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Ditch These 6 Things to Make Your Hallway Feel Bigger
Discover how to create a feeling of space in a small hallway and make your home’s entrance more welcoming
The hallway is a space that sets the mood for an arrival into your home, so it’s important to make it feel calm, harmonious and welcoming. This can be tricky to achieve in a compact hall, as a cramped area can feel squashed and cluttered. If you’d like to make your entrance feel spacious and inviting, consider swapping a few key elements.
More in this series: Ditch These 7 Things to Make Your Kitchen Feel Bigger
More in this series: Ditch These 7 Things to Make Your Kitchen Feel Bigger
2. Too many light-absorbing surfaces
The materials you include in your hallway can have an effect on how big or small the space feels. A chunky piece of dark wood furniture, for instance, can absorb light and make the area seem squashed.
To give your hallway a brighter, airier feel, incorporate pieces with light-reflecting surfaces, like this glass-topped console table in a hallway designed by Imperfect Interiors. The surface reflects the light from the glazed door and wall lights above and bounces it around the area, creating an illusion of space.
Find reviewed architects and interior designers in your area on Houzz.
The materials you include in your hallway can have an effect on how big or small the space feels. A chunky piece of dark wood furniture, for instance, can absorb light and make the area seem squashed.
To give your hallway a brighter, airier feel, incorporate pieces with light-reflecting surfaces, like this glass-topped console table in a hallway designed by Imperfect Interiors. The surface reflects the light from the glazed door and wall lights above and bounces it around the area, creating an illusion of space.
Find reviewed architects and interior designers in your area on Houzz.
3. Disorganised storage
Storage is a vital part of a hallway, particularly if there are multiple members of the household who need somewhere to dump their outdoor attire. A space full of mismatched bins and baskets can create a cluttered feel, so it’s best to devise a system that’s more organised and streamlined.
The storage area in this hallway by Completion Interior Design & Architecture is ideal. A row of coat hooks hangs above a bench seat with neat cubbyholes. In each recess, there’s a basket for every family member. They can quickly drop their gloves, hats and scarves into their basket and slot them tidily back into the cubbyhole.
Storage is a vital part of a hallway, particularly if there are multiple members of the household who need somewhere to dump their outdoor attire. A space full of mismatched bins and baskets can create a cluttered feel, so it’s best to devise a system that’s more organised and streamlined.
The storage area in this hallway by Completion Interior Design & Architecture is ideal. A row of coat hooks hangs above a bench seat with neat cubbyholes. In each recess, there’s a basket for every family member. They can quickly drop their gloves, hats and scarves into their basket and slot them tidily back into the cubbyhole.
4. Wasted wall space
If you don’t have much floor space in your small hallway, it pays to make the most of the walls instead. Furniture can be obstructive in a narrow area, but you can plan the space better by creating storage that clings to the sides of the room.
In this hallway by Ella Pays Designs, a long row of hooks makes use of the whole length of the wall. It means there are plenty of hooks to hang coats and bags from, allowing the owners to store their outdoor gear side by side, rather than accumulating a bunch of piled up coats on one or two hooks.
If you don’t have much floor space in your small hallway, it pays to make the most of the walls instead. Furniture can be obstructive in a narrow area, but you can plan the space better by creating storage that clings to the sides of the room.
In this hallway by Ella Pays Designs, a long row of hooks makes use of the whole length of the wall. It means there are plenty of hooks to hang coats and bags from, allowing the owners to store their outdoor gear side by side, rather than accumulating a bunch of piled up coats on one or two hooks.
5. An overly functional feel
Practicality is your main goal if you want your hallway to feel tidy and spacious, but it’s best to avoid a utilitarian look if you want it to feel inviting. Cosy up a sterile hallway by adding in a few well-chosen colours, accessories and textiles.
In this brilliantly functional space designed by NK Living, bright striped fabric and wicker baskets have brought warmth and personality into the area. Even the durable slate floor has been softened with a stylish and practical jute rug.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
Practicality is your main goal if you want your hallway to feel tidy and spacious, but it’s best to avoid a utilitarian look if you want it to feel inviting. Cosy up a sterile hallway by adding in a few well-chosen colours, accessories and textiles.
In this brilliantly functional space designed by NK Living, bright striped fabric and wicker baskets have brought warmth and personality into the area. Even the durable slate floor has been softened with a stylish and practical jute rug.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
6. Cluttered styling
While it’s important to add character and warmth to your home’s entrance, too much clutter can make the space appear smaller. Get the balance right by choosing just a few attractive accessories, and give some thought to how you display these objects.
In this hallway, a slimline console provides a useful surface for keys and outdoor paraphernalia, and the space is livened up by just a simple vase of flowers and an attractive storage basket. The circular mirror hung above the table creates a feeling of balance, which helps to enhance the feeling of calm.
Tell us…
Which of these ideas would work in your hallway? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
While it’s important to add character and warmth to your home’s entrance, too much clutter can make the space appear smaller. Get the balance right by choosing just a few attractive accessories, and give some thought to how you display these objects.
In this hallway, a slimline console provides a useful surface for keys and outdoor paraphernalia, and the space is livened up by just a simple vase of flowers and an attractive storage basket. The circular mirror hung above the table creates a feeling of balance, which helps to enhance the feeling of calm.
Tell us…
Which of these ideas would work in your hallway? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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When it comes to small spaces, there are two opposing colour palettes you could go for. You could embrace the cosiness of a compact area and opt for a dark scheme, as this would create a lovely atmospheric and intimate space. But if you want your hallway to feel bigger, lighter tones are the way to go.
However, that doesn’t mean you need to veer away from dark hues completely. Try the idea seen here, where the bottom half of the wall has been painted in a deep blue, with the top half painted white. The darker colour helps to create interest, while the lighter hue opens the room out and up towards the ceiling.