The hallway is one of the most hardworking areas in the home but it’s a space that is often overlooked. With a spectacular lighting scheme, glorious colour and the installation of beautiful yet functional furniture and flooring, you can give your property a real sense of arrival and make it even more appealing to buyers and tenants. Let the experts show you how.
Flooring first
Whether you go for a stone, wood or tiled floor, the visual impact is key. Caroline Milns, Head of Interior Design at Zulufish, says, “The entrance is where you can have fun and experiment with colour and pattern to great effect.” In one London home, she has done just that with a daring mustard geometric floor. As well as being eye-catching, the tiles are hardwearing and easy to clean, essential for an area with high footfall.
Ed O’Donnell, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Angel O’Donnell, advises, “Quality materials are important. A thick, hand-knotted wool rug on a natural-wood floor is instantly inviting. And, if you have a fireplace in your hallway, paint the mantelpiece and surround, and switch up the tiles to give this focal feature the authority it deserves.”
Image above: Designed by Angel O'Donnell - Copley Park
Bright ideas
An opulent light feature in a hall space will add brilliance, in every sense of the word. It could be a large vintage pendant of Murano glass petals or a contemporary piece. Lighting expert Luke Thomas of John Cullen recommends, “Aim for drama not symmetry by layering your lighting effects. Add a decorative lantern and dim this for mood; install downlights to spotlight a picture or highlight flowers. To create an interesting contrast, use wall lights or recessed downlights to produce a wash oflight over one wall. Think also of uplighting doorframes or arches.”
Colour commitment
When it comes to selecting paint and wallpaper, Ed says, “There are two types of entrance: one whispers, ‘welcome home’ and the other shouts, ‘you’ve arrived!’ So think carefully about your colour palette. Warm neutrals, like pale toffee or biscuit brown, feel calming and comforting. While darker colours, like deep burgundy or black clay, are big on drama.”
“The 'colour drenching' trend works fantastically well in hallways,” advises Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director of Little Greene. “This cohesive approach delivers high impact by painting the woodwork, radiators, ceiling and doors the same colour as the walls.” Entrances are susceptible to knocks and bumps, so it’s important to opt for a durable finish. She says, “Little Greene's Intelligent Matt Emulsion is completely washable and our wallpapers are designed to resist wear and tear but, to create an even more durable solution, paint under a dado rail and wallpaper above.”
Luxe design
A hall should always feel uncluttered, and bespoke floor-to-ceiling cupboards with minimal ornamentation look sleek and offer a sophisticated storage solution for outdoor wear.
Giving your space a point of interest or centrepiece is always a must. Ed says, “Artwork is a great way to inject colour, shape and movement into an entrance. And, if room allows, a big central table, elegant console or beautifully upholstered seating will make it feel purposeful and stately.”
Statement stairs
The ultimate focal point is, of course, a breathtaking staircase. By commissioning a piece of 21st Century design you can transform the look of your entrance hall and even add valuable square metres. Richard McLane, Founder and Design Director at Bisca, says, “A specialist designer will consider all options, including changing the direction of the staircase to create better flow, using an open tread design to maximise natural light, and reviewing materials to ensure the stair is in keeping with the period of the property.”
With carefully considered decoration and investment in tailor-made cabinetry, illuminations and even a new flight of stairs, you can elevate your entrance. You will not only delight every visitor setting foot over the threshold but add a new layer of pleasure to your own daily life.
