Small hallways are a common occurrence in high-rise apartments. This is especially true of old buildings, where the entrance hall was sometimes allocated no more than 3-4 sq. M. If you are a "happy" owner of such a layout, do not despair. In our article, you will find 12 great design ideas for a small hallway that will help make its interior stylish and functional. Get inspired!
1. Redevelopment
Try combining a hallway with an adjoining room or kitchen. Having dismantled the wall, you can install a rack or cabinet in its place. Thus, the privacy of the premises will be preserved and a storage system will appear that does not require additional space.
If you are an ardent opponent of redevelopment or the appropriate permissive authorities do not allow it, try to get rid of the doorways leading to the rooms. In their place, you can arrange arched vaults, which will make the hallway visually wider.
2. Functional niches and pantries
Take a good look at the room. In old houses of the "Khrushchev" type, small hallways were often equipped with storage rooms and niches. Such areas can be used to install a built-in wardrobe or sofa, on which you can sit down and change your shoes.
You can also place a hanger here - then hanging clothes will not create clutter and clutter in the corridor. Decorate the wall with a beautiful finishing material, for example, a wooden panel, bring LED lighting. It will turn out not only practical, but also very beautiful.
For a small niche, you can come up with other functionality, for example, equip shelves for accessories, a pet's “residence”, a wine cabinet or a shoe rack.
3. Light colors
It is very important to choose the right palette for finishing a small hallway. Everything is simple here - give preference to light colors.
There is no need to be afraid that street dirt will settle on the light walls. Firstly, it is not less visible on dark ones, and secondly, the lower part of the surfaces can be decorated with an easily washable material, for example, PVC panels.
A small white hallway or made in the now fashionable light gray tone will look beautiful. If you prefer a cozy environment, use materials in a cream, sand or beige palette.
You can choose light tones of any color you like. To keep the room from feeling cold, add some bright accents in the form of decor and accessories.
4. Choose minimalistic styles
Styles in a minimalist direction are suitable for the design of a small hallway. For example, a Scandinavian style or modern style would be a good solution, where functional items are preferred, and the decor is present only symbolically.
Consider an eco-style option in pleasant light olive and beige tones. The presence of natural elements, modest living flowerpots or wall phytosystems will significantly transform the interior.
In the interior of a small hallway, if desired, you can "fit" and the classics. In this case, use wooden furniture in white tones, milky colors of expensive finishing materials. Emphasize the luxury of the style with the introduction of gilding and wall molding, and a crystal ceiling chandelier will complete the look.
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5. Correct lighting
Since there are no windows in the hallway, and natural street light does not get here (with the exception of private houses), then take care of arranging a high-quality lighting system. The best option would be ceiling spotlights or spots, which will help to evenly illuminate the entrance hall.
In a small square hallway, you can be content with one ceiling chandelier, but she will definitely have to keep company, at least, from a sconce installed near the mirror. LED strips can illuminate the surface of the ceiling, floor or storage system.
6. Ceiling decoration
To visually make a small hallway more spacious, it is better to decorate the ceiling with a glossy stretch canvas. Its reflective effect will come into play when the lights are on. In addition, you do not have to perfectly level the surface - all its imperfections will be reliably hidden.
Some styles do not "like" gloss, for example - Scandinavian. In this case, choose a white matte canvas that visually resembles a plaster finish.
If you want the ceiling surface to look spectacular, you can build a plasterboard structure. Just don't make it multi-level - the room will instantly decrease in size! A perimeter with hidden lighting will be enough.
7. Wall decoration - visual effects
Considering that the entrance hall is exposed to constant pollution from the street, materials for decoration should be chosen those that are not afraid of frequent cleaning. Walls can be painted with acrylic, covered with super-washable wallpaper, decorated with PVC panels, decorative plaster.
Photo wallpapers look especially impressive. Choose a drawing with a perspective and paste over one of the walls (preferably opposite the front door) - the hallway will immediately acquire additional volume. The horizontal direction of the drawing will help to expand the narrow room, and the vertical direction to give height.
Tip: if you want to paste over the walls with patterned wallpaper, let their pattern be small - large prints will visually bring the walls closer and make the room smaller.
Artificial stone is now a trendy material. One of the walls of the hallway can be decorated with imitation of white brickwork, or you can emphasize the corners, doorways with sandstone. This design looks very impressive!
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8. Floor materials
The floor in the hallway is exposed to frequent mechanical stress. Still would! After all, it is the most passable zone. Choose a more reliable and durable material - porcelain stoneware, which will last for decades. To expand a small hallway, it is better to lay the slabs diagonally or in a checkerboard pattern.
Materials such as laminate, parquet or linoleum can also be used for flooring, but their lifespan is shorter.
Try to combine materials - put tiles at the entrance area, and a little further - a laminate. This technique is especially good for narrow long rooms, as it allows you to "divide" the territory into zones.
9. More mirrors
Mirrored surfaces have the unique ability to expand space. This must be used in the design of a small hallway, especially since you simply cannot do without a mirror!
If you are going to buy a wardrobe in the hallway, choose a model with mirrored doors. An empty wall can be filled with a large mirror surface or an original panel. Keep in mind that the wall opposite the mirror should not be filled with clothes, books or other accessories. Reflecting, they will create a sense of complete disorder and clutter.
10. How to hide the electrical panel?
The electrical panel is often an unremarkable interior detail. Just disguise it! Firstly, it needs to be "drowned" in the wall by cutting out a niche and equipped with a door. Next - decorate at your own discretion.
The door can be decorated with a mirror or the same finishing material as the wall around it - for example, wallpaper. A good option is to make or buy a housekeeper, attach it to the door. If you have artistic skills, a beautiful drawing on the sash will save you, which will at the same time become a bright decorative element.
11. Use modular furniture
Modular furniture will be the best option for a small hallway.It is somewhat similar to a designer - you can independently choose the necessary elements and make a practical interior out of them.
You must admit that it is difficult to choose a set of furniture sets that will clearly fit into a small hall, especially if doorways interfere.
Choose the elements you need and fit in size - a sideboard, a wardrobe, a shoe rack (it is worth noting that modular furniture is compact) and arrange it at your discretion so that it is convenient to use. At any time you can change the boring environment by simply rearranging the furniture in places.
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12. Minimum decor
In a small hallway, the most important thing is not to overdo it with decorative elements. It is best if most of them are present in decoration and lighting.
Wall murals, islands of artificial stone, graceful sconces at the mirror in a beautiful frame - all this will create a certain image of the room.
To "domesticate" the situation, hang a couple of photographs or paintings on the walls, put a soft rug on the floor and put a living flowerpot. Now you can safely invite your friends to rate your design experience!
Small hallways - photos of real interiors
A lot more can be said about the design of a small hallway, considering the versatile aspects of the arrangement. In order not to be unfounded, we suggest that you look at our photo gallery, where even more illustrative examples are presented. Here you can learn different ways of planning, stylish design, arrangement of storage systems and other interesting developments.
