Making an Entrance

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Making an Entrance

Your hallway needs to be a good-looking, welcoming space for visitors and a practical area for storage. Get the basics right, says Katherine Sorrell, and the rest will follow.

Colour and pattern for the walls

Choose a paint colour or wallpaper that you love, and that coordinates with the colours that can be seen in adjoining rooms. While pale colours reflect light and emphasise a sense of space, dark schemes can be both cosy and interesting. In busy households with young children and pets, it’s a good idea to protect at least the lower halves of the walls from wear and tear. Extra-tough paint is a good choice, or consider adding a dado rail and cladding the walls below it with tongueand-groove panelling, tiles or hard-wearing vinyl wallpaper. Period-style patterned tiles or embossed wallpapers are particularly appropriate for older properties with period features; you might want to choose patterns that echo other elements of the house, such as cornices or fireplace surrounds.

Choosing the right flooring

It makes sense for the flooring to be durable, nonslip, dirt-resistant and easy to keep clean – pale carpet is probably not a good idea. So, what to choose? Tiles are very easy to care for, and there are various options, including stone, ceramic or quarry, or colourful Victorian encaustic (perfect for period properties). Floorboards or parquet will need regular polishing or waxing, but be careful with wood laminates – they are cheaper, but may not last long. Good quality vinyl flooring, in sheet or tile form is sturdy, cleanable and comfortable underfoot. If you prefer a more luxurious feel, a dark wool carpet in an 80:20 mix of wool and nylon with a twist pile should withstand heavy usage or, for a more rustic look, how about tough natural matting such as coir, sisal or rush?

Lighting makes all the difference

Halls are often windowless and dark and, while they do not need to be very bright, should be welcoming and lead the eye into your home, as well as safely illuminating any steps or thresholds. One small change that may help is to use a specialist light-reflecting paint, or wallpaper with a metallic sheen. Add a large mirror, too – also helpful for checking your reflection just before you leave the house. In terms of light fittings, wall lights are not ideal in a narrow hall, as they may just act as obstacles; a series of recessed ceiling downlights is better or, if your ceilings are high enough, a pendant (or a row of them) that suits the style of other furnishings works well.

Storage is essential

Most people store a variety of things in their halls and the type of storage you choose is best moulded around what you need to store, how much space it will take up and how frequently you need to access it. Built-in storage makes the most of every inch of space. Shallow, floor-to-ceiling

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cupboards with doors painted the same colour as the walls, or mirrored to maximise light, will hold masses yet be barely noticeable. Alternatively, make a statement with a choice of free-standing, perhaps vintage or upcycled, cupboards, sideboards or benches. Umbrella stands, dog beds and boot racks are ideal for spacious, country-style halls, while narrow, urban halls might benefit from a high-up hook for a bike and a slim shelf above a radiator on which to keep post and keys.

Add a finishing touch

In a hall that has windows, think about how your blinds or curtains will complement the rest of the space. The colours and patterns of fabric can coordinate with cushions or upholstery on seating, for example. A long, thin floor runner adds a nice touch of softness, pattern and texture on hard floors but always use a non-slip underlay beneath. Hang paintings or photographs on the walls, in rows or informal groupings, taking care that their frames coordinate with each other and with the décor overall. Finally, why not add some plants, books or a pretty lamp on a console table? You can create a beautiful display that shows off your personality and creates a lovely welcome to your home.

In a spacious hallway, more than one item of storage furniture will work a treat. They don’t have to match exactly – this pairing helps create a welcoming, eclectic look that has heaps of character. Wiltshire console table in natural solid oak, £299.99, St Ives tallboy in natural and painted oak, £299.99; both Oak Furnitureland: 0800 440 2254; oakfurnitureland.co.uk. A spacious sideboard is an excellent addition to any hall, combining hidden storage and surface display space. This one blends pale timber with classic black for a smart and minimal look. Greenwich large sideboard, £229, Nala mango wood table lamp, £25; Butterscotch rush basket, £22; all Dunelm: 0345 165 6565; dunelm.com. A pale wood floor is practical and beautiful, and tongue-and-groove walls are easy to maintain in case of muddy splashes. Tegola Westminster traditional oak wood flooring, £49.99 per square metre; natural coir Bee doormat, £15; both Carpetright: 0330 333 3444; carpetright.co.uk.