Not everyone can boast a large corridor. Usually the hallway is either narrow and long, or small square. And to make such a space comfortable and “roomy”, at least visually, is not easy. But probably.
The purpose of the hallway and design
Content
The entrance hall is a unique place in any apartment or house. There is no way around him. And the owners, and numerous guests, and relatives, crossing the threshold of your house, will certainly find themselves in the hallway. Therefore, along with the living room, the corridor should be, as they say, at a height.
However, meeting guests is not the only destination of your corridor. There are a couple more fundamental points. For example, in the hallway, as a rule, there is a wardrobe. They put in it those things that are currently being worn, and those for which the season has not yet arrived. Proper arrangement of the wardrobe will not “steal” the space, but, on the contrary, will be able to visually expand it. For example, in the case of the correct arrangement of mirrors.
A mini warehouse is also about the corridor. For many, it is in the hallway that there is a pantry in which there is a place for everything: from nails to cans with home canning.
The redistribution function is another purpose of the corridor. And we are not surprised that the entrance hall is so "rich" in entrances and exits. After all, it is from her that you can get into the hall, into the kitchen or into the combined bathroom.
But besides this, the hallway can be the very place where you will wipe your dog's paws after a walk, dry umbrellas, talk on the phone and leave dirty shoes for at least a short while.
And so that all these functions are combined in one hallway, it is necessary to correctly combine furniture and decoration. Considering this:
- the number of square meters of the hallway;
- shape (narrow and long or small square);
- ceiling height (future design will largely depend on this indicator);
- how smooth the surface of the walls (this will affect the choice of materials);
- the presence or absence of natural light (for example, in narrow corridors, the glossy surface of the walls is not the most suitable option without natural light);
- what is the likelihood of severe contamination of the hallway;
- the presence of furniture in the hallway, its style;
- Finally, your comfort and aesthetic satisfaction should be the determining factor.
Hallway Design Recommendations
There are several simple but very effective ways to turn a narrow space into a hallway, in which there is enough space for everyone and everything.
First of all, let's talk about decor. A narrow hallway is not a reason to refuse your beloved cute decorative gizmos.Even quite the opposite, with their help you can visually change the space. For example, lighting. Modern technologies and materials make it possible to roam the most daring fantasies. Lamps are built into cabinets and shelves, quietly installed on walls at different heights.
Do not forget about the pictures. The opinion that a painting located on a wall in a narrow corridor “steals” space is a mistake. The main thing is to choose the plot and frame correctly. Do not use massive gilt “edging”, but rather give preference to laconic thin strips, so fashionable today.
Finally, the floor. A long carpet or a small rug with an interesting ornament will appropriately complement the room. In addition to the practical function, the rug or track will also fulfill an aesthetic purpose, so you should choose not just the right size, but also the color and style of the accessory.
Wallpaper for a narrow corridor
Color
Perhaps it is the color scheme of the wallpaper that plays a key role in the design of a narrow living room. Therefore, you need to choose especially carefully.
First, discard the dark tones. In the most extreme case, if you can’t do without them, beat the “blackness” with white doors or decorative elements on the walls. Only under such conditions, dark colors have the right to occupy a place in a narrow hallway.
Secondly, even with bright, life-affirming colors, one should be careful not to fill all the space with them. Dilute the bright color with moderate pastel shades.
Thirdly, the drawing is chosen with special attention. For example, remember that vertical stripes will make the narrow corridor even narrower, while horizontal stripes will create the appearance of a large hallway.
Fourthly, it is possible to combine two contrasting colors in one hallway will be the most correct decision in your case. Thus, it is possible to solve a practical problem (to place a darker shade on the most branded side) and aesthetic (light colors will visually add a couple of square meters). Bright combinations are a very effective option.
Well, and finally, fifthly, the decoration material for the walls should be in tune with the overall decoration of the apartment and floor in the hallway.
Texture
As a rule, the entrance hall in a house or apartment is a place subject to pollution. This is where you go from the street in shoes and outerwear. So, it makes sense to use a wall finish that could be washed or cleaned without harming the surface. Please note that there is a special sign on each wallpaper that indicates how cleaned they may be. Some “stand” only soft damp cleaning, while others can be cleaned even with special tools. Therefore, carefully read the composition and recommendations for using the wallpaper.
So, we begin to consider possible options.
- Washable vinyl wallpaper.
One of the most suitable options for the design of the corridor. High-quality material is wear-resistant, easily withstands mechanical stress and is even washed using means. But if you decide to glue such wallpapers yourself, remember that when applying the glue they expand a little, and after drying they narrow, so the result may be a “mismatch” of the pieces. Given this fact, washable vinyl wallpaper will solve the issue of decorating the hallway to "excellent." Even light colors will look presentable for a long time, thanks to the ability to wash the wallpaper. By the way, if you consider yourself to be lovers of everything new and original, then opt for silk-coated vinyl wallpapers. For the interior of a narrow corridor, such wallpapers are a great choice, and in order to give them a presentable look, it is enough just to “walk” with a wet sponge.
- Cullets.
A relatively new type of finishing materials, but has already earned universal recognition. First of all, it is distinguished by environmental friendliness and reliability. In addition, cullets are known for their fire safety and durability. With their help, you can regularly update the design of the hallway, as they are resistant to solvents and can be repainted more than once. Finally, if you are a pet lover, then this wallpaper perfectly transfers both the claws of cats and the teeth of dogs. And your hallway will delight you with a refined appearance for a long time.
- Cork wallpaper.
This is also relatively new material. It is a solid paper base on which a thin layer of cork is applied. As a rule, cork wallpapers are recommended for rooms where there is good lighting, because the cork has the ability to absorb light.
- Liquid wallpaper.
This beloved by many option has an impressive list of advantages. Unlike the above finishing materials, this wallpaper is applied with a spatula, and therefore the wall coating has no joints at all. This surface is usually cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. And if a layer of special varnish is applied over liquid wallpaper, then the walls can be washed with a damp sponge and even use detergents.
- Fabric wallpaper.
This option has a paper base, and a textile layer on top. This is a truly luxurious solution for the hallway, in addition, textile wallpapers also have excellent thermal insulation properties. And, despite the high cost of this finishing material, the price-quality ratio is quite justified.
- Non-woven wallpaper.
Strength, durability and excellent appearance - it is for this material that has gained wide popularity. It is on the non-woven wallpaper that a deep drawing is created, so necessary for small rooms. And thanks to this finish, the corridor does not look tiny anymore.
- Paper wallpaper.
The most budget option, but this is perhaps the only advantage. Such wallpapers can be glued on their own without involving professional craftsmen.But their service life is very short, therefore, choosing paper wallpaper, you will have to sharpen your wall gluing skills over and over again.
- 3D wallpaper.
This is real know-how. Today their range is truly huge and allows you to choose the option for any hallway.
A little secret: by combining expensive cork wallpapers with cheap paper, you are guaranteed to get an interesting design and significantly save on expensive finishing materials.
As you can see, the range of finishing materials for the hallway is quite large and there is plenty to choose from. So, your little hallway is not a sentence at all, it is up to you to change the situation. The answer to the question: “Is it possible to make a narrow hallway stylish and comfortable!”, Is obvious. Of course yes. To do this, you will have to make more efforts, and maybe just entrust the solution to the issue to professional designers. And then, despite its modest size, the hallway will become a place where you don’t want to leave even the most luxurious living room.
VIDEO: Design of a narrow corridor. How to fool space.