The biggest factor to consider is not to clutter your
narrow hallway because that will close you in even more and have people
knocking their toes as they enter the house. - Alec Davis, CEO of Davis
and Shirtliff.
The introduction of entry hallways has been taken up
in most house designs. However, this space which serves as the mirror
into your home has for long been ignored or simply left bare.
There are many ways of jazzing up this often bare space to
make it more welcoming into your home. Once the front door is closed
behind you, the hallway stands alone in its welcome and sets the stage
for the rest of your house.
If you have enough space, make this a room unto
itself by placing a chair there which visitors can sit on as they wait
to be ushered into the main sitting room. Although a narrow hallway
presents design challenges, this can be overcome with ingenuity, using
colour, lighting and great flooring.
The biggest factor to consider is not to clutter
your narrow hallway because that will close you in even more and have
people knocking their toes as they enter the house.
Colour
Wall colour is paramount when you’re decorating a
narrow entry hallway. If there are no windows or direct source of
natural light, create light with the wall colour. Choose a neutral tone
that mixes well with your decorating scheme, preferably a shade that
opens up the entrance and invites you to walk through.
White is stark, but may work if your decor is
contemporary. A more traditional interior benefits from a pale yellow
that casts a glow, or the lightest shade of pink or even a pale green or
cream. In other words, make sure this space is not dark and
unwelcoming.
Paint the trim the same colour, in semi-gloss. For
an urban interior, paint a bold graphic that runs horizontally down the
narrow hallway, leading the eye toward the rest of the house.
Do not create breaks in colour as you want the hallway to flow effortlessly.
Flooring
If you have wood or tile in the hallway, it’s
difficult to change. But you can lay a runner over the floor, if
necessary. Use a light-coloured carpet, such as a sculpted oatmeal or a
sisal rug that blends with your wall colour.
An oriental carpet with a light-coloured background
adds interest, as does a Japanese carpet designed in an open pattern
featuring a gold design with red accents. Unlike the walls, the floor
can have bold colours to give the room a bright look.
Don’t use a rug that has a cluttered look with too
many patterns and avoid an industrial-looking doormat if you need a rug
just inside the door.
Choose a wool rug in a medium or darker colour,
such as sage green or olive in a patterned weave. Let the rug colour be
one that is reflected in other main rooms of the house. These small rugs
are easily cleaned so do not fear placing then at the door or in the
hallway.
If you can, avoid using a rug altogether. Keep the decorating to a minimum in this room
# KIM #
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