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.

read more...

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.

read more...

Things to Look Out For When Choosing A Console Table

Console tables are highly practical, and can be adapted to many purposes, from serving as a handy hall table where you can keep your keys and where post can be kept to serving as a miniature writing desk in a small apartment. A console table will fit into any room, and as such, you may want to consider choosing one that will suit more than one room in your house should you ever decide to rearrange.

The more traditional style of console table features thin, tapered legs, a slim top, and a drawer for a little extra storage. This look really helps to bring a sense of elegance and chic to a room, and can evoke the unfussy style of a Parisian apartment as well as the traditional warmth of a country cottage. A traditional console table is a versatile piece, and can really make a difference.

This traditionally styled reclaimed oak console
table is perfect for a warm, cosy home

If you're after something that has a little more of a contemporary edge, then why not go for a more modern piece with chunkier legs that may also incorporate some extra storage such as additional drawers? Unlike the more traditional style of console table, a contemporary piece will probably have a chunky design, and will look great when combined with modern decor.

This contemporary oak console table will
fit in with an up-to-the-minute home

If you're after some extra storage for your hall or landing, why not look for a console table that incorporates some extra storage, such as a shelf at the base of the legs that can be used for storing shoes or even presenting houseplants. By ensuring that even a piece of furniture as small as a console table fulfils a practical role, you'll help to keep your home stylishly organised and refreshingly free from clutter.

If you need some inspiration for your hall's decor, and really want to make the most of this often under appreciated space, check out howstuffworks.com's great guide to decorating halls and landings.

read more...

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.

read more...