Is your hallway dull? Bright and beautiful hallways are what we all strive for, but it’s not always possible to make those hallways functional and striking as well. In Britain most of the average homes are made with the smallest entryway possible. This is because space is quite scarce. We have the living spaces like the lounge, dining room, kitchen etc., downstairs. The bedrooms and bathrooms are usually upstairs. The stairs and the space surrounding it are generally as small as possible. Whatever space you have – big or small- here are some ways you can add function and charm to your entryways or hallways.
Get rid of your dull hallway
Our hallway (looking from the front door)
A small table
A simple table inside your front door can hide a multitude of sins. Just get a long table cloth which complements your decor and store baskets or boxes under the table (or on shelves if there are any). Gloves, hats etc., can be stored in these boxes/bins/baskets so you’ll have them at hand when going out. Best of all, they won’t be seen by visitors because they’re hidden under the table.
Recycle an old shelf
Revamp or recycle an old shelf. Place a row of hanging hooks under the shelf and store everything out in the open. You can use shoe boxes covered in pretty wrapping paper (or baskets) to keep hats, gloves and keys. As long as these compliment your wall or decor, they should look lovely and rustic. Best of all, it’ll be clutter-free and functional. Don’t forget to add a row of hanging hooks kids’ height if you’ve got children. You can also add a shelf just off the floor and give each child a colour coded bin for hats, scarves, gloves etc.
Re-purpose kitchen tables
Don’t be limited by kitchen tables (with drawers). They’re not just for kitchens. If you find the right one in the right size you can paint it to match the rest of your entryway and use it there. Drawers are especially useful for keys, handbags etc.
Don’t throw out your old bookcases
Narrow bookcases work great for functional entryways. Just flip the bookcase on its side, add legs (this is easily done with a few screws and legs purchased from any furniture shop). Paint it to suit your decor and add baskets or boxes for storage (see more in storage here) in the sectioned areas. You can even add a covered sponge to make a seat, or just some cushions to brighten up and beautify the area. Don’t forget that if the bookshelf is too long, you can always cut it to size. Add a few hooks above your flipped bookshelf, and you have a charming, functional entryway.
Divide your space
If you don’t have an entryway, and your door opens into your living room/lounge, why not divide the area with a bookshelf (the ones without backs that allow you to see through to the other side) or a room divider. Your bookshelf can double up as a divider and storage space for your functional entryway.
Mirrors are a must for beautiful and functional entryways
Whatever you do, don’t forget a mirror. Even if you buy a second-hand mirror, use one for your entryway. Mirrors attract light and make small spaces feel and look bigger. A mirror placed in the right place can literally make your entryway/hallway look twice the size it actually is.
See our entryway and under-stairs makeover for more information.
Is your hallway dull? Have you done some work to your hallway lately to make it more functional or striking? Please share your thoughts and tips in the comment section below. If you enjoyed ‘Functional Entryways’ please share it on your social networking sites. Thank you.
How about adding paintings Anne? Will it works? I love paintings, I just don’t have any idea where to place them perfectly. I am not really artistic and I mostly rely on the Internet for ideas.
Making a nice collage of pictures for the hallway walls is a good idea to make it more interesting. Definitely adding mirrors, as they make the hallway look larger than it really it.
Grat article:)
Hey Anne, I simply love your do-it-yourself ideas, more than being charming they are functional and that is what makes me like them. Beauty with function is an irresistible combination, I am looking forward to use the room divider technique with my hall. Hope it works, thanks for sharing this post.
Hi Mariya, thanks for your kind comment. I really do appreciate it. Please let me know if you need any more help. There are other ideas on this page if you’re interested: https://www.ourdiyprojects.net/our-extreme-home-makeover/
I have a hallway that I have no idea what to do with. I want to keep the white walls and make it look better with pictures or other stuff on the walls, but I don’t know what will fit where.
So I am asking for some input on how to make the hallway look inviting. My style is modern, somewhat minimalistic and practical. Think Ikea and you will understand what I mean.
Have you tried mirrors and some bright pictures? If your hallway is white, adding some colour will make it look a lot warmer. If you have a picture (link) of your hall I’d take a look at it.