How To Make The Most Of Your Hall

The hall is the first room that visitors will see when entering your house, so instead of seeing it as simply a corridor between rooms, why not take the time to create a welcoming and inviting entryway, perfect for receiving guests so that you can be confident about showing off your home.

What you can achieve with your hall all depends on how big it is. Some hallways, especially those open-plan type ones that also incorporate a staircase, can hold large items of furniture, and actually serve a useful purpose as well as setting the tone for your home. A comfy armchair, footstool and occasional table makes a great reading or telephone nook, and will show visitors that your home is comfortable yet filled with practical touches.

A console table makes a
great addition to a hallway

If your hall is smaller, it's still worthwhile using furniture to create a cosy and inviting feel. Look out for slimline console tables which make the perfect place to display family portraits or treasured ornaments.

It's worth spending a little time thinking about the choice of decor - you want to create a cosy, inviting feel, so it's important to find a warm colour scheme, and to match it with soft, pleasing lighting. If your home is traditionally styled, consider using simple warm colours such as cochineal for the walls, and a traditional carpet, accented with Turkish rugs.

A hallway can provide a handy
place to sit and take phone calls

If your home is more modern, then why not be bold and go for an unusual modern colour. Visit mydeco.com for some great colour scheme inspirations. housetohome.co.uk also has a fantastic gallery of the best hall designs, so why not check it out and get your imagination going.

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Must Have Items For Your Hall

Rather than overlook your halls and landings in favour of the rest of your house, it's worth remembering that the hall is the first and last part of your home that you and your visitors will see. To make the most of your hallways and landings, treat them like every other room in the house, and carefully select furniture and accessories to maximise style and practicality.

The owners of this hall have gone for a clean,
minimal approach but still found
space for a handy console table

The furniture you pick depends on the size of your hall - if you are short on space, you may have to stick to slimline furniture such as console tables and bookshelves, although if you take the time to choose these can be stylish and useful and really contribute to a welcoming hall. You can also use mirrors to create the illusion of space. If you have more room, you could maximise the usefulness of your space and bring in a comfy chair to create a comfy nook for phone conversations or quiet reading. If space is available, you can also put in a row of display cabinets so that you can open the door and be welcomed by your most treasured possessions.

Digital photo frames are a great way to display many of your most treasured family photos in one compact and stylish package. Many are available, and it can be hard to find the right one for you, so why not check out which.co.uk's definitive feature on selecting a digital photo frame.

This hall combines spacious style with practical utility

Hall storage is really useful - For the DIY enthusiast, hgtv.com has a great guide to making your own hall tree, giving you handy storage for coats, scarves and shoes.

If you're stuck for ideas on how to decorate your hall, why not take a look at the BBC's design inspiration page.

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