HALL
I am always amazed how much time I spend with clients in the Hall, in the course of a whole house consultation. So start here when exploring Hall Design Ideas for your home!
- STORAGE: You want the space to be welcoming, so try to keep visible clutter to a minimum. Can coats, bags and shoes be accommodated elsewhere, or out of sight? Your under-stairs area may need to work hard to make this happen! Regular culling and editing of jackets, season by season, will help.
- CONVENIENCE: Provide somewhere to drop keys and post near the door – but not so near that keys can be grabbed easily by an opportunistic thief. Place the alarm control panel in the Hall also, if possible. Make sure to provide sockets for welcoming table lamps.
- LIGHT: Maximise natural light with a strategically placed mirror. If you have a natural timber front door, door, boost light levels by painting the door. Allow for welcoming, soft light at night, with dimmer switches or a table lamp. Ceiling lights can be oppressive in what is often a restricted space. Consider recessed down-lighters as an alternative.
- FLOORING: Think in terms of dirt management! If you have a timber or tiled floor, make sure to fit a recessed mat-well with a removable mat. Visitors will automatically wipe their feet on a strategically placed mat. A long rug or runner along the length of the Hall will act as your second line of defence in the war on dirt. The runner will help soften the acoustics also.
- RADIATORS: The radiator frequently poses a visual problem in the Hall. Consider replacing an unsightly radiator with one that you love. Contemporary, school-house type radiators look great here. hey make a great alternative to a radiator cover, which can be bulky in any Hall. A wall mounted console table or shelf over an unsighlty radiator can provide storage for keys etc, as well as minimising the visual effect of the offending radiator.
- COAT STORAGE: Where coat storage outside of the Hall is not possible, hang hooks at a height that works for coats but that is below eye level. Hooks at about 120 centimetre above the floor will accommodate most jackets and coats comfortably. Add a narrow shelf over for candles and small plants. Artwork or a mirror overhead will create a pleasing welcome at eye level.
- FACTS: Our Hall faces West and measures 1.34m wide x 1.47m deep. It’s a small space, functioning more as a draught lobby than somewhere to linger.
- FLOORING: The white terrazzo floor has a recessed mat well with removable coconut hair rug. This is the first part of our dirt management system.
- STORAGE: A wall mounted console table has drawers for keys, hats, gloves and dog accessories. The table is 134cm wide x 15cm deep with the top fitted 76cm above the floor level. The table and walls are made of birch ply. Lots of plants and pictures on the console table prevent clutter gathering.
- COAT STORAGE: The Guest Bathroom is off the Hall, where we store coats and shoes. An informal shoe-free policy for residents and visiting children helps keep dust and dirt levels down.
- LIGHT: Glass doors to both the exterior and the living room allow maximum light. It’s a mews house, so there are no privacy issues.
- FLEXIBILITY: Our Hall usefully functions also as the dog’s bedroom at night.
- ALARM PANEL: The alarm panel is in the main part of the house, not the hall, so it can be a bit of a scramble to get to it before the alarm goes off.
- SOCKETS: I’d add a socket for plugging in a welcome table lamp or even special lights at Christmas.
- MAT: The coconut hair mat only absorbs surface mud, not wetness, I intend changing it for something more absorptive.
- LIGHT: It’s actually our only west facing space so we are considering lowering the console table to bench level so we can enjoy a cup of tea there in the evening sun!
