Making an entrance: the experts share design ideas for your hallway
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It is often a neglected space but the hallway is the backbone of any property and can set the mood for the whole home. Of all the rooms in the home, the hallway is arguably the most neglected. There are several reasons for this, but top of the list is that many people scoff at the very idea that a hallway is a room in its own right. Often it is seen as little more than a necessary linking corridor, one that invariably doubles as a dumping ground for coats, shoes, unopened post and the other detritus of everyday life. But any design expert will insist that a room it most certainly is and it deserves as much thought as any other – particularly since it gives the first impression of your home. .
![[Hallway with slim bench and bags on pegs above it]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/be2829914226bc43f6cf5360a8214a6f843dde4b/0_260_2013_2510/master/2013.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
“Hallways are the backbone of any property and can really set the mood for the whole home,” explains interior designer Pandora Taylor. “People struggle to understand the identity of their hallway, because it doesn’t have an obvious purpose, like a dining room, where you might create a vibe for entertaining in the evening, or a kitchen which you might like bright and practical for cooking. But what mood do you want to set in a hallway? That’s a question people get stuck on.””.
They are also easier to ignore, because they can be notoriously very tricky to decorate. Often narrow, many halls lack natural light, with little or no obvious space for furniture and storage. But a lot can be done to transform a drab space into an elegant entrance area.
The first thing to consider when decorating a hallway is how you want to feel when entering it, – calm or energised, for instance – explains Suzy Hoodless, of the eponymous interior design studio. “Paint colour or wallpaper is key, especially if the hallway includes stairs. The colour should be considered with the rest of the walls running up the stairs – it needs to be one you can live with at every level.”.
