Create an ideabook for your next remodeling project!
Browse more than 1,000,000 photos from top designers and save your favorites
Ideabook 911: Make my Entryway Inviting
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
From Laurahahe:
Help Me Decorate my Hallway! (Its bad, I know. Worse in real life). Anyways, I have stripped the wallpaper, painted the trim white, and now am not sure what to do? What color should I do the walls? And what about lighting? I would like it to look bright and cheerful. Thanks!
Hi Laura!
It sounds like you've already been hard at work, and all you really need is a few inexpensive cosmetic changes. I'll also throw in a few fantasy hallway photos just for fun and inspiration.
FURNITURE:
I love that you have the dresser in the hallway. It's a great place to stash the things you need as you head in and head out of the house. It's great that you keep fresh flowers there to welcome people. I would suggest a mirror to reflect light and make the space seem bigger, and for the practical purpose of checking your face before you dash out!
What other items do you stash near the door? If the front door is your main entry, you may want to accessorize with an umbrella stand and a coat rack.
RUG:
If you are not nuts about your floor but don't want to go to the large expense of replacing it, you can break it up with a nice long runner. Since this is a high-traffic area, you certainly don't want stark white! I'd recommend jute with a border or a Persian rug.
LIGHTING:
You can go with some modern track lighting all the way down that long hallway (track lighting has come a long way since the '80s, I'll include some pictures below). You can also get much more brighter and stylish in front of the doors. If the very thought of track lighting is still giving you Miami Vice flashbacks, think about strategically placed sconces (side note: I was just at the Atlanta RE-Store yesterday and they were loaded with sconces and pendents; they even had some gorgeous seconds from fancy-schmancy Circa Lighting. Leave no stone unturned in your quest for lighting bargains.). The bureau in the hallway is a great spot for a small table lamp for some cozier light.
COLOR:
OK, onto color. Obviously this has to do with your personal preferences. Personally, I love a white staircase with a black banister and black runners - My staircase right now is exactly like yours and I look at it and dream that it's black and white. This is not necessary though, and I'm not sure how stark white will look with that floor. I'm also wondering if it's possible to paint that floor?
For WALL COLOR, you will probably have to be consistent up the stairs and down the hall, so it's important to find something you love. Get samples from the paint store and paint big swaths of the colors you are considering next to each other. Make sure to check them out throughout the day until it's dark out to see what they look like in different light - scribble notes atop them in pencil like "too green in daylight" or "dreary after dark". Give it a few days and exploit everyone who comes over for their opinions!
I think to go with your floor you should go with a warm neutral. You can keep it light, and then use a very, very light, just barely off-white trim. Here are some Ideabooks that show off some of these colors:
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/23031/list/A-Touch-of-Gray
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/10200/list/Neutral-Territory
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2839/list/Soft-Lines-and-Neutral-Colors--The-Best-of-Contemporary-Style
ARTWORK:
Staircases are a great opportunity for showcasing artwork. It could be one big piece that really catches the eye, or a line of photographs, or a mix of all kinds of art all over the wall. Here are some Ideabooks I think will give you some ideas:
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/16547/list/Creating-Wall-Groupings-That-Wow
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/15640/list/ART-Arrangement-II
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/809/list/How-to-Arrange-Artwork-in-an-Artful-Way
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2685/list/You-Can-t-Miss-It--Oversized-Art
FRONT DOOR:
If you love the wood, great, stick with it. Otherwise, feel free to paint it to either a) go with the trim or b) be one element that really sticks out and adds color to the hallway. Dying for a swath of bright color? Use the door!
If you are trying to go for a more modern look and get more light, you could replace them with glass doors (likely frosted for privacy) - this is an extreme, and it is great you already have doors that let some light in. You also have room to add some small windows next to the door (provided that there are no structural pieces there).
STAIRCASE:
If you need to have a runner, I think it's a good idea to choose a runner that coordinates with the hallway runner. Think about how they will look when you walk in the front door and look up the stairs and down the hallway at the same time. Here's where I've been hoarding my favorite staircase images:
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2380/list/staircase-favorites
PHEW! That's all I've got for right now, but everyone, please add some of your favorite hallway/entryway images for Laura in the comments section!
More Helpful Ideabooks:
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/16827/list/Ten-Tips-to-Maximize-Functionality-of-Your-Entryway
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/20608/list/What-Does-Your-Front-Door-Say-
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1551/list/Come-On-In--Welcoming-and-Stylish-Entryways
Help Me Decorate my Hallway! (Its bad, I know. Worse in real life). Anyways, I have stripped the wallpaper, painted the trim white, and now am not sure what to do? What color should I do the walls? And what about lighting? I would like it to look bright and cheerful. Thanks!
Hi Laura!
It sounds like you've already been hard at work, and all you really need is a few inexpensive cosmetic changes. I'll also throw in a few fantasy hallway photos just for fun and inspiration.
FURNITURE:
I love that you have the dresser in the hallway. It's a great place to stash the things you need as you head in and head out of the house. It's great that you keep fresh flowers there to welcome people. I would suggest a mirror to reflect light and make the space seem bigger, and for the practical purpose of checking your face before you dash out!
What other items do you stash near the door? If the front door is your main entry, you may want to accessorize with an umbrella stand and a coat rack.
RUG:
If you are not nuts about your floor but don't want to go to the large expense of replacing it, you can break it up with a nice long runner. Since this is a high-traffic area, you certainly don't want stark white! I'd recommend jute with a border or a Persian rug.
LIGHTING:
You can go with some modern track lighting all the way down that long hallway (track lighting has come a long way since the '80s, I'll include some pictures below). You can also get much more brighter and stylish in front of the doors. If the very thought of track lighting is still giving you Miami Vice flashbacks, think about strategically placed sconces (side note: I was just at the Atlanta RE-Store yesterday and they were loaded with sconces and pendents; they even had some gorgeous seconds from fancy-schmancy Circa Lighting. Leave no stone unturned in your quest for lighting bargains.). The bureau in the hallway is a great spot for a small table lamp for some cozier light.
COLOR:
OK, onto color. Obviously this has to do with your personal preferences. Personally, I love a white staircase with a black banister and black runners - My staircase right now is exactly like yours and I look at it and dream that it's black and white. This is not necessary though, and I'm not sure how stark white will look with that floor. I'm also wondering if it's possible to paint that floor?
For WALL COLOR, you will probably have to be consistent up the stairs and down the hall, so it's important to find something you love. Get samples from the paint store and paint big swaths of the colors you are considering next to each other. Make sure to check them out throughout the day until it's dark out to see what they look like in different light - scribble notes atop them in pencil like "too green in daylight" or "dreary after dark". Give it a few days and exploit everyone who comes over for their opinions!
I think to go with your floor you should go with a warm neutral. You can keep it light, and then use a very, very light, just barely off-white trim. Here are some Ideabooks that show off some of these colors:
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/23031/list/A-Touch-of-Gray
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/10200/list/Neutral-Territory
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2839/list/Soft-Lines-and-Neutral-Colors--The-Best-of-Contemporary-Style
ARTWORK:
Staircases are a great opportunity for showcasing artwork. It could be one big piece that really catches the eye, or a line of photographs, or a mix of all kinds of art all over the wall. Here are some Ideabooks I think will give you some ideas:
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/16547/list/Creating-Wall-Groupings-That-Wow
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/15640/list/ART-Arrangement-II
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/809/list/How-to-Arrange-Artwork-in-an-Artful-Way
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2685/list/You-Can-t-Miss-It--Oversized-Art
FRONT DOOR:
If you love the wood, great, stick with it. Otherwise, feel free to paint it to either a) go with the trim or b) be one element that really sticks out and adds color to the hallway. Dying for a swath of bright color? Use the door!
If you are trying to go for a more modern look and get more light, you could replace them with glass doors (likely frosted for privacy) - this is an extreme, and it is great you already have doors that let some light in. You also have room to add some small windows next to the door (provided that there are no structural pieces there).
STAIRCASE:
If you need to have a runner, I think it's a good idea to choose a runner that coordinates with the hallway runner. Think about how they will look when you walk in the front door and look up the stairs and down the hallway at the same time. Here's where I've been hoarding my favorite staircase images:
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2380/list/staircase-favorites
PHEW! That's all I've got for right now, but everyone, please add some of your favorite hallway/entryway images for Laura in the comments section!
More Helpful Ideabooks:
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/16827/list/Ten-Tips-to-Maximize-Functionality-of-Your-Entryway
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/20608/list/What-Does-Your-Front-Door-Say-
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1551/list/Come-On-In--Welcoming-and-Stylish-Entryways
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| |
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Laura's BEFORE picture (she has stripped the wallpaper)
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Laura's BEFORE picture - now the trim is white.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
This is a great example of how creative you can get with a staircase when you open your mind. For your purposes, look at how they painted the wood and the white.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Here is a black banister with the wood runners and white rises. It adds some style. So does that killer chandelier at the top of the stairs.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Check out how the mirror works almost like a window here. Also, while the two rugs are different, they work well together.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
If you ever want to go modern, this type of railing opens up the space.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
I am nuts for this floor! I picked this picture for your to show you the little candle stand with the vase on it.
by Amoroso Design
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Check out the light, the runner and that lovely trim. I know I recommended neutrals to go with your floor, but I am loving that green wall. Also, note the three boxes on the wall at the top.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
This is a perfect example of entryway elegance. A narrow console with a pair of lamps and a mirror could work next to your staircase if you want to switch up your look. This color may be a little dark for you if you want to light up your space, but it is ridiculously elegant!
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| I have NO IDEA what those things on the wall are - I always think they are bumblebees. Check out that Chippendale railing, and how the console brings the color into the room. |
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
A bench and mirror is another good furniture combination that can add so much personality to a hallway.
by Pierce Allen
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
This is your entryway on steroids, I mostly included it to show how light the room is and to show you that pendant light.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Check out this wonderful umbrella stand.
Someday you could add more windows surrounding your door to let the light in. Also, check out the sweet table lamp on the bureau.
by CWB Architects
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Check out how much this huge mirror opens up the space!
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Here's an example of some modern track lighting for a hallway. I know I advocated for a jute or Persian runner, but this rug is just too gorgeous not to include here!
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Here's an example of letting the door be the star of the room. The light is also a stunner. |
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Your hallway will never be dark with lighting like this!
This is just such perfection I had to throw it in. It also shows how you could add light colored trim all the way up the wall to the right of the stairs.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Love the rugs and the candle stand, as well as the windows around the door here.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Light fixture...
|
by Axis Mundi
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Seriously dramatic lighting! |
by The Locker
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
If you get totally bored with your stairs, there's always mice decals... ;)
How's about a ceramic animal (again ;) WINKWINK!)
This is my total fantasy hallway and reminds me of the movie from "The Money Pit." It's totally ridiculous to include it here, but I can't help myself from throwing it into any entryway Ideabook!
You can also incorporate a sculpture into the mix.
by CWB Architects
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
This mirror with a shelf is a great way to save shelf space let provide a spot to dig through your purse in a frantic search for car keys.
Comments
jessicaboese Great ideas! Here's my favorite... 
3 years ago · Like
Casart Coverings These are great! Have you thought about a stair mural or wallpaper that can be removed and reused seasonally on the risers? Might be a way to get the impact you want and the flexibility since it doesn't have to be permanent. 
3 years ago · Like
Anny Those stairs are awesome but I have to say Grunsfeld Shafer Architects have the most amazing lights. I would move a chair into that hallway just so I could constantly look at them :)
3 years ago · Like
InterDesign Studio Inlaid floor pattern, exterior stone and Asian inspired bronze furniture pieces enliven this foyer. 
3 years ago · Like
InterDesign Studio Inset custom carpets, Barcelona Stools and bright artwork greet visitors when entering this foyer. 
3 years ago · Like
Susan Jay Design No matter what size your Entry is, it should have a little "wow" factor so it's fun to come home to and let people in to! 
3 years ago · Like
· 
1
1
laurahahe Thanks Becky! This idea book is great! There are a lot of great tips in here! I especially like the idea of jute rugs, as well as painting the banister black. We just finished painting, planning to hang the mirror tomorrow, and then it is on to shopping! Once again, thanks so much!
3 years ago · Like
Becky Harris You're welcome! Please share the "after" shots with us when you are done.
3 years ago · Like
Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel Hi Laura, If you're still working on your entry, I just posted idea books on entries and stairways. Best of luck!
3 years ago · Like
Ideabook updated on March 23, 2010.
What are you working on?
News From Our Partners
Latest Ideabooks
People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
View over a million photos:
basements · bedrooms · dining rooms · entries · family rooms · garage and sheds · halls · home offices · landscapes · laundry rooms · powder rooms · wine cellars and more.
