In past centuries, hallways didn't exist. Houses were laid out in interconnected rooms, and people simply moved from one room to another. It wasn't until the 19th century that long, narrow hallways became popular in homes to provide privacy: now one could move freely through a house without having to pass through private rooms.
After a time when long, narrow hallways were the enemy to be defeated in renovations because they took away square footage from other rooms, many interior designers who like to go against the grain believe that these transitional spaces, often without natural light, should be seen as an opportunity, both decorative and spatial.
They provide a moment of reflection before entering the spacious, well-lit rooms, giving rhythm to the flow of movement within a home. Furthermore, in historic houses, preserving long hallways highlights the original architecture. Let's celebrate long, narrow hallways with these stylish ideas.
The floors of long corridors are (almost always) covered with carpets
A graphic print in blue and white works perfectly in any long hallway; in this case, the white walls allow the ceiling moldings to shine in all their glory. The hallway often seems to be considered a secondary space in many homes, a passageway that doesn't receive much attention. But that, as we can see, is changing. Furthermore, in long hallways, you can achieve great visual results with very little effort.
The rug in the image has a geometric design with a thick pile in a warm color that complements the floor and provides comfort. In conclusion, adding a rug to long hallways helps improve acoustics and adds warmth.
Add a place to sit
Placing seating in a hallway breaks up its length and makes the space more inviting. This could be a built-in bench, a chair by the entrance for taking off your shoes, or a beautiful antique bench. Experts say that adding a nice piece of furniture to a hallway creates a focal point that visually rhythmizes long corridors.
In this spectacular Roman-style house in shades of blue, we see a backlit, inverted arched niche in the hallway woodwork, perfect for seating. At the far end, a plaster head of a child by Domino Glendening serves as decoration. Custom-made wooden cabinets and doors transform this hallway into an extension of the house. The herringbone wood flooring here needs no embellishment; it already provides the necessary aesthetic.
A spectacular hallway in a colorful 60 m2 apartment in Paris. © Didier Delmas.
Dare to wear a dark and deep color
Be bold and enhance the long hallways in your home with vibrant colors. Even if it's a passageway and/or lacks natural light, you can still opt for color and texture. Wood paneling is another great option. In the hallway of this Parisian home, the bluish-gray color adds drama; the wall sconces, an IKEA model from the 1980s, will provide texture at night. Interestingly, the owners wanted to preserve the original layout of the house.
Corridor with herringbone wood floor and illuminated niche for seating. © Gianni Franchellucci.
“The interior consisted of a succession of small rooms connected by a single, long corridor, something that reminded the owners of the typical elongated houses of Normandy,” explains Thibaut Picard, the architect in charge of the project. “Like a luxury train, the corridor leads to the rooms, which follow one another along the same side in a long vista enlivened by an arched opening that leads to the office.”.
Hallway with herringbone wood flooring and walls in shades of blue. © Gianni Franchellucci
Source: https://www.revistaad.es/
