Never was the saying ‘first impressions count’ more true than in the hallways of our homes. It’s the first room that visitors see and it should reflect our tastes and be an introduction to the things to come. And yet, it’s often a neglected space. Cluttered and forgotten and the last room on the list of importance when it comes to decorating.
It is possible to create a practical hallway that’s also beautiful, so here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way.
Make sure the hall table has practical storage space too. Deep drawers to hold all the things you need just as you head out the door and to drop things into as you come home. It can be beautiful too and should reflect your taste and needn’t be expensive.
A place to put keys. They don’t have to be on show. A pretty box will hide them nicely and make them just as accessible as dropping them on the table.
Somewhere to hide the coats. I’m not really a lover of coat stands or hooks no matter how decorative they are. In my mind coats should be stowed in a cupboard so if there’s no room in the hall for this then sorry they should go elsewhere.
Make sure there is a handy mirror. Choose one as large and as gorgeous as possible. It will reflect light and be in just the right place to make last minute touches to the hair and makeup.
Choose a practical floor but soften it with rugs to add colour and pattern. Nothing adds personality like a beautiful rug.
Use the walls. If there is one thing that there is enough of in a hall its wall space. Create a gallery of favourite pictures and mementoes. It will give visitors something to talk about too.
If you have the room a chair is handy. Somewhere to perch while you pull on the boots.
Don’t forget the lighting. A practical overhead light is great for the times when you need lots of light but I also think the soft glow of a table lamp is softer and more relaxing. I hardly ever turn mine off.
Create a welcoming feel with flowers and scent. Just a couple of blooms in a pretty vase will make all the difference and a diffuser is the most practical way of creating a subtle scent to greet you and your guests on arrival.
And don’t forget that the hall is a transitional space so if you fancy a strong colour or a loud pattern you will only have to see them for short bursts of time. So go ahead. Add some personality and wow your guests. You only have one chance to create that all important first impression.
Image sources: Decorpad, Architectural Digest, Traditional Home, Russell Smith, Houzz
