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How to Make Your Hallway Work Its Socks Off
Never underestimate the impact a great hallway can make to homes of all shapes and sizes
The hallway can be one of the trickier areas of a house to perfect. Width and height restrictions play a part, and then there are those pesky doorways to contend with along the route. But when you get it right, boy does it make a statement.
These 15 ideas will help turn your hallway from forgettable to phwoar!
These 15 ideas will help turn your hallway from forgettable to phwoar!
2. Set the tone of what’s to come
A statement bench just upon entry is a great way to make a first impression that counts. If your style needs some direction, use a piece you love in the hall as a starting point and work on the rest of the house from there.
A statement bench just upon entry is a great way to make a first impression that counts. If your style needs some direction, use a piece you love in the hall as a starting point and work on the rest of the house from there.
3. Intrigue with artwork
This huge painting adds bucketloads of personality to this home, and makes you wonder what lies in store further along the hall.
This huge painting adds bucketloads of personality to this home, and makes you wonder what lies in store further along the hall.
4. Choose one standout piece
This hallway has good bones, but its shapely console table gives it oodles more appeal.
This hallway has good bones, but its shapely console table gives it oodles more appeal.
5. Choose knockout lighting
This eye-catching lighting is a great example of how one feature can transform a hallway into something special. The lights are still in keeping with the style of the home, but also add a great sense of drama. Install multiple pendants in a row to amplify the effect.
This eye-catching lighting is a great example of how one feature can transform a hallway into something special. The lights are still in keeping with the style of the home, but also add a great sense of drama. Install multiple pendants in a row to amplify the effect.
6. Make the most of original features
The decorative plasterwork on the arches and ceiling roses in this traditional hallway have been left to speak for themselves without the distraction of colour on the walls or floor. If your hallway is as naturally beautiful as this one, a couple of adored paintings is all you need to complete it. Just make sure to touch up any peeling paint and that your floorboards are up to snuff. You don’t want worn-looking flooring stealing the limelight.
The decorative plasterwork on the arches and ceiling roses in this traditional hallway have been left to speak for themselves without the distraction of colour on the walls or floor. If your hallway is as naturally beautiful as this one, a couple of adored paintings is all you need to complete it. Just make sure to touch up any peeling paint and that your floorboards are up to snuff. You don’t want worn-looking flooring stealing the limelight.
7. Use limited space wisely
This narrow hallway makes the most of its restricted space with the bright orange sliding door and pendant lights at either end. Variations on this lighting are used throughout the home to unite the different spaces.
This narrow hallway makes the most of its restricted space with the bright orange sliding door and pendant lights at either end. Variations on this lighting are used throughout the home to unite the different spaces.
8. Create a sunny nook
Bench seats needn’t be confined to the entryway to make an impact. This stylish number makes the most of the natural light and, even if no one ever sits there, it sure looks lovely.
Bench seats needn’t be confined to the entryway to make an impact. This stylish number makes the most of the natural light and, even if no one ever sits there, it sure looks lovely.
9. Add a surprise factor or two
The spherical brass pendant lamp in this hallway echoes the shape of the round window at the end. It’s a nice touch, but another surprise is in store in the form of the stable door. Just delightful.
The spherical brass pendant lamp in this hallway echoes the shape of the round window at the end. It’s a nice touch, but another surprise is in store in the form of the stable door. Just delightful.
10. Consider chandeliers
Imagine this hallway with bold, modern lighting. Still fabulous, but nowhere near as grand.
Imagine this hallway with bold, modern lighting. Still fabulous, but nowhere near as grand.
11. Put it to work
The shelves set into the walls of this hallway aren’t your average shelves – their unique design is what makes them worthy of display. The illuminated insets at the end of the hall draw the eye to a focal point – one of the secrets of a successful hallway design.
The shelves set into the walls of this hallway aren’t your average shelves – their unique design is what makes them worthy of display. The illuminated insets at the end of the hall draw the eye to a focal point – one of the secrets of a successful hallway design.
12. Use the light
Criss-crossing shadows turn this hallway into a geometric wonder. Little else is needed to make it shine.
Criss-crossing shadows turn this hallway into a geometric wonder. Little else is needed to make it shine.
13. Light the way
Nothing adds a sense of occasion to a gathering more than a candlelit pathway that welcomes guests into your home. Lanterns like these are just the thing for a statement-making entryway.
Nothing adds a sense of occasion to a gathering more than a candlelit pathway that welcomes guests into your home. Lanterns like these are just the thing for a statement-making entryway.
14. Choose a hall runner you love
Your house should be a haven you love coming home to, so think about what you want to see when you first open the front door. If you don’t love the rug that greets you when you walk in, find one you do love. It’s important. If you like the rug but it’s looking a little worse for wear, have it cleaned to revamp its good looks.
Your house should be a haven you love coming home to, so think about what you want to see when you first open the front door. If you don’t love the rug that greets you when you walk in, find one you do love. It’s important. If you like the rug but it’s looking a little worse for wear, have it cleaned to revamp its good looks.
15. Rethink wall materials
Warmer climes call for cooling breezes and the louvres along this hallway achieve that and more.
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Do you have a fabulous hallway or are you inspired by what you’ve seen here? We’d love to see your high-resolution photos and hear about what’s inspired you to spruce up your hallway in the comments section below.
Warmer climes call for cooling breezes and the louvres along this hallway achieve that and more.
SHOW US
Do you have a fabulous hallway or are you inspired by what you’ve seen here? We’d love to see your high-resolution photos and hear about what’s inspired you to spruce up your hallway in the comments section below.
Even the narrowest of hallways can accommodate a shelf like this one. Use it as a place to stash your keys and put some hooks underneath for bags and coats. With any luck, the rest of the house will look much tidier as a result.