Room by room: The hallway

The hallway

This is probably a space you didn't think I would cover as it isn't technically a room . . . its a space that takes us from room to room and often sadly neglected. It is also often part of the entrance to your house and is the "room" that sets the tone of how your guests will feel about coming into your house. Is your entrance hallway inviting, warm and welcoming?  How does it "feel"? Have a look at your entrance hall and see how others might view it.

Lets focus first on the hall nearest your entrance. What makes it inviting . . . do guests feel that this is a home, a place they want to keep entering.

I think entrance hallway need to be neat and tidy (even if you have children). If it is a place to keep shoes, why not add attractive baskets for the shoes, the dollar store often has baskets that are inexpensive.

If it is a place to dump the keys and bags, add a small table, bowl for the keys and interesting hooks on the wall for storage.

If the front door is dull, paint it with a bright colour or add a curtain across the window to add privacy and colour. Have you thought of a stain glass window? I love stain-glass but it can be very expensive. I have seen larger stickers that you can buy that cover the window and give the impression of stain-glass.

Why not wallpaper the walls, a lamp by the front door . . . how about fresh flowers or a bowl of potpourri to make the entrance smell nice. A pot plant, a mirror . . . there are many things we can do to the entrance hallway that will make it inviting but still remain practical.

Halls that are away from the front door can be dark and dingy and we hardly every stop and have a look at the hallway but there are ways of jazzing it up to make it a more inviting space that aren't expensive. 

Here are some ideas:

• brighten up with colour - mine hallway is yellow
• consider wallpaper
• add a colourful and cheery runner
• add photos or artwork on the walls . . . it is often the place to add the family photos, look for interesting frames to make them stand out
• add a mirror or two to make it look bigger
• find an interesting light-shade or add lighting along the floor (like they have in planes)
• add a lamp on the hall table that creates atmosphere in the hall way in the evenings
• create a theme, perhaps seaside or country
• if very dark, add a skylight

If the hall is wide enough, think about adding a bookcase such as the one above. Perhaps a hall table for more storage such as for shoes and a place for a lamp and other bits and pieces. Below are some ideas I found on Pinterest, how about a blackboard for the children or an "organisational station" (I hadn't thought of that idea). 

There are many things you can do in the hallway that will turn it from dull and boring to interesting and place you enjoy walking through.

If you have enjoyed this one, please check out others in my Room by Room series:

1. The kitchen

2. The pantry

3. The laundry
4. The living room

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