Corridors and hallways throughout the home are often overlooked when it comes to designing a new house or doing renovations. While these small spaces may often feel simply like avenues to get to and from various rooms in a building, with a bit of know how and design inspiration, they can become fashionable and functional areas in their own right.
Make them feel bigger
Hallways can feel small and cramped, especially if filled with a lot of clutter. However, this space is often where visitors get their first impressions of your home, so it pays to spend a bit of extra time making hallways feel inviting and spacious.
Start by clearing all clutter off the floor possible. Try not to leave umbrellas, bags or shoes in this area, unless they are behind a cupboard door or in a designated holder.
Paint walls a white or neutral coloured shade like Resene Quarter Spanish White. Light walls tend to make spaces look larger, whereas dark ones can enclose them. Utilise mirrors along walls and in strategic corners to help reflect natural light and open up the space. Windows and skylights are also great for this if you are designing the home from scratch.
When it comes to lighting, use uplights to reflect light off the ceiling, which makes them appear higher than they are. Avoid using low-hanging pendant lights as they can make hallways feel smaller.
Unique decorations
One creative way to bring your hallway to life is to use it as a mini art gallery or photo exhibition. Hang cluster of your favourite paintings and pictures in groups on the walls, or space them out sparsely for a modern, sleek effect.
Family photos look great in hallways, especially when displayed in creative ways. Collect antique and vintage photo frames to mount photos in, and hang these as a group on walls for a retro chic vibe. Different sizes and shapes look great when hung in clusters like this.
If you have the space in a wider hallway, add a built-in bench seat to invite guests and residents to recline with a book in this cosy nook. Wall-mounted bookshelves add to this decor scheme, along with cosy cushions and throw rugs perched on the seat.
Bright pops of colour can be utilised with dramatic effects in your entranceway, especially around your front door or on the ceiling. Unexpected combinations and patterns can add character to your home, so go ahead and wallpaper that feature wall or splash out on that statement rug.
Storage solutions
While hallways can be small, they also often have a realm of storage opportunities waiting to be discovered.
Bespoke shelves can be made to fit perfectly in these tight quarters, hiding away beneath bench seats or lining the walls discreetly. Unused areas can benefit from having shelves added to store everything from throw rugs and books through to photo frames and nick nacks.
If you do like to use the hallway for storing items such as car keys, umbrellas, shoes and hats, make sure you do this effectively. A coat stand that doubles as a hat holder and umbrella stand can sit in a corner next to the front door without taking up too much space, as can a shoe rack.
Put hooks on the walls for keys and other small items, or keep these tucked away in small shelves.
Get inspired ! 
