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7 Smart Uses For Your Hall
Use This Often-Forgotten Space for Art, Books and Handy Storage
I started JASON BALL interiors out of a passion for the design and building process. For me, it's all about learning about my clients and creating a personalized space that fits the way they live.
I started JASON BALL interiors out of a passion for the design and building... More »
The hallway gives us some interesting design possibilities. Whether you have a grand home with acres of hall, or a smaller vintage home with small halls, there are many potential uses of this often-forgotten area of interior real estate. Here are seven to get you started:
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1. Family photos. Probably the most common use of a hallway is as a family portrait gallery. To really make a statement, consider using all black and white photos. Or, if using color photographs, use all the same frame for a cohesive look. And, most important, don't forget lighting. Treat the area as a gallery and bring in some way to highlight the walls (see next picture for a perfect example of how to do this).
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Tip: For your ever-growing family, use narrow picture shelves and standard sized frames so you can rotate pictures on a regular bases.
| 2. Art. A hallway sometimes has the largest, uninterrupted wall space in a home and is a perfect locale for a home-based art gallery. This hallway art gallery provides a destination spot for visitors to view the homeowner's prized art. A simple and straightforward monorail lighting system highlights all the art in an appropriate manner. |
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| This example shows how to use your art collection to create a dramatic statement. Ink sketches are highlighted with simple matting, and silver-leafed and black frames. |
by Amoroso Design
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3. Patterns. The challenge of a hallway is that it's not really an enclosed space and it leads to other rooms. So, instead of ignoring it as part of the home's overall design, use it as a jumping off point for the rooms that lead off the hall. This black and white hallway works great since you can mix any color with scheme, making it a perfect lead-in to the other rooms.
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4. Books. Not many of us have enough books to fill an entire library. A hallway is a great location for a smaller library. And, since books don't take up much room (front to back), it can be easy to fit one in.
Tip: The shelves don't always have built-in. If you're going to incorporate bookshelves into your hallway, just make sure they look like furniture, rather than temporary, fold-up shelving that is so prevalent.
Tip: The shelves don't always have built-in. If you're going to incorporate bookshelves into your hallway, just make sure they look like furniture, rather than temporary, fold-up shelving that is so prevalent.
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by Mandy Brown
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| 5. Drop zone. While most mudrooms are self-contained rooms, this hallway, with built-in cabinetry, bench and storage galore, is transformed into a perfect entry and exit into the home. The key to make this work is to make sure all the surfaces are durable and cleanable. The diagonal tile floor also helps "widen" the room visually. |
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6. Storage. If you so happened to be blessed with a wide hallway near bedrooms, it's a perfect opportunity to build a linen storage cabinet. This vintage home is given a great linen closet with some true style, and even some decorative shelves for display purposes.
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7. Storage with display space. Now it's time to combine some of the ideas from the above examples. This set of narrow cabinetry provides additional storage in this narrow hallway and a display area to highlight the family's treasured trinkets and pictures. The lighting design in this hall is done perfectly, providing true gallery-like lighting.
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| If you're daring, bring in some drama with a bold color choice. This example of a hallway library takes it up a notch. The arched red openings provide a perfect resting place for artifacts collected in your travels, while the shelves below create a small home library. I really want to just grab a book off these shelves and reminisce about my latest travel adventure.
More: Design at the End of the Hall 8 Ideas for a Small Entry |
Ideabook published on June 10, 2011.
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