A warm WELCOME

FROM CALM AND RESTRAINED TO PRETTY OR BOLD, HALLWAYS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THOSE FIRST IMPRESSIONS REALLY COUNT

- ARABELLA YOUENS

FRESH THINKING

In a small or narrow space, take the eyes upwards by hanging a statement lighting fixture. It will accentuate the ceiling height and make the space feel bigger than it is. Also, make the most of understairs voids. In this scheme, where the staircase turns, the owners have balanced built-in cupboards with an open alcove housing a bench seat. This, coupled with the neutral palette, creates a further feeling of openness.

TAKE A SEAT

With their dual purpose of storage and seating, ottomans are among the hardest-working pieces of furniture for the home. Find space for one in the hallway and it can be used to hide all manner of winter and sports wear, keeping the floor space pleasingly free of household clutter. Plus, unlike a built-in window seat, you can move an ottoman around easily, so you can free up space in a pinch.

DOUBLE UP

If the layout of a house doesn’t allow for a generous boot room, another idea is to create an ante room by adding a glazed internal door. Artichoke added this internal oak door to create a weather valve between the inside and outside. ‘The drawers are designed to store gloves, hats and seasonal wear, as well as providing somewhere to sit when putting on shoes and boots,’ says creative director Bruce Hodgson.