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How Do I... Brighten Up Dark and Narrow Corridors?
There are exciting ways to optimise these underused passageways
Disa Tan
23 July 2018
Houzz Singapore Contributor. Former Copywriter, Lifestyle Editor & now Freelance Writer. Home is where my heart is.
Houzz Singapore Contributor. Former Copywriter, Lifestyle Editor & now Freelance... More
Corridors make up precious real estate and yet, these areas are often overlooked because of their restrictive and awkward layouts. You’re probably wondering: “What fits in this narrow area?” Well, when there’s a will, there’s a way. These designers have found plenty of ingenious ways to transform this space from flat to functional and fabulous.
Chase the sun
Daylight breathes new life into a dark, gloomy space and converting one room along the corridor into an open or glass-encased area will be your best bet.
Daylight breathes new life into a dark, gloomy space and converting one room along the corridor into an open or glass-encased area will be your best bet.
With these bi-fold doors pushed to the side, a larger, much brighter living space is revealed, and the darkness that used to engulf the passageway is pretty much a thing of yesterday.
Knowing which room receives good light is integral to capitalising on light in the corridor. This home gym and bicycle storage room is a prime example of its designers utilising the light orientation of this home well. The Fuse Concept designer remarks: “We fulfilled two purposes; showcase this workout room and the homeowner’s prized bicycles and two, brighten the entire passageway to good effect.”
If privacy is a concern, having a glass opening rather than a full glass-encased room is another option. “This vertical glass window looks into the walk-in closet which is connected to the master bedroom,” say the Joey Khu design team who worked on the renovation of this HDB flat.
The other side of the glass display houses the owner’s designer bags in a chic boutique-inspired concept. Most importantly, this peekaboo effect brings much-needed light to the dark corridor.
Vertical illusions
Play up the expanse of space with wallpaper motifs that lead the eye upwards. This stretching of space visually gives the illusion of a taller ceiling.
Play up the expanse of space with wallpaper motifs that lead the eye upwards. This stretching of space visually gives the illusion of a taller ceiling.
Alternatively, paint the ceiling a striking but complementary colour. This is a neat visual trick to fool the eye into thinking the ceiling is much taller than it really is. You could also paint the frame of the entrance to create a visually appealing outline.
Introducing overhead shelving into the corridor turns this previously dead space into functional storage. Installing recessed lighting further accentuates the visual height of the ceiling. The flexible use of sliding doors plus glass openings at the top allow light from the rooms to pour into the passageway as well.
Doodle corner
Kids love corridors because it’s shaped like a running track which works well in expunging their limitless energy. Make them feel at home here by painting the doors with blackboard paint. A runner provides a warm and cosy feeling underfoot.
Kids love corridors because it’s shaped like a running track which works well in expunging their limitless energy. Make them feel at home here by painting the doors with blackboard paint. A runner provides a warm and cosy feeling underfoot.
Consoles are a hit in hallways or passageways because of their slim statures. Up the game with a blackboard backdrop which works well as memo board or a quick sketch pad for the creative types.
Mirror marvel
Mirrors are a fail-proof solution for a narrow corridor and cladding the doors in these shiny, reflective surfaces will double or triple the space depending on how they are placed.
Mirrors are a fail-proof solution for a narrow corridor and cladding the doors in these shiny, reflective surfaces will double or triple the space depending on how they are placed.
If you dig the minimalist style which can appear as clinical to some, this hallway flanked by mirrors will be ideal. There is function in these sleek forms for you to practice yoga or dance moves or to serve as a compact but adept workout area.
A wall of picture frames is a common sight in corridors because these areas have nothing but vertical space to offer. If putting up family portraits or artwork are not quite your thing, collecting and displaying a wall of framed ornate mirrors will be a unique endeavour.
Moving walls
Hacking away the corridor walls and replacing them with cabinetry is just about the smartest solution we’ve seen. These storage-savvy walls designed by Produce replace entire wardrobes for at least three bedrooms.
Hacking away the corridor walls and replacing them with cabinetry is just about the smartest solution we’ve seen. These storage-savvy walls designed by Produce replace entire wardrobes for at least three bedrooms.
These ‘corridor’ closets save so much floor area. Chief creative producer Pan Yi Cheng from Produce explains: “The existing bedrooms were much too small and so, we needed to think outside of the box about where to situate the wardrobes.” That he did, by placing moving partitions hidden neatly into the depths of the rooms and a whole wardrobe to enclose the bedrooms.
Besides cabinetry, integrating a secret hideaway within the corridor is a pretty cool idea. Craft room, storeroom or home office, it all depends on your personal interests and lifestyle needs.
A pegboard wall for your corridor will certainly maximise the amount of storage space in your home. The freedom to customise the dimensions and positioning of the shelves, hooks or even seating is limitless.
Sensory treat
Saving the best for last, hook up your corridor with LED light strips that can be programmed to change colours and brightness. This spectacular symphony of lights will provide a sensory feast and transform any corridor from drab to lounge-worthy.
TELL US
What do you love about these hallway hacks? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Saving the best for last, hook up your corridor with LED light strips that can be programmed to change colours and brightness. This spectacular symphony of lights will provide a sensory feast and transform any corridor from drab to lounge-worthy.
TELL US
What do you love about these hallway hacks? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
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