Make Your Hallway Floor the Key to a Warm Welcome
Set the tone for your home from the start with these easy steps to putting on a good floor show
Hallways are easy to overlook from a décor point of view as we often concentrate on other living areas – the ones we tend to spend more time in. However, they’re an important part of a property – it’s where you set the tone. Concentrating on the floor is a good move, especially when it comes to limited space. Attractive flooring gives the room character, leading eyes further into the house – so consider these options and fit something that reflects your style as soon as the front door is opened.
Define the area confidently
By including a border in your flooring design, tiling around corners and down the corridor, areas become separated, yet joined together for a visual flow. Zoning can help create more welcoming accents in your home – you’ll find corners and areas for a little styling, shown here with the chair and artwork, and narrow hallway table.
In this vintage-chic hallway, black-and-white tiles have been used beautifully on several levels. Laying the tiles in a checkerboard pattern of diamonds has an attractive classic look, and the plain border and linear outline create the impression of a rug. If you want to see how this would work in your home before committing to tiles, lay out a large rug and matching runner, or large sheets of paper in place on the floor.
By including a border in your flooring design, tiling around corners and down the corridor, areas become separated, yet joined together for a visual flow. Zoning can help create more welcoming accents in your home – you’ll find corners and areas for a little styling, shown here with the chair and artwork, and narrow hallway table.
In this vintage-chic hallway, black-and-white tiles have been used beautifully on several levels. Laying the tiles in a checkerboard pattern of diamonds has an attractive classic look, and the plain border and linear outline create the impression of a rug. If you want to see how this would work in your home before committing to tiles, lay out a large rug and matching runner, or large sheets of paper in place on the floor.
Give it warmth
Adding a colourful runner to a traditional-style neutral space is a simple yet effective way of transforming the area. Without this rug the hall would look rather bare, but the bold red pattern is confident without being overpowering, and enhances the classic features such as the bannister handrail. Choose a runner that still shows off the floor on each side – this tricks the eye to make the space look wider.
Adding a colourful runner to a traditional-style neutral space is a simple yet effective way of transforming the area. Without this rug the hall would look rather bare, but the bold red pattern is confident without being overpowering, and enhances the classic features such as the bannister handrail. Choose a runner that still shows off the floor on each side – this tricks the eye to make the space look wider.
Be playful
Lots of grander old properties have intricately patterned tiled entrance halls. If you like the idea, but don’t want anything so strictly period in style, consider a patchwork of floor tiles in monochrome geometric patterns for a modern twist on a classic idea. Make sure you choose tiles that are designed for floors not walls so they will withstand the inevitable wear and tear of foot traffic, and keep walls and furniture simple to allow the floor to take the limelight.
10 more easy ways to pep up a tired hallway
Lots of grander old properties have intricately patterned tiled entrance halls. If you like the idea, but don’t want anything so strictly period in style, consider a patchwork of floor tiles in monochrome geometric patterns for a modern twist on a classic idea. Make sure you choose tiles that are designed for floors not walls so they will withstand the inevitable wear and tear of foot traffic, and keep walls and furniture simple to allow the floor to take the limelight.
10 more easy ways to pep up a tired hallway
Go natural, with a modern twist
There’s something about natural materials that instantly add warmth, whether you live in a modern urban home or in the countryside in a more traditional property. I’ve heard slate flooring described as ‘too country’ to use in a contemporary setting, due to its unevenness – some say it jars with sleek, modern lines, but I’d argue that this doesn’t have to be the case. Slate tiles cut to the same size and thickness as shown here, laid in straight lines, work beautifully in this setting. The stone texture pairs well with the timber, and the natural colours provide the same depth for a neat look that feels wonderful underfoot.
Give your hallways and corridors a modern update
There’s something about natural materials that instantly add warmth, whether you live in a modern urban home or in the countryside in a more traditional property. I’ve heard slate flooring described as ‘too country’ to use in a contemporary setting, due to its unevenness – some say it jars with sleek, modern lines, but I’d argue that this doesn’t have to be the case. Slate tiles cut to the same size and thickness as shown here, laid in straight lines, work beautifully in this setting. The stone texture pairs well with the timber, and the natural colours provide the same depth for a neat look that feels wonderful underfoot.
Give your hallways and corridors a modern update
Create country charm with flagstones
Great big chunks of stone are, in themselves, a beautiful thing and the honey tones of these flagstones immediately create a warm welcome.
A mix of sizes could add an extra dimension and, if you plan this, make sure you dry lay the stones first to check what goes where so there are no gaps. As with all natural stones, check if they need to be sealed and/or maintained to protect them from getting stained. If this concerns you, look into ceramic – they often look as good as real stone but are easier to look after.
Great big chunks of stone are, in themselves, a beautiful thing and the honey tones of these flagstones immediately create a warm welcome.
A mix of sizes could add an extra dimension and, if you plan this, make sure you dry lay the stones first to check what goes where so there are no gaps. As with all natural stones, check if they need to be sealed and/or maintained to protect them from getting stained. If this concerns you, look into ceramic – they often look as good as real stone but are easier to look after.
Restore it, or mimic classic style
Parquet flooring is a stunning feature found in some older properties – lucky you if you discover this under your carpet! Have it restored to its original condition so you and your guests can revel in its beauty.
It’s an effective design, serving as a row of arrows leading you into the house, and the layout stretching from wall to wall gives the corridor a greater sense of width. A herringbone design can be laid in your chosen flooring – whether it’s reclaimed parquet for the original touch, or ceramic tiles.
Parquet flooring is a stunning feature found in some older properties – lucky you if you discover this under your carpet! Have it restored to its original condition so you and your guests can revel in its beauty.
It’s an effective design, serving as a row of arrows leading you into the house, and the layout stretching from wall to wall gives the corridor a greater sense of width. A herringbone design can be laid in your chosen flooring – whether it’s reclaimed parquet for the original touch, or ceramic tiles.
Bring it back to bare
Wooden floorboards, with their attractive visible knots and grain are a wonderful way to add warmth and cosiness in any style of home. They’re easy to keep swept clean and the natural finish works with any colour wall, so won’t need to be changed if you alter your décor.
Wooden floorboards, with their attractive visible knots and grain are a wonderful way to add warmth and cosiness in any style of home. They’re easy to keep swept clean and the natural finish works with any colour wall, so won’t need to be changed if you alter your décor.
If you have boards hidden under carpet, hire a drum and edge sander to clean them up, then seal them with varnish.
Alternatively, look at sourcing reclaimed boards – though this can be expensive due to the work involved fitting and finishing them. Engineered boards can provide a similar feel, but with a slightly more contemporary look.
Alternatively, look at sourcing reclaimed boards – though this can be expensive due to the work involved fitting and finishing them. Engineered boards can provide a similar feel, but with a slightly more contemporary look.
Introduce texture underfoot
Bricks are the glorious building blocks on which it all comes together – so let’s celebrate their knack for bringing warmth to a space in our hallways. They come in a wide range of colours so if ‘brick red’ isn’t quite for you, keep looking. This look would work in a country home teamed with bare wood and uneven plaster walls, but you can see in this example that it works equally well as an amazing contrast in a sleek interior with everything around it flat, shiny, crisp and perfect.
On a practical note, this works well in a family home as all the colours disguise day to day debris, such as muddy trainers and paw prints…
TELL US…
How have you created a welcoming hallway? Share images and thoughts in the Comments below.
Bricks are the glorious building blocks on which it all comes together – so let’s celebrate their knack for bringing warmth to a space in our hallways. They come in a wide range of colours so if ‘brick red’ isn’t quite for you, keep looking. This look would work in a country home teamed with bare wood and uneven plaster walls, but you can see in this example that it works equally well as an amazing contrast in a sleek interior with everything around it flat, shiny, crisp and perfect.
On a practical note, this works well in a family home as all the colours disguise day to day debris, such as muddy trainers and paw prints…
TELL US…
How have you created a welcoming hallway? Share images and thoughts in the Comments below.
Hallways, bathrooms and cloakrooms are some of the best places to lay a bright and/or patterned floor. The space is limited, making it less scary than laying something similar in a large room, so be bold and use it as an opportunity to celebrate colour and pattern, knowing it won’t take over your whole house.
This hallway is a perfect illustration of how colour and pattern make a space memorable. The tile design itself has a traditional beauty and the bold central yellow element lifts the scheme, adding energy to it. Pick out colours from the design on your stair rails, carpet binding or wall art – the combination is youthful and dynamic.