How to Highlight Your Hallways

A formal entry hallway is made elegant through the use of a console, appropriately scaled chairs and an ornate mirror. Handout/TNS

By Cathy Hobbs From Tribune News Service

From the initial point of entry to passageways between rooms, hallways serve as visual connectors in the home.

Often ignored, hallways can serve as a key design opportunity to unify or extend a color palette and overall aesthetic.

To begin your hallway design story, start with the point of entry, then build upon your design vision.

A point or entry can be a foyer, initial entry nook or a focus wall. First impressions are made within the first 10 seconds of entering a space. It is critical that this first impression is strong and memorable. It sets the tone for the remainder of the residence.

Some hallway decor options often include:

• Mirrors
• Artwork
• Shelves
• Consoles
• Benches

Some do’s and don’ts:

Do’s

Do select a bold or inspirational piece that makes a strong first impression.

Do use elements such as mirrors to open up the space.

Mirrors along a hallway elongate the space. Scott Gabriel Morris/TNS

Do use smaller-scale furniture such as consoles and benches.

A mirror at the beginning of a hallway highlights a home's architecture upon entry. Handout/TNS

Don’ts

Don’t overcrowd an entry with too many items or oversized furniture.

Mirrors and artwork are paired to create a sense of color and balance. Scott Gabriel Morris/TNS

Don’t introduce colors in hallways that aren’t cohesive with your overall color scheme. Use hallway decor as a connector.

Don’t make hallways overly personalized. Use them as ways to extend your design style.

Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design home staging expert and short-term rental/vacation home designer with offices in New York City and The Hudson Valley. Contact her at [email protected] or visit her website at cathyhobbs.com. Copyright 2023 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.