The hallway, most of the time a small and dark room, is one of the most underrated areas in the house when it comes to design. Many people do not pay attention to decorating and arranging the hallway, preferring to mainly focus on the arrangement of the living room, kitchen or bedroom. You should know that the entrance hall is not a simple corridor connecting the rest of the rooms, but is the first space you come into contact with when entering the house. A house will never feel welcoming if you have to walk through a dull, uninspiring hallway before reaching a beautifully decorated room.
Hallway Furniture Pieces
Regardless of the decoration’s style you choose, there are a few pieces of furniture that we consider essential when you start decorating the hallway. Shoe rack, hanger, wardrobe, bench, these pieces of furniture (together or separately) combine both the functional and aesthetic aspects.
The wardrobe provides generous space for storing and organizing the clothes you want quick access to. You can choose either a wardrobe with shelves (where you can store bags, scarves, caps and hats, accessories) or a wardrobe with a hanger bar for storing coats, jackets and blazers.
If space does not allow you to choose a piece of furniture which has the size of a wardrobe, then you can opt for a wall-mounted hanger, which can be placed on one of the walls.
A shoe rack is a piece of furniture specially designed for organizing shoes. It is equipped with shelves and storage spaces, being manufactured in different sizes and perhaps the most useful piece of furniture in the entire hallway.
The bench plays both an aesthetic and functional role in the arrangement of the hallway. It brings a pleasant and personalized look to the hallway, but it is also very useful – you can use it when you want to put on your shoes or clean them. You can opt for a simple bench, one with storage space or a special shelf for the shoes you wear more often.
The console is an ideal choice if you are faced with a narrow hallway. In addition to elegance, it has a major impact on the entire hallway setting. You can position it near the wall and it can become the ideal support for decorations or for things you don’t want to forget when you leave home.
Mirrors visually enlarge the space, being an ideal choice for any type of hallway. In addition to its functional role, a mirror will also fulfill an aesthetic role if you choose one with a unique, visually pleasing frame.
Hallway Design According to Its Layout
Long and narrow hallway – probably one of the most challenging configurations, such a hallway resembles more of a corridor, and at first glance, aside from a carpet, a few frames on the walls, and perhaps a hanger, there’s not much else you can include in its design. However, how do you transform this type of dark and not at all welcoming hallway without diminishing its functionality? Paint the walls and ceiling white and choose a dark shade for the wall or door at the end of the hallway to draw the attention “inside”. Choose a rug with horizontal stripes for the floor and, in order not to load the space, choose to decorate only one of the walls. Opt for spotlights recessed into the wall to visually enlarge the space.
Long and Narrow Hallway, White with Wooden Flooring – Villa Design Project in Dubai
Long and wide hallway – even though you can apply the same rules as for a long and narrow hallway, in the case of a long and wide hallway you can go further with the arrangement: take advantage of the size of the hallway in order to arrange an office, but be careful not to make it difficult to move from one point to another. You can also design a library in the configuration of a long and wide hallway – install shelves on one or both sides of the hallway and play with asymmetry so as to create a special visual effect. Benches could be a good choice as well, especially since they also give a special charm to the hallway.
Long and Wide Hallway Designed with Cabinets and a Bookshelf – Apartment Design Project in Dubai
Small hallway – regardless of the configuration, some hallways are so small that they seem impossible to arrange. For small hallways, opt to install shelves as close to the ceiling as possible to save space. Choose narrow furniture, such as a shoe rack, a wall-mounted hanger and a large mirror to create the illusion of more space. Also, opt for light colors as much as possible and make sure that the hallway is well-lit.
Small Hallway Designed with a Large Mirror and Console Table – Apartment Design Project in Dubai
Square hallway – in this type of arrangement you can transfer some features of other rooms right into the hallway: set up an area with a small table and chairs or even armchairs if the hallway is large enough, as a socializing area. Here, you can set up a desk or a comfortable place to read as well, or you can opt for a generous wardrobe with mirrors.
Hallway integrated in the living room and/or kitchen – the most important thing in designing such a hallway is to maintain the continuity of the floor and walls. Moreover, keep the same style of decoration in the hallway as in the living room and/or kitchen and opt for the same color palette.
Hallway Integrated into the Living Room and Kitchen – Villa Design Project in Dubai
Hallway Open to the Living Room and Kitchen – Apartment Design Project in Dubai
The hallway is worth putting effort into when it comes to design, especially if you want it to be more than just a storage space or a simple passageway. With the right furniture pieces and a little inspiration, you can transform an ordinary space into one that is both functional and full of personality.
Pictures source: iDecorate