7 tips for a beautiful entrance area

Welcome! The hallway is where we greet friends and family; it’s the place we come home to every day and a playground for extraordinary ideas. It should be beautiful, because it’s where first impressions are formed. But it also has to meet all sorts of requirements: jackets and coats need to be stored neatly, and keys and sunglasses should always be within easy reach. How can you design your hallway to be both practical and beautiful? We have 7 tips for you!

1. Planning is everything: How to make the hallway both comfortable and functional

Planning is the first step in any new construction or renovation project . This is also true for hallways, which should not only look good but also be durable enough for everyday use . It’s not just about establishing a clever organizational system , but often also about compensating for awkward spatial conditions. Therefore, it’s advisable to start by taking stock of the existing space .

• How much space does my hallway offer?
• Where are there niches or corners that can be used for storage space?
• How much clothing, bags, and shoes need to be accommodated?
• Should very large items such as a stroller or a bicycle also
  be able to fit in the hallway?
• How should keys, mail, or other small items be stored?
• Should there be seating in the hallway?
• How much space must be kept clear to pass through the hallway?

A comprehensive list simplifies planning and helps in selecting the right furniture . Only when every item truly has its place can chaos in the hallway be avoided later.

2. Wardrobe, shoe cabinet, shelves: hallway furniture for more storage space

Once you have a good understanding of the room’s dimensions and your personal storage needs, you can start furnishing the hallway . Several options are possible:

Chests of drawers and sideboards are particularly suitable for furnishing a somewhat larger hallway. Otherwise, it can quickly appear cramped and unwelcoming. Those who prefer shelves should bear in mind that if left completely open, they can quickly look cluttered. Therefore, the shelves should ideally be fitted with boxes in which hats, scarves, and other accessories can be neatly stored.

The wardrobe plays a central role in keeping jackets and coats organized . Wall-mounted coat racks or tall wardrobes are ideal for small hallways . They save a lot of space and make the area appear larger. Those who only need to store a few jackets in the hallway can also opt for a freestanding coat rack .

Shoes also need to be stored properly! Modern shoe cabinets , in which shoes are stored upright and fold out, are real space savers because they take up more vertical space than horizontal. However, they are often not suitable for large shoes or boots. Special shoe chests or shelves with various compartments offer more space in these cases.

If choosing the right hallway furniture is difficult, custom-made solutions from a carpenter can be a great option. Because they are made to measure and of high quality, they are perfect for creating ample storage space even in awkward room layouts. Niches and alcoves can also be cleverly utilized with built-in units. Your local carpenter can provide further inspiration.

3. Using light correctly: Optimal lighting

When it comes to lighting design in the hallway , the key is balance! Since many hallways are windowless, bright ceiling light is essential for getting dressed and undressed. Flexible ceiling spotlights can also be used to provide sufficient general lighting in the hallway.

Dimmable wall lights or table lamps , which can be placed on a sideboard or shelf, are suitable as a second light source . They create a cozy atmosphere and illuminate the room gently.

Tip: Don’t buy lights for the hallway that are too small or too dim! A good guideline for hallways is 300 lumens per square meter.

4. Dare to use color: Wall design in the hallway

The wall design in the hallway is based on its size and shape .

Small hallways can quickly appear cluttered or cramped with bright wall colors or eye-catching wallpaper. A common trick is to use light wall colors or pastel shades . These visually expand the hallway while creating a friendly and inviting atmosphere. If you still want to add color to a small hallway, you can paint just one or both ends of the hallway to create an accent without overwhelming the eye. The same applies to colorful or patterned statement wallpapers.

Dark colors are also very suitable for walls in large hallways or those that receive plenty of natural light . If the hallway is long and narrow, it’s advisable to paint only the lower half of the wall in a dark color. The upper half should be a light color. This makes the hallway appear more open and airy.

If you have many doors in your hallway, you might find the visual clutter annoying. A simple trick can help: just paint the doors the same color as the walls ! This makes them visually recede and blend in better with the overall look.

5. Mirrors, plants, carpets: Decorating ideas for more coziness

As the entrance area, the hallway is, in a sense, the calling card of your home. It’s not just where you store jackets, shoes, and keys; you also want your guests to feel welcome from the moment they arrive. That’s why it’s so important that the hallway is not only practical and functional, but also has an inviting atmosphere . With great decorations, seating, and textiles, nothing stands in the way of that.

Seating

A stylish chair , an upholstered armchair , or a bench creates a cozy atmosphere and gives the hallway an inviting feel. They also provide extra comfort when putting on and taking off shoes, making them practically indispensable in a hallway. In a small hallway, a single chair or stool is often enough to draw attention as a special piece. In larger hallways, a rustic wooden bench or a comfortable little sofa is a welcome addition.

decorations and pictures

Where better than the hallway for a great gallery wall ? Especially in the narrow, corridor-like hallways found in many apartments, the walls are perfect for displaying pictures at eye level , allowing passersby to admire them. But unique individual pieces also lend a personal touch to the hallway. A beautiful vase, a souvenir from a recent trip, or a vintage chest can add a decorative and inviting feel.

Mirror

Mirrors in the hallway are a real blessing, not just for a final outfit check before leaving the house . Especially in small or narrow hallways, they work wonders visually, reflecting incoming light and thus making the space appear larger . A striking mirror is also an eye-catcher in itself and can become a chic decorative piece in both small and large hallways . Those who prefer a tidy, clean look can match the frame color to the furniture so that the mirror blends in seamlessly.

Plant

Green plants lend a pleasantly fresh touch to the hallway. A beautiful potted plant can be placed on a chest of drawers or a small side table, for example. If there is enough light, unused niches can also be brightened up with plants. A pretty bouquet of dried flowers is a low-maintenance alternative – it stays beautiful all year round and doesn’t require any special lighting conditions.

Carpets

Do your footsteps echo in the hallway? Then a rug is just the thing, as it not only improves the acoustics but also makes the hallway feel more inviting and adds a splash of color. If the hallway is long and narrow, runners can be used. Both round and rectangular rugs are suitable for small and large hallways . However, they should be proportionate to the size of the room and not overwhelm it. It’s important that the front door can be opened easily and that the rug is positioned approximately 15–20 cm away from the furniture.

6. Keep things tidy: This is how the hallway always stays tidy.

Who hasn’t experienced this? Shoes pile up, the recycling bin overflows, and piles of odds and ends accumulate on open surfaces. The hallway is often a breeding ground for clutter, as it serves many purposes at once. The solution: A clever homecoming routine and designated places for everything!

One of the biggest threats to tidy hallways is people coming home. After a long day, you often just want peace and quiet and to get rid of everything in the entryway. To avoid having to spend ages tidying up later, it’s a good idea to establish a new habit : When you come in, take a moment to put everything in its place – take off your shoes and put them away, take off your coat, and put away your keys and small items.

Giving things their designated place is also a good idea to maintain order and avoid wasting time searching for car keys, your phone, or your wallet when leaving the house. Ideally, you should keep in mind where everything should go when planning your hallway and then stick to that plan in your daily life.

Bonus tip: Always group baskets, trays, bowls, and hatboxes together! This makes even the simplest everyday objects look beautifully presented.

7. Long and narrow or a bit too small: The right tips for every hallway

Coming home and feeling instantly at ease – that’s exactly how everyone wants their hallway to feel, but often, awkward room layouts make furnishing it difficult. The most common problem: too little space or a long, narrow floor plan. But with the right tips for small, narrow, and even large hallways, every entryway can be showcased to its best advantage.

Tips for a small hallway

In a small hallway, tidiness is essential, as shoes, piles of clothes, and empty bottles can quickly turn it into an unsightly obstacle course. Closed storage units are particularly recommended , as they create a more uniform and therefore calmer look. If there are any alcoves or niches, be sure to utilize them with built-in units or suitable furniture!

In a small hallway, even lighting is crucial to soften harsh shadows. Spotlights illuminating the ceiling, for example, can be used here.

Tips for a long and narrow hallway

Light colors are a real magic bullet in a narrow hallway: they create the illusion of spaciousness by reflecting both daylight and artificial light. This applies not only to the wall color but also to the flooring . The flooring should ideally extend into adjacent rooms, as changing materials at the door thresholds unnecessarily define hallway boundaries and visually shorten the space.

To prevent a long hallway from becoming an unwelcome thoroughfare, you can add visual interest with small details like consoles, pictures, and decorative items. Ideally, the coat rack, seating, and all other furniture should be arranged on one side of the hallway , as this creates a more organized look and allows for more space to move around.

Tips for a large hallway

Large hallways offer more flexibility in terms of both furniture and decoration than small or long, narrow hallways. Instead of a single chair, a comfortable sofa or a decorative table can be placed here, and patterned wallpaper and striking colors can be showcased to great effect.

However, even large hallways present unique challenges . If they have very high ceilings, as is often the case in older buildings, this can quickly create a feeling of crampedness and loss of space. Unfavorable proportions can be remedied by installing a suspended ceiling. Simply drape fabric panels over rods for this purpose. Hung in front of light sources, they also act as a soft-focus filter.

It’s also important to incorporate multiple light sources when designing a large hallway . A strong skylight is a must! Chandeliers make a great focal point in hallways with high ceilings, while LED lights or small lamps are more suitable for low ceilings.

Bonus tip: Want to redesign your hallway and need more advice? Contact us.