How to design the hallacrfect hallway space

An impactful entrance can set the tone for the rest of your home, so pay attention to everything from the layout to those all-important finishing touches

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Getting your hallway right is just as important as every other room in your home. Although the space acts as a transition area, your hallway design still needs careful consideration.

Floors, lighting, colours, storage and finishing touches all come into play, as does the staircase, which is often a central feature within the space. After all, your hallway is not just the gateway to your home, it also acts as a buffer between the outdoor elements and indoor comforts so it needs to be practical enough to deal with everything that this entails.

The hallway performs a vital role, but never gets seen as a room in its own right, which is why it often ends up cluttered with bikes, bags and shoes, and is usually an afterthought once the main spaces have been planned. Instead of seeing it as a void, consider it as the fulcrum to your home, where everything happens and from where you orientate yourself.

When designing houses, there is often pressure to minimise the hallway in favour of larger living areas and bedrooms, but there are some key hallway design considerations to take into account. A quick and easy starting point? Don't get immediately caught up in design details, instead start with the practicalities as once these are met, the rest will follow suit.

DESIGNING A HALLWAY IN A SELF-BUILD

If you are working on the design for your self-build, be sure to give considerable thought to the hallway. In terms of space and location, a centrally located hallway is the ideal, with all rooms leading off this area. Georgian house designers had this down to a fine art. This way you will have floor space and enough room for that all-important storage.