HALL SPECIAL
It’s the first thing you see when you get home, so let’s make it shine
1 Be bold
If you are lucky enough to have a tall hall, make the most of its grand proportions by painting your front door in a bold shade, both inside and out. ‘You can further emphasise the ceiling height by painting the staircase, treads, risers and spindles in a dark colour, which will draw the eye upwards and contrast with pale walls,’ says Beth Dadswell, founder of Imperfect Interiors. ‘and don’t forget the lighting. Choose the largest, most dramatic pendant you can, as this will set the tone for the whole house. This is your wow moment, so don’t waste the opportunity to make a good first impression.’
2 Take a load off
A seat or bench for pulling shoes on and off is handy for everyone, but essential for the elderly and less able, who may struggle without. Seating with storage underneath, or inside via a lift-up lid, has the added advantage of helping to keep your hall tidy. However, if the space is particularly narrow, it can prove wiser to sacrifice storage in favour of a bench with skinny legs that will allow more visible floor space. Make it extra comfortable with light padding and a few colourful cushions.
3 The kids are all right
If you have children and space for only one row of coat hooks, put them within easy reach of the youngest, to make hanging up coats easy. Hooks with name labels may provide extra incentive not to ditch their school bags in the middle of the floor. A shoe rack will also contribute to clear corridors – add a welly rack that holds boots upside down to protect floors.
4 Everything to hand
Keeping clutter under control is essential in any hall, but particularly in narrow spaces that can quickly feel claustrophobic if they get messy. A slender console table is often all it takes to restore order. Include a dish for loose change, and a table lamp to welcome you home in the evenings. ‘An elegant, lightweight design that’s dainty on the eye won’t overpower the space,’ says John Sims-hilditch, co-founder of Neptune. ‘Our Keswick console is perfect for storing everything you need in one place, so you’ll always know where to find your keys when you’re dashing out the door.’ You could add baskets beneath to tidy away hats and gloves.
5 Victorian updates
Disappointed that your ripped-up hall carpet didn’t reveal beautiful original tiles? Think of it as an opportunity to splash out on the latest twists on traditional period styles, and enjoy a fresh look that echoes your home’s heritage. Inspired by encaustic tiles of days past, these ceramic versions boast modern benefits. ‘They’re a fraction of the cost of encaustic tiles, but just as effective, and easier to clean and maintain,’ says Rob Maltman of Walls and Floors. Tiling walls to dado level is a chic way to protect them.
6 Do away with draughts
Some country homes, particularly barn conversions, don’t have a hall but instead feature doors that open into the living space. If this is you, invest in some beautiful full-length curtains. As well as helping to keep out draughts – thermal lining is your friend – a curtained entrance will make the interior feel cosier and less exposed, while introducing pattern and texture.
7 Go big & come home
If you’ve been lusting over the latest upscaled wallpaper patterns but are concerned about using them in your main living spaces, the hall affords the ideal opportunity. ‘As a welcoming focal point that links different areas of the home, the hall is a great space to be a bit bold,’ says Peter Gomez, head designer at Zoffany. ‘In most homes, the staircase is the only space that has double-height walls, making it even more suited to larger-scale patterns. Chambalon Trail, seen here, is a vertical trail design, so it naturally leads the eye from one floor to the next, cohesively linking both levels.’
8 Look again at vinyl
As the most well-trodden path in any home, your hall floor needs to be hard wearing. If you’re keeping an eye on the budget, vinyl floors can prove surprisingly effective. Always check the design you like is specifically suited to heavytraffic areas and look for extra features such as scuff protection against marks from shoes, buggies and pets, plus slip resistance to prevent mishaps. Whatever type of flooring you choose, do invest in a decent size doormat at the entrance to help prevent traipsing the outside in.
9 Low-stress stone
Black stone floors are notorious for being high maintenance. ‘This is usually down to the finish,’ says Sophie Mckay at Floors of Stone. ‘Solid black tiles or shiny surfaces will show every little speck. However, this charcoal limestone has a beautifully textured surface, distressed edges and gentle colour variation, which makes it practical as the range of tones and textures hides a multitude of sins.’
10 Add personality
With plenty of wall space, halls are ripe for a gallery-style arrangement. Continuing your pictures up the stairs is a brilliant way to enjoy family photos and fun prints. Stair runners are also great for injecting personality, as well as reducing the clatter of footsteps up and down the stairs. ‘Be sure to add a decent quality underlay to help reduce resonating sound and prolong the life of your runner,’ adds Andy Guard, head of design at Roger Oates.