Often our compatriots do not attach much importance to the design of such utilitarian premises as corridors, spaces near stairs and areas between flights of stairs. Some use leftover wallpaper, others simply paint the hallway surfaces one color. But any room in our home, be it a personal room or a small nook in the attic, is worthy of our attention and can serve as a canvas for realizing our desires in the field of space design. Even the most ordinary corridor can serve not only as a space that helps you get from one room to another, but also become an art object, serve a whole range of functional purposes and even become the highlight of the interior of your apartment or house.
If in standard city apartments with an old layout very small spaces are allocated for corridors, then in country houses or households located within the city, there is an opportunity to be creative when decorating utilitarian premises.
Before you start planning a hallway renovation, consider its functional rationale. Will this room serve only as an intermediary between rooms or perform any other functions? Perhaps you have enough space in the hallway to accommodate storage systems - open bookcases or chests of drawers. Maybe you'd like to display framed family photos or an art collection on the walls. Perhaps you brought cute souvenirs from different trips and simply have nowhere else to hang them, but the memory of your vacation is dear to you. The fact is that the choice of finishing for utilitarian premises depends on the answers to these questions.
What you need to consider when choosing options for finishing corridors and other utilitarian spaces:
- size and shape of the room;
- the location of the corridor in the space of the house (obviously, the hallway or the corridor following it will be subject to more pollution and mechanical stress than the corridor leading to the bedroom, for example);
- the presence of small children and pets (level of pollution, claws leaving marks on the walls, drawings by small artists on the wallpaper);
- the style of the entire house or apartment (if your entire apartment is decorated in a modern style, it will be strange to see a corridor in a country style or classicism);
- You need to decide whether you want the hallway to become part of the home's chosen color palette or to become an accent spot on the canvas of your home.
In this publication we would like to talk about design options for the walls of corridors, hallways and other utilitarian rooms. Examples of real design projects will help you not only present a complete picture of wall decoration options, but also consider ways of harmonious, creative or practical decoration.
Let's consider ways to decorate walls in corridors, spaces near stairs and hallways.
Wall panels are a practical, convenient and beautiful way to decorate surfaces
Wall panels are a finishing material that seems to be specially created for cladding corridors. They are easy to wash, easy to install yourself, and can be replaced if a cladding part fails. The color and texture options are varied; to install such cladding, it is not necessary to have perfectly smooth walls. Wall panels look respectable, but at the same time their cost is acceptable for most of our compatriots.
In terms of commercially available modifications of wall panels, there are three types:
- rack typesetting;
- tiled;
- leafy.
As the names themselves suggest, slatted panels are long, narrow rectangles of planks that are usually attached to a wooden sheathing. Tile panels are produced in the form of squares or wide rectangles, which can be attached either to the sheathing or glued directly to the wall. Sheet panels are made in a separate large piece. In order to hide the seams connecting individual sheets of panels, moldings can be used.
Currently, wall panels can be made from the following materials:
- natural wood;
- glass;
- plastic;
- drywall and gypsum vinyl;
The choice of one material or another for the manufacture of panels will depend on your financial capabilities, the size of the room and the requirements that you place on the color, texture and technological characteristics of the wall cladding.
By placing slatted wall panels horizontally, you can visually increase the space of the corridor. When placing the material vertically, a visual increase in the height of the room is obtained.
Very often in corridors you can find a combination of wall decoration using wall panels. The upper part of the vertical surfaces is covered with wallpaper, painted or decorated with decorative plaster, and the lower part is lined with wall panels. This method is not only practical and convenient, but also has an attractive appearance.
For a country-style home, wood panels will be the best choice for decorating the walls of corridors and other utilitarian rooms. By combining light wood for wall cladding and dark wood for flooring, you can visually enlarge the space.
Stacked slatted panels made of wood (or its artificial analogue) of various species, arranged in two tiers and in a chaotic order, create not only an interesting and textured appearance of the cladding, but also bring an element of home comfort and warmth into the cool atmosphere of a utilitarian room.
By decorating walls lined with wall panels, moldings, cornices and plaster stucco, you can get an excellent interior for a corridor or any other room in the classicist style.
Using embossed wall panels (or also called 3D panels), you can create an interesting accent wall design. Such surfaces do not need additional decor in the form of paintings or mirrors; they themselves are the subject of focusing attention. For lovers of original rigor in the interior and a minimum of decorations, this option can be a successful solution when choosing decor for the walls of the corridor.
Using wall panel finishing, you can imitate an almost limitless number of surfaces of various modifications. Stonework or brick wall, wooden slabs or ceramic tiles, mosaic or fresco - your imagination is limited only by your financial capabilities.
Wallpaper for the walls of the corridor - a classic of the genre
If some 15-20 years ago our compatriots did not have much choice when buying wallpaper, now you can simply drown in the assortment of stores offering repair products.
Simple paper wallpaper, which is not suitable for utilitarian premises due to the lack of ability to clean surfaces, has been replaced by new modern technologies:
- cork;
- vinyl;
- non-woven;
- quartz;
- metallized with embossing;
- liquid wallpaper;
- textile;
- glass wallpaper;
- photo wallpaper;
- linkrusta.
The most popular among Russian homeowners are vinyl wallpaper. This can be explained by several advantages of this type of wallpaper - they are easy to clean, resistant to mechanical stress, quite durable (as far as this concept is generally applicable to wallpaper), have a wide range of colors due to their dense base, hide defects in wall surfaces and are affordable. But vinyl wallpaper also has a significant drawback - it does not “breathe” at all.
Cork wallpaper suitable for large hallways or spacious corridors. Their main advantages are environmental friendliness and natural appearance, which is an ideal option for supporters of the use of eco-materials who choose the appropriate style for their homes.
Liquid wallpaper will be an ideal way to finish walls with complex configurations and geometries. If the corridors have a lot of arched openings and non-standard design solutions, then a liquid cladding option will help to avoid many joints when using any paper wallpaper. Such wallpaper is easy to apply, hides defects on wall surfaces and does not require much effort in cleaning. The appearance of the finished wallpaper depends on the method of application and subsequent textured finishing and painting. You can repaint the resulting surface, changing the appearance of your corridor or hallway as many times as you like.
Quartz wallpaper- This is a base made of paper or non-woven fabric with colored quartz sand applied to it. This is an incredibly convenient canvas from the point of view of cleaning; it can even be cleaned with a brush; it is completely insensitive to mechanical stress. In addition, such wallpapers are fire-resistant, which is rare in this segment of finishing materials. Quartz wallpaper looks respectable and attractive. The joints between the sheets are not visible, creating the effect of the presence of a single wall canvas. Plain quartz wallpaper can be painted with latex paint and get a new wall color every year. And the designs on quartz wallpaper can be very diverse - from colorful patterns to imitation of ancient frescoes.
Metallized wallpaper with embossing, as the name implies, contain metal elements. More precisely, this wallpaper is a porous paper or fabric base with a thin layer of foil applied. Special paint is applied to the foil, then embossed or patterned. Such wallpapers are incredibly beautiful, elegant, look respectable and help create a luxurious interior atmosphere. Among other things, metallic wallpaper is quite durable and easy to clean. But there are also disadvantages to this method of wall finishing - the surface for pasting must be perfectly flat and absorb moisture, because the glue will not be able to evaporate through the structure of the wallpaper.
It is a fabric or paper base on which plastic is applied in a thin layer. This layer, as a rule, is of natural origin, made from a gel based on linseed oil. The working surface of such wallpaper is easy to wash and clean. Linkrusta can be painted using oil or water-based paints. This is an incredibly durable finishing material. All these advantages, of course, were reflected in the cost of the finishing material.
Glass wallpaper also refer to an environmentally friendly option for finishing materials. Fiberglass wallpaper is a base for painting (usually latex paint is used). This type of wall covering will easily withstand any mechanical stress, be it sharp claws of pets or scratches from constant friction. Fiberglass wallpaper can be painted in any color, or a pattern or pattern can be applied using stencils. And you can do this an infinite number of times, the wallpaper is resistant to any chemical exposure. Another key advantage of such wall coverings is the affordable price of the material.
Wallpaper with photo printing will help you realize your wildest fantasies in wall decoration. Gone are the days when photo wallpapers were represented by stereotyped landscapes with birch trees and lakes. You can order a full-wall print of your own photos or maps of your city, for example.
Decorative plaster - original design of corridor walls and more
Decorative plaster is an environmentally friendly material that allows you to quickly create an original design for vertical surfaces. The range of color solutions and possibilities for creating imitation structures of this finishing material are truly limitless. Such coatings allow your walls to “breathe”, but at the same time create a fairly durable and reliable coating of vertical surfaces.
Depending on the grain size of the plaster you use and what tool you use to apply the mixture, you will create one or another appearance of the finished surface. And, of course, a lot depends on the chosen color palette.
Brickwork as a way to decorate walls
Corridor wall decor – combining functionality with aesthetics
If you knew in advance that you would be placing a collection of family photos or favorite artwork on the walls of the hallway, then you probably decorated the walls in light neutral colors to focus on the decor.
A great way to combine functionality with beauty is to hang a mirror in a beautiful frame in the hallway or hallway. Designers from all over the world are at your disposal. Even the simplest and most ordinary interior will sparkle with new colors and be transformed with the appearance of an unusual mirror in a designer frame.
You can create entire compositions from mirrors in various frames; even empty frames of unusual design can be used to decorate plain walls and give the interior individuality.
An excellent option to load the utilitarian space of the corridor with functionality is to place shallow shelving as storage systems. If there is enough space, then you can consider options with retractable, hinged cabinets. If the corridor is not wide enough, then it is better to opt for a bookcase with open shelves.
One of the most functional ways to decorate the walls of a corridor or hallway is with wall lamps and sconces. By placing original lighting fixtures on the walls, you not only provide a sufficient level of illumination in a utilitarian room, but also introduce an element of elegance and attractiveness into the interior.
Another way to not only diversify the interior of a corridor, but to radically change it, is also related to lighting. Built-in LED lighting of different shades can completely transform a bright space, erasing the edges of the room.
It’s rare to see a large, regular-shaped hallway in a city apartment. Most often this is a small room or a long corridor where no more than two people can fit. But the hallway is the first thing people see when entering the house. In addition, it should also be functional, since outerwear and shoes are stored here for all seasons.
When starting to renovate the hallway, it is worth remembering that there are few rooms in the apartment with an equally aggressive environment. It is the hallway that takes on all possible hardships associated with the constant dirt that is brought in from the street.
Design secrets for visual expansion
But even the smallest room can be made stylish and comfortable with the help of some design solutions. They will help to realize almost any fantasy, turning the disadvantages of the room into advantages. Let's look at a few secrets for visually enlarging a room:
![](https://i2.wp.com/bouw.ru/userfiles/437_4.jpg)
Advice ! If you direct the light to the ceiling, this will give the effect of height, directing the light onto narrow walls will expand the room.
Types of hallways
- Square.
- Corridor.
- Coupe.
- Corner.
- With branches.
Hallway square
It is a small room, most often with one solid wall, while the rest have doors to other rooms and a bathroom. In such a room there are no other options for arranging furniture, only along a solid wall. Light colors, playing with light and installing doors and arches will help to expand such a hallway. For example, the doors to the bathroom should not be highlighted; let them be the same color as the walls. You can install doors with colored stained glass, mirrors, or even transparent doors in the rooms. Arched openings can be made into rooms such as a kitchen or living room.Hallway-corridor usually very narrow. Furniture can only be installed along one wall. It is advisable to always divide a narrow and usually long hallway into certain zones, using arches or a color palette. Separately allocate space for hangers for outerwear, separate the front door, and organize an area for mirrors. Thanks to such techniques, you can optimize the hallway space. A tiled floor would be an ideal option near the front door, and then you can cover it with another material, for example, linoleum or laminate, laying it across the room. The longitudinal walls should be made of light colors, and the end walls darker. And most importantly, mirrors; they will help expand a narrow room if hung on long walls.
A hallway-compartment is either a square room with a corridor extending from it, or in the form of a winding corridor, or several square corridors diverging into different rooms. In such a room it is not easy to place the necessary furniture; it is worth dividing the hallway into zones.
Corner hallway consists mainly of one corner and goes straight into another room. It can be separated by zoning the floor and ceiling or light. You can also install a partition, preferably from light translucent materials.
Hallway with branches, usually a square room with several corridors extending from it in different directions or a branching corridor. The main furniture is installed near the front door, decorating the branches to your taste.
Advice ! A floor covering, the same as, for example, in the kitchen with a separated arch, will help to visually enlarge the hallway.
Decorating a small hallway
It’s not difficult to design a small hallway with your own hands. The main thing is that you initially need to decide how much the repair will cost. But you shouldn’t save much if you want an original room that reveals the character of the owner. Taking into account the design secrets to visually enlarge the hallway, you can start choosing finishing materials for the room.
Wall decoration
When choosing a finishing material for the walls in the hallway, you need to take into account that this is not only the dirtiest room in the house, but also a place where bulky items are sometimes stored. For example, a stroller or a bicycle. When getting ready in the morning, household members often bump into each other and wipe down the walls. This makes the hallway the most frequently cleaned room.
Wallpaper for the hallway should be washable or moisture resistant. With plenty of choice on the market, this won't be a big problem. When choosing wallpaper, you should think about their colors. For small rooms, choose light shades with a small pattern. It must be remembered that a vertical pattern will make the room taller, and a horizontal pattern will expand it. Wallpaper can be combined with other materials such as wood panels or. If the ceilings are high, you can separate the trim, mount panels from below, and paste wallpaper on top. The right inserts of stone or mirrors will help not only decorate the hallway, but also visually expand it.
Plastic panels are very easy to clean, they are not afraid of moisture and tolerate temperature changes well. The choice of texture and color is very large and can be chosen to suit every taste. But accidentally hitting them with a sharp heel or corner can damage them.
Wood panels are more durable and, given modern technologies, there will be no problems with their choice. The main thing is to purchase ones that are resistant to humidity, otherwise you will need to spend money on special impregnation or varnish to process them.
Tiles of large and small sizes will look cold in the hallway, but it is worth diluting it with other finishing materials and it will help to visually expand the room. If it is a mirror tile, then it will fit the theme on wide walls, making the room much larger.
Stone, both natural and decorative, should not completely cover the walls. This can be the original decoration of doorways or corners; with high ceilings, the lower half of the walls can be covered with stone.
Plastering or painting the walls in the hallway is the cheapest finishing method. A variety of plaster and paint, them, will help you create your own unique design.
Choosing flooring
The floor in the hallway should also be treated more carefully, due to constant dirt and lovers of stiletto heels.
Advice ! Floor coverings in the hallway can be combined. It looks very impressive and stylish, and will also visually expand the room.
Tiles or porcelain tiles are considered the most durable flooring. They are easy to wash and can withstand heavy loads. It is better to choose tiles with roughness to prevent slipping.
Linoleum has a wide choice of colors, is easy to care for, and is not afraid of moisture. When choosing linoleum, you need to make sure that it is for high-traffic areas.
Wooden flooring is rare for a hallway because it quickly absorbs moisture and is easy to scratch. If desired, you can further process it, but it will take more time.
Laminate is a good substitute for wood, it is moisture resistant and difficult to damage. Laminate is considered the most popular flooring for hallways.
Ceiling in the hallway
The main thing for the ceiling in a small hallway is not to be too voluminous. Multi-level ceilings are not suitable here. It would be good if they had a reflective effect. Also, you should not hang a chandelier, spotlights and flat lampshades in the hallway; they are more suitable here.
- A stretch ceiling is a good option for a hallway. It can be equipped with a backlight and is easy to use.
- Painting or whitewashing is the most profitable option in terms of finances. The ceiling does not require any maintenance and is easy to update or repaint if you want a different color.
- Panels are a good choice for a hallway ceiling, but do not forget that if the ceilings are low, the panels will steal a few centimeters and the ceiling will be even lower.
Conclusion
Even if the hallway is small in size, this is not a reason to be upset. Knowing the secrets of visual expansion of space, it is quite simple to create an individual design of a small hallway with your own hands, which will delight both the owners and their guests for many years.
Arranging a hallway is an interesting and challenging task. Few owners of apartments in old buildings can boast of large areas. So you have to rack your brains: how to place everything you need in a small area, and even do it in a way that looks stylish. After all, it is this room that creates the first impression of the apartment or house as a whole. Therefore, decorating a hallway is a responsible task: the development of interior design may well set the tone for the design of all other rooms.
Narrow hallway
Correctly decorating a narrow hallway is, to put it mildly, not easy. There are few solutions, but there is still a choice. The first way is to figure out which side can be occupied with furniture. Preferably one on which the doors are located far from each other. Furniture should be placed along this wall.
Taking up the longest wall for furniture in a narrow hallway is the right decision
The second option is to use two adjacent walls – a short one and a long one – for a wardrobe and a hanger. Also a good option in functional and aesthetic terms.
Placing furniture along two opposite walls in a narrow room is absolutely wrong: you will have to maneuver between them, constantly bumping into corners. To prevent the second wall from looking empty, you can fix a mirror on it, hang narrow wall hangings on which to place decorative elements or some small items.
There are several traditional design techniques that allow you to expand visual boundaries, and new developments in the field of storage systems will help you fit everything you need into a small space.
Walls, floor, ceiling
To make the room seem larger, the walls should be light, preferably with a slight degree of gloss. For example, there are textured paints or plasters with a slight addition of mother-of-pearl. A glossy ceiling (weakly expressed gloss is more appropriate) is usually a stretch ceiling. It will reflect light and what is happening in the room, making it more spacious. In the economy version, plastic panels will give a glossy effect.
If you don’t like gloss at all, you can do without it, but it’s better not to give up light colors. Moreover, most often the colors chosen are warm shades.
It is desirable to have both general ceiling lighting and in certain areas. For example, near the mirror. Mirrors in general are a great way to visually enlarge a room, and when properly lit, they are also very beautiful.
One of the trends in recent years is. Moreover, some of the walls are made smooth - usually painted - and only part is finished with stone. In the photo above you can see several techniques that make a small hallway look more spacious. Firstly, a carefully designed lighting scheme provides enough light to create a cozy atmosphere. Secondly, mirrored closet doors, reflecting the decor, expand the boundaries of the room. Thirdly, vertical columns made of raw stone make the ceiling appear higher than it actually is. The choice of furniture also plays an important role - glossy and mirror surfaces do not look “heavy” and do not overload the space. The chest of drawers is chosen to be small in width. It does not interfere with movement, but performs its functions.
Also note that when designing small rooms, the floor is rarely made dark. If this is the case, then everything else - walls, ceilings, furniture - should be very light. Details of a darker color look great on them, preferably the same shade as the floor covering.
Furniture for a narrow hallway
After everything has been decided with the color and texture of the walls, the design of the hallway continues: it’s time to choose furniture. The best option is to order the production of a wardrobe and hangers for the hallway. Furniture will be made to fit the dimensions of your room, and individual contents (hangers, shelves, baskets, etc.) will be developed to suit your requirements. But such pleasure costs a lot. A more economical option is to use modular furniture. Solid “hallways” - cabinet furniture of certain dimensions - today are increasingly losing out to this new type of configuration. The plant is developing a collection of shelves, cabinets, cabinets, pencil cases, hangers, bedside tables, chests of drawers, benches. All of them are made in the same style and color. From such a “constructor” you can assemble what is most suitable for your option.
Two “assembly” options from one collection of modular furniture for hallways
In general, you can use not only closed storage systems, but also open ones. True, only if you are ready to maintain perfect order: everything will be in plain sight. But it will be better for outerwear to dry in open furniture.
Sometimes the hallway is so narrow that an open closet door completely blocks it. Then the exit is with sliding doors. They take up almost no space. But in this case, it is better to make a built-in wardrobe: with the same occupied space, its functionality is much higher.
A sliding wardrobe can occupy the entire wall in the hallway or only part of it
Another good thing about this type of furniture is that it can occupy the entire wall and can be combined with a shelving unit or an open part - a chest of drawers, a shoe rack, a hanger, etc. There is also - they allow you to use two adjacent walls, which cabinet or modular furniture usually cannot handle. They are good for linear hallways.
If space allows, you can do it. It differs from a built-in wardrobe in its greater depth - 1-1.2 m is the minimum. But you just can’t imagine how many things are included there, and how convenient it is to use it.
We should also talk about where to store shoes. There are special shoe chests or shoe racks for this purpose. They come in different shapes and can be built into the hallway or stand alone. The shelves in them can be:
![](https://i1.wp.com/stroychik.ru/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/oformlenie-prihoej-14.jpg)
In order not to just take up space, a seat is often placed on the top of a free-standing shoe rack. This is both a shoe locker and a bench on which it is convenient to put on your shoes.
There is also an option - a round rotating shoe shelf, divided into sectors. Compact and convenient solution.
Rotating shoe rack - new items in storage systems
If you use at least a few ideas, the design of the hallway will be stylish and comfortable.
Small hallway: layout features
If the hallway area is only 4 sq. m, you can’t put a lot of furniture in it, because most of the walls are occupied by doors leading into it, at least two or three of them. Decorating a hallway of a small area is already in the realm of art. You have to use any available wall area, because there is very little of it. And here the best solution is to order the manufacture of furniture. Since the equipment will be small in size, this will not cost a large amount, but it will be possible to use every centimeter.
First you need to find a place to place the hanger. Take a good look at the room, find an opportunity to put a cabinet or just one, and under it - a shoe rack with a seat.
A wardrobe in the corner is a great way to make full use of the available space.
Hallways with an area of 4 square meters. m is the “property” of small-sized apartments of the Khrushchev type. In them, free space is generally a rarity: even for one person there is not much of it, and there is nothing to say about a family. But in any case, the composition of the furniture greatly depends on your wishes, and also on the layout. There are several recommendations that you may or may not heed.
![](https://i2.wp.com/stroychik.ru/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/oformlenie-prihoej-18.jpg)
Arranging a hallway in a private house
If the hallway is spacious, the task is to correctly arrange the desired furniture. Although the best choice is still a wardrobe, there are options in its size and location. The most optimal is the corner one. It allows you to use the space to the maximum, while all things are in their place and at hand.
If desired, you can make a separate hanger for “duty” clothes, in which in the cool season they go out into the yard, and under it there is a shoe rack with a seat and the same “duty” shoes.
Placing the changing area as close to the door as possible is the right decision
Now about where to place the closet or hanger. The answer is simple: as close to the entrance as possible. So that you can immediately remove outer clothing and shoes. For this area it is necessary to provide a floor covering that will be easy to clean and at the same time will not allow debris to spread. Usually, ceramic tiles or something similar are laid at the entrance, and stain-proof mats are placed on top.
Hallway with stairs
If, when planning the house, it was decided not to “inflate” the technical rooms and the hallway turned out to be small, and even opens into it, it will be problematic to place everything you need. Especially if the family is athletic and you need somewhere to place sports equipment - skis, skates, roller skates, skateboards, etc. If the design of the staircase allows, the most reasonable option is to arrange a kind of wardrobe under it.
Drawers and just shelves with doors - a lot of things can be placed. Drawer systems separated by mesh dividers are more convenient - everything is in sight and much easier to search A closet under the stairs is an excellent solution in a small hallway
In some homes, this area is used to store vehicles for large and small children - strollers and bicycles. If bicycles can still be left in a shed or garage, then this is simply impossible to do with a stroller. And often the most convenient place for this “vehicle” is under the stairs.
Decorating a hallway in different styles: photos
The hallway can be decorated in any style: classic, Provence, minimalism or hi-tech. The choice is yours. To make it a little easier to understand what suits you best, this section contains photographs of hallways of different styles.
The long corridor is divided into zones with lighting and - this way it doesn’t look so dull and monotonous
The chic interior is emphasized by well-designed lighting and imitates decorative plaster.
A long wall-length one is a great option. But in order for it to “fit in” and not be overwhelming, the doors should be light, or better yet, with mirror inserts. Although the highlight of this interior is the special design of the door - an excellent design move
Black and white color scheme - strict, but always relevant
Unusual shape of the cabinet, soft tones of beige and brown. Hallway interior design is soft and calm
A very simple solution for storing clothes
Playing with light and color is a great way to make your hallway design unusual
Using every available centimeter of space is a smart decision
Minimalism - it will teach you order))
Mirrors in wooden frames - beautiful interior, unusual presentation
Stylish, beautiful, functional - this is the feeling from this hallway design. adds practicality without compromising design.
Useful tips
As a rule, many people do the renovation and/or decoration of the corridor at the very end, when the renovation of the rooms, kitchen, bathroom and toilet is already completed.
Since the corridor is the last on this list, I want to finish everything quickly, which means that everything is done carelessly, and this is by no means the right decision.
You shouldn’t think that since we spend little time in the hallway, we shouldn’t focus on it during renovations and home improvement, and here’s why:
1. The corridor is the very first room that anyone encounters when entering the house. The first impression is created, on which the general mood of the hosts and guests may depend.
2. The corridor is the place that connects the rooms into one., which means its design should complement the design of the other rooms and vice versa.
Small corridor design
The most important thing in a small corridor is minimalist design and maximum functionality. Simply put, a small corridor should contain only the essentials.
* In a small corridor, you need to organize everything so that when storing both seasonal clothing and everything else, there is enough space for a certain number of people.
* There should also be a place to sit and, of course, a place to gather before leaving.
Please note that all of the above should be located on just a few square meters.
There are several simple tricks on how to visually expand a small space. Such techniques are usually used when designing rooms, but they also apply to the hallway:
* All surfaces in the corridor must be light in color.
* Convenient storage systems (for example, built-in or corner furniture).
* Combination of furniture and accessories.
* Use of reflective elements (mirrors, glossy surfaces).
Small corridor in the apartment
Where to start?
First you need to make a plan. It is advisable to hire a professional who can display all your wishes on a sketch.
You can make a few sketches yourself, but for this you should take into account certain recommendations:
1. If you want to visually increase the volume of the corridor, use mirrors and properly placed light.
1.1. As light sources, you can use through stained glass windows, mirror inserts, as well as ordinary lamps and lighting inside plasterboard niches.
1.2. Experts advise combining different light sources. In addition to the main source, it is worth installing several more lighting points.
2. For a more comfortable atmosphere in which the walls will not press, you should choose light shades of paint.
2.1. It is believed that the best option would be to paint the walls beige or pastel colors. You can also use white. Try to keep the walls, ceiling and floor of the corridor in the same color.
2.2. The same applies to wallpaper, however, it is worth noting that it is better to choose plain wallpaper. But if you really want to use wallpaper with a pattern, then it should be unobtrusive and small.
* If you use too bright colors, the corridor will seem smaller.
* It is best to use vinyl or non-woven wallpaper.
3. If you use a glossy suspended ceiling, the corridor will visually appear higher, especially in combination with the right lighting.
4. The walls of the corridor can be decorated with photographs. Here you should also follow some rules:
Photo frames must be the same color, but their shape may be different
Photos can, of course, be attached to the walls, but it would be even better to place them on tabletops attached along the walls of the hallway.
5. The floor can be covered with parquet, laminate and even tiles. If you connect the floor in the corridor with the kitchen or any room, the corridor will visually increase its space.
* To decorate the corridor, you should not use: plasterboard, PVC plastic wall panels and wooden panels, as well as artificial stone.
The most important thing in the design of a corridor in a small apartment
Minimum requirements when developing the design of any small corridor:
1. A place where you can get dressed and clean up.
2. A place where you can store outerwear.
3. A place where you can change your shoes.
4. A place to store shoes.
Small corridor color
Light colors in a small corridor
Light colors in a small room can visually expand the space - This is a rule that almost every homeowner knows about.
In a small corridor, it is better if not only the walls are light, but also the furniture.
Here is an example of a corridor, where not only light walls and furniture, but also the sun's rays illuminate the corridor.
Sometimes you can dilute light colors with bright or dark inserts.
If you install a large mirror, it will “spread” the walls, visually enlarging the corridor.
Ideas for a small bright corridor (photo)
Furniture for a small corridor
What is best for a small corridor:
Hanger against the wall (it’s better if there is a shelf for hats);
- hanging shelves– a great option if you don’t want to clutter the hallway with furniture;
- hooks for outerwear(it is better to install under hanging shelves);
- built-in modular systems(convenient and take up little space) – shelves can be removed, added or changed at any time;
- shoe rack or shoe rack, which hides shoes in folding containers, which makes the corridor more well-groomed, but it is more expensive than a regular shoe shelf and is not always convenient to use;
- shelving(preferably without a back wall) – used for various things, as well as for shoes;
- secretary with drawers, in which you can put various accessories, including keys, umbrellas and combs;
- small stool(can be folded) or a bench - inside such furniture you can store several things and shoes;
Can be very useful hooks or shelves for grocery bags– it is better to place them near the front door.
They will look harmonious and comfortable combined open and closed shelves– such furniture is very practical and ergonomic.
Wardrobe in a small corridor
Wardrobe
As a rule, scrupulous people use the wardrobe in the hallway, while others simply hang their clothes on hooks or throw them on the seat.
Only when a huge amount of outerwear has accumulated on the hooks do people begin to hang it in the closet.
It is not necessary to install a wardrobe in a small corridor. It would be better to install it in a room where there is plenty of space and where you can fit a nice large closet for a lot of things.
Wardrobe
A sliding wardrobe today is considered an integral part of any corridor, even small ones.
* If you install it in a “Khrushchev” building, then it is better to order a shallow cabinet with a mirror to visually increase the space.
* Such a cabinet will fit perfectly in a narrow corridor and will not serve as an obstacle to moving around the house.
* A wardrobe in a small corridor can be mounted in a free corner or installed parallel to the wall.
* The best option would be to purchase a tall cabinet, as it will use up extra space, which means more things will fit in it.
You can store out-of-season items at the top of the closet, and place space for shoes at the bottom. You can install a hanger rod in the middle.
* A corner closet or hangers, shelves or cabinets are also ideal for a small corridor. Corner built-in wardrobes allow you to use the space in the corners.
Typically, corners are left unused when conventional cabinet furniture is installed.
What about shoe furniture?
In stores you can find various samples of cabinets and shelves for shoes. Eat shelves, revolving, sliding and other shelves for shoes, but it is better to choose ordinary shelves that do not have any holes or simply lay rubber mats for shoes.
* It is worth noting that after snow or rain, coming into the house, slush flows from the shoes, which can fall on other shoes on the bottom shelf, so all sorts of stacked shoe “storage” options are suitable for slippers or shoes that you are temporarily not wearing .
*You can also use regular stools, benches or cabinets with a cushion so you can sit down and change your shoes.
Examples of minimalism in a small corridor (photo)
Built-in bench
It occupies the entire width of the corridor, and among other things, it acts as a shoe box. The lid opens, allowing you to hide not only shoes, but also bags and umbrellas inside the large box.
Instead of a box, under the bench you can install several baskets for things or shoes.
Open shelving
If you add several hooks for clothes to the racks, you will get a very convenient design that takes up little space and fits organically into the interior.
There are only 2 shelves and a few hooks for outerwear, but everything looks nice and takes up very little space.
Everything here is very simple and beautiful - the drawers serve as shelves for storing shoes, a small closet for storing things is decorated with a mirror that visually enlarges the space.
Here are some more ideas for arranging a corridor in a minimalist style:
Wall decoration in a small narrow corridor
If you decide to decorate the walls in the hallway, then you should know a few things:
Better to use wear-resistant and impact-resistant materials, since it is into the corridor that the most dust and dirt from the street gets into;
To level the walls do not use plasterboard structures, since they will take up part of the space of your corridor;
If you use Venetian plaster, then you will kill two birds with one stone: the walls will become smooth, and their surface will become pleasant and attractive.
Wallpaper for a small corridor
Some tips:
You can level the walls and make them beautiful using liquid wallpaper;
The walls in a narrow corridor should be painted in light, bed colors - the room will become lighter and visually wider;
If you choose wallpaper, it is better with horizontal stripes, as they visually expand the space;
For a small corridor, as well as for a long narrow corridor, wallpaper with a small or abstract pattern is suitable - it can hide some stains that may appear.
The use of light colors to visually expand the corridor has already been mentioned, but some people do not like such tones.
If you want to use bright colors, you can wallpaper with a large pattern, but it should only be one whole pattern. In this case, it is desirable that the furniture in the corridor be light and monochromatic.
Separately about the small corridor in Khrushchev
It is not recommended to install built-in wardrobes in a small corridor of an apartment in Khrushchev. Projects of such apartments simply do not provide for the installation of such furniture.
Of course, it would be possible to hollow out the wall to build a cabinet into it, but this practice is prohibited.
However, there are optimal options for arranging a corridor in such an apartment.
Here are some ideas for arranging a corridor in a Khrushchev building:
1. For lighting, use fluorescent lamps in matte shades.
2. It is better to install small LED bulbs along the perimeter of the corridor, at the baseboard level.
3. Instead of wallpaper, it is better to use plastic panels. Wallpaper is not highly wear-resistant and has to be changed frequently, but plastic panels, on the contrary, are more practical, they can be washed and have a rather modern look.
4. There is no point in spending a lot of time and resources on decorating the walls, since most of them will be hidden behind cabinets, mirrors and hangers.
Free spaces on the wall can be covered with photographs or small paintings with simple graphics.
5. The floor can be covered with linoleum, but it is better to use porcelain stoneware, which not only looks beautiful, but is also more convenient for cleaning the corridor and will last for many years.
6. Since there is not much space for a closet in a Khrushchev building, you can use a hanger, and it can be decorated so that it looks aesthetically pleasing. For example, you can use a hanger made to look like birch or oak.
7. You will notice that the small corridors of the Khrushchev buildings have walls of different lengths. One wall ends with a door that leads to the kitchen, and the other goes about half a meter further. This space can be used for a pencil case in which you can store outdoor clothes.
You can combine a pencil case with a hanging panel to create a very functional system. But such a design must be ordered, since you will not find ready-made ones. You can look for it in stores like Ikea and assemble it yourself.
Choosing the design of a small corridor in an apartment is a problem for many living in a Khrushchev or panel house.
The small narrow space of the corridor is misleading: it seems that it is not possible to turn this section of the apartment into something beautiful and functional.
However, there are still design options for hallways. In this article you can learn about them and also see them in the photo.
Types of hallways in apartment buildings
Perhaps the most problematic type of hallway is the corner one. They can very often be found in a panel house. Such hallways are considered low-functional and inconvenient.
However, here too there are a lot of design solutions and smart use of space.
Corner hallways are convenient because they already have a niche for furniture - you can order a built-in one or buy a ready-made one - unlike ordinary narrow corridors, in this case you don’t have to guess where to put it.
Since the corner hallway in the apartment is still small, use the corners as niches and try to place all the furniture in them as a single ensemble, without “pulling” it along the entire corridor - this way your entrance space will look better.
Another solution for the design of a corner corridor in an apartment would be to soften the corners - this is done with the help of rounded edges of the furniture.
Plus, it's more functional - so you won't have to constantly cling to it.
The other type is the familiar standard narrow corridor. This can most often be seen in Khrushchev. The problem with this corridor is that the space is too small.
Despite the fact that it is direct, there is actually no room there to “turn around” and significantly improve something.
However, this is only at first glance. In fact, even such a hallway can be transformed so much that the entrance to your apartment will look completely different.
This is not so difficult to do - with the help of ordinary room decoration and a few design tricks. You can do all this with your own hands.
See the photo for design options for corner and narrow corridors.
Decorating a small hallway
The most important thing to do when designing a small corridor in a Khrushchev or panel house is to visually enlarge the space, “expand” the walls and “raise” the ceiling.
To do this, you will have to experiment with light and color, as well as interior details.
The first thing you should pay attention to is the doors. More precisely, their design.
Finish the interior of the front door with white or any other light shade - this will make it less noticeable and visually move away, “spreading” the space a little.
Interior doors also affect the perception of the corridor - it is better to avoid massive blind doors.
Instead, install doors with glass or frosted inserts, or install accordion doors and other lightweight sliding structures, as in the photo.
Such doors do not take up much space and are not conspicuous - and this is exactly what is needed in a small apartment.
Perhaps a somewhat radical, but very advantageous option is to abandon doors altogether. Instead, you can create arched openings.
You can also leave the doors in the remaining rooms, which are not visible from the hallway, but remove the rest (in a Khrushchev-era building next to the corridor there is usually a kitchen and a large room).
An exception would be bathroom doors.
Now you have to choose wallpaper. Their design in a small apartment should be light and as inconspicuous as possible.
It is better to take plain white, beige, sand or any other light brown tones.
The floor in the hallway can be covered with tiles - they are easy to clean and resistant to moisture. Just make sure that there are no patterns or designs on it - a light, plain surface is best.
Below in the photo you can see examples of the design of small hallways.
If you don’t want to lay tiles, then linoleum is also a pretty decent option. The requirements for its color are exactly the same.
Avoid materials such as carpet and do not lay rugs - they only waste space and do not bring much benefit. In addition, dust and dirt easily accumulate in them.
The lighting of the corridor greatly affects its perception.
If your apartment has a low ceiling and narrow space, then you need to try to correct these nuances with the help of well-chosen lamps.
A very advantageous option for lighting hallways is built-in lamps located at the bottom of the cabinet. If the size of your corridor allows its installation, then you can consider this option.
This lighting is convenient and looks quite stylish.
Regardless of whether you have floor lighting or not, install a lampshade on the ceiling - more light helps expand the spaces of small corridors in Khrushchev.
If you have a mirror in your hallway, you can place a sconce next to it. It is both functional and attractive.
For other lighting and design options for a small corridor, see the photo.
How to choose furniture for the corridor
Naturally, you cannot place a lot of furniture in the hallway of a small apartment. But you won’t be able to do without it completely.
Try to take into account a few simple tips given below when choosing the furnishings for your hallway.
In a very small corridor - such as in a Khrushchev building - you can resort to a radical solution: combine a bathroom and create a wardrobe from the toilet.
This will save you from the need to place cabinets in the hallway - just a small bedside table for shoes will be enough.
If a global renovation of your apartment is not for you, then select small and maximally functional objects for the hallway.
They don't have to hold a lot of things: just enough space for clothes and shoes for one season. The rest will have to be stored in the closet, otherwise, no matter how hard you try, the hallway will look cluttered.
Try to keep nothing on the floor - otherwise the already small space will disappear.
For a corridor in a Khrushchev-era building or a prefabricated building, you should not select bright or too pretentious furniture - it will “eat up” the entire space.
White or light neutral colored furniture will look best. It’s very good if it literally blends in with the walls in tone.
Cabinet furniture can be a functional and beautiful option. Connect several cabinets together and place them near the wall - this way you will free up space occupied by shoes and clothes.
The advantage of cabinet furniture is that you decide for yourself how many cabinets you need. At the same time, you do not clutter up the space. very important in a small apartment.
Sliding wardrobes are also a very good solution for furnishing a hallway.
Now you can choose a cabinet design for literally any room - you can order a small, functional cabinet that will not clutter up the room.
On the contrary, a wardrobe can even increase the space in your home! To do this, make its doors mirrored.
Open cabinets in the hallway are not the best option. Clothing that sticks out will visually take up more space than it actually does.
Avoid placing an abundance of decorative elements in the hallway: paintings, framed photos, large wall clocks.
It’s better to avoid such items altogether in a small house - they will cut down on an already small space.
Instead, you can hang a mirror or small hooks for keys - such minimalism will be quite enough to decorate the interior.
With good lighting and wall color, your hallway will seem quite spacious, but not empty.
Transforming a small hallway into a cozy corner is not such a difficult task if you arm yourself with thematic photos, tips and other useful materials.