Traditional hallway ideas: 11 ways to make an impression

Table of Content

• best Christmas wreaths for the front door or interior
• Lake of Constance City Poster, grey living room idea, bedroom design idea, hallway decoration
• Create a contemporary feel with herringbone tiles
Staircase
• Be imaginative with under stairs storage spaces
• Entryway Solutions for a Long Narrow Hallway
• Display a mix and match gallery wall up your stairs

Look for designs that draw the eye away from the door and avoid anything too busy like patterned tile. A herringbone pattern created either with tiles or wood flooring is perfect for making a small or narrow hallway seem longer as it gives that never-ending optical allusion to the room. A bright and airy take on traditional design, an all-white hallway is the simplest way to make a design statement. Not to mention the light-reflecting properties of white paint, so important in this often dark part of the home. Accent with contrasting hallway lighting ideas, and you've got an elegant design scheme that is refreshing at the same time.

Alternatively, if wall panels aren't an option, you could think about trying color blocking in your hallway. This requires that you use one color to paint up to paint from the floor up to a certain height, then choose another color for use up to the ceiling. The natural textures add some interest and give the space a lovely modern rustic vibe. Note the addition of the runner too, for subtle pattern, softness underfoot, and, of course, practicality. We love this muted coral shade and how it's balanced with the crisp white floorboards.

best Christmas wreaths for the front door or interior

'We love to introduce traditional wallpaper to modern homes to create a transitional aesthetic. In this white hallway, a bench with thin black legs and a leather seat adds a little bit of dark drama, as well as some texture, but doesn’t overwhelm. If you are planning to use a bench for hallway shoe storage, counteract any bulkiness with light colors and a minimalist design. Connecting spaces and hallways are a brilliant space to factor in storage, helping to free-up valuable living space in rooms like kitchens and living rooms.

A hallway should always feel warm and inviting so choosing the proper hallway lighting ideas is key. Whether you’re opting for a number of lighting sources, you should always consider a statement ceiling light. Don’t just think about the walls - putting a new coat of paint on woodwork including staircase ideas really helps to freshen and brighten a hallway. We love this striking staircase paint idea that features a blue ombre effect. Make the space less cave-like by keeping the ceiling light and going for bleached wooden floorboards for a softer, rustic touch. If you do opt for a darker palette make sure to get your hallway lighting spot on so it never feels gloomy when you have to rely on artificial light.

Lake of Constance City Poster, grey living room idea, bedroom design idea, hallway decoration

Translate the jewel tones into upholstery and accessories and add in glass, wood and metal pieces. Unless you have a separate porch it's likely you will still need somewhere to hang your coat and other accessories. Regardless of the paint colour you choose, it's advisable to invest in washable paint for a hallway. 'This way, any muddy splashes or little fingerprints can be easily wiped away. Alternatively, wood panelling can help to keep your walls in good condition.

Additionally, you can choose to hang panels or art pieces on either side of the hallway for a symmetrical look. The addition of natural daylight can work wonders for a dreary hallway ⁠— swapping the front or back door for a glazed version is an easily achieved example. Even modest-sized homes have decent under stair storage space that is usually massively under-exploited. Make the most of yours by putting in a central door to create a spacious cupboard for large items ; a door beneath the bottom steps for seldom-used items; and use leftover space for a shelved-out niche. Literally, vinyl tiles that you peel the back off and stick over your original tiles.

Create a contemporary feel with herringbone tiles

Before you hang anything, trace the shape of your frames onto kraft paper, and tape the shapes to the wall to plan your arrangement until you're satisfied with the look. Complete the look with other cozy elements to add interest to your passageway. Incorporate a chair or bench, storage baskets, and pretty accessories to create a welcoming vignette. Or use a narrow table or bookcase to display a family collection, fresh flowers, or an assortment of pretty candles, knickknacks, and dishware. When decorating a hallway, it's also important to keep safety in mind. Use rubber grippers under rugs, and choose narrow furniture that won't impede traffic.

We advise giving any original flooring the love it deserves and not replacing it. Encaustic floor tiles in particular are worth repairing rather than replacing. Patterned tile works really well with traditional design schemes – and, in combination with stained glass, will provide enough color and texture to keep the rest of the design neutral and low-maintenance.

Hallway Prints

Just because hallways are often the smallest space in your home, that doesn't mean they can't squeeze in some functional furniture. These spaces are landing areas, they need a small console table to store your keys, lipsticks, dog leads, etc. Hallways are such great spaces to be a bit bolder with your color choices. They are usually smaller spaces that we just pass through, so this means you can afford to be braver in the colors you go for ⁠— have fun with the space and use it to reflect your personal style.

Sliding doors, or barn doors as they are also known, are a great option for small hallways as they take up much less space than a conventional door and blend seamlessly into a scheme if painted the same paint color. This gorgeous idea is a great example of just how well sliding doors can work. A bright shade of yellow is pretty happiness-inducing, but we also like the idea of a light pink if you're after something slightly more subtle. Now if you are totally redesigning a traditional hallway idea , rather than just redecorating, flooring is what you are going to be wanting to think about first. Bursting with light, the pastel pink door, and sandy carpet color will make your hallway feel bigger. Of course, the real design trick here is the hallway mirror which makes the most of the smallest room in the home by creating an illusion of a wider space.

Be imaginative with under stairs storage spaces

Use mirrors to enhance that light and if you have room bring in a key piece of furniture, whether it be a bench or a console table so it doesn't just feel like a sea of floor. A neutral palette is a cornerstone of many a successful modern design scheme – but to bring your space really up to date, go for grey. Among the most popular hallway paint ideas of the moment, grey’s darker tones can create drama, while lighter versions work as a contemporary alternative to white, as demonstrated in this hallway. Choose warm undertones for a welcoming feeling, or cooler tones for elegance. Hallways serve to connect rooms in a home, but they can also be stand-out spaces themselves.

HomepolishWe believe a beautifully decorated entryway with lots of practical storage will inspire you to keep things tidy instead of throwing your stuff in a massive heap. This gorgeous foyer by Angela Belt at Homepolish, an interior design company out of New York City, is a great example. A porcelain tile floor in a modern black and white pattern is exceptionally welcoming. A black ceramic table lamp offers a soft glow at night when an overhead fixture would be considered too bright. A console table can not only work as a landing pad for keys, wallets and post, but as a stylish piece to set the tone for the house’s decor – and will fit in with narrow hallway ideas too.

Place a Picture Light

Accent your traditional features with white to make them feel fresh. Hallway lighting ideas are a hugely important part of making these small spaces work. Be sure to layer you lighting to make sure every nook and cranny is well lit – and, if you have a tall enough ceiling, consider making a grand entrance with a chandelier. ‘A console table – ideally with a drawer – provides a useful place to store keys, post and fresh flowers,’ says Duggan. For a modern approach to this hallway furniture staple, pick the slickest you can find. HavenlyInterior designer Amy Fasnacht from Havenly, an online home decorating service, was tasked with transforming an empty, open-concept space without a proper entryway into a multifunctional abode.

Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. 'If you have gone for a pale paint color in a hallway, it's important to work in texture, whether via natural materials or pattern in upholstery,' says Homes & Gardens' Editor in Chief Lucy Searle. ‘They create the illusion of more space, of brightening up dark corners, of bouncing color from one side of the room to the other.

The result is a simply stunning showpiece for windows,' says Mike Stephen of Apollo Blinds. When tackling a hallway redesign, think of your space as you would any other room. It's not simply a transitional area to hang your coat – hallways will benefit from a considered use of paint, softening rugs and runners, wall art and accessories as much as any other room.

She is currently pursuing an interior design certificate from the New York Institute of Art + Design. AlvhemA sliver of wall space can expand your storage options in a small apartment. An upper shelf with a built-in rail establishes a nook for jackets and handbags. A beautiful and well-organized entryway will make a home feel more inviting. But knowing which steps to take to get the job done may not seem obvious. To help you pack a lot of style and function into your current foyer, no matter its size, we gathered our favorite entryway ideas for your inspiration.