Hallways don't often make the front cover of design magazines, but they are important "liminal spaces" where we transition from one state to another.How do you want a guest to feel in your home?How would you like to start your day walking from the bedroom to the kitchen?There's no one right answer in design, so play with these ideas until you find something that sings to you.
Step 1: Mirrors are a great solution for cramped hallways.
You can decorate your wall and make the hallway feel larger at the same time.The mirror should be hung at eye level across from the entryway.Choose shapes and styles that complement the mirror frame in an ensemble with low furniture.If you want to maximize natural light, place a large mirror on the wall 90o from the window.A mirror frame that mimics window panes can be used to enhance the illusion.Multiple mirrors are pleasing.To avoid an infinite reflection, place them on the same wall.
Step 2: You can create your own space for display or lighting.
If you want to display items, hang floating shelves.If your hallway is too short for ceiling lighting, a high shelf is a good place to keep a lamp.A shallow shelf can be used to prop up artwork instead of hanging it.This makes it easy to swap out art frequently, or to display pieces you can't easily frame.
Step 3: Pick pieces for your bench, storage, or coat hooks.
The design of the entry hallways needs some space for shoes and purses.A cute ensemble of a shoe tray under a bench or coat rack next to a console table keeps everything neat.If you want to make this more of a focal point, hang a painting or mirror over the furniture.
Step 4: The prize in compactness and customizability is a picture gallery.
You can cover the entire corridor with photographs and prints, or arrange a small constellation of art across from the entryway.The grid of similar pieces of the same size is the most formal choice if you're intimidated by the design challenge.For a balanced arrangement, build around a horizontal line.Half of the pieces are slightly above the line.Lay the art on the floor to create your own arrangement.To balance the colors and sizes of the gallery, start with the largest piece and shuffle the other pieces around.A more informal gallery can be created with a variety of sizes and frame styles.If you're worried about a messy look, keep a consistent spacing between frames.
Step 5: Play with texture as well as color.
A tapestry, decorative cloth, or even a vintage scarf give you a lot of textural options to play with.Hang it over a rod, nail the corners directly to the wall, or drape it canopy-style around a ceiling corner to create a softer space.It can be stretched over a frame to fill the role of a focal art piece.
Step 6: Plants can be grown in vertical planters.
Any hallway is set apart by hanging small planters from your walls or ceiling.A Succulent frame is a great space-saving choice.Plants can be grown in a planting frame with hardware mesh over the soil.You can hang the frame vertically if the roots anchor through the mesh in two or three months.If your hallway has low natural light, choose low-light houseplants like peace lilies or Chinese evergreens.Start them in a bright room first.
Step 7: A "boxed in" feeling is prevented by low contrast with your walls.
A white trim around dark walls draws the eye to the narrow borders of the hallway.Unless your hallway has a lot of light, it's best to keep your trim and door color the same as your walls.
Step 8: Black elements complement a mostly white space.
If you like clean, modern design, you should paint most of the hallway white or beige.A sparing use of black adds interest to the space without sacrificing the elegance at the core of this style.Black or a dark colour can be used on door frames, stair railings, picture frames or furniture with clean, straight lines.
Step 9: The best colors for small hallways are neutral or cool.
The neutral colors make the room feel brighter.Cool colors like blue or green make walls feel further away, but softer examples with warm undertones help them feel cozy.Warm, saturated yellows and reds jump out at the viewer, which can feel claustrophobic unless your hallway is wide.Do you want to give up on your warm color?A pale, low-intensity version is what you can choose.
Step 10: The lower walls can be decorated with a different paint.
A hallway with limited space for furnishings is a good place to add interest.Embossed wallpaper under a dado rail is one of the many style options.A stark dividing line or a gentle ombré fade can be used to paint the lower part of the wall.This looks best on the lower third of the wall.Try a 1/3 height if you want a bolder look.
Step 11: To focus attention, contrast the design of one wall with another.
An accent wall can be a different color than the others, or you can jazz up the hallway with geometric patterns, floral wallpaper or a one-of-a-kind painted artwork directly on the wall.If used on all sides, the bold designs might overwhelm a small space.