The hallway is the gateway to all the other rooms in our home but is often overlooked when it comes to both décor and functionality. Any hallway design should encompass day-to-day needs such as hanging coats, storing footwear and providing easy (but secure!) access to door and car keys, whilst ideally incorporating that wow factor. Hallway furniture and storage in particular are often challenging, especially for narrow hallways or awkwardly shaped spaces, however, if you are looking for hallway ideas and inspiration on a stunning transformation, look no further than our talented uFurnish.com Home Awards entrants.
Explore the Entrants' Rooms
Whatever sized space you have to work with, decorating a hallway is perhaps a bit more challenging than any other room. It is usually a connecting space providing access to other rooms downstairs via doors and, if you live on more than one level, a staircase to other floors, up or down. This could create a tricky design proposition to ensure complimentary design, however, we had such a variety of entries this year – small and large, modern and period, colourful and monochrome – proving that a bit of creativity can go a really long way to produce both the functionality and form you need.
Our category winner, Natasha Landers (@untillemonsrsweet), used a mixture of strong colour for the woodwork, neutral walls and cleverly chosen artwork to create a welcoming yet practical space. The flooring was upcycled from a sports court and blends beautifully with the colour palette and the disco ball on the ceiling is a witty addition that marries well with the Sputnik light! Artwork up the stairs draws the ground and first floors together, as does the striking patterned carpet. A wooden shoe storage cupboard fits perfectly into what normally would be dead space in a hallway, minimising clutter and toning with the overall décor.
The runner-up in this category, Claire Champion (@charnwoodtowers), proved that even on a budget you can create a very polished result. The striking stair runner beautifully offsets the polished parquet floor and complements the patterned floor tiles, whilst an upcycled vintage screen was transformed into a window blind. Useful storage was created by hand-painting some IKEA cupboards, whilst a mirror and artwork resonate with the overall look and decorative cacti add an exotic twist to this makeover.
Another finalist, Laura Magee (@deco.dwelling), has created a clean, sharp look with painted wood panelling that extends all the way up the stairs and onto the first floor, along with painted black bannisters. This dark green is a bold choice that might make the hallway gloomy, but the light carpet and white upper walls create a spectacular result. Funky light fittings, select but bold wall art and a console table with a 60s vibe finish off this look really well. Laura has also tied this strong colour scheme into the downstairs rooms that offset each other well when the door is open.
Whilst many of our entrants opted for block colours, Laura Davies (@leopard_print_stairs) really embraced pattern with this incredible leopard print carpet that extends up the stairs and onto the first floor of the house. Whilst blending beautifully with the original wooden floor downstairs, such a strong pattern could have been difficult to match, so a predominantly black and white palette was employed elsewhere. Black and white pictures fill the wall space between floors and simple black and white painted doors on the understairs cupboard complete the main décor. A brass and glass globe pendant light downstairs works so well with the carpet whilst several potted plants add to the jungle feel.
Our last finalist, Sarah Ellis (@thelocationhouse), had this spectacular grand hallway to work with – very high ceilings and a mezzanine level - so lots of space to fill! The intricate ceiling, balcony, panelling and architraves have been painted with dark accents, with the majority of the walls in a lighter colour. Neutral sofas, a gilt mirror and gilt detailing work well with the stone flooring. Sarah has really embraced the importance of where the hallway leads to, ensuring that an open door from the hallway décor flows beautifully into the other rooms.
Styles seen across Entrants' Rooms
Overall, this year’s entrants seemed more willing to embrace strong colours in their hallways than in other rooms around the home. There was also a strong contingent of quite theatrical and show-stopping entries, whether themed or via accent items, including lighting. We saw lots of clever storage solutions, whether under stairs or standalone furniture – a key functionality for a hallway but often challenged by size or layout!
What we love at uFurnish.com
It was clear from the range of entries we received this year that many were prepared to be a bit more adventurous in decorating their hallway and we felt a strong sense of personality and individualism coming through in the décor. Perhaps as the hallway is generally a space through which one passes rather than stopping and sitting, people felt emboldened to be more dramatic? – whatever the reason, we loved it!
How to apply these styles in your home
Whatever the size of your home, hallways can often be awkwardly shaped spaces – long and narrow or with peculiar angles. In addition to these challenges, they are a route to somewhere, whether that is your kitchen, cloakroom, sitting room, dining room or your upstairs spaces. This means that there will always be people passing through this area, so there is a strong element of practicality required, though this doesn’t mean you can’t be bold in your colour choices! Whatever your budget, before choosing a colour scheme, think about the following:
1. Storage requirements
- Shoe storage is essential to avoid clutter, especially around stairs that could be a hazard
- Coat hanging space: Do you have space for a standalone cupboard or coat stand?
- Key storage: Whether you opt for hooks, a bowl or a key box, make sure it’s in a secure location
2. Furniture
- Do you have space for seating to help take outdoor shoes off and on?
- Would a console table fit into your design?
3. Lighting
- Does your hallway have natural light?
- Do you need both ceiling lighting and table lamps?
4. Mirrors & artwork
- Mirrors can add light and the feeling of space to any room (and are also useful for checking your appearance before leaving the house!)
- Artwork can be a great way to tie different floors of your home together as well as complimenting your colour scheme
Once you have a good idea of the layout and items you need in your hallway, think about the style and colour scheme. The age and design of your property will largely dictate the former but, as many of our entrants did this year, you might feel emboldened to go for a stronger colour palette or more patterns than you might otherwise. Consider whether you might opt for a less traditional patterned ceiling and plain walls or if you can incorporate existing panelling, plasterwork or original flooring into your design. Think about how your hallway will flow into other rooms, as you can absolutely have contrasting colour schemes but they need to be complimentary! Lastly, accessories such as light fittings, mirrors, wall art, vases and plants can be the finishing touches that bring your new look together, so take a look at how uFurnish.com can help you discover the items and styles you need, whatever your budget.
The spaces featured in the uFurnish.com Home Awards 2025 celebrate creativity, individuality and the many ways people shape their homes to reflect who they are. Each entrant offers inspiration that can be adapted to any style or budget, showing how thoughtful choices and clever details can transform everyday rooms. We hope these ideas inspire you to reimagine your own space and create a home you love spending time in.
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