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They say you don't get a second chance to make a first impression...
The hallway can often be the most neglected area of the home, overlooked when it comes to design and decoration in favour of those rooms we use most often. But everything from the colour on your walls to the materials underfoot can create a warm welcome for you and your guests.
'Hallways are the most important transitional spaces within our homes so whatever we choose to do decoration-wise has to work perfectly with the other rooms that lead off it,' says Marianne Shillingford, creative director at Dulux. 'This decorating dilemma often results in us being super cautious with colour and using neutral pale shades which can flatten the atmosphere, creating a space that is simply a functional corridor that no one really lingers in or remembers.
'You need to break down the visual boxiness of the space and add focal points of interest that make it a more dynamic part of your home to be in.'
The same rule applies if you have a narrow hallway, you just need to be more clever with your space. 'If your hallway is small, consider furniture that provides storage, such as a sideboard with drawers or doors,' says Lena Gierasinska, head of product and displays at Barker and Stonehouse. 'To add interest to the space, style surfaces with eye-catching lamps or ceramic vases filled with flowers.'
Whether you have a dark hallway or a cluttered dumping ground, take inspiration from these hallway decor ideas and expert tips and tricks to help you make the most of your space.
Just because a hallway is a transitional space, doesn't mean it should be neglected when it comes to dressing with art or accessories.
'Always walk around the space and you will feel the natural spots for art to be,' says Camilla Clarke, creative director at interior design studio Albion Nord. 'This may be next to a window or at the end of a corridor. Remember art doesn’t always need to be hung on the centre of the wall, it can rest on top of tables or layered next to sculptures or on bookshelves and joinery.'
A mirror in a hallway will open up the space by maximising light, while also offering little glimpses of the next room. Mirrors reflect light, making the space seem wider and brighter, as well as giving you the chance to double check your appearance before you walk out the door.
Pictured: Mirror at Heal’s
A small hallway doesn't have to mean a dull hallway, nor do you have to stick to white paint to make it feel brighter and bigger. Don't be afraid to experiment with colour, especially in a light-starved space. A confident use of a bright colour such as yellow creates a welcoming and vibrant feel. If you don't want to go all out and paint your walls bright yellow, try adding a few bold accessories, such as hooks or benches.
Your choice of flooring will have a bearing on how light your hallway feels. Opting for pale wooden planks will create the illusion of more light and space, and if you go for a wood-effect laminate instead of the real thing, it will make a high-traffic area a little more resilient.
In a hallway you'll want to incorporate design elements that enhance a sense of space wherever possible. An easy and stylish way to do so is with stripes. This timeless pattern is brilliant at creating the illusion of space. Using vertically striped wallpaper will draw your eye towards the ceiling, making it appear higher.
Fresh, blousy florals will always make a design statement, and what better way than in your hallway? Go big and bold with statement wallpaper that still doesn't scream 'loud', as seen here with a peony print wallpaper with muted green, white, mellow yellow and blush pink shades. To let the wallpaper do the talking, keep furniture and accessories pared-back.
When tackling a hallway redesign, think of your space as you would any other room. It's not simply a transitional area to hang your coat – hallways will benefit from a considered use of paint, softening rugs and runners, wall art and accessories as much as any other room.
Pictured: Plant pot at Cult Furniture
When it comes to hallway storage, so many of us will look to narrow consoles, low benches, or wall-mounted cubbies – but with these pieces, functionality often supersedes form. Provided your hallway is wide enough, there is no reason why you shouldn't go for more feature furniture, like a beautifully designed chest of drawers.
Pictured: Bobbin furniture range at John Lewis & Partners
If space allows, seating can be a useful addition to a hallway. It could be the perfect spot to escape to relax and read, somewhere to chat on the phone or simply a space to wait for others to put their shoes on. You could choose a statement chair and table to create a proper seating area or use a bench option instead.
You can get away with intense colours in a small hallway as it's a transitional space you only ever pass through. This rich blue shade is balanced with a lighter patterned floor and looks striking alongside exposed brick.
Choose shades within the same colour family to create a consistent flow from room to room. Here, a pale mint green with white is used in the narrow hallway, making it bright and airy, and it perfectly complements the cocooning dark teal-green in the adjacent living room.
Pictured: Paints at YesColours
The size and length of a hallway should always be a key consideration when selecting a colour palette.
'For a warm glow, the skirting could be a clotted cream colour (high gloss finish), the walls could be in a soft butter yellow (flat finish), and the ceiling could be a hint of peaches and cream (flat finish). For a fresh, cool bask, the skirting could be a crisp light grey (high gloss finish), the walls in a pale minty colour (flat finish), and the ceiling the palest of azure (flat finish),' says Gillian C. Rose, colour scientist, interior designer and founder of The Science of Colour.
Pictured: Door painted in Copper Green No.36 at Mylands London
Adding in Crittall doors to a hallway is a striking way to enhance lighting (both natural light and artificial light sources from another room), and in turn, create a more spacious feel. Additionally, a crisp white and mellow yellow colour combination works wonders in creating an airy space, as does pale wood flooring to enhance a sense of openness in the home.
Talk about a warm welcome. This hallway uses the sunniest of yellows for an instant mood boost. The rich and reddish brown is an important element here because it prevents this colour scheme from becoming too pastel.
Pictured: Wall Paint by Pickleson
'As a transitional space within the home, it’s important that the hallway is clutter-free, well-lit, and consciously styled in-keeping with the rest of the interiors,' says Shelley Cochrane, accessories buyer at Furniture Village. 'The key to striking the perfect balance is to choose furnishings and decor that are both beautiful and functional – think slimline consoles and storage benches to tidy away essentials, and handy wall mirrors for last-minute touch-ups.'
Pictured: Sideboard at Furniture Village
Transform a dark hallway with carefully positioned lighting. Directional wall lights can highlight a beautiful ceiling and pendant lighting can be really effective in making a small space feel much bigger. A single pendant light can have the opposite effect, leaving too many shadows and patches of darkness. Instead, opt for multiple pendant lights running the length of your hall. This will draw the eye into the space and make it feel much warmer and more inviting.
A gallery wall is a natural choice for a narrow hallway. You can be adventurous with your selection without worrying about matching your colours or frames – a mismatched effect is right on trend. Maps, photographs, and quilts are nice alternatives to traditional wall art.
'Hallways, by nature, are typically dark. Brown, green, grey, telephone box red, and any of the primary colours in full hue, are all ones I would avoid,' says Gillian. Instead, try a subtle Scandi-inspired palette with a spectrum of clean whites and pale woods.
Whilst tiles or wooden floors are the easy-to-clean option in a high-traffic hallway, slipping your shoes off onto a cold floor isn't terribly welcoming. The solution? Hall runners.
A hallway runner can offer comfort as well as being the final touch that brings the design elements of your hallway together. Choose from a variety of colourways, patterns and textures. Think about whether you want to make a statement with your runner or whether your flooring is the centrepiece. If it's the latter, a more muted rug, such as natural jute, might work better. Don't forget to add an anti-slip mat underneath.
Pictured: Ferm Living Square Runner at Heal's
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