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No Hallway? No Problem. Here's How to Create a Welcoming Entrance
With some clever styling and considered furniture placement, you can replicate the feel of a purpose-built hallway
A designated entry has many practical benefits, and it also sets the tone for the overall feel of your home. First off, a welcoming hallway immediately establishes a good first impression, as it creates a space in which to pause for a moment, before transitioning from the outdoors into a place of relaxation. Conversely, an entry also becomes the space in which to prepare for a journey into the outside world, smoothing hair or performing a last-minute key check.
With the trend for open-plan living topping many buyers’ wish lists, separate entrance halls are becoming redundant in lots of new-build homes, particularly apartments. If your home is lacking a natural entry but you’re eager to create one, here are some clever styling tricks that will turn your simple walkway into a desirable hall.
With the trend for open-plan living topping many buyers’ wish lists, separate entrance halls are becoming redundant in lots of new-build homes, particularly apartments. If your home is lacking a natural entry but you’re eager to create one, here are some clever styling tricks that will turn your simple walkway into a desirable hall.
Similarly, in this apartment, a small wall by the front door has been transformed into a hallway area and defined by a striking wallpaper. The addition of coat hooks and a shoe basket makes the space practical and functional, not just decorative.
10 ways to pep up tired hallway
10 ways to pep up tired hallway
Set the scene with artwork
The entry can be seen as the start of the story for the rest of your home, preparing visitors for what they can expect throughout the other rooms, in terms of design and style. So by displaying eye-catching artwork or photographs directly by the doorway, you will provide a spot where guests can pause and contemplate the visual clues, before continuing inside.
The entry can be seen as the start of the story for the rest of your home, preparing visitors for what they can expect throughout the other rooms, in terms of design and style. So by displaying eye-catching artwork or photographs directly by the doorway, you will provide a spot where guests can pause and contemplate the visual clues, before continuing inside.
Grow your own privacy
Imagine sitting on your sofa in your pjs, only to be on show to the street beyond every time someone comes in through the front door. Not very relaxing, right? One way to solve this is with a strategically-placed pot plant that will act as a privacy wall between you and any snooping eyes. Placing a plant or two next to the door will also create a visual barrier, to separate the outdoors from the indoors.
If your front door does open directly from the street, consider layout carefully. If space allows, position the sofa you use for slouching out of sight, and keep occasional furniture, such as a dining or console table, in sight.
Imagine sitting on your sofa in your pjs, only to be on show to the street beyond every time someone comes in through the front door. Not very relaxing, right? One way to solve this is with a strategically-placed pot plant that will act as a privacy wall between you and any snooping eyes. Placing a plant or two next to the door will also create a visual barrier, to separate the outdoors from the indoors.
If your front door does open directly from the street, consider layout carefully. If space allows, position the sofa you use for slouching out of sight, and keep occasional furniture, such as a dining or console table, in sight.
Add practical pieces
Are you missing somewhere to hang your umbrella and handbag? Do you wish you could dump your keys in a dedicated spot each day? Try repurposing an old chest of drawers or dresser as a hallway cabinet for outdoor accessories. Then choose a complementary coat rack that will create a harmonious arrangement. Positioning furniture in this way will help define an entrance when there is no hallway.
A smart shoe tray is another good idea. Pop it next to your front door and it will ensure outdoor shoes have somewhere neat to go.
Are you missing somewhere to hang your umbrella and handbag? Do you wish you could dump your keys in a dedicated spot each day? Try repurposing an old chest of drawers or dresser as a hallway cabinet for outdoor accessories. Then choose a complementary coat rack that will create a harmonious arrangement. Positioning furniture in this way will help define an entrance when there is no hallway.
A smart shoe tray is another good idea. Pop it next to your front door and it will ensure outdoor shoes have somewhere neat to go.
Go round the corner
Depending on the layout of your home, an organised hallway spot that’s dedicated to launching you and your loved ones out of the door on time each morning doesn’t have to be directly next to the front door. Tucking it around the corner or in an alcove will keep the busy area out of view of the door, so you can concentrate on creating a calm and fuss-free entry.
Ideas for a welcoming hallway
Depending on the layout of your home, an organised hallway spot that’s dedicated to launching you and your loved ones out of the door on time each morning doesn’t have to be directly next to the front door. Tucking it around the corner or in an alcove will keep the busy area out of view of the door, so you can concentrate on creating a calm and fuss-free entry.
Ideas for a welcoming hallway
Slot in a bench
The simple placement of a low bench next to the front door will evoke a relaxed feel, as well as providing a practical perch with a natural place to store shoes below.
In this hallway, the addition of calming touches, such as pot plants and magazines, captures the home’s laid-back approach. Stick to light, neutral tones and your entry will be a true delight to come home to.
The simple placement of a low bench next to the front door will evoke a relaxed feel, as well as providing a practical perch with a natural place to store shoes below.
In this hallway, the addition of calming touches, such as pot plants and magazines, captures the home’s laid-back approach. Stick to light, neutral tones and your entry will be a true delight to come home to.
Transform a wall into a home hub
You don’t need a designated hallway to carve out an organisation station in your entryway. Every home could benefit from a dedicated place for notes or a calendar, and the entry is an ideal spot to ensure important dates or messages don’t get missed, while creating a clearly defined area at the same time.
Choose a section of wall and paint the top half in chalkboard paint to create an instant notepad, while a slim table below can store chalk and pens. Further define your home-hub zone with a floor mat for discarded shoes.
You don’t need a designated hallway to carve out an organisation station in your entryway. Every home could benefit from a dedicated place for notes or a calendar, and the entry is an ideal spot to ensure important dates or messages don’t get missed, while creating a clearly defined area at the same time.
Choose a section of wall and paint the top half in chalkboard paint to create an instant notepad, while a slim table below can store chalk and pens. Further define your home-hub zone with a floor mat for discarded shoes.
A small ledge makes a big impact
A shelf on its own isn’t going to have much purpose in a non-existent entry, however, place an umbrella holder underneath it and the area transforms into the designated entry zone. Fitting the shelf at waist height will make it handy for unloading keys or phones straight out of pockets.
A shelf on its own isn’t going to have much purpose in a non-existent entry, however, place an umbrella holder underneath it and the area transforms into the designated entry zone. Fitting the shelf at waist height will make it handy for unloading keys or phones straight out of pockets.
Also, fitting a shelf at eye level is a good way of remember items such as letters to post, or bills to pay.
Choose clever space-saving solutions
Ideal for tiny entries or open-plan spaces, this custom-designed floating console offers plenty of storage for hallway paraphernalia without taking up vital space, and helps to keep clutter neatly concealed.
Ideal for tiny entries or open-plan spaces, this custom-designed floating console offers plenty of storage for hallway paraphernalia without taking up vital space, and helps to keep clutter neatly concealed.
Look outdoors for inspiration
If your interior space is extremely limited and there’s no way of creating an entry of any sort, consider relocating your entry to the exterior instead. Obviously you can’t leave valuables outside, but a bench and even a notice board will create a welcoming entry, whether there’s a hallway beyond or not.
What clever visual tricks have you used to create the sense of an entry? Share them with us in the Comments section below.
If your interior space is extremely limited and there’s no way of creating an entry of any sort, consider relocating your entry to the exterior instead. Obviously you can’t leave valuables outside, but a bench and even a notice board will create a welcoming entry, whether there’s a hallway beyond or not.
What clever visual tricks have you used to create the sense of an entry? Share them with us in the Comments section below.
If your front door opens into an open-plan apartment, try zoning the entryway with visual definers. Use a bold statement wallpaper, or maybe a standout paint colour on the wall next to the door to define the entry, and place a slim console on this wall to mark the area where visitors can pause to shed bags or car keys. A long runner denotes the direction guests should take through to rest of the home, and helps provide a sense of flow to the rooms beyond.