We may move through this space like a corridor, but the hallway is no less of a room in which to decorate and create a welcoming scheme. Whether you have a lavish large hallway to decorate or a small space to orchestrate a warm welcome, there are plenty of solutions. Here, we’ve looked at practical yet stylish solutions to maximise storage, decorate to wow your guests the moment they enter and accessorise this unique space to the max…

Shop the look

Romana sideboard (£3,305, Ercol). For similar floor tiles, try the Sienna collection (£35 per sqm, Tiles Direct). For similar vases, try Maisons du Monde

Factor in storage

1. Use your walls

If, like many hallways, yours is on the small side, utilise the walls when it comes to storage. From hooks to shelves and racks, you can give everything a home to create a streamlined space.

1 Wire industrial rack (£135, Cox & Cox)

2 Covo Latva wall coat rack (£202, Lime Lace)

3 Wall hanging basket with handle (£35.99 The Wisteria Tree)

2. Build-in bench seating

Have an odd nook or unusual hallway layout? Bench seating with lift-up lids is a savvy way to utilise an otherwise unused area, providing a spot to sit and put on shoes, with additional storage inside for boots and brollies. Not everyone has space in their hallway for a separate shoe rack, seating and coat stand, so why not invest in an all-in-one piece that does it all? With shelves for shoes, a cushioned seat to sit on and two rows of hooks, this clever storage unit keeps things stylishly compact.

Walls & shelf painted in Caravan Architects matt paint (£63 per 2.5ltrs); lower wall, window seat & peg rail painted in Caravan Architects Satinwood (£87.50 per 2.5ltrs), all Paint & Paper Library

3. Choose multifunctional pieces

Not everyone has space in their hallway for a separate shoe rack, seating and coat stand, so why not invest in an all-in- one piece that does it all? With shelves for shoes, a cushioned seat to sit on and two rows of hooks, this clever storage unit keeps things stylishly compact.

Earth hallway unit (£555, Furniture Village)

4. Create a kids’ den

If you want to switch up the storage space under the stairs, why not turn it into a mini play den for children, which will not only keep toys out of sight but allow them a fun little hideaway. Pop in some cushions, a pin board and shelves, along with a curtain to hide everything away when not in use.

Wall painted in Dusted Fondant, California Days & Pebble Shore mixing matt (all £36.49 per 2.5ltrs, Dulux).

5. Style up a console

Slimline by nature, a console table is a versatile piece of storage furniture that makes a great display space, too. Never find yourself scrabbling for keys again, thanks to the handy drawers for safe keeping items such as loose change or odds and ends. Then use the top to showcase a statement mirror or selection of framed prints, along with a vase or two and a diffuser or candle.

Island breeze large console in Ciara Yellow (£840, Painted Furniture Company)

Decide on decor

1. Drench it in colour

Want to set the tone for your home? Create a bold first impression with a single all-over colour scheme. Paint the walls, woodwork and ceiling in the same shade, which will not only create a tunnel effect to help the eyes travel through the space, but also add drama to your scheme. If you have stairs in your hall, paint those too, or opt for a stair runner in the same colour.

Hallway painted in Selvedge No. 306 Dead Flat (£75 per 2.5ltrs, Farrow & Ball)

2. Work-in a wallpaper

Whether you paper all the walls, the ceiling, half a wall or just the side of the stairs, wallpaper can give your hallway serious style clout. Plus, as the hall isn’t always the largest space, you can afford to be braver and go for a design that may feel overpowering used in a bigger room.

1 LiberatziÓn Jasper wallpaper (£135 per 10m roll, The Curious Department)
2 Birdsong wallpaper in Forest (£98 per 10m roll, Fiona Howard)
3 Fez Medina wallpaper (£219 for 3 x 3m rolls, Mind the Gap)

3. Echo materials

Create a relationship between your hallway and the rooms off it by using the same materials and/or colours for furniture, accessories and décor. Here, a striking console table is made from the same marble used on the dining table in the space beyond.

Esme marble console in Viola (£2,800, Collection Noir)

4. Mix colour & pattern

From tiles to fabric and paint, your decorating choices can be the difference between something run of the mill or a truly standout scheme. And being that the hallway isn’t usually part of an open-plan space, you can give it its own identity and be as experimental as you like when it comes to combining patterns and colour.

Crystal & Pear stripe fabric (on seat) (£75 per m, Colours of Arley)

5. Look to the floor

Patterned tiles will add impact while being a practical solution for this high-traffic area – go classic with Victorian-style tiles with a border, or opt for a modern geometric design.

Classic Mono tiles (from £142.99 per sqm, Décor collection at Amtico)

1 Lylia Blue Décor Hexagon matt wall & floor tile, £34.95 per sqm, Tile Mountain
2 Priory Décor Corner floor tile, £33.53 per sqm, London Tile Co
3 Havana Dark patterned tile, £45 per sqm, Porcelain Superstore.

Add finishing touches

1. Breathe life with plants

Turn your hallway from a space to simply pass through, to one that’s a joy to be in with verdant plants and fresh flowers. Use a bench, console or plant stand for small pots, and hang trailing plants from hooks to soften this otherwise practical space.

Clockhouse hallway bench, £280; Mayfield plant stand, £90; woven hanging pot, £10, all Garden Trading

2. Greet guests in style

Whether it’s a patterned or quirky design, a colourful doormat will create the warmest of welcomes.

1 Rainbow 3-Coir doormat, £14.99 for set of two, Wayfair
2 The Naughty Step doormat, £24.50, Bombay Duck
3 Butterfly Garden doormat, £16.95, Rex London

3. Pick a pendant

A hallway is one of the best places for a feature overhead light, as it won’t be competing for attention with other furniture – and we love this Sputnik-style design.

Cosmos 8 Light Horizontal pendant light in Butter Brass (£2,502, David Hunt Lighting)

4. Add light & interest

With the entryways to our home typically being darker than the rest of the house, mirrors are ideal for reflecting light around and helping these smaller spaces feel brighter. What’s more, it will provide the perfect spot for last-minute lippy checks before leaving the house…

Black abstract oval mirror, £148, Rockett St George

5. Display statement artwork

Whether you opt for one showstopping piece or an entire gallery wall of prints, the hallway provides a great opportunity to go for bold artwork that makes you stop and linger longer.

Wall art (from £49.50, Oliver Bonas)

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MORE HALLWAY IDEAS

• 6 savvy hallway storage ideas
• 6 decorating tips for a durable hallway
• Best budget decorating ideas for your hallway
• 5 hallway flooring looks we love
• How to decorate your hallway for Christmas

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