How to Create a Stylish and Functional Hallway
April 05, 2021
Lifestyle
You've made your bedroom a tranquil oasis. You've crafted the cozy living room of your dreams. You've perfected productivity in a streamlined home office. What's left? The space that ties your whole home together — the hallway!
While they can be easy to overlook, hallways are wonderful areas to fill up with decor and design, letting you add a personal touch to every inch of your home. Hallways can also be retrofitted with ingenious and space-saving functionality, to make sure that no potential space goes to waste.
Looking for a few inspiring new hallway ideas to try out in 2021? We've got you covered:
Convert a Linen Closet Into a Collapsible Office
Want to add a functional workspace but short on extra rooms? You can build an office, sewing station, or homework area right into a hallway by converting a closet. Add some shelving and paint the walls your favorite color, add a pull-out desk, and voila — extra productivity space, right in the heart of your home!Maximize the Space With Mirrors
Mirrors are a great way to help make a space feel larger, making them a perfect fit for a snug or cramped hallway. Mirrors also help amp up the natural light in a space, which can be useful since many interior hallways are cut off from outdoor-facing windows. Stand up a large portrait mirror, add a large wall-mounted modern frame, or hang multiple mirrors for a chic, Bohemian fun house effect.Use Eye-Popping Wallpaper
Wallpaper can become overwhelming when applied too liberally. But in the right space, it can really help an ordinary area feel out-of-this-world. Narrow hallways can be an excellent area to decorate with wallpaper — helping to add some big visual interest in this typically small space. Use entrancing geometric designs, calming and natural botanical prints, or vintage patterns that invoke the elusive Grandmillennial style.Bring in Furniture That Amps Up Your Storage
What better way to maximize your hallway than by turning it into a lean, mean, storage machine? A large console or credenza can perfectly fill out a larger hallway or entranceway; you could also add a bench seat with hidden storage for shoes and coats, or a storage ladder perfect for hanging blankets and towels.Create Your Very Own Gallery Wall
Running out of space for pictures? Go maximalist in your hallway and add a gallery wall. You could use matching frames and themed artwork, or go eclectic and puil a wide variety of photos and prints to create a retro, lived-in effect. Think about whether you want to use your gallery wall to set a theme, how you want to embrace or shy away from color, and how cohesive or disparate you want this space to be.Decorate from Floor to Ceiling
Hallways are full of design potential from top to bottom — literally. Painting a ceiling can be a wonderful way to add depth, dimension, and character to a boring or utilitarian hallway space. You can also get creative with your floors. Add runners and rugs to separate the hallway from the rest of the house, or set it off with its own unique flooring — think bold geometric tile in an easy-to-clean material, such as porcelain.Experiment With Off-Kilter Colors
Do you want your hallway to blend in with the rest of the house, or stand out on its own? In either case, this small area can be a perfect place to play around with colors. You could use a strikingly bright color that would be too loud for another space in the house; go dark and dramatic with black walls and moody accents; opt for calming shades of blue or pink; create a monochromatic effect from top to bottom; experiment with contrasting shades and patterns; or add a singular accent wall to create a distinct focal point.Play Around With Plants
Houseplants just keep growing and growing in popularity, and for good reason. Plants add life and color to any home, and they can be a great addition to your hallways and corridors. You could mount decorative plant holders to the walls, or line the floor with plants that will flourish indoors. Depending on the layout and conditions of your hall area, it may be wise to opt for plants that require less direct sunlight and moderate temperatures to thrive.Add Wall-Mounted Storage
Out of sight, out of mind? Not necessarily! Instead of tucking everything away, adding visible, wall-mounted storage can be a powerful way to make a statement and show off your personal style. Mount floating shelves to house books, photos, plants, or family ornaments. Add functional pegs and hooks to provide a home for everything from car keys to coats.Create the Library You've Always Wanted
No room for all your books in the living room? A long or wide hallway can easily become a makeshift library. Take advantage of any architectural built-ins or spacious windowsills, or add large bookshelves perfect for storing row after row of your favorite tomes. If you have enough space, you could even add a small accent chair in the corner perfect for doing a little bit of quiet reading.Slip In Some Seating
Most of the time we just pass through our hallways — but with some functional seating, these spaces can become entertaining areas in their own right. Add a plush reading chair in a far corner, functional and versatile bench seating, or a statement chair right next to a door.Make Your Doors a Focal Point
For a more neutral hallway, you could create visual interest by transforming your doorways into a focal point. A brightly colored front door can add a dynamic finish to an entrance hallway; in an upstairs hallway, you could also paint your doors and trim in a contrasting color to help define the area.When Home Means More, You Need a Team With More to Offer
Now more than ever, your home should be a place that makes you feel safe, connected, and relaxed. We know this as well as anyone. At Baird & Warner, Chicagoland has been our home since 1855. Looking to find ways to make the most of your investment? Ready to start your search for a new home to design from top to bottom? Whatever your real estate goals may be, we're here to make things easier at every step of the way. With mortgage and title services all under one roof, our One-Stop Shop knows how to make the entire process smarter and more streamlined.Tags:
