INSPIRATION

How To Revamp your Hallway Design

Make an entrance with these game-changing tips

By Joanne Quinn, Senior Interior Designer

They say that first impressions are lasting ones and that we make up our minds about a person within the first few seconds of meeting them. Same goes for our homes.

Entryways are the perfect opportunity to make an impression and set the tone for the rest of your home, but they're often the unforgotten cousins of the more popular living room or kitchen. In many ways, our hallway interior design says as much about our home as the rest.

Can you imagine a grand hotel without at least one fabulous chandelier hanging in its entryway, a statement hallway chair or a striking hallway table display? Of course not! Perish the thought.

Doubling up as a first and last impression—it’s the first thing that greets us after a long day at work and the last image of home we leave everyday—hallways deserve a little bit of TLC from time to time.

Image credit:

Whether it be with bold artwork, a well-placed mirror, or a statement piece of furniture, your entrance hall can be the first step in creating an inviting home that you can be proud of.

It's important to choose pieces that will stand out and make a statement, while still being practical and functional. Your entryway should be an extension of your personality and style, so have fun and make it your own!

Here are our top five hallway decorating ideas on how to turn the humble vestibule from so-so to hot topic before you can say, “Honey, I’m home”.

1. Hallway Ideas: Choose a statement piece as an anchor for your hallway

Some sort of table is a must-have piece of hallway furniture for your by-the-door area. For practical purposes, it provides hallway storage—a place to rest your bag or briefcase as you make the last minute check for phone and keys; for aesthetic purposes (just as important), we love the attention a well-curated console vignette can command.

2. Hallway Ideas: Accessorise your hallway

Accessories are everything to a home; functional hallway accessories are even better. A smart umbrella stand is a timeless hallway essential and a beautiful vase will encourage you to always have fresh flowers. Even for small hallways, a mirror is a given for those final checks before heading out the door. Finish the experience off with an aromatic candle.

Shop accessories

Alex McCarthy

Textured Long Neck Vase

£186

3. Hallway Ideas: Add a wall gallery to your hallway

Entrances, like other traditionally practical areas, are the ideal gallery spaces for your expanding hallway art collection.

Framed well, these items offer themselves as visually stimulating accents as well as demonstrating the cultural tastes of the discerning residents.

A carefully chosen piece of art can make a statement of a a hallway's wall space which is otherwise interrupted by lots of doorways.

Or if you want to maximise light and make your space feel bigger, opt for a grand hallway mirror which will sit perfectly above your console table.

Shop wall decor

More options available

Quintessa

Fikun Painting, 01

From £1,560

4. Hallway Ideas: Bring light to your hallway

Unless you’ve got enough hallway space to rival a small country, keep the area bathed in natural light, especially if yours is a narrow hallway.

Adding a statement hallway light like a game-changing chandelier or a beautifully crafted table lamp will offer your space more than an interesting focal feature, although it doesn’t hurt that it’s guaranteed to boost glamour points as well.

For narrow spaces, consider wall sconces which won't take up any floor space.

Shop hallway lighting

LuxDeco

Yves Burnished Brass Chandelier

£870

5. Hallway Ideas: Don’t forget about your hallway floor covering

Choose a deeper palette or a patterned piece to ‘ground’ the space and to avoid the tell-tale signs of heavy footfall. Taupe is a timeless choice for a hallway rug which will suit most warmer palettes whilst a new-neutral grey feels sleek and modern.

Shop hallway rugs