Making an entrance: the experts share design ideas for your hallway

Of all the rooms in the home, the hallway is arguably the most neglected. There are several reasons for this, but top of the list is that many people scoff at the very idea that a hallway is a room in its own right. Often it is seen as little more than a necessary linking corridor, one that invariably doubles as a dumping ground for coats, shoes, unopened post and the other detritus of everyday life. But any design expert will insist that a room it most certainly is and it deserves as much thought as any other – particularly since it gives the first impression of your home. ​​

“Hallways are the backbone of any property and can really set the mood for the whole home,” explains interior designer Pandora Taylor. “People struggle to understand the identity of their hallway, because it doesn’t have an obvious purpose, like a dining room, where you might create a vibe for entertaining in the evening, or a kitchen which you might like bright and practical for cooking. But what mood do you want to set in a hallway? That’s a question people get stuck on.””

They are also easier to ignore, because they can be notoriously very tricky to decorate. Often narrow, many halls lack natural light, with little or no obvious space for furniture and storage. But a lot can be done to transform a drab space into an elegant entrance area.

The first thing to consider when decorating a hallway is how you want to feel when entering it, – calm or energised, for instance – explains Suzy Hoodless, of the eponymous interior design studio. “Paint colour or wallpaper is key, especially if the hallway includes stairs. The colour should be considered with the rest of the walls running up the stairs – it needs to be one you can live with at every level.”

It is commonplace to think that a dark hallway should be painted white to make it brighter, but this rarely works in practice, according to interior designer Tiffany Duggan, who repainted a white and “unwelcoming” hallway a sunny yellow for one recent project. “I like to embrace the smaller confines of the space with strong colour, wallpaper or a moodier vibe,” she says. “It’s often the juxtaposition between these saturated, smaller spaces and larger, brighter rooms that adds a certain drama and energy to a home.”

It is also important to connect the colour of your entrance to your wider scheme. “Consider how it will work with colours in the rooms opening off your hallway,” suggests paint specialist Ruth Mottershead, the creative director of Little Greene. “Not only will you glimpse them through open doors, but your hallway colour will be seen from each room, too. A “double drenching” approach, using two or more related colours with variations in hue on all available surfaces, will create a cohesive scheme that provides both harmony and unexpected contrast.”

Perhaps the biggest bugbear when it comes to hallways is the struggle for storage, for everyday essentials which can clutter up space. Assuming there is no room for a built-in cupboard, the simplest and most effective solution is wall-mounted hooks or pegs, as they provide easy access to items without taking up floor space. A series of single hooks at different heights works for family members of all sizes, and a peg rail running along the length of the hallway offers more space.

To avoid an eyesore pile of shoes, choose a narrow, wall-mounted cabinet shallow enough not to intrude on the hallway but deep enough to store footwear. If there is space, a slim storage bench will allow the less agile to sit while taking off and putting on their shoes.

“In a small hallway, we always like to squeeze in some sort of console and mirror, so we recently launched a wall-mounted console version inspired by the many custom versions I’ve made for clients over the years,” says Duggan. And there are other options, even on a limited budget. “If you can’t fit a console in a hallway, a small floating shelf can be the perfect addition,” says Taylor. Turn to decorative items to inject personality, she adds. “Smaller artworks and wall-mounted objects, such as candle sconces, plinths and mirrors, are all things that can be practical and will add interest.”

Charlie Bowles, from lighting brand Original BTC, suggests several light sources to avoid a gloomy corridor. “A pendant hung at the beginning of the hallway will only throw light down on to that section, so consider the addition of wall lights to create a pool of light running along the corridor. Be wary of downlights, which can make the ceiling seem lower. Uplighting is a better option as it focuses on the ceiling rather than floor, drawing the eye up instead of down.”

If you are re-doing wiring for wall lights, think about where you might want to place art in the future and ensure you leave enough room, says Taylor. The great news is that there are innovative new styles that can be fixed directly on to walls without wiring, such as Pooky’s Elbow rechargeable light.

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Last but not least, the right flooring can set up the stage for the entire space. “For high-traffic areas, stone or ceramic tiles are a practical option,” says Hoodless. “Timber works, too, but it requires maintenance to keep it looking good.”

Clever use of colour and pattern can also be transformative, adds Andy Guard, creative director of rug makers Roger Oates Design. “A bold runner on cold floor surfaces or a bold runner on the staircase can instantly change it to a welcoming area. You can afford to be more adventurous because it is a space that you simply pass through.”

Interiors experts agree that, despite the design challenges, hallways can be one of the most satisfying spaces to get right. “You have to think a little more creatively and carefully consider every detail,” says Duggan, “But that’s why they are often my favourite to design.”