How do you decorate a hallway?
The hallway is a space where you can keep the items you need when leaving the house within easy reach and organise your everyday belongings when you return home. Therefore, when planning your hallway décor, you should consider not only the appearance but also your daily routines. Small decisions, such as where to place your shoes, how to hang your coats or where to leave your keys, can make the hallway much more practical to use.
So, how should an entrance hall be decorated? There is no single answer to this. The size of the space, the number of people living in the home and storage requirements may call for different solutions. Whilst clean lines and functional furniture may be preferred for modern entrance hall décor, arrangements described as ‘luxury’ entrance hall décor may emphasise the harmony of materials, lighting and decorative details.
Create a balanced look with colours
The colours of the walls and furniture can influence the overall atmosphere in the entrance hall. In particular, in entrance halls where natural light is limited, light shades can help the light feel more present within the room. Using complementary colours on the walls, furniture and textiles can create a more cohesive entrance hall décor. When decorating a narrow entrance hall, you may prefer a simpler colour scheme rather than combining too many different colours in a small space. For a spacious entrance hall, on the other hand, you can use different colours or materials to create distinct areas within the entrance hall, each serving a different purpose.
Add depth to your hallway with mirrors
As well as being a practical item that allows you to take one last look at yourself before leaving the house, a mirror can also help to diffuse light in the hallway. In small spaces in particular, a mirrored hallway décor can make the entrance feel more open and airy.
You can position the mirror above a shoe cupboard or a console table, or make use of an empty wall. When planning your hallway wall décor, you can also combine mirrors with frames, wall shelves or various decorative details. Explore mirror decoration ideas for hallways and corridors.
Choose your lighting according to your usage habits
The right lighting in the hallway is particularly important in areas where there is little natural light. You can complement general ceiling lighting with different light sources around a mirror or console table. This way, you can ensure you have the light you need whilst putting on your shoes, getting your bag ready or checking your reflection in the mirror before leaving the house. When planning the décor for a long hallway, using lighting distributed throughout the space rather than a single light source can help ensure that different areas of the entrance are illuminated evenly.
See all lighting productsMake the walls part of the décor
Empty walls in the hallway can provide space for both personal touches and practical solutions. You can make the most of the wall space by using frames, mirrors, shelves or hooks. By selecting pieces from decoration accessories that complement the other rooms in your home, you can create a sense of continuity right from the entrance.
In spaces with a more balanced layout, such as a square-shaped hallway, it may be possible to distribute furniture and wall features across different walls. When decorating a hallway, you might opt for a layout that keeps the transition between the entrance and the rest of the home open.
Personalise the space with small details
The small objects you use in the entrance hall can become details that make the space feel your own. Small accessories, such as a vase, a picture frame, a basket or a small plant, can complement functional furniture. The key here is not to clutter the entrance area with too many items. When decorating a small entrance hall, choosing a small number of functional pieces can help to maintain space for movement. In this way, entrance hall décor ideas support not only the appearance but also everyday use.
See all decorative accessoriesWhat should you consider when decorating your hallway?
When decorating your hallway, it is important to take into account not only the size of the space but also the daily routines of those living in the home. Ensuring the door can be opened comfortably, that entry and exit are not obstructed, and that frequently used items are easily accessible forms the basis of a functional hallway layout.
Keep the passageway clear: When arranging furniture, bear in mind the direction in which the front door opens and the space required to move about the hallway comfortably.
Think about your daily routine: Consider where you usually leave your coat, bag, keys and shoes when you come home, and designate a suitable place for each item.
Choose furniture proportionate to the space: Large pieces of furniture can restrict movement in a small hallway. Determine the size of your furniture based on the available space and your storage needs.
See all hallway furnitureTake the household members into account: Small adjustments, such as coat hooks at a height where children can reach their own coats and bags, can make the hallway more practical for everyone.
Do not block doors and passageways: When positioning furniture, leave sufficient space around it to ensure cupboard doors and drawers can open easily.
By taking these points into account, the hallway décor suggestions you create can help transform your entrance area into a space that is not only tidy but also adapts to your daily life.
What sort of furniture is used in the hall?
The furniture used in the hall may vary depending on the size of the space and your day-to-day needs. Furniture such as shoe cupboards, coat racks, coat hooks, benches, shelves and console tables help to keep the entrance tidy. Whilst shoe cupboards keep shoes together, coat hooks provide an easily accessible place for coats, jackets and bags. A bench where you can sit whilst putting on or taking off your shoes can add a different function to the entrance hall.
When planning your entrance hall décor, rather than using every piece of furniture, you can choose only the items you really need. In small entrance halls, shelves and coat racks that make use of wall space can leave more floor space for movement. In larger entrance halls, you can create an organisation that suits your daily routine by complementing storage units with a seating area and a mirror.
How can you keep your hallway tidy with storage solutions?
To keep your hallway tidy, start by thinking about the items you use when entering and leaving the house. Setting aside a specific place for shoes, coats, bags, umbrellas, keys and other everyday items can form the basis of your hallway décor plan. Closed shoe cupboards, open shelves, wall hooks and baskets can be used together to suit different needs. You can store frequently used items in easily accessible areas, whilst keeping those used less often on top shelves or in closed cupboards.
Making use of wall space is also a practical option, particularly for hallways where floor space is limited. You can make the most of unused vertical space with coat hooks and wall shelves. If you want children to be able to reach their own coats or bags, you can position some of the hooks lower down. A bench with a seating area can also serve multiple purposes in the hallway. Whilst creating a place to sit whilst putting on your shoes, you can use the space underneath the bench for baskets or boxes. Benches with storage compartments offer both a place to sit and unobtrusive storage space in narrow hallways.
Changing the layout of your hallway to suit the season can also make things easier. By moving coats and shoes you aren’t currently using to another storage area, you can free up more space for the items you use every day. This way, your hallway décor can adapt to your changing needs throughout the year.
How do you decorate a small hallway?
When decorating a small hallway, the aim is to combine the functions you need whilst taking up as little space as possible. For small hallway decoration, you might opt for shoe cupboards, wall shelves and coat hooks that do not take up too much floor space. This way, you can meet your storage needs whilst maintaining enough space to move around comfortably in the entrance area. Light colours and mirrors can help make small hallways feel more spacious. Grouping furniture in a single area and making use of the vertical space on the walls can also prevent a cluttered look. Creating a small shelf for keys, wall hooks for coats and a designated area for everyday shoes allows you to use the limited space more functionally.
How to make a narrow hallway look airier and more spacious?
In a narrow hallway, every centimetre can serve a purpose. When planning the décor for a narrow hallway, keeping the passageway clear and paying attention to the depth of furniture is a good place to start. Slim shoe cupboards, wall-mounted shelves and coat hooks can provide the storage you need whilst taking up less floor space.
Mirrors, light colours and the right lighting can also help create a sense of spaciousness in your hallway décor. Positioning a large mirror near the source of light helps the light spread throughout the space. Furniture in shades similar to the walls can create a visually calmer arrangement. When designing a long hallway, rather than lining the entire corridor with furniture, you can create storage areas only where they are needed. Wall shelves and hooks help to keep the floor as clear as possible. For small hallways, taking into account the direction in which doors open and the clearance required for passing through can make everyday use easier.
Discover categories that may interest you