NARROW HALLWAYS

How to tackle a narrow hallway

The definition of a hallway is a passage that links one space or room to another. Traditionally, hallways were not designed as places to linger or dwell and are usually narrow as a result, often lacking in natural light.

With a little imagination and creativity, narrow hallways can actually contribute to a designer interior. If your hallway is dark as well as narrow, the simplest antidote is to use a light paint colour across all surfaces, including the woodwork and the ceiling. Farrow & Ball’s Cornforth or Paint & Paper Library’s Fuji are perfect shades, as they reflect any light and appear to push the walls outwards, rather than draw them closer.

You could try giving the illusion of more hallway width by using a dado rail to separate the walls into two sections. Painting a darker colour at the bottom and a lighter colour above works especially well if you can incorporate the wall at the end of a hallway.

While interior designers love to add interest with pattern, a narrow hallway is one place we would advise against it. Busy wallpaper can make a narrow hallway feel more enclosed than it actually is, so opt for something plain.  

Don’t forget what you put on the floor also matters. A heavily-patterned carpet can make a hallway feel gloomy, while a runner will only serve to elongate thin, narrow proportions.

While tempting to avoid furniture in a narrow hallway, a few key items will stop the space feeling like a hotel corridor. Opt for shallow console tables and low benches that don’t feel too blocky or bulky. Look for slimline proportions, elegant spindle legs and open framework designs.

When property styling, mirrors are always a useful design tool. When faced with a narrow hallway, I recommend a large mirror is hung close to the largest source of natural light – be that a front door or a first floor window. The light amplification and reflection will help open up the space. 

Finally, and perhaps most simply, the illusion of a wider hallway can be created by keeping room doors open so glimpses of bigger spaces are seen. Failing that, solid internal doors can be replaced with fully- or partially-glazed versions so there is an impression of depth even when the doors are shut.