Hall, stairs & landing - help please!!!

4 years ago

We have recently moved into a new home that was renovated by a bachelor who seemed to have a love of white walls and grey flooring (tiles & carpet). Between my husband and I we haven’t a clue about design and decor, but know we need to do something, starting with the hall etc. It’s not a huge space so limited to what we can do with furnishing but feel some colour is needed. Pics attached, showing lighting in the afternoon and at night. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!

Featured Answer

Jo

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

You could add a runner rug to break up the grey, the picture below is from Next.

A little table and some green plants always help brighten up a space. Add some pictures or a large round mirror and maybe paint the front door a bright colour If you want some interest (although not sure if it is pvc).

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Comments (14)

E D
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I like the flooring.

I feel you can keep it and find colours that will work with it.

Others here are experts in that field. :)

What kind of tiles are they?

I would replace the carpet on the stairs.

Maybe have painted steps with a runner.

It has some Victorian style elements, but is your house a new (ish) build?
AMB
4 years ago
You seriously need some colour on those walls! Think how much work you want to do, your budget, and your own tastes.... If you are unsure about the colours you like, a good tip I have heard is to look in your wardrobe - your clothes choices will indicate what preferences you have for colour and pattern. Also spend time browsing through Houzz, Pinterest etc. to look for inspiration.

I don't particularly like the flooring, although it looks good quality. If I had the budget I would change it. I worry about it being slippery when wet. If this is the case make sure you have a large absorbent front door mat.

I love colour so I would put a statement wallpaper like Cole & Son's Prism going up the stair wall, and would paint the stair banister and newel post a bold, dark shade (hides finger marks).

If you are into calmer shades, then a pale green, blue or pink would be lovely.

Get lots of pictures and mirrors,on the walls and maybe a radiator cover, and a statement light or lampshade.

Remember, this is the first thing you and your guests see when you enter the house and should reflect your personality and style, as well as tying all the rooms and other décor in the house together.

You should either use the hallway as a starting point from which to style the rest of the house or, leave it until last and tie all the rooms together with it. The latter option is preferable if you need to do lots of work (the hallway gets battered) or you know how you want to decorate other rooms in the house first and you are just not sure about the hallway - go with what you know and the rest will follow.
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Joanne Hollywood
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks E D. It’s not a new build, but a fairly standard 1930’s semi. It had a complete overhaul by the previous owner who put in the new tiling and carpet. I would love to remove the carpet on the stairs but a little reluctant to at the moment as it’s pretty much brand new. Will just have to live with it for the time being. Don’t know much about the tiling I’m afraid. Better pic attached. Thanks again!
E D
4 years ago
Oh and I think I would paint the inside of the the door the same colour as the outside (currently anthracite?).
Maths Wife
4 years ago
Adding a runner as above is a great idea. I'd probably paint the walls, however, I like all the walls except a feature wall in a house to be the same colour. Stay neutral but warmer than stark white.
Joanne Hollywood thanked Maths Wife
sue_brayson
4 years ago
This is nice with the splash of colour
Joanne Hollywood thanked sue_brayson
rinked
4 years ago
Even though the carpet and tile don't realy match, the white gives you a good clean base to start from (better than a mishmash of color, imagine all the paintwork!)

Do you like bright colors or pastels, earth tones? What do you have in mind for the rest of the house? If you like softer colors, the greys and gold from Maths Wife are a great idea. Personally I like happy and fun hallways, so mine is white and yellow (with the old terrazzo floor still in), with the upstairs lading in white and teal (with pine floors).
PRO
At No 19
4 years ago
Like the idea of painting the back of the front door. Add an entry mat and consider painting the end wall a strong colour to make the wall ‘advance’ visually. It won’t feel so corridor like..Artwork on the other walls to add interest and maybe a green leafy plant on the windowsill.
PRO
Matchbox Interiors
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Hi Joanne,

I'd possibly paint the stair wood work black to add a bit of difference. Completely agree with the above and would get yourself a runner, will definitely add personality to the space and there are so many out there at the moment! H&M, IKEA and Next do some great ones.

Looks like you might be hanging a print on the far wall which is lovely. I'd add some succulents (faux or real) on the shelf next to the door.

What's also cool at the mo is a stair gallery wall which could be a nice option. Alternatively a mirror on the right hand wall (as you face in) would be nice.

You could also create a tiny shelf with natural wood that goes above the radiator

Hope that helps!

Phoebe x
Juliet Docherty
4 years ago
I would glue an engineered parquet floor over the tiles. I find them a bit cold, not because of the colour, but the shiny finish. The colour or the tiles will determine everything you do so only keep them if you are happy for that to be the case.
KK1000
4 years ago
I like it it’s a blank canvas you can do what ever you like . For example you could get a large colourful plant pot and put it at the and of the corridor, frame the print you have in a black ornate frame to contrast everything else and put a nice little picture rail above the heater you can get it at ikea and definitely a rug or runner.
KK1000
4 years ago
You could paint the hand rail and front post only in the same dark colour as your front door or go for black. Make a gallery wall above the stairs. And don’t change anything that is fixed or permanent, live with it for a year or so , see how you feel after the period of time.
User
4 years ago
Can I add a word of caution here (from someone who started with the hall!) If you're planning work in the rest of the house the hall will get bashed about as you go along, e.g. chips on newly painted banisters and walls. Perhaps start with another room first, maybe the living room or main bedroom. This will also help you to work out what you like and don't like and give you a starting point for your colour scheme to carry through into the hall and landing areas. Having said that, there are some great ideas above that don't involve major decorating work.