You may hate these small, linear, passage spaces, but they should also be part of your home. Decorating narrow hallways is a challenge that requires the right approach to maximize its appearance and functionality. The objective should be to get the most out of these square meters and turn them into a welcoming room, both for the residents of the house and for visitors. Below, we focus on the most common mistakes that you should avoid when decorating your hallway.
Try not to overload your hallway with paintings or bulky objects. The works would not have enough perspective to be properly admired and the furniture would obstruct the passage, which can deepen the narrowness and opacity of the space. The arrangement of objects must be subordinated to the available space and, therefore, it is preferable to opt for a minimalist decoration that provides air and fluidity.
In relation to the above, clutter will be the main enemy of your narrow hallway. Use integrated storage furniture that allows you to keep this passage area clear. Floating shelves, decorative baskets or poufs, or coat racks are good alternatives that don’t take up too much space.
If you have a narrow hallway, try highlighting other magnitudes such as verticality or the length of the space. To do this, try placing a lamp that draws attention on the ceiling or a rug that gives color to the room.
You should avoid making the hallway look like a gloomy or distressing space. An effective trick to make better use of natural lighting is to strategically place mirrors so that they reflect light. You can also use screens or other transparent resources if the hallway leads, for example, to a kitchen. Or if you prefer to create a more intimate and suggestive atmosphere, you can install LED strips that run along the edges of the ceiling or baseboard.
Select light and neutral colors to enhance the feeling of spaciousness and ventilation in the hallway and discard dark tones, which would result in the feeling of closure. It is preferable that you opt for single-color walls, if anything, with small decorative details to give it your personal touch.
It is a common mistake to conceive the passage areas as a space exempt from the rest of the decoration of your home. Quite the opposite! Your hallway is the backbone of the layout and the entrance to several of the rooms in your house. Maintaining a certain continuity with respect to colors and decorative elements will create a feeling of harmony and uniformity, which will prepare the visitor for what they will find in the next room.
