Hallways
The hallway is a defining feature of any home, and not only does it provide a practical entryway, but also sets the tone for the house beyond
COOL HUES
Painted panelling offers the perfect balance of contemporary colour and period charm. ‘Panelling in hallways gives a delightfully fresh look and adds buckets of character. Paint walls with a satin finish as the soft sheen will provide the required durability,’ advises Annie Sloan, colour and paint expert. ‘When it comes to shades, blue is a great choice for hallways. It is a “recessive” colour, meaning that it draws the eye outwards and creates a feeling of space. Avoid pale blues, though, as they will make the hallway feel insipid and unwelcoming.’ Panelling in Annie Sloan’s Cambrian Blue, £24.95 for 750ml of Satin paint.
Despite being one of the smallest spaces in your house, the hallway plays a vital role. It defines the look and feel of the home’s interior, and also gives guests or visitors a first impression – both of your home and your personal style.
The challenges don’t stop there, either, as the limited space means you only have a few pieces of furniture at your disposal. Each item must earn its place in your interior scheme and work to create a warm and welcoming entranceway that doesn’t feel cramped or compact. To help, we asked interior designers to share their top tips to curate the perfect hallway.
GALLERY CHIC
Artwork is an easy way to make a bold statement in a hallway. ‘Given that most hallways are narrow, large pieces of art are often unable to be properly appreciated in these spaces. Gallery walls are a great solution as you can group together smaller treasures that are all wonderful to look at individually when passing through, but also create a pleasing picture together,’ says interior designer Kate Guinness, who designed this space. ‘I like the asymmetrical look so as not to appear too staged. I love juxtaposing contemporary works of art and vintage textiles with antique and mid-century furniture to create lived-in spaces that are anchored by timeless details.’
UP THE WALL
As an occasional space, the hallway is the perfect place to go bold with your wallpaper. ‘When it comes to design, keep colours light to make the space feel as bright as possible. Small repeating patterns will create the illusion that a wall is bigger, while horizontal stripes help to make walls seem taller,’ says Chelsea Clark, head of brand at Lucie Annabel. Featured is its Beaumont wallpaper in Blue and Ecru, £58 per roll.
CHECKMATE
Durability is key for hallway flooring. Tiles, stone and engineered wood are all viable options, but if you want decorative flair, then tiles are the natural choice. In this elegant hallway, a monochrome chequerboard design, such as Original Style’s Oxf
