Photo by Berkay Demirkan
Photo of a contemporary hallway in DC Metro with green walls, white floor and wallpaper.

For this house “contextual” means focusing the good view and taking the bad view out of focus. In order to accomplish this, the form of the house was inspired by horse blinders. Conceived as two tubes with directed views, one tube is for entertaining and the other one for sleeping. Directly across the street from the house is a lake, “the good view.” On all other sides of the house are neighbors of very close proximity which cause privacy issues and unpleasant views – “the bad view.” Thus the sides and rear are mostly solid in order to block out the less desirable views and the front is completely transparent in order to frame and capture the lake – “horse blinders.” There are several sustainable features in the house’s detailing. The entire structure is made of pre-fabricated recycled steel and concrete. Through the extensive use of high tech and super efficient glass, both as windows and clerestories, there is no need for artificial light during the day. The heating for the building is provided by a radiant system composed of several hundred feet of tubes filled with hot water embedded into the concrete floors. The façade is made up of composite board that is held away from the skin in order to create ventilated façade. This ventilation helps to control the temperature of the building envelope and a more stable temperature indoors. Photo Credit: Alistair Tutton

Entryway

Dana Nichols

Dana Nichols © 2012 Houzz
Inspiration for a large contemporary hallway in Orange County with white walls, brick floors and white floor.

Northbrook House

Wheeler Kearns Architects

construction - goldberg general contracting, inc. interiors - sherry koppel design photography - Steve hall / hedrich blessing
Design ideas for a contemporary hallway in Chicago with white walls and white floor.

Sproule-Rowen

John Lum Architecture, Inc. AIA

Contemporary hallway in San Francisco with blue walls and white floor.

Lobby

Garret Cord Werner Architects & Interior Designers

Photo of a modern hallway in Seattle with white floor.

Hallway Design Ideas with White Floor

See your hallway as more than just a corridor to another room. This undervalued area is prime for storage, the display of collectibles, and even more practical uses like a drop zone for boots and umbrellas, or a small library. Whether you have a narrow hallway, a spacious hallway, or an awkward one with a sharp turn, browse the photos on Houzz for clever design ideas, and find your way to an all-new hallway.

How do I add storage to my hallway?

If you have a small home, utilising the hallway as extra storage is a great way to save much-needed space. To avoid narrowing an already small space, don't incorporate full-sized furniture – a hall table, for example, will only make the space feel cramped. Instead, add built-in bookcases, wall-mounted shoe racks, an umbrella stand, or hooks. A simple floating console and shelves are ideal for keeping floor space free of obstacles, too. For more small hallway ideas, browse the Stories section of Houzz. If you have a wide and spacious hallway, turn the space into a multi-purpose room. Add floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a hallway runner for the cosy allure of a library; or add seating and line the walls with curated art for a spot in which to relax. This will ensure your hallway isn’t just a beautiful space, but a destination, too.

How do I get my hallway decor right?

An entrance hall should set the tone for the rest of the house, so use it to display an item that you love, then build on your home’s decor from there. A vintage chair for putting shoes on; a slim hall table with plenty of drawers for hiding unwanted clutter; or a stand-out mirror might be just the ticket. Because your hallway is such a small space, you shouldn't go overboard with decor, either. If you want to display a photo collection, group frames in odd numbers (three or five pieces) and vary the heights to add interest. If you like the gallery look but have a dark hallway, consider framed mirrors, which will bring additional light and visual space into the area. Use shadow boxes and art shelves to display quirky, small accessories, but try to rotate them out occasionally to keep it fresh and interesting. Wall space is key, but don't forget about your ceilings and floors as well. Ceiling lights, chandeliers or wall sconces can act as additional decor, while adding a hallway runner is a quick and easy way to add colour and pattern to a traditionally all-neutral space. Also remember, the most successful hallway designs will always draw the eye to a focal point – ideally at the far end of the room, so as to create the illusion of more space. If you need help decorating your hallway, consider hiring a Stylist or Interior Designer via our pro directory!