As your home’s first impression, the perfect entrance hall design is crucial
We all know that first impressions count. This is true whether we’re talking about a first date, a job interview or even your home. When guests come to visit, you want them to be impressed by your home the moment they step through the door. Unfortunately, this puts a lot of pressure on the way your hallway looks and feels, but finding the perfect décor for the hallway is no easy task.
Apart from a few well-placed shoe racks, pictures and a coat stand here and there, it can be difficult to get inspired when it comes to furnishing your hallway. Unlike the living room, kitchen, bedroom and dining room, the hallway doesn’t have a set purpose, and this can be difficult to deal with in terms of design. We think of the hallway as a passing place, rather than one we enjoy spending time in, but this is no reason to neglect the way it looks.
The right hallway furniture can completely transform the way you use your hallway, turning it into an enjoyable space that’s both fashionable and functional. We’ve listed our favourite ways to avoid the curse of an empty, unused hallway. With these hallway decorating ideas, your corridors will become a space that’s about much more than getting from A to B.
Use your walls to add colour and flair
The hallway is usually the narrowest and longest area in your home. While this make it difficult to find enough floorspace, it does mean that there is plenty of wall space that’s ready to be put to use — so why not let your creativity run wild?
Introducing mirrors can make even the narrowest corridor feel wider, lighter and brighter. Not only do mirrors reflect against the opposite wall to create the illusion of more space, but they also help any natural light filtering into the room to bounce around. Not to mention they give you a handy place to check your hair before you leave the house!
Floating shelves are another great way to store your clutter while looking stylish. This is often a handy place to store the items you need to grab before you head out the door. Alternatively, any cyclists could benefit from mounting their bike on the wall from some Shoreditch-inspired style. This prevents the floor from getting muddy and means you don’t have to lock your bike outside. Or why not invest in an eye-catching oversized clock if you’re often running late?
Your hall walls are a chance to be artistic, so don’t be afraid to transform your hallway into your own personal gallery. You can create a classic luxury look by choosing prints of the same size and positioning them in parallel lines in matching frames. Or, for something more on the quirky side, used different sized pictures in a selection of frames and arrange them in a collage. You don’t need to fork out for pricey artworks — even artsy postcards look great when displayed in attractive frames.
Introduce designer storage with a vintage sideboard
Hallways are all too susceptible to clutter. Between coats, shoes, bags and hats, it’s easy for hallways to become chaotic with little else going for them. But the right storage can change this. There are plenty of classic options when it comes to hallway storage, from coat racks to shoe racks to cupboards under the stairs. However, why not think outside the box and introduce something with a little more luxury to it?
A vintage sideboard is a great way to bring glamour into your home from the moment you step through the door. Consider where to buy the best vintage sideboards, like online marketplaces, vintage furniture websites and, of course, your local antique dealers. Here you can seek out a stunning sideboard that offers both internal and external storage space. Vintage furniture isn’t just beautiful to look at, but it’s also practical and durable.
Bring in some living room-style furniture
Hallways can often be a slightly awkward shape, filled with nooks and crannies. If this is the case, why not put them to use and fill them with furniture? These can either be attractive items to make a stunning display or useful furniture which will actually make you spend a bit more time in your hallway as a recreational space.
If you want to create a pleasant display, consider fresh flowers perched on a coffee table for fragrance and colour, or a largescale sculpture to bring the drama and interest to the space. This is sure to get your guests talking for all the right reasons.
If you want to turn your hallway into a recreational space, turn to your living room for inspiration. Turn your hallway nook into a reading nook by introducing a floating shelf filled with books and a big, comfy chair in the corner. If you’ve got the space, a chaise adds even more luxury. All that’s needed then is a small table for a reading light and you’ve got the perfect place to curl up with your current paperback of choice.
Having an attractive and useable hallway will not only look impressive to guests, but will also make your home feel more welcoming for you when you get back after a long day at work. These simple tips will help you turn an empty space into an inviting one.
