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Making an Entrance: 10 Hallways With Heart
Access way, connecting zone, art gallery, entrance – the hallway is the main artery of the house. Here's how to make it grand
Often the first thing people see upon entering a house is a hallway. This high-traffic area connects all the different elements and spaces in your home. While it’s too easy to overlook, a hallway should be functional, beautiful and reflect your personality. Take a look at these 10 inspiring hallways…
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2. Family space
Bringing warmth to a home requires thoughtful decorative touches, and family photos can liven up any hallway. Display walls should be white or neutral with plenty of natural light. A handy tip to ensure pictures are hung straight is to use a spirit level against the frame.
Bringing warmth to a home requires thoughtful decorative touches, and family photos can liven up any hallway. Display walls should be white or neutral with plenty of natural light. A handy tip to ensure pictures are hung straight is to use a spirit level against the frame.
3. Personal elements
This hallway is a brilliant collision of past and present, transforming the space into a haven of style. While rustic timber flooring sets the tone, the antique dresser sits right beside a Mid-century children’s chair. A collection of Italian and Danish ceramics and a retro carved wooden bust adorn the top, all beautifully positioned to catch the eye. Simple and unfussy yet wonderfully elegant, this hallway reveals the owners’ eclectic taste.
This hallway is a brilliant collision of past and present, transforming the space into a haven of style. While rustic timber flooring sets the tone, the antique dresser sits right beside a Mid-century children’s chair. A collection of Italian and Danish ceramics and a retro carved wooden bust adorn the top, all beautifully positioned to catch the eye. Simple and unfussy yet wonderfully elegant, this hallway reveals the owners’ eclectic taste.
4. Artistic display
Displaying artwork in the hallway adds warmth and personality to the area. The trick, of course, is deciding how to position your collection. It’s best to lay the works out along the floor, trying different combinations and different spacing. When hanging a single piece on a wall, the centre of the work should be eye level, about 140-152cm off the ground. When hanging a pair of works, one above the other, treat them as one large picture. Find the centre point between them and use the same 152cm rule.
Shop a wide selection of artwork on Houzz
Displaying artwork in the hallway adds warmth and personality to the area. The trick, of course, is deciding how to position your collection. It’s best to lay the works out along the floor, trying different combinations and different spacing. When hanging a single piece on a wall, the centre of the work should be eye level, about 140-152cm off the ground. When hanging a pair of works, one above the other, treat them as one large picture. Find the centre point between them and use the same 152cm rule.
Shop a wide selection of artwork on Houzz
5. Work zone
Using every centimetre of the available space, this hallway integrates a two-person home office with a built-in desk and storage unit. The dimensions of the desk are 3600 x 500cm, which provides plenty of room to use a laptop or device. While it works as a home office, it’s also perfectly positioned as a homework zone where parents can easily oversee their children’s activities.
Using every centimetre of the available space, this hallway integrates a two-person home office with a built-in desk and storage unit. The dimensions of the desk are 3600 x 500cm, which provides plenty of room to use a laptop or device. While it works as a home office, it’s also perfectly positioned as a homework zone where parents can easily oversee their children’s activities.
6. Reading room
With large windows bringing an abundance of light into the hallway, a reading zone is a clever concept for lovers of literature. The floor-to-ceiling bookcase units provide plenty of space for favourite tomes while the seating areas offer a handy place to relax and read. Wall lights mean that it’s a perfect nook at any time of the day or night.
With large windows bringing an abundance of light into the hallway, a reading zone is a clever concept for lovers of literature. The floor-to-ceiling bookcase units provide plenty of space for favourite tomes while the seating areas offer a handy place to relax and read. Wall lights mean that it’s a perfect nook at any time of the day or night.
7. Bright ideas
Interesting elements in this hallway add personality without creating clutter. The decorative pendant lights bring a touch of glamour and are hung high for good flow-through. The floor runner with heavy-duty fibre adds warmth and texture to the space. However, the standout elements are the built-in shelving units that store everything from books to containers and other decorative objects. The pristine white wall creates an illusion of space, making the hallway feel open and inviting.
Interesting elements in this hallway add personality without creating clutter. The decorative pendant lights bring a touch of glamour and are hung high for good flow-through. The floor runner with heavy-duty fibre adds warmth and texture to the space. However, the standout elements are the built-in shelving units that store everything from books to containers and other decorative objects. The pristine white wall creates an illusion of space, making the hallway feel open and inviting.
8. Hidden away
Deceptively simple, this hallway includes a concealed laundry and guest bathroom. Thin stainless-steel handles provide easy access to these handy rooms, while the adjacent double doors open to the deck and studio. A mix of natural materials – honey-toned timber and charcoal stone – produce a neutral colour palette, all encased by white surrounds to keep the room light and breezy.
Deceptively simple, this hallway includes a concealed laundry and guest bathroom. Thin stainless-steel handles provide easy access to these handy rooms, while the adjacent double doors open to the deck and studio. A mix of natural materials – honey-toned timber and charcoal stone – produce a neutral colour palette, all encased by white surrounds to keep the room light and breezy.
9. Hexagon haven
If you’re a little timid about wallpapering an entire room, why not temper the concept by starting with a feature wall? Hanging two mirrors, rather than artwork, adds a decorative element without overstatement. The George Nelson Mid-century platform bench completes the hallway beautifully.
If you’re a little timid about wallpapering an entire room, why not temper the concept by starting with a feature wall? Hanging two mirrors, rather than artwork, adds a decorative element without overstatement. The George Nelson Mid-century platform bench completes the hallway beautifully.
10. Eyes of the beholder
By matching the flooring used in your entrance to the rest of your space, it creates a flow to the rest of the home. Here, wooden flooring leads towards an archway, inviting guests to gravitate to the back of the home. An eclectic mix of artwork, colourful furnishings and personal treasures creates a welcoming atmosphere for the walk through.
By matching the flooring used in your entrance to the rest of your space, it creates a flow to the rest of the home. Here, wooden flooring leads towards an archway, inviting guests to gravitate to the back of the home. An eclectic mix of artwork, colourful furnishings and personal treasures creates a welcoming atmosphere for the walk through.
And don’t forget that the entrance to your home doesn’t just have to begin behind your front door. Pretty up your verandah with an inviting mat that greets guests and save space in the hallway by keeping your gumboots firmly outside.
View more beautiful hallways in our photo gallery
TELL US
Which tip is your favourite? And if you’ve added some serious style to your hallway, we’d love to see it! Please post a high-resolution photograph in the comments section below.
View more beautiful hallways in our photo gallery
TELL US
Which tip is your favourite? And if you’ve added some serious style to your hallway, we’d love to see it! Please post a high-resolution photograph in the comments section below.
Lavish elements – detailed lights, cheery wall hangings, blue and white furnishings – bring character and soul to this hallway. It’s not treated as a thoroughfare, however, the bay window with a built-in seat is a wonderful place to relax. By displaying contemporary works and treasured antiques from around the globe, the owners have transformed a utilitarian space into an exotic recluse.