Design at the End of the Hall
See How to Create Big Style With the Tiniest Space in the House
That sliver of space at the end of the hall packs design power beyond its square footage. Use it to add drama to a sightline, create a destination, or just play with colors and shapes. There's something about the perspective of walls pointing down a corridor that turns whatever is at the end into a bonbon for the eye. There might be no better way to get design impact for the effort. Walk this way, and see what I mean:
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by Workshop/apd
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| A protected spot at the end of a hall is a great place to put a treasure on a pedestal. |
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A mirror and bench create the perfect punctuation mark at the end of this elegant hall. The reflected light and bit of trim in the mirror have the effect of a third pendant.
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A plant stand by a sunny window turns a passageway into a place you'd like to visit every day.
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| Malibu designer Tracy Murdock created a dramatic destination at the end of this hall with the Fernando Botero nun painting flanked by two Persian paintings on easels. |
by LKM Design
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Walnut arches have a telescoping effect in this entry hall north of Boston. A perfectly proportioned painting by Sue Knoll at the end almost seems to have magnetic powers.
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by Workshop/apd
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| Walls and ceilings are natural frames for the end of a hall, where you can feed your design urge by creating any number of eclectic vignettes. |
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Wide trim and complementary near-neutral walls create the effect of nesting dolls leading to a secret prize.
by Kaylovesvintage
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The end of a hall can be a perfect spot for accessories that need a home. Kay from Kay Loves Vintage no longer wanted this table in her living room, so she moved it here. Her collection of teak bowls, vintage clocks and a campy "Forbidden Planet" poster turns it into a conversation starter. (Check out the cast!)
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Talk about destinations. Thank goodness for the window seat in this Northern California ridge home to keep us all from wanting to walk right through the glass.
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by Workshop/apd
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| No reason not to decorate the end of your hall just because it's on an angle. |
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A grandfather clock has the right height for the pitch of this ceiling, and the right girth to anchor the narrow space without overwhelming it.
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A shapely double bass adds welcome curves to this sightline — and earns its name with that reflection in the floor.
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A collection of vases appears to climb as you descend these stairs.
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| Edges of ceiling and floor create an "X" marking the black and white spot beyond. |
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| Many people are so riveted by the art photography of wild Sable Island horses they might miss the mystery at the end of this hall. |
If you don't have your own long hall, borrow one from elsewhere.
A simple block of color and diffused task light create a dynamic effect that will change with the day.
What do you see at the end of your hall?
Next: Browse 100,000+ home design photos
What do you see at the end of your hall?
Next: Browse 100,000+ home design photos
Ideabook updated on March 20, 2011.
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This must be why you are the editor and why I am addicted to Houzz. What a magical collection of photos. I had never really thought about what an amazing impact a hall can have. I just can't stop looking at these. Thank you!
to gmoore re: the bedroom door -- well, if you have the money, it isn't all that hard to actually move the door to a new spot further down the wall so you will have a wall instead of door at the end of your hall. If that is not an option for you, then the door itself is the focal point -- consider creating a really wonderful door. Paint? wallpaper? Or get a flat slab door with no molding on it and paint it as a backdrop for art that you attach to the door? It would just need to be attached securely so it doesn't move around when opening and closing the door. Hope those ideas get you thinking outside the box :-)