights. The table has three interesting legs, the chair has a lovely silhouette, and the hat stand is tall and full of character. The bowler hat is the perfect topper for this particular design moment.
Mark an intersection
The area where these two hallways meet is a lovely opportunity for design.
The wallpaper has a beautiful pattern, but left unadorned it could overwhelm. Instead, this bamboo table topped with an eared jug and greenery creates a focal point.
More textures and materials mix in with antique frames and mirrors that break up the wallpaper pattern and reflect the light.
The area where these two hallways meet is a lovely opportunity for design.
The wallpaper has a beautiful pattern, but left unadorned it could overwhelm. Instead, this bamboo table topped with an eared jug and greenery creates a focal point.
More textures and materials mix in with antique frames and mirrors that break up the wallpaper pattern and reflect the light.
Conversely, these plain white walls needed a punch. The large-scale landscape’s deep colours and stunning scene almost make it feel as if there’s a window with a lovely view here.
The chair and table recall the old days when there was one phone in the whole house, usually in a hall, with a seat and table.
The chair and table recall the old days when there was one phone in the whole house, usually in a hall, with a seat and table.
Show off a collection in a beautiful arrangement
In this Texas country house, the homeowner wanted to display antique planes he and his father had collected for years. The result is a unique and personal wall where anyone can inspect them up close.
In this Texas country house, the homeowner wanted to display antique planes he and his father had collected for years. The result is a unique and personal wall where anyone can inspect them up close.
Reinforce a sense of place
We tend to see this more often in holiday homes or in mountain, lake or beach homes, but you can take this idea anywhere.
In this case, a bright orange chairlift tells you you’re at the ski house, in case you forgot.
Orange is having a design moment, too. See what other Houzzers had to say
We tend to see this more often in holiday homes or in mountain, lake or beach homes, but you can take this idea anywhere.
In this case, a bright orange chairlift tells you you’re at the ski house, in case you forgot.
Orange is having a design moment, too. See what other Houzzers had to say
Make the most of a staircase
Staircases are often missed opportunities for design moments.
If you’re a book lover, you can never have too much storage space for your favourite titles. By using a thick wall strategy, these designers created an area partway up the staircase that makes people stop and peruse the books.
Staircases are often missed opportunities for design moments.
If you’re a book lover, you can never have too much storage space for your favourite titles. By using a thick wall strategy, these designers created an area partway up the staircase that makes people stop and peruse the books.
Force perspective
These designers literally pointed the way, with the arrows of Cavern Home’s Tapestry wallpaper.
These designers literally pointed the way, with the arrows of Cavern Home’s Tapestry wallpaper.
Tuck in a reading spot
This window seat is nestled into a dormer. The playful patterns make it lively, while a serious chandelier shows us this is a design moment to celebrate.
Discover 9 inspiring reading nooks
This window seat is nestled into a dormer. The playful patterns make it lively, while a serious chandelier shows us this is a design moment to celebrate.
Discover 9 inspiring reading nooks
Turn something utilitarian into a moment
This architect took a boring old laundry shoot and made it memorable.
This architect took a boring old laundry shoot and made it memorable.
Think about how hallway spaces are experienced from other rooms
Framed by the doorway, this large painting adds depth and art to the adjacent space.
TELL US…
How have you added interest to your hallway? Share your photos in the Comments below.
Framed by the doorway, this large painting adds depth and art to the adjacent space.
TELL US…
How have you added interest to your hallway? Share your photos in the Comments below.
Many of us lack a foyer that fits a baby grand, or even a modest pedestal table, but we still may want to make an inviting design move.
This colourful table is just narrow enough to slip between the sidelight and the wall. A beautiful orchid and painting complete the small tableau.