What to Do With a Big Hallway
Discover how to beautify a large hallway and add function with built-in storage, book shelves, utility and more
Don’t let your spacious passageway go to waste. You can not only make it a beautiful pass-through zone but also add functionality so that is acts as another room in your home. Note that I consider a hallway large if it has a minimum width of at least 6 feet and a length of more than 20 feet.
Take a look at some of these inspiring ideas that will help you convert a large hallway into something more useful and stylish.
Take a look at some of these inspiring ideas that will help you convert a large hallway into something more useful and stylish.
2. Incorporate built-in storage
Add more functionality to the hallway and bring it to efficient use by introducing built-in storage on one or both sides of the hallway just as you see in the image above. The depth of the built-in storage units can range between 18 and 24 inches, while the width of the circulation passage should be at least 4 feet.
Find an interior designer to help with your hallway
Add more functionality to the hallway and bring it to efficient use by introducing built-in storage on one or both sides of the hallway just as you see in the image above. The depth of the built-in storage units can range between 18 and 24 inches, while the width of the circulation passage should be at least 4 feet.
Find an interior designer to help with your hallway
3. Introduce a seating area
A large hallway provides ample space for incorporating a formal or informal seating area.
A large hallway provides ample space for incorporating a formal or informal seating area.
- If the hallway is about 6 feet wide, then one section of the hallway can be used to incorporate a couple of chairs or place a two- or three-seater sofa against the wall. Don’t forget to complete the seating with side tables and matching accessories.
- For a larger hallway with a width of about 8 feet or more, one can easily accommodate an interactive seating arrangement, as you see in this example.
4. Create a walk-in library
If you are fond of books, go ahead and create a walk-in library by using the walls for the display of books.
Look at more hallways and corridors
If you are fond of books, go ahead and create a walk-in library by using the walls for the display of books.
- The depth of the bookshelves should be at least 16 inches and the width of the circulation passage should be at least 4 feet.
Look at more hallways and corridors
5. Decorate with plants
In this all-white hallway, a section is beautified with different types of plants to create a mini indoor garden. Indoor plants add a pop of colour, work as natural air purifiers and also enliven the space.
Note: Some natural air-purifying plants are spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), English ivy (Hedera helix), Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) and peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii).
In this all-white hallway, a section is beautified with different types of plants to create a mini indoor garden. Indoor plants add a pop of colour, work as natural air purifiers and also enliven the space.
Note: Some natural air-purifying plants are spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), English ivy (Hedera helix), Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) and peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii).
6. Create a study area
One of the best ways to bring a large hallway into use is to create a study area for the children by installing a study table with overhead cabinets. Make a note that hallways also serve as an access corridor, which might cause disturbance while studying, hence this type of study area only works for small children who need to be supervised anyway while they study, draw or do their homework.
One of the best ways to bring a large hallway into use is to create a study area for the children by installing a study table with overhead cabinets. Make a note that hallways also serve as an access corridor, which might cause disturbance while studying, hence this type of study area only works for small children who need to be supervised anyway while they study, draw or do their homework.
- The depth of the study table should be 21–24 inches. The circulation space behind the table should be at least 52 inches.
7. Convert it into an atrium
If the entrance of your home has a huge hallway, then how about treating it as an atrium, as in the image? The design of this double-height hallway looks luxurious and floods the interiors with natural light through the skylights fixed on the vaulted ceiling. Additionally, this space is beautified with a detailed marble flooring, ornate grilles and a piece of statement furniture in the centre of the hallway.
If the entrance of your home has a huge hallway, then how about treating it as an atrium, as in the image? The design of this double-height hallway looks luxurious and floods the interiors with natural light through the skylights fixed on the vaulted ceiling. Additionally, this space is beautified with a detailed marble flooring, ornate grilles and a piece of statement furniture in the centre of the hallway.
8. Give it a minimalist look
A large hallway need not always look fancy or ornate. This all-white hallway looks minimalist and infuses a peaceful vibe into the space. The equidistant foot lamps create a flooring pattern with light, and simple square paintings on the white walls look soothing.
A large hallway need not always look fancy or ornate. This all-white hallway looks minimalist and infuses a peaceful vibe into the space. The equidistant foot lamps create a flooring pattern with light, and simple square paintings on the white walls look soothing.
9. Create a focal point
It is always a great idea to create a focal point at the end of the hallway. In this image, mirrors in an assortment of quaint frames in shades of off-white and brown decorate the wall and also add further depth of detail.
It is always a great idea to create a focal point at the end of the hallway. In this image, mirrors in an assortment of quaint frames in shades of off-white and brown decorate the wall and also add further depth of detail.
10. Bring in the outdoor views
If the hallway has a large window that opens into a garden or other beautiful outdoor views, then position some seating under the window. This creates an amazing sit-out for relaxing.
If the hallway has a large window that opens into a garden or other beautiful outdoor views, then position some seating under the window. This creates an amazing sit-out for relaxing.
11. Use luxurious materials
Make a bold statement and infuse an opulent high-end look with luxurious materials. Go for rich flooring materials such as Italian marble; incorporate backlit onyx on the walls as in this image; introduce statement pieces of furniture, accessories and light fixtures that will further complement the look of the space.
Make a bold statement and infuse an opulent high-end look with luxurious materials. Go for rich flooring materials such as Italian marble; incorporate backlit onyx on the walls as in this image; introduce statement pieces of furniture, accessories and light fixtures that will further complement the look of the space.
12. Create an art gallery
Convert the hallway into a private art gallery for displaying a collection of your favourite works of art or photographs.
In this example, the walls are lined with paintings, while staggered shelves are introduced for stacking books, artefacts and souvenirs. A continuous shelf is used for displaying pottery and sculptures and a rug is used to demarcate the hallway from the rest of the space.
Convert the hallway into a private art gallery for displaying a collection of your favourite works of art or photographs.
In this example, the walls are lined with paintings, while staggered shelves are introduced for stacking books, artefacts and souvenirs. A continuous shelf is used for displaying pottery and sculptures and a rug is used to demarcate the hallway from the rest of the space.
13. Install a jhula
Here’s another way to deal with a large hallway. Convert it into a space for relaxation by simply installing a jhula (swing). Just see how this cane swing makes a cosy spot that is ideal for relaxation.
Here’s another way to deal with a large hallway. Convert it into a space for relaxation by simply installing a jhula (swing). Just see how this cane swing makes a cosy spot that is ideal for relaxation.
14. Use it as a utility area
You can also set up a utility area for your washing machine or any other appliances in the hallway, if it is wide enough. The minimum depth of this utility area should at least be 3 feet or it should be demarcated according to the size of the washing machine. Consider installing a sliding door to cover the utility area when not in use.
Read more:
6 Ways to Add Oomph to Your Hallway
40 Incredible Hallways on Houzz
Tell us:
Do you have a large hallway in your home? How have you beautified it and added function into the space? Share images in Comments below.
You can also set up a utility area for your washing machine or any other appliances in the hallway, if it is wide enough. The minimum depth of this utility area should at least be 3 feet or it should be demarcated according to the size of the washing machine. Consider installing a sliding door to cover the utility area when not in use.
Read more:
6 Ways to Add Oomph to Your Hallway
40 Incredible Hallways on Houzz
Tell us:
Do you have a large hallway in your home? How have you beautified it and added function into the space? Share images in Comments below.
Create a warm and welcoming ambience by incorporating a console within a large hallway. Here, in this image, two different-sized glass art objects and a potted orchid are arranged on the console, while a couple of paintings are hung at eye level to form the backdrop of the console.
How to Decorate the Hallway Console