La función principal de un pasillo es conectar las diferentes estancias de una casa para que las personas puedan desplazarse fácilmente de una a otra. Así que es fundamental que este ofrezca el espacio necesario para que el movimiento sea lo suficientemente cómodo y rápido. Lo cual limita en muchos casos sus posibilidades de decoración, ya que, en función de su tamaño, puede llegar a ser muy complicada la instalación de mobiliario y de adornos.
However, having a small hallway doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be boring or empty. And today at CULMIA, we’re going to prove it to you in this article, as we’ll give you some tips on how to decorate your narrow hallway.
Tips for Decorating a Narrow Hallway
As we just mentioned, always keep in mind that the purpose of a narrow hallway is to allow people to move between rooms. So you should always leave enough space so that both the people who live in the home and your guests can walk through it without any problems. This, of course, means clearing the way of any furniture or objects that might be in the way or get in the way.
With that in mind, here are some ideas that will be very helpful when decorating your narrow hallway.
Get to know the space you have well
Before you start decorating the hallway, take measurements and figure out how much space you have. In the case of a single-family home, it’s recommended that the hallway be at least 90 centimeters wide to allow for movement; however, the ideal width is one and a half meters so that people can move around easily without bumping into anything around them.
So make a mental note of these minimum dimensions and keep them in mind after taking your measurements, especially when thinking about how to decorate your hallway. In fact, this information will be very important for making decisions, such as when buying a piece of furniture or placing a decorative item, like a plant.
Light it properly
No matter how small and narrow your hallway is, if you light it properly, you can prevent it from feeling claustrophobic. Light will help eliminate shadows and improve the perception of the space, so you’ll need to make decisions based on whether it receives natural light or, conversely, is a space far from windows and balconies.
If your home is bright, try to keep the doors open so that light can reach the hallway, and opt for sheer curtains. You can also place mirrors in strategic spots to help reflect and amplify the sunlight that reaches the hallway.
On the other hand , if natural light barely reaches the hallway, you’ll need to consider other solutions. These include painting the walls and ceiling in light colors, such as white and beige, as well as installing overhead lights that cast light from above. The key here is to ensure the lighting is soft and pleasant, so it shouldn’t shine directly on people. That’s why you can choose recessed or concealed light fixtures, such as downlights, as well as energy-efficient LED spotlights.
Convey feelings through wallpaper
As we’ve just seen, you have the option of painting it in light colors. But another option is to use wallpaper with attractive, eye-catching designs. Choose the option you like best from among the many available (floral motifs, geometric shapes, faux finishes, artistic styles, typographic patterns, etc.); but always opt for soft colors and subtle patterns that aren’t overwhelming to the eye.
The built-in closet: a very functional option
A closet is always a very useful addition to a home’s entryway, because it allows us to keep clothes, shoes, and items we usually take with us when we go out—such as bags, wallets, umbrellas, etc.—within easy reach. So, if your home and budget allow it, you can try installing a built-in closet that doesn’t take up a single centimeter of space—quite the opposite: it actually helps you gain space in your home.
And if a built-in closet is completely out of the question, consider installing a narrow, shallow closet. For narrow hallways (about a meter and a half wide), the cabinet shouldn’t be more than 50 centimeters wide. So also make sure it has a sliding door, is painted in light colors, and includes a mirror to help create the brightness we mentioned earlier.
Decorate the walls appropriately
A hallway shouldn’t be boring, because you and the rest of the household will walk through it dozens of times a day. So don’t be afraid to put your own stamp on it by hanging paintings, photos, and decorative items that match your style. After all, it’s the perfect place to “show off” your paintings or crafts, or your favorite photos of your family and the trips you’ve taken.
To make the most of your space, wall shelves or display units are a great option for placing any of these items on both sides of the hallway. You can also choose narrow shelves or built-in furniture that fits well in the hallway and allows you to display items such as books or plants.
Place a rug that adds character to the hallway
A rug is a very affordable decorating option for this area of the house. There are countless designs to choose from, so they’ll help you personalize the hallway and also make it feel more spacious. In fact, if they have horizontal stripes, the hallway will appear wider than it actually is.
Plus, rugs make your home cozier and more comfortable, and they’re especially warm in the winter. Not to mention how useful they can be for separating spaces and creating different zones. That’s why they offer so many benefits that we can’t help but recommend them. Just remember to choose a non-slip rug to avoid the risk of tripping!
A rest area? Yes, that’s possible
As surprising as it may sound, a narrow hallway can also be a great place to put a small chair or stool—or even a small table—where you can sit down to read, put on your shoes, or simply relax. What’s more, there are benches and storage baskets that include built-in storage space, so you can also use them as small storage units.
Planters to Bring “Life” to Your Narrow Hallway
Plants can also thrive in this part of the house, but only if they are indoor species that don’t require a lot of light or adequate ventilation to stay healthy. In these cases, both the design of the vase or planter will contribute to the hallway’s decor, while the plant itself will add a very natural look and bring vitality to a space that, given its characteristics, will benefit from it.
Decorating a narrow hallway is easy if you know how to do it
As you’ve just seen from our tips, decorating a narrow hallway is easy if you have a clear idea of the space you have available and focus on certain aspects, such as lighting, color, and the functionality of the furniture. So we encourage you to put all these recommendations into practice… and you’ll see how you can achieve amazing results with very little effort!
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