what to do with this hallway

thethinkingman

9 years ago

This is the main hall way, when you open the front door. Suggestions of what to do please.

Featured Answer

alant1000

9 years ago

I think a nice large feature rug and an oversized floor vase or two flanking a corner

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Comments (23)

PRO
Divine Design
9 years ago
You could panel all around the hall and up the stairs. Cover the radiator with an integrated radiator cover as on the photo. You could paint the panelling in cream or make a feature of it and paint in a richer colour. I would strip the wallpaper of the chimney breast and paint or wallpaper over the panelling. I would accessorise the fireplace.
Good luck.
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iolosdad
9 years ago
I like the idea of paneling to waist height and a big mirror above the fire place, will you show us photos when your done ?
kukitouchstone
9 years ago
Remove carpet from stairs, distress paint or wood flooring instead, depending on what's under the carpet. Pictures above dado. Remove the bookcase on the wall next to the fire and replace with long console with perhaps mirror above it. Rugs or replace flooring with something with broader panels. Armchairs by fire with coffee table. Darken ceiling and change paint work, though keep lighter, but 'heritage shades. Get rid of wallpaper. O yes and a couple of ceramic, elegant dogs or felines at the bottom of the stairs, or something more industrial if prefer - if room!
PRO
Sandra Lawson Interiors
9 years ago
The feature wallpaper in this situation is confusing the area. Keeping the walls all the same will give this hall a "room like" feel. Lay a feature rug in front of the fire with a couple of armchairs to visually divide the stairs from the usable part of the area. I also think the bookcase has to be moved elsewhere- it is crowding the space. If you want to create a cosy reading area, I suggest low bookshelves and coffee table books on a small side table.
PRO
Glendalough Woodcraft
9 years ago
you could change the carpet on the stairs to a more neutral colour, you could put panelling on the walls and a nice radiator cover, paint the doors. and remove the book shelf, put a big mirror over the fire place. put a nice hall table where the bookcase is. put a nice coving on the ceilling.
gd11
9 years ago
Paint stairway banisters all white, change that radiator to a more streamlined one as it is ugly. Also paint double doors white, have a specialist lighting designer to put new spotlights in. Get rid of that hideous car thing in fire and have a lovely white log burner installed in fireplace which when on will be welcoming. Think white! I'm sure you can find a new home for your bookcase. The carpet doesn't do the room justice although it is the trend to have stripes. Look for a more softer stripe maybe a grey/white stripe one. A lovely large circular white rug would look stunning against the oak floor. Keep colours to a minimum and go white and grey which are soft clean colours. Modern Conran furniture in white oiled light oak will look amazing anywhere. Keep a minimalist look. You could have large width panelling (have to be made specially) on walls either side of hearth and paint them grey or white. Try and create textures. Forget the coving its out of date!
gd11
9 years ago
panelling should be from floor to ceiling not halfway up!
rachelk71
9 years ago
Turn that hallway into a roller disco!
PRO
Naken Interiors
9 years ago
This is a great room you have here! Also some great suggestions above. First of all, remove the car thing, change the carpet on the stairs and get some colour in there. You need to make a bold entrance, so I would suggest a large and stunning pendant light in place of that one to make a bold impact, a couple of armchairs with some interesting side tables, and a nice large rug. The rest is history. This could make a great space if done correctly, remember first impressions is everything. Good luck!
sandfly71
9 years ago
What a lovely space.... I would go with large light rug in front of fireplace to create a focal point, choose a warm colour to paint back wall by double doors, fit smart radiator cabinet painted to blend in. Extend colour along right wall and over wallpaper on chimney breast - it will then not clash with the stripe carpet (which is a practical choice) Furnish with a pair of sumptuous armchairs, a circular side table and statement lamp. Dress the fireplace; large logs, candles/flowers and hang a large mirror above.
iolosdad
9 years ago
@thethinkingman what you thinking ? Will you post update photos ?
thethinkingman
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi, thank you all for your comments. Just to give you a little more information, this hallway leads to two lounge rooms, a small cloak room, loo, and a dining room. I'm thinking about removing the wallpaper on the fireplace area, the walls will probably be white.

We have a lot of kids visit us and three of own children, so I need to think about breakage and safety. I also want some storage for coats and shoes. As such I was thinking about have a long custom made/built in sideboard put in next to the fireplace where the bookshelf currently is.

To hide the central heating, I was thinking about using a radiator cover, but I also need some sort of seating. As such I was thinking about have some kind of radiator cover/seat all in one solution. So basically you can sit with your back against the radiator. This will all need to be colour co-ordinated with the doors.

The area is smaller than it looks in the picture. As such a couple of small chairs might be ok, but nothing too large.

Any Thoughts?
hortonhearsawho2013
9 years ago
Yes, remove the wallpaper as you said and paint wall white. Keep the area clear for the kids sake! I'm not sure about the sideboard as you already have two features - the double doors and the fireplace so a sideboard could just add confusion? How about a white unit where the stairs come down and round for shoes and a very stylish coat rack along the wall where you were thinking of putting the sideboard? Then a chair either side or just one side of the doors to soften the place and add colour (you could do something quite wow) and then a rug in front of the fireplace (would need to be darker colours to be kid friendly.) I'm thinking some bright colours could look good in here or rich jewel colours such as emerald and magenta? Please show us more pics as you do it. Oh, and the car.... up to you - cute for kids (they probably like it?) If you did a funky look with bright colours you could keep it, if you have a more classic style elsewhere in the house, I'd remove it... And I'm not sure I'm a fan of blue skirtings?
gd11
9 years ago
how about an oak bench seat with wicker baskets underneath to keep shoes etc in? Keep to the White as space appears bigger and good clean lines. Don't forget there could be a new rule in the house......shoes off at the front door! Then you can keep your things looking new! If it looks good people will automatically reach to take their shoes off when they visit! Good luck I'm sure it will be stunning whatever you choose to do with a hall like that!
thethinkingman
Original Author
9 years ago
A further image of the hallway layout
clrichter
9 years ago
Why don't you have a storage bench in the right corner to the right of the fireplace for shoes, hats etc....and your kids can sit on it to put on their shoes.
As you have children you could have a chalkboard wall for family messages
clrichter
9 years ago
Keep the walls white but add a brightly coloured rug. You don't want it to look too clinical it is a family home after all
thethinkingman
Original Author
9 years ago
Love the idea of having a storage bench for shoes, I might do a little coat hanger rail that goes between the stairs and bathroom. That way all shoes and coats are out of the way.
PRO
Russell Taylor Architects
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
With such a generous space you have the real opportunity to achieve a very elegant space.
Of course, what can be achieved depends on budget, But this is what we would suggest:
- re-condition the stairs, with better, lighter balusters, newel posts, a proper curled bottom step
- Install a large lantern in place of the chandelier
- replace the fireplace surrounds with something less crude and render; render or line its inner walls; recess the hearthstone; add a large mirror above the mantel, which will reflect the light of the lantern.
- Paint all timber: the balusters, the double doors
- if you paint the flat panel radiator the same colour of the wall and the double doors a contrasting colour, the radiator will become less noticeable. Radiator covers often draw more attention to it and dramatically cut down the radiator's efficiency, defeating the point twice.
- White is not the only way: consider a warm gray or even a colour for the walls. Use contrast to your advantage. It will help to draw people's attention to what you want them to see (lantern, fireplace, stairs, double doors) and away from what you don't want them to notice (radiator)
Here are some examples we have recently completed:
PRO
JAMEITE Hand-painted Silk Wallpaper Co., LTD
7 years ago
You can consider our hand-painted wallpaper, color and size can be customized.

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Thanks!!

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PRO
JAMEITE Hand-painted Silk Wallpaper Co., LTD
7 years ago
Hope to help you
PRO
Feature Radiators
7 years ago
I may be biased but a new radiator would look fab. Also the one you have does look quite small for such a large space. It might be worth considering going for a vertical model. If you let us know the distance between the 2 pipes we can find something to fit, meaning you don't have to have the pipes moved. Some ideas below:

Radiators in narrow spaces · More Info

Radiators in narrow spaces · More Info

Radiators in narrow spaces · More Info

Radiators in narrow spaces · More Info

Radiators in narrow spaces · More Info

Radiators in narrow spaces · More Info