Pity the poor, lowly hallway - always the thruway, never the destination. One of the most overlooked, underutilized spaces in a house or an apartment, the hallway may not be a place you linger in it, but given you go through it regularly to get to the other rooms in your house, shouldn’t your hallway be fabulous?
If you have a wide, stately hallway, with lots of natural light and architectural details, congratulations, your job is already half done. For those who are not so lucky, a little more work may be required. Happily, a hallway is one of the areas where a little (paint, wallpaper, mouldings) can do a lot.
If you are going for a more traditional or classic style, adding some architectural detail is a simple task. Wainscoting (paneling that covers the lower area of a wall) and/or chair rails can add instant history. You can then play with colour, keeping lower and upper wall portions in similar tones, or have fun with some bolder choices.
Speaking of colour, hallways are great places to experiment, without committing yourself to an entire room. Paint a ceiling pale blue (this looks fantastic) or create broad stripes (vertical or horizontal!). If you are plagued with a chopped-up looking hallway due to many doors, painting the doors and their frames the same colour as the walls will minimize their impact, allowing the eye to flow seamlessly down the hall.
For furnishings, depending on the width of your hall you can pull a chair and table together, or if space is an issue, a console table or wall mounted shelf with a stool tucked under it will look smashing. Add a mirror to bounce light around or artwork. Halls are great places for small pieces that need to be looked at close-up, like photos – but create a grouping, so you don’t have one itty-bitty framed piece hanging on the wall. Whatever you choose, don’t let your hallway be an afterthought – like a wonderful amuse-bouche between courses, this space can be a pleasant surprise.
Sophia is principal of Sophia Vayda Interiors
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