ENTRYWAYS: WARM WELCOME

WHEN GUESTS STEP INTO YOUR HOME, WOW THEM WITH A HALLWAY THAT MAKES A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION

- STEPHANIE HOPE

The trick to styling a small space is to aim for a cohesive mix of furniture and decorative pieces.

It’s that time of year when we throw open our doors and welcome friends and loved ones into our homes for long-overdue catch-ups. As they step across the threshold, your entryway or hallway should give guests an initial glimpse of your home’s style and the people who live there. As Justin Bishop of Justin Bishop Interior Design says, “This area can serve a number of practical purposes, from reducing heat loss to the rest of the home to providing a storage space for outdoor clothing. However, for me, a hallway should always make a visual statement; it should be beautiful.” Ensure that your home’s entrance makes a lasting impression by filling it with the right mix of thoughtful, personal and practical touches.

FIT TO FURNISH

To give your entry area a sense of purpose, just add furniture. A bench seat, armchair or narrow hall table immediately makes the space more functional, providing somewhere to sit and put your shoes on, a drop-off point for keys, wallets, sunglasses, hats and shoes or somewhere to display personal items that will greet you each time you come home. These pieces also add texture and colour to the space and make it feel more lived in. “I avoid trends as much as possible in a traditional space such as a hall, opting for timeless features that suit the house,” says Justin. “As a little extra, I like to put underfloor heating under the tiles for instant warmth under your feet after walking indoors.”