Don't Overlook Your Hall

Even in the most beautifully furnished homes, the hall can often be neglected, despite the fact that it's the first room that visitors see, so it's important to make sure that you get your hall looking just right. If you're short of storage around the home, you can also find handy pieces of furniture that will allow you to make the most of this often overlooked space.

A great paint job is the obvious starting point, so get some paint samples from your local DIY centre and come up with a refreshing colour scheme that will welcome guests and family members as they cross the threshold. Traditional colours like ivory or lemon yellow work great, but so do bold, modern colours like eggplant or lime green. The key is to experiment, and who knows what amazing discoveries you'll make.

Once you've picked your colours, get some furniture to accessorise the room. A console table or small chest of drawers also gives you a little extra storage, so see if you can find a piece that will both add to the atmosphere of the hall and also give you some great practical function.