Looking for some small hallway ideas? Designing a hallway can be a challenge at the best of times, but if yours is smaller than average, you'll need some clever tricks up your sleeve to make it feel as big and bright as possible – all while trying to cram in some stylish touches, of course. Use these clever design ideas for small hallways to help yourself think big.
Looking for more pratical advice on how to design a hallway? Check out our dedicated feature for answers to those all important hallway questions.
1. Use narrow, made for purpose storage
Narrow shoe storage units with hinged drawers that tip out, like this Stall unit from Ikea (on the right of the hallway), are great ideas for narrow hallways, and the surface gives you somewhere to pop keys or post when you come through the front door. Two have been placed side by side for optimum storage opportunities.
Find tons more hallway shoe storage ideas in our guide.
2. Create a broken-plan space
We love this idea of partially removing the wall between the hallway and lounge, creating an open-plan feel, while still having wall space for coat and shoe storage.
Want to give this whole open plan living thing a go? Find out everything you need to know about creating an open-plan layout in your home.
3. Think multi-purpose function and form
Just because you have a small hallway, doesn’t mean it has to lack character. Paint a wall with blackboard paint to give you somewhere to write messages and reminders, use the space above doors to hang shelves for books, and hang a pegboard, like this one is by Kreis Design, with a mixture of hooks and shelves, to provide a range of small storage options.
If you want to try out this look, it's actually a really easy DIY jobbie. Just check out out guide to how to create a chalkboard wall, (spoiler: with chalk paint).
4. Choose a bench with storage
Look for small hallway ideas to keep your space clutter free and organised: a selection of hooks, shelves and an umbrella stand positioned by the door will do. And, if space permits, a small bench like this one from Garden Trading will provide storage as well as giving you somewhere to perch when pulling on your shoes.
Find more hallway storage solutions in our buyer's guide.
5. Hang sliding or pocket doors
Unlike a standard hinged door that requires floor space to swing open, a sliding barn door takes up little more space than the thickness of the door. These sliding doors feature a very simple mechanism, which, if you’re a competent DIYer, are easy to install. Because barn doors slide and hang to the side of the door, you will need to make sure you have wall space to slide the door across.
Find a selection of rustic and modern traditional barn style tracks at Ironmongery Direct, Screwfix, and SDS London.
6. Pick storage that fits your space (and needs)
Transform your hall into a welcoming entrance with String’s multi functional modular furniture, which can be customised to work for your space. The system can accommodate a variety of different storage solutions, including hooks for coats, shoe racks, and a bowl shelf for your keys, which is made from felt to minimise noise.
7. Create a feeling of space with huge mirrors
Mirrors in narrow rooms are particularly effective, making the space feel almost twice its size. Have one made to measure so that it covers the whole wall (this will help the visual effect of lengthening and widening the space), and, where possible, place near a window to reflect light from outside. Room design by Brown Architects.
Find more hallway mirrors in our buyer's guide.
8. Choose flooring to exaggerate space
Small hallway ideas can, of course, include visual tricks. So, while you can add personality to your hallway using flooring with a geometric design, if you choose one with a diagonal pattern – or lay the tiles diagonally – you can trick the eye into seeing a narrow space as wider than it really is.
Choose the best hallway flooring for your home with our guide.
9. Use under stairs space for storage
Utilise the space under your stairs with built in storage cupboards. Pull-out storage drawers like these from Avar Furniture are a brilliant way of introducing lots of storage in your hallway and can be used to stash anything from cleaning equipment, to coats, to children’s bikes and toys.
Find tons more ideas for under stairs storage solutions in our guide.
10. Decorate for character (and to stretch space)
Just because it’s small doesn’t mean it can’t be striking. Check out @trollsteinen_interior's hallway: with bold stripes, painted in wide bands of black and white, which she’s teamed with a neat black bench and peg rail, and some lush green foliage, it's packed with character. Plus, the horizontal stripes make the room exaggerate the walls' proportions.
11. Don't forget good lighting for night time
Small hallway ideas need to include good lighting: after all, you're going to spend a lot of time coming through that front door on dark evenings, and good lighting can help your space look its best. Ideally, choose a combination of lighting types: bright overhead downlights to create a feeling of daylight in otherwise dark hallways; characterful table lights for atmosphere only; and lights in skirting boards to light stair risers (and exaggerate the stairs' width).
Find out how to plan the best lighting for your hallway with our guide.
12. Use lightening tricks to make your hallway brighter
Small hallway ideas should include brightening tricks – since hallways tend to be light-starved spaces. If yours lacks the natural light you need to make it feel as big and bright as possible, use all the tricks up your sleeve to lighten it – from hanging mirrors (tick) to choosing pale paint colour schemes (tick) to picking pale flooring (tick) to shopping for slimline furniture that won't block light (tick). Find more ways to lighten your hallway in our guide and browse the best hallway colour schemes, too.
Carpet below by Cormar Carpets.
13. Use wallpaper to create visual tricks
Hanging wallpaper with a subtle stripe will exaggerate a hallway's proportions: choose a horizontal stripe to make it feel longer or wider; pick a vertical stripe to make the hallway seem taller. The Emilia from Sandberg takes its cue from Breton stripes and will complement a contemporary home with nautical accents.
For more hallway wallpaper design ideas, check out our feature.
14. Add character with a gallery wall
We know we bang on about gallery walls, but what's not to like: they're easy to create, add bags of character and take up no space. Plus, if you choose light coloured frames and prints, your hallway's proportions will be flattered.
Find how to create your own gallery wall – and be inspired by our photo and picture display ideas.
15. Replace heavy curtains with window film
Saving space and letting in light are the two must-dos when designing a small hallway. Window film is a super-affordable way to create instant privacy, but interest, too, without having to invest in window dressings.
Window film by The Window Film Company.
See more wonderful window film ideas in our design gallery.
16. Add in some sneaky book storage
Didn't think you had room for any book storage in, say, a narrow hallway? Think again. This book shelf has been built into a door so it doesn't take up any extra space. We are sure you could DIY this kind of thing but if you aren't up for the challenge, a carpenter or joiner would be your best bet.
Find more brilliant book storage ideas.
17. Small hallway ideas can be dark-toned
We know that we have probably said many a time that light, bright colours make a small space feel bigger, and, yes, while this might be true that doesn't mean you should shy away from darker hues. In fact, using a darker colour can, in fact, disguise the limited dimensions of a room, making it appear larger.
If going for an all dark colour scheme sounds like too much of a bold step for you, why not copy this small hallway idea? Use dark paint below the dado rail and a brighter white on top. It will make the ceiling feel higher and the darker colour is practical for hiding scuff marks, too. Choosing dark flooring will further blur those dimensions.
Check out our feature on dark decorating ideas, for loads more inspiration.
More ideas for your hallway:
- Design ideas for hallways (that are a bit bigger than these ones)
- The best hallway rugs and runners
- How to paint your stairs: ideas and tips
