How to turn your hallway into a bright, welcoming and useful space
The call of the hall: hallways aren’t just passageways – they can be bright, inviting and useful
You never get a second chance to make a great first impression.
Yet the hallway, the part of the house that people first see, is often the space we pay the least attention to: a cluttered, unloved and dimly lit zone.
A quick makeover can make it not only brighter and more welcoming to visitors, but also more useful.
So here’s our guide to unlocking that potential before you start hosting Easter weekend gatherings.
Inviting: Create a warm welcome for your visitors by giving your hallway a spring makeover
Light fantastic
The right lighting gives an illusion of space even in the most cramped hallway. For maximum effect, Julian Page, head of design at BHS Lighting, recommends a striking ceiling pendant light.
“This kind of light draws the eyes upward, making the room appear larger,” he says.
BHS has pendant lights in space age, industrial and country styles. Dunelm, John Lewis and Marks & Spencer also have a wide range.
The £79 Alexis by Dunelm in smoky glass adds a touch of 1960s Italian glamour.
The £110 Gatsby wall lamp in brass and alabaster from Pooky is an Art Deco sculpture, but also exudes a warm glow.
Furniture flourish
A shoe and coat rack brings order to an outerwear-strewn hallway. Wayfair’s £104.99 Alora Hall Tree would fit well into a stripped-down interior.
The Cotswolds Company has tidied up the Chester hallway in dove gray for £699. This chic cottage aesthetic piece has hooks and a bench for shoe storage.
If you have space in your hallway, why not install a sofa? The Sofa in a Box from Marks & Spencer promises to be easy to assemble and costs £349.
Alternatively, Wil Law of John Lewis suggests, ‘A hallway can be the ideal place to tuck a desk. This is a great option for those who would rather not have workspaces at home than spaces meant for relaxation.”
B&M’s Tromso desk costs £35, while Marks & Spencer’s Salcombe desk console costs £149. And Graham & Green’s £375 black metal Sid desk is a nod to industrial chic.
The archetypal furniture arrangement in a hallway is a console table and a mirror. Habitat’s Nel console for £106 could be paired with beveled mirrors over The Range’s mantle.
Walls and floors
There is a plethora of advice on the best ways to paint a hallway. These include choosing a darker shade for the lower half of the walls and a lighter shade for the upper part, to give the impression that a ceiling is high rather than low.
Calming green creates a sense of calm, while sunny tones are uplifting.
Sombre tones bring drama to a hallway.
If you prefer a neutral palette of grays and taupes, painting the woodwork and any architectural features a darker shade will emphasize their shape.
Due to the heavy traffic in the hall, the floor must be durable.
If you prefer the cosiness of carpet to stone, wood or tiles, choose a flat-weave design. A rug or runner provides extra warmth.
A Middle Eastern pattern runner in vibrant hues looks and feels luxurious. Wayfair’s range includes the Nile Tarifa in gold or amber from £34.99 to £203.99 depending on size.
Bold artwork
Designers recommend that you should be bold in your hallway artwork choices. A print, painting or poster that can dominate a sitting room might fit better in a hallway where you casually admire it.
The late great Sir Terence Conran often turned a hallway into a micro-gallery, and this is an idea you can borrow.
Group your favorite photos and images into matching frames. Or try Dunelm’s £60 set of Victorian gray and white botanical prints, which look pleasantly antique and quite expensive.
