Your hallway is usually the first thing people see when they enter your house and as you never get a second chance at a second impression, it makes sense to put some time and effort into making your hallway a welcoming space for guests and visitors. Here are some ideas
Staircase
Staircases are probably the most prominent feature in hallways up and down the country, so it seems natural to mention them first. Depending on the size of your home and hallway, you can go all out with them but as most of us are a little struck for space, a grand Titanic-style staircase probably isn’t what you want to go for. Don’t fear, though, there are still plenty of options that will give your hallway the wow factor.
At the moment, I really love staircases with glass panels. The steps are still made from traditional materials but the clear panels really give your hallway a super airy feel and automatically make it feel larger than it actually is. Now, I totally understand why you might not want to rip out your entire staircase. It can be incredibly expensive and the idea of having a building site in your might be even more daunting, but there are other routes that you can go down. Looking into staircase renovations which are less invasive and costly might be a great option for you or you could even get creative yourself. I’ve seen so many fun DIYs on Pinterest from ombre coloured steps to multi-coloured spindles or gallery walls going up your stairs. There are dozens of ways to spruce up your staircase, you just have to figure out what works for you and your space.
Avoid clutter
For me, there is a time and space for clutter. I’m fine with it on someone’s desk because it’s what I expect because of my own desk setup. I’m okay with it on your kitchen counter because we all know it’s where the entire family dumps everything from keys and wallets to paperwork and their shopping bags but I hate, hate, hate a cluttered hallway because for me it represents your entire home.
If I come through your door and have to climb over piles of shoes, handbags or coats, I expect nothing else from the rest of your home. A hallway is such a small space and that might be a blessing and a curse at once, but it is the place that people see first and it is what will stick with them, so come up some good organisational systems that work for you and your family. Make use of a nice sideboard or chest of drawers and utilise boxes and baskets to hide umbrellas, gloves or hats, limit yourself to a set number of shoes on the shoe rack and do the same for coats and bags to minimise what’s on display.
Lighting
Depending on the layout of your house, your hallway can be incredibly dark space, so the right lighting can be crucial to make it an inviting space. Personally, I’m a big fan of bold statement pieces that get people talking but of course, your lamp fixtures should fit in with your overall design and space. A huge chandelier will look overpowering in a tiny hallway and a minimalist light fixture in the shape of a light bulb will look completely lost in a giant entrance hall. Experiment and shop around to find a piece that gives your space character and personality and then start thinking about indirect lighting. Admittedly, it’s not a must but floor washers or skirting lights can give the illusion of extra space, so it might be worth considering. The same goes for table or floor lamps that can be great for creating ambience.
I hope you found these tips helpful, please feel free to leave any suggestions in the comments below. I’d love to hear more about your hallway ideas or setups.
This is a collaborative post.
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