The design of the hallway deserves special attention. After all, this is the first room that people see when entering the house.
Even a modest-sized and very small hallway, with the right approach, can turn into a cozy room that will surprise you with its functionality.
Brief overview of the article
Types of hallways
Hallway layouts may differ in shape - they can be square or rectangular. A square-shaped hallway will look more spacious; it will be easier to arrange furniture in it without cluttering up the space.
There really seems to be more air in a square
The correct shape of the room can be diluted with asymmetrical furniture
When the room is an elongated corridor, the situation is more complicated. How to achieve harmony, visually bring the shape closer to the desired square?
- ✓
Lay out the parquet or laminate boards not along, but across, this will visually expand the room. - ✓
On long walls, use different wallpapers. For example, one wall can be plain, and the second can have a pattern. - ✓
The furniture should be shallow, otherwise it will block the already narrow passage. Make active use of shelves.
Cross boards on the floor visually expand the space
Choose shallow furniture that will not “eat up” excess space
Hallway Wenge
This model is at the top of popularity. Shades of oak or walnut are the most popular.
It is advisable to design the walls in pastel colors. Thanks to the contrast of tones, the hallway will become original.
Hallway styles
In what style to decorate a small hallway is a matter of taste. However, some options are best avoided. For example, gloomy Gothic will turn a small room into a real closet, and the Baroque style will have nowhere to develop. Suitable options:
Modern
Clear lines, smooth surfaces and contrasts dominate here. A minimum of decor is used, preference is given to modern technological materials.
Geometry in the interior is an unfading trend
Modern style prefers simple lines and eco-decor
Why does modern style fit perfectly into the interior of a small hallway? It is laconic, there are no protruding elements or unnecessary objects. The main part of the space remains free.
Cozy cabinets, ottomans and stands can be purchased as a set
Minimalism
This style is close in spirit to the previous one. Here, too, preference is given to clear lines and simple forms, asceticism in decor and furniture. Colors are usually chosen light, visually expanding the space.
Minimalism gets rid of everything unnecessary in the house and saves square meters
Contrasting black details highlight the simplicity and functionality of the style
The combination of square and round shapes looks experimental
Classic
The classic style is characterized by elegance and nobility. Special attention is paid to the decor; it should favorably emphasize the luxury of the environment.
This design requires solid wood furniture
The classic style looks better in large spacious rooms, but even in a small hallway it can open up beautifully if you show moderation. And light tones of decoration and mirrors in carved frames will add light and space.
An example of how to implement classics when there is almost no space
Marble tiles and tables with curved legs are simply the entrance to the palace
Loft
Careless and brutal, loft stands out clearly among other styles. These are unplastered bricks, ceiling beams and communication systems hanging overhead, and a concrete floor. A room in this style resembles an attic.
It’s common to see a bicycle in a hallway like this.
Deliberately rough, but very cozy decoration
Brick doesn’t have to be red—coffee shades look great too
Provence
French motifs, gentle romance, vintage decor and pastel colors will make the hallway sweet and cozy. Provence loves light and airiness - what is needed for rooms of limited space. Decorating a room in the spirit of Provence is a great option for a girl.
Rustic chic can be read in special shades and pictures on the wall
Entrance to the apartment with an emphasis on village traditions
Provence has a lot of curved lines, carvings and small prints
Modular hallway
This is a system consisting of different elements. When furnishing the hallway, you can show all your ingenuity.
For example, place a mini-sofa here. Any area can be used: both niches and ledges.
The design uses shelves, hangers and a mirror, visually increasing the volume of the hallway. Additionally, you can place a banquette.
The advantage of modules is that they save not only meters of housing, but also your budget.
Color spectrum
The choice of color is very important for a small hallway. Light shades visually enlarge the room, while dark shades, on the contrary, conceal the space. Therefore, when performing repairs, give preference to white, gray, pastel colors.
White
With white walls it will seem that there is more space in the room, and the light from the lamps will become brighter. The hallway will have a feeling of cleanliness and spaciousness. Another plus is that white goes with any shade.
Such a hallway always seems larger than it is
White is a base that can be easily upgraded to suit your needs
The walls are slightly milky, but still reflect light well
Grey
Gray is a noble and strict color that will emphasize the sense of taste of the owners. Like white, it goes well with other colors. You can add green and brown tones to create coziness, or add yellow or red to make the design look stylish and bold. With a blue tint, this color scheme will go into a nautical theme.
There are many shades of gray - use different ones within the same project
Furniture in this color looks restrained and does not interrupt the rest of the decor
And street dust and dirt on the gray floor are almost invisible
Beige
Cozy and harmonious, it will give a feeling of calm and create a pleasant homely atmosphere. The beige finish is practical and goes well with wooden furniture and any cool shades.
Delicate beige tones set the mood for relaxation
Woody and milky shades go well together
Like white, beige is the base for any combination
White hallway
It is known that white color visually increases space. This is an eye-catching mini-furniture design that gives the room a “fresh” look.
This design option uses mirrors and a glossy ceiling. The downside of this model is the need for careful maintenance.
Finishing
When preparing for renovation, it is important to think not only about the original design, but also about practicality. What to pay attention to when choosing finishing materials?
Floor
The floor in the hallway has to be washed frequently. Coatings such as parquet and laminate will not benefit from an abundance of water. Take tiles - they are easy to clean and will last for many years. Do you want to save money? Budget linoleum is also suitable.
Easier to remove dirt from tiles
Linoleum can also be moisture resistant, it’s just more expensive than usual
Ceiling
To make the hallway look more spacious, the ceiling should be light. Both regular paint and the tension version are suitable. Complex designs and massive chandeliers should be avoided. Multi-level ceilings are acceptable if you live in a Stalin building where the height of the room reaches 3 meters.
Choose a matte stretch ceiling. Gloss is anti-trend
Take a trim color and repeat on the ceiling. It will be interesting
Walls
Use any materials: paint, unplastered brick, artificial stone. If you choose wallpaper, you should consider washable ones. The solution looks interesting, where the lower part of the wall is finished with panels, and the upper part is finished with wallpaper.
If you make all the walls brick, it will be too much. Combine different textures
The tiles on the walls are not afraid of dirt - everything can be easily removed with a regular damp cloth
conclusions
So, we have seen that with the help of new modern technologies you can change the appearance of a narrow corridor in a small apartment. There are a number of repair products available for this purpose. Of course, the best option would be to tear down the walls and expand the rooms by completely rearranging them. But this is not always possible, since the walls may be load-bearing, which will lead to trouble.
You can do inexpensive repairs yourself, without resorting to the services of experienced craftsmen. If you are not going to install complex suspended structures on ceilings or lay self-leveling floors, then you are quite capable of doing it yourself. Anyone can paint the ceilings, level the floors, lay laminate or ceramic tiles, hang wallpaper or apply liquid wallpaper to the walls.
But wiring in the corridor should, of course, be carried out by a specialist. If you do not have experience working with electrical wires, have an experienced electrician do the job.
If you like, you can decorate the walls with stone. Decorative stone on the walls of the hallway is the fashion of recent years. Instead of doors, it is possible to use arches.
So, using the above tips, you can renovate your narrow corridor by creating an unusual design. When you enter your apartment, such renovations will delight you and your guests for many years to come.
Lighting and mirrors
A good option for a small room would be a full-length mirror on the wall. It is better not to use one large hanging chandelier. Take some lights around the perimeter. There are no windows in the hallway, so take enough lighting fixtures so that the room does not seem gloomy.
A full-length mirror to evaluate the entire image; small - with magnifying effect
Illuminated shelves are a functional feature of any room
The rotating mechanisms of the lamps help to diffuse the light evenly
Furniture
Take a minimum of items, but functional ones. It is better to choose furniture in light colors; it looks more airy.
Cabinets
Choose elongated, shallow cabinets to fit everything you need while maintaining space. If your family is small or you live in a studio apartment, you can use wall hooks instead of a closet.
Lightweight wardrobe option for a small family
The shoemaker will hide shoes and boots and free up space on the floor
Poufs
If the decoration is made in one tone, the pouf will become a bright accent. An alternative option is a small bench with a soft seat or cushion in a thick cover. This one is comfortable to put on.
The pouf should be lower than a regular chair to make putting on shoes more comfortable
Use a niche in the wall to place an ottoman
Additional items
You don’t need a lot of furniture, but the hallway should still satisfy all your needs. Perhaps you just need an umbrella stand, a bicycle rack or shelves. The main thing is not to choose bulky things.
If a hanger on the floor is in the way, attach it to the ceiling
Hooks and storage systems will help organize a small space
Where to begin
First of all, the space is zoned: a place for shoes, outerwear, bags, and accessories is determined. A person entering a house first frees his hands - he places his bag or umbrella somewhere. Then he takes off his shoes, then his outerwear. In the morning everything is repeated in reverse order.
A shoe rack or platform for outdoor and indoor shoes is always located closer to the front door. A little further away, at arm's length, they set up a place for bags and hats. A wardrobe or rack for outerwear can be placed further.
The hallway is a special place:- accumulation of dirt, regular cleaning is required;
- high humidity - damp shoes, clothes, splashes, snow.
When choosing furniture, finishing materials give preference to textures that are not afraid of moisture.
Tips on what not to do
We figured out how to arrange a small hallway so that cramped space ceases to be a problem. Now let's talk about what not to do:
Leave the hallway unfurnished.
Even in the tiniest hallway you can place a laconic shoe rack, pouf, and hangers. A completely empty hallway is wrong. It looks uninhabited and you won’t want to return to it.
An umbrella cane stand is so cozy!
Clutter the space.
The opposite situation is when they try to install everything that is necessary and unnecessary, and as a result they have to move sideways in the hallway.
When the season ends, remove excess shoes and clothing immediately
Leave gaps.
There should be no gaps under or above the cabinets. Dirt accumulates below, and the empty space above looks unattractive. Floor-to-ceiling cabinets create a more stylish, upward-sloping space.
Everything is correct here - no spaces and elongated geometry
Types of decor
Among the abundance offered by the construction industry, such types of decor as:
- Venetian/velvet/silk plaster;
- Bark beetle;
- Fur coat.
Modern small hallways will look great “dressed” in similar design solutions. Please note that in some cases, special conditions may be required before applying the finishing material.
An undoubted advantage is the ability to easily clean the surface without harming the walls or the decor itself. Gives you the chance to create large decorative elements without wasting space.
Ideas for the interior of a small hallway
Finally, here are a few tricks that can also be implemented.
Avoid interior doors.
You can get rid of the feeling of crampedness and gloom by replacing the doors to the room and kitchen with an arched opening.
Free passage into rooms relieves the “tightness” of space
If you get tired of a plasterboard arch, you can convert it into a new shaped opening
Experiment with mirrors.
They expand the space well. In addition to one full-length mirror, you can try different options, for example, use mirror stickers and create a beautiful composition.
Place a mirror at an angle to elevate the room
Mirror cells are both decor and a functional element at the same time
Use slatted furniture and open storage systems.
A solid wood cabinet looks expensive, but is bulky. Open slatted shelves, on the contrary, create a feeling of lightness and airiness.
Without solid doors, cabinets don't look so heavy
Open shelves on a metal frame are also suitable
