If you’re in search of ideas for your hallway, notoriously tricky spaces, we’ve gathered inspiration from some chic Irish homes.
Although we don’t usually spend much time in them, our hallways are undoubtedly important spaces in our homes. If the flow, storage, and decor in them feel off, this can affect the rest of the house, causing it to feel disjointed, bland, or cluttered.
We’ve found some stylish hallways from Irish homes, to provide inspiration for updating your own space.
Add character to featureless spaces
If your hallway lacks interest, you don’t have to accept that it’s going to be a bland space. Add in texture with different materials, like the owners of this Galway home (below left) did, while in this Dublin home (below right), paint is cleverly used to break up the space and create contrast.
Photo: Doreen Kilfeather
Photo: Al Higgins
Make use of staircases for storage and display
Whether it’s under the stairs or on a return, many of us have staircases that provide an opportunity to create shelving. It may take a little work, but creating either a concealed area or open shelves not only reduces clutter and makes use of an otherwise useless space, but it can also add interest and personality, such as in this Cork home designed by Róisín Lafferty, or this beautiful Dublin home.
Photo: Ruth Maria Murphy
Photo: Al HIggins
Put the focus on the floor
As a space where there isn’t room for much furniture, a hallway is actually a great opportunity to opt for a more dramatic floor than you might elsewhere. The tiles in this Galway home designed by Róisín Lafferty, left, provide a dramatic welcome to the home, complemented by deep red and blue paint on the walls and stairs.
The black wood on the floor of this Belfast home’s hallway (above left) grounds the space, and provides a link to the dark wood used elsewhere in the home. In this Dublin project by Nordic Elements, above right, terrazzo flooring adds pattern while still making the space feel bright.
If you have space, opt for built-in storage
Many hallways suffer from being tight on space, but if you have room, built-in storage of any kind helps them to feel clean and uncluttered, hiding all manner of coats and shoes away behind closed doors. In this Belfast home, storage on both sides is painted in the same deep hue to create a sense of flow.
These homes originally appeared in IMAGE Interiors. Have you thought about becoming a subscriber? Find out more, and sign up here, or pick up the Autumn/Winter 2024 issue, on shelves now.
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