Styling your hallway

The hallway. Overseer of dog walks, keeper of today's post, caretaker of coats and car keys, hoarder of boots and observer of the finest hugged hellos – and bittersweet goodbyes. It's often the most overlooked of spaces – a transient place for kicking off shoes and passing through to somewhere altogether more convivial.

But a hallway should be much more than that. Transform yours with intentional design into a stylish, welcoming room that sets the tone for the rest of your home and makes each room flow effortlessly together.

Feature storage

Console tables are the obvious choice for a hallway – narrow and elegant, with just enough space for a lamp, some flowers or a treasured photo. But if yours is wide enough, think about a more practical storage solution – a potboard, a boot room bench or a chest of drawers all marry function and form.

"Console tables and hallways are natural bedfellows," says Holloways interior designer Annie Blackledge. "And if you can source one with several drawers, or a useful basket, then so much the better.

"It's easy for a hallway to become a dumping ground for paperwork, keys, trainers – you name it. But keeping a clear and ordered hallway is welcoming for guests and calming for everyone who lives there. Storage is key to that, so there's no reason why a beautifully-designed chest of drawers shouldn't find its home there."

Think about introducing additional seating with a chest or boot room bench – useful for pulling boots on before a walk, or when you're waiting for tardy teenagers.

Mirrors

Hallways are often narrow spaces lacking natural light, and a mirror will create the illusion of light and space.

"A mirror will naturally open up the space by maximising whatever light you have," says Victoria Twinberrow, Neptune by Holloways design specialist. "A well-placed mirror will also offer glimpses of the surrounding rooms, giving guests a taste of what's to come in your home. And it'll make your hallway seem wider and brighter – as well as giving you the chance to check your appearance on the way out of the front door."

Flooring

The flooring you choose in your hallway informs the whole design of the space. In a period townhouse, you might be lucky enough to have an ornate tiled floor. Flagstones are perfectly suited to country homes. Sisal is a great choice for busy family homes, while pale wood-effect planks will give the illusion of light and space in contemporary hallways. A rug or runner will make it feel dressed.

"Depending on your flooring, the type of runner you choose can really bring your whole scheme together," says Victoria. "And the level of traffic will determine the material. I love Weaver Green's collection of washable runners, made from recycled plastic bottles. And Anta's gorgeous Highland-inspired designs – made to measure to perfectly fit your space – in wool bound with leather or linen are classically elegant."

We love: The deep emerald hues of Anta's Peacock runner, bound in coral

Go big or go bold

If you're going to steer away from safe neutrals, the hallway is a good place to do it. Playful pops of colour in your choice of paint or wallpaper will give energy to the space, creating a welcoming, vibrant room.

Yellow oozes confidence. Green is calming – reminiscent of the natural world and the changing landscape outside. Vivid blues bring elegance and energy. Similarly, vertical stripes will draw your eye towards the ceiling, creating an illusion of height.

"Don't be afraid to experiment with bold, confident colours," says Holloways interior designer Annie Blackledge. "Especially in hallways which don't always have much natural light.

"While a soft white or calming neutral might be the safe choice, a bold printed wallpaper or vibrant colour can make it feel brighter and bigger and inject a real sense of fun. Remember to keep accessories and furniture pared back if you're using a bold, busy wallpaper."

We love: Cole & Son's vibrant wallpaper collections – you'll find them in the Holloways Interior Design Studio

Discover: Read how to use colour to make small rooms look bigger in our Journal

Artwork

Just because a hallway is a transitional space doesn't mean it shouldn't be dressed with art and accessories as you would any other room.

"Walk around the space," says Annie. "You'll feel the natural spots for art to hang – above a console table, on the narrow wall next to a window or even propped up on a table against a wall. Or hang photographs and artwork gallery-style, up a staircase.

"Don't be afraid to mix and match contemporary frames with more ornate pieces. Done well, it can be a real focal point and a fabulous reflection of your family's personality. Lamps, plants, candles and treasured photos add a homely touch to hallways, making them spaces you want to linger in rather than just walk through."

We love: Neptune's Seascape prints and Abstract Scene collection, on display in our showrooms

Workable spaces

The space under the stairs can be more than just a cupboard for the vacuum cleaner and the wine racks. Forgoing extra storage and opening up the space can create an altogether more useful area, from a home office to a compact library.

Discover: Holloways dining tables made to last a lifetime