Boring Hallways
Q:
I'm fairly happy with the decorating I've done in my
living room, dining room, and bedroom, but I have a corner of a hallway
that is just blah. The hallway has a turn in it, and it's too small to
really make use of, yet every time I pass through, I think I should try to
do something with it. Any suggestions?
 A: Once
you've made the big decorating moves you want in your home, you often will
start noticing the smaller spots that still are in desperate need of
assistance. The living room and bath may both be gorgeous, but getting
from one to the other might make for a very dull trip because of the
hallway decor.
Bear in mind that the more common problem in
decorating is over-doing it; the eye needs a place to rest for a moment,
and a bit of blank wall space or a corner where there is just nothing can
sometimes work wonders in terms of clarifying a room's look. But while
every corner of a home doesn't need to be decorated, sometimes a spot just
calls for a bit of attention.
First, make sure the hallway is one
of these places. Try hanging a series of small decorative plates, or small
paintings in frames, on the wall, and see if that feels too busy. Several
tiny pieces will brighten up the space without bullying it the way one big
picture might.
Such little places can be especially fun to
decorate, as you can break free from the moods you've created in your
other rooms. The hallway or staircase can be a place you don't have to
link with color, texture, or style, but of course you can echo these
elements from other rooms if you want to.
| For small spots, something Japanese-inspired
often works, because you don't want to overwhelm the space with
anything too big or bulky. Installing a shelf with a few small
Japanese porcelain pieces, one of them a vase with a few curling
bare branches, may do just the trick in terms of bringing life to an
otherwise dull corner |
You could also try just one vase with a
small bunch of fresh flowers. This will literally bring life to the spot,
and again, without overwhelming it.
Another hallway design idea is
to look up: hanging something from the ceiling can be an excellent way of
brightening a corner where there isn't room for installing a piece of
furniture, even a small one. A mobile, wind chimes, or a small decorative
kite handing from the ceiling will provide interest without taking up
precious floor space.
While hallways are a necessary connection
between the rooms of your house, there's no need for the trip through them
to be uninspiring. With a little work, you'll find interesting and unique
ways to spice up your hallway's decor, making it feel much more welcoming. |
