Guide To: Hallways
A home with a big, wide hallway is a dream of mine. I just really love a good corridor, guys. Maybe because it highlights the grandness of a home or because you can run from one end to the next. That's fun! It's actually one of the spaces I secretly love designing because they really don't take much. A few key pieces are all that's needed to create an impactful space that is very much sometimes overlooked. Make the best of your hallway with these designer tips. Our idea of a good hallway involves a sophisticated approach that works every single time.
Guide To: A Beautiful + Practical hallway
Foundations are important - As always, you know we like to begin with the foundation of a space. This means moulding details like baseboards, crown moulding or wall color and treatments. If this looks great, your hallway will automatically be amazing. Everything else thereafter will simply add to the beauty. We love the idea of tall baseboards (6 inches or higher if the ceiling height allows for that) and a crisp, smooth wall with or without wallpaper.
Light up the narrow - Hallways can be narrow, so make sure to combat this with good lighting. Use wall sconces, picture lights above art, recessed lighting and/or overhead light fixtures running the length of the hallway to illuminate it.
Dress the walls - Oh yes, now we're moving onto the fun stuff. We recommend you don't go crazy with wall art in compact spaces because that will simply close it off and make the space appear crowded. Instead, opt for a series of large, substantial prints running down the length of the hallway. If you would like to feature a gallery wall, use framed art or photography with similar colors so that they work as one, rather than individually. You know the famous black & white photography trend? Insert that here, its perfect for hallways! Install these frames in a symmetrical way, leaving 2", 2 1/2" or 3" inches of space between them. Let's say your hallway is very long, right? We recommend you leave up to 5 1/2" inches between frames and/or simply hang art starting at the middle of the hallway and moving outwards to the sides for an even distribution.
Image found Via: Pinterest
Consider the practical - If your hallway is wide enough, please oh please add a sophisticated bench so that you could not only sit if you like, but also create a beautiful vignette as you pass by it. This bench should ideally be long enough to feel like it is not just floating in the space, so keep the scale in mind. You may even include a console table with a mirror or art above it, dressed with cute little accessories and table sculptures. I mean, if you do, your hallway must be huge, one, and incredibly gorgeous, two. *wink*. We think you shouldn't overcrowd it with furniture if the "walking space" will end up being too narrow, you know? You should ideally leave about 20" inches of available walking space so that whoever passes through it doesn't feel as if they're too close to the furniture.
Runner or no runner? - Ok, this just made me think of "Love it or List it" (the HGTV show, HA). In all seriousness, it's really up to you if you want to add a runner to your hallway. If your floors are gorgeous, it's a shame to cover them up with a runner, so maybe opt to leave it as is. If you want to inject color, texture and cozy up the space, a runner makes total sense. While, high traffic hallways may benefit from one, too. If you ask me, I say we'd use it depending on the space (some small passthrough hallways don't need one because it would interfere with the rest of the design), project brief and overall necessities for the client.
Don't miss the opportunity to make your hallway, big or small, stand out and look incredibly beautiful as it coordinates with the rest of the home. Hallways should be a place to showcase special art, trim details, your favorite accent furniture and/or wallpaper. We can't imagine not taking advantage of this otherwise "wasted" space. I remember growing up our apartment's narrow hallway was my favorite spot in the whole house because I would sit on the floor and play there without getting in anyone's way. It was situated right at the entrance, being its own little area, so it really did suited for playing in our very small apartment. Great memories there, seriously.
