Swap These 7 Things to Create a Hallway That Makes You Happy
These simple changes will transform your hallway from a stressful zone into a place that’s calm and welcoming
Amanda Pollard
11 February 2020
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
It’s the first room you enter as you arrive home, so your hallway should feel restful and inviting. If, instead, it feels more cluttered than calm, it could be time to have a design rethink. Exchange these seven details to turn an uninviting hallway into somewhere that instantly puts a smile on your face.
Swap a mass of outerwear for hideaway storage
If everyone in your household has more than one pair of shoes or coat, a small coat rack and shoe stand just won’t cut the mustard. If you have the opportunity, it’s worth creating some concealed storage instead.
You could double up a sideboard as a shoe cupboard alongside some strategically placed coat hooks, or ask a carpenter to build a dedicated zone.
In this hallway designed by Gundry & Ducker, the space beneath the stairs has been opened up for outerwear storage. This provides the best of both worlds, as the coats are half hidden, yet easy to access.
Tempted to have some storage built in? Find local carpenters and read customer reviews on Houzz.
If everyone in your household has more than one pair of shoes or coat, a small coat rack and shoe stand just won’t cut the mustard. If you have the opportunity, it’s worth creating some concealed storage instead.
You could double up a sideboard as a shoe cupboard alongside some strategically placed coat hooks, or ask a carpenter to build a dedicated zone.
In this hallway designed by Gundry & Ducker, the space beneath the stairs has been opened up for outerwear storage. This provides the best of both worlds, as the coats are half hidden, yet easy to access.
Tempted to have some storage built in? Find local carpenters and read customer reviews on Houzz.
Swap an uninspiring vista for an enticing view
When you’re designing your hallway, don’t just think about the room itself – the spaces you can see from the entrance can have almost as big an impact. If the view as you arrive home is of an untidy mess, any calm feelings you have could well disappear.
Position the adjacent room’s furniture and artwork in a way that looks attractive from the front door. In this hallway, Andrew Jonathan Design has used a bright yellow wall to frame a view of a stylish dining area, drawing the eye along the small corridor and into the heart of the home.
Check out these simple ways to liven up a grey hallway.
When you’re designing your hallway, don’t just think about the room itself – the spaces you can see from the entrance can have almost as big an impact. If the view as you arrive home is of an untidy mess, any calm feelings you have could well disappear.
Position the adjacent room’s furniture and artwork in a way that looks attractive from the front door. In this hallway, Andrew Jonathan Design has used a bright yellow wall to frame a view of a stylish dining area, drawing the eye along the small corridor and into the heart of the home.
Check out these simple ways to liven up a grey hallway.
Swap an oversized console for a space-saving shelf
A cluttered hallway can feel chaotic, so avoid anything that crowds the room. If your space is small, ditch a large console table in favour of something more compact.
Gordon-Duff & Linton has fitted a small ledge in this hallway for keys and change, rather than a large piece of furniture. It creates a feeling of space, so the owners don’t find themselves navigating protruding edges when they arrive home.
A cluttered hallway can feel chaotic, so avoid anything that crowds the room. If your space is small, ditch a large console table in favour of something more compact.
Gordon-Duff & Linton has fitted a small ledge in this hallway for keys and change, rather than a large piece of furniture. It creates a feeling of space, so the owners don’t find themselves navigating protruding edges when they arrive home.
Swap an unused area for a handy perch
It’s worth giving up a clear space in your hallway for a seat. A bench or chair will provide somewhere to pause, rest and take off your shoes as soon as you enter your home.
Here, a simple wooden bench is ideal. Its slim design ensures it doesn’t impinge on the room, and the black seat pad is both comfy and stylish. If you don’t have a wide area in which to place a bench, a small chair or stool can be just as effective.
It’s worth giving up a clear space in your hallway for a seat. A bench or chair will provide somewhere to pause, rest and take off your shoes as soon as you enter your home.
Here, a simple wooden bench is ideal. Its slim design ensures it doesn’t impinge on the room, and the black seat pad is both comfy and stylish. If you don’t have a wide area in which to place a bench, a small chair or stool can be just as effective.
Swap a bare floor for a warm rug
Hallways get a lot of traffic, so it’s a good idea to choose hardwearing flooring. The stone tiles in this large space, for example, are both practical and beautiful.
However, if you think your flooring might look too harsh for a warm welcome, soften the area with a rug. Here, the Penton Architects team have added a couple of cosy floor coverings to bring an inviting feel into the room.
In a narrow hallway, opt for a runner that’s large enough to cover the floor with just a small gap either side. A rug that’s too tiny will look out of proportion and make the space feel cluttered.
Hallways get a lot of traffic, so it’s a good idea to choose hardwearing flooring. The stone tiles in this large space, for example, are both practical and beautiful.
However, if you think your flooring might look too harsh for a warm welcome, soften the area with a rug. Here, the Penton Architects team have added a couple of cosy floor coverings to bring an inviting feel into the room.
In a narrow hallway, opt for a runner that’s large enough to cover the floor with just a small gap either side. A rug that’s too tiny will look out of proportion and make the space feel cluttered.
Swap a small mirror for a space-boosting design
Embrace the magic of mirrors to create a spacious feeling in your hallway – and don’t be afraid to go large.
In this narrow room, the designers at Penman Interiors have covered the bare wall above the radiator cover with a large piece of mirrored glass. It reflects the wall opposite and visually doubles the width of the space.
Embrace the magic of mirrors to create a spacious feeling in your hallway – and don’t be afraid to go large.
In this narrow room, the designers at Penman Interiors have covered the bare wall above the radiator cover with a large piece of mirrored glass. It reflects the wall opposite and visually doubles the width of the space.
Swap some functional storage for a stylish vignette
Yes, you need a place to store your outerwear and essentials in the hallway, but don’t sacrifice everything pretty for practicality. Display artwork, accessories and plants that make you smile, and choose storage that’s attractive as well as functional.
Here, the designers at Gunter & Co Interiors have created a vignette on the hallway console with a wall of illustrations and some stylish accessories. Choose a colour scheme that lifts your mood – it could be dark, light or bright, depending on what makes you happiest.
Tell us…
What warm and welcoming features have you included in your hallway? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
Yes, you need a place to store your outerwear and essentials in the hallway, but don’t sacrifice everything pretty for practicality. Display artwork, accessories and plants that make you smile, and choose storage that’s attractive as well as functional.
Here, the designers at Gunter & Co Interiors have created a vignette on the hallway console with a wall of illustrations and some stylish accessories. Choose a colour scheme that lifts your mood – it could be dark, light or bright, depending on what makes you happiest.
Tell us…
What warm and welcoming features have you included in your hallway? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
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Could not have implemented any of the above useful tips... i.e. no mirror, enclosed storage, console table etc, due to size limitation/hall shape... though my shoe rack does have a perch.
I do think it's important for a hall to spell 'welcome' as it's the first impression someone has of your home... though the front door (and garden if you have one) will do that too... and you can tell a lot from this space alone, apart from how clean and tidy you are. It hints at your taste in decor, furnishings, etc; can delineate your character too.... I mean what would anyone make of my guard dog? And he woofs too!
None of the ideas above are useful if you have a radiator on the wall... unfortunately.
Kim - Put a radiator cover around it so creating some shelf space, mebee?