7 Hallway Decor Mistakes To Avoid

Hallways are often overlooked when it comes to decorating your home, yet they play a significant role in setting the tone for your space. 

As the first area guests see when they enter your home, a well-designed hallway can make a strong first impression. In this blog, we explore 10 common hallway decor mistakes that might be keeping this space from reaching its full potential.

1. Forgetting storage

It’s easy for an entryway to become littered with clutter like shoes, bags, keys, mail, and jackets. To avoid this build-up, the addition of storage solutions is key. Consider incorporating slimline console tables with drawers to keep keys and letters. A narrow shoe rack or storage ottoman can also help keep shoes out of sight and maintain a tidy, welcoming space.

2. Ignoring lighting

Many hallways don’t have windows, so incorporating multiple light sources is crucial to brightening the space. An overhead light can feel harsh and unwelcoming, consider wall scones, a floor lamp, or a side lamp to bring warmth into the space. Not only is it practical but it offers another decorative element.

3. Choosing bulky furniture

As mentioned, an entryway can benefit from storage furniture but try to avoid anything too bulky. As hallways are quite narrow, large furniture pieces can end up disrupting the flow. Consider narrow consoles, floating shelving, or wall-mounted storage solutions that save floor space and keep the area open and accessible.

4. Neglecting the flooring

As hallways are busy spaces where guests walk through with their shoes on, it’s important to be considerate with floor choice. Dark wood or patterned tiles are excellent options, as they conceal marks or mud from the outside, and are easy to mop and maintain. Light carpets, on the other hand, are best avoided since they quickly show wear and are more difficult to clean.

5. Leaving walls empty

When it comes to home decor in your hallways, don’t forget to liven up your walls with wall art and prints. Strive for a balanced approach, bare walls can feel like the space has been neglected whilst overloading can create visual clutter. Alternatively, consider choosing a statement wallpaper, it can really ‘wow’ guests as they enter your home.

6. Ignoring the ceiling

Introducing subtle details to your hallway ceiling like crown molding or statement light fixture is a great way to add character to the space. For a particularly narrow hallway, consider using a lighter paint color on the ceiling to add height and openness.

7. Not thinking about practicality 

Whilst the aesthetics of this space are important, hallways and entryways need to be practical and fit for use. Choose durable, easy-to-clean materials for floors and walls. It’s worth investing in wipeable or water-resistant paint for this space as it’s a high-traffic area, or introducing a slightly darker colour paint option. Make sure you include enough wall-mounted hooks or pegboards as they’re ideal for hanging coats, bags, and umbrellas without taking up floor space. A practical entryway should avoid excess decor or unnecessary items that create clutter. Streamline items to just the essentials for a clean, functional look.