At the stage of inspiration, it seems that the number of design options for absolutely any room is not limited by anything other than imagination and the thickness of the wallet, but in practice it turns out that more prosaic problems come to the fore. For example, a small room size. Here are some recommendations for the stylish and practical design of a small hallway.
Features and pitfalls
In the design of a small hallway, the main nuance and feature that needs to be taken into account when developing the interior is precisely the miniature size of the room. It is necessary not only to take into account all the wishes of the owners, but also to skillfully fit all the necessary furniture elements into a small space, decide on decorative details, coatings and lighting.
If the hallway is small, you need to immediately discard all dreams of a large wardrobe closet, cute, but completely optional pieces of furniture, additions to the interior. Yes, yes, from a large vase, an umbrella stand inEnglish style and a cozy sofa will definitely have to be abandoned, because it is the size of the room that should be the starting point for developing the design of a small hallway in the apartment.
But the room should not be perceived as small, it is better to think of it as special and not quite standard. Already this approach will allow you to turn a small hallway into a stylish room where everything will be in its place. Each element and detail can be beaten, and even beaten profitably. It is important to remember that every flaw can be turned into a virtue.
So, the first and most important rule - you just need to remember about square meters at all stages of development and implementation of the project of modern design of a small hallway. Then the result will exceed all expectations.
Small hallway design rules
The ideal style direction for rooms with a small area is minimalism. The fewer details, the better. And it’s better not only to save free space and place everything you need on a few square meters. If you adhere to minimalism, then the room will subsequently be easier to clean, it will always have a neat appearance. So, it is worth abandoning the majority of decorative and simply cluttering up the space elements (stands, vases, photographs, open hangers).
The design of a small hallway in Khrushchev should include storage space. In standard apartments, in principle, there is not as much space as we would like, but not everyone haspantry, cottage or even a balcony where you can put winter things for storage or overall items. A convenient idea for a small hallway is wardrobes no more than 45 cm deep. Even jackets will fit there, but hangers will need to be placed frontally. This, by the way, will leave up to 15 cm of space free, which is also important for a small hallway.
Another storage idea is a closet, the doors of which open in the same plane with the wall. It can be installed even without a back wall, but then it is advisable to cover the wallpaper behind the cabinet with a transparent film so that they do not get rubbed with jackets and do not get dirty from boots. You can choose a corner cabinet to effectively use the corners. Additional space in a small hallway will appear if you use the mezzanine, where you can put away things that are not used constantly.
In addition, you will need a large mirror in a small hallway, which will visually expand the space. In some cases, mirrors can even be placed opposite each other. The optimal mirror size is 120-130 cm high and 45-50 cm wide.
It is important to remember that in a small hallway, you may have to place only seasonal items. A pile of outerwear and shoes will look very depressing, especially at a time when a winter or spring jacket is put on, depending on the weather, and even if guests often come to the house.
Principles of expanding space
How to equip a small hallway to make it seem bigger visually? There are several simpleprinciples that designers use to visually expand small spaces. The same solutions can be used in the design of a small hallway. So, help:
- use of light finishing materials;
- installation of embedded storage systems;
- following the principles of minimalism in room design;
- correct combination of furniture and accessories;
- use of glossy and mirror surfaces.
Not all apartments, of course, will follow these principles. Pet owners and happy young parents, for example, are unlikely to be comfortable with minimalism, and light finishes will only bring unnecessary trouble. Someone just won't like light colors in the design, and someone will easily give up a spacious closet in favor of a comfortable sofa, sitting on which you can tie your shoelaces.
Be that as it may, some recommendations can still be given. Ascetic furnishings, for example, in some cases will not be a whim or even a fashionable design decision, but a harsh necessity. After all, there are rooms where only hooks for clothes, a small shelf for shoes and a mirror on the wall will fit. In this case, it is better to place a wardrobe in the living room, leaving at least some space in the hallway.
Narrow, long or very small
What is the design of a small hallway in an apartment, if the room is also narrow or long? In a long room, the end of which rests against the wall, you can, for example, organize a small pantry or dressing room. If aslightly shift the doorways and zone the space, then the room will become more functional, there will be an additional useful place that can be used effectively.
If the hallway is narrow, another option will do. All furniture should be placed along one wall, and on the contrary, install a large mirror. At the same time, it is better to choose furniture with a glossy surface, and the depth should not exceed 60 cm. Near the entrance, you can put a small cabinet or make a shelf for shoes and hooks for outerwear, and then place a larger wardrobe or chest of drawers, one that is suitable for storage.
In a very small hallway, you should limit yourself to only hooks for outerwear and a shelf for shoes. It is important to follow the correct sequence. Right next to the entrance it is better to place hooks, a little further - a pouffe and shelves for shoes, as well as a mirror.
Tentative work plan
The interior design of a small hallway requires the construction of a work plan:
- Everything starts with measurements and calculations of the area. At this stage, you can decide whether the hallway will expand by reducing the bathroom or neighboring rooms, whether doorways need to be moved (if the room is narrow and long).
- Choosing a style, developing an interior design concept. It is important to decide what is more important for the owners - the stylish design of a small hallway or the functionality of the room.
- Calculate on your own or with the help of a designer the preliminary cost of rough work, which includes the uninstallation of all old elements,clearing the area, demolishing part of the wall (if necessary), moving doorways, leveling the walls, plasterboarding, laying electrical wiring.
- Selection and purchase of materials. It is advisable to choose materials of an average price category, as they will not hit the wallet hard, but will be of sufficient quality so that the repair made is durable.
- Performing all re-planning and design work. Often, owners of apartments in old houses are faced with the need to carry out unscheduled work, for example, replacing electrical wiring. The owners of apartments in new buildings are lucky with these, they can “tailor” the entrance hall and other rooms to suit their needs and not be afraid that the work will entail other expenses.
- The last step is decoration.
Practical hallway furniture
A small hallway is not a problem, but an opportunity to express yourself creatively. The starting points will be simplicity and conciseness, no sophisticated design solutions are needed here, because they will only “steal” the space. It is important that in a small room the furniture should not be oversized, this will visually reduce the area. It is better to make furniture to order, having independently calculated the dimensions.
It's a good idea to assemble a hallway from several lockers. Yes, we are talking about modular furniture. Modern manufacturers allow buyers of products to independently decide how the ensemble will look in the end. The advantage of modular furniture is that you yourself decide what elements the set will be made of. Thisthe option is especially good for those who do not want to order furniture according to individual measurements, but want to think through the design to the smallest detail.
Wardrobe is a great solution almost always. What could be better than such a large, unified and closed closet from prying eyes, in which all things are hidden? In addition, the doors themselves can be made mirrored, which will allow you to abandon a separate mirror in a small hallway. The sliding wardrobe can be placed in a corner, which will save even more space.
The subtleties of choosing wall coverings
Wallpaper in the interior design of a small hallway is of no small importance. They must be practical, because in a small room there will definitely be contact with the walls. Therefore, you need to choose high-quality wallpapers that are resistant to mechanical damage.
As for the color, it is advisable to take light wallpapers, but then you need to be ready for their quick replacement, because street dust and dirt settle in the hallway. In addition, the pattern on the wallpaper should not be too large, this will visually reduce the room. If you have low ceilings in your apartment, you should pay attention to wall coverings with vertical stripes, and if you have high ceilings, then wallpaper with horizontal stripes. But it is important not to overdo it and stick to the principle of the golden mean in everything.
You can decorate the room with paints, which will also look good. It's a good idea to highlight one wall with bright accents (such as yellow or red paint), but leave the others in soothing colors.
Finishing the ceiling in a smallhallway
The ceiling can be simply painted with glossy white paint, without thinking much about the artsy design. It can be made stretched if the height of the room allows such a design. Stretch or suspended ceilings are easy to maintain, the ability to even out all the shortcomings of the room and a long time of operation. A two-level ceiling in the design of a small (narrow) hallway will allow you to zone the room.
Floor options
For flooring in the hallway, tile or laminate is more often chosen. Tiles made of artificial stone or ceramics are the perfect covering for a small hallway. Such a solution will emphasize minimalism, tiles are easy to care for, they are very durable. Laminates are also characterized by a long service life and wear resistance. Here the decision will be only for the owners of the premises.
Lighting organization
Particular attention in the decoration of a small hallway should be given to the organization of lighting. The room should be well lit so that the corridor is not gloomy. One chandelier may not be enough, but you can think about several spotlights and wall lamps, for example, near the mirror. It is advisable to illuminate the most attractive parts of the room, and darken those that you would not like to pay close attention to.
Storage and keeping order
The room needs to look tidy, which is difficult to achieve if there is not enough storage space in the hallway. For example, a special box for shoes with a soft top will help - an ottoman and a shoe rack inone. If it is not possible to put a chest of drawers, it is advisable to consider hinged shelves for keys and other small items. It is important to leave space for intercom and alarm. This is often forgotten, which later adds to the problems.
Suitable styles
Design ideas for a small hallway are usually offered in a minimalist style, but this is not the only right solution. A small room will be decorated with Scandinavian style, modern, country, even classic or hi-tech will do. Country is an authentic and eco-friendly style that looks organic in private homes. In this case, the walls are sheathed with wood approximately to the middle of the wall, the upper part is plastered or finished with wallpaper. Wooden beams are left on the ceiling. Furniture used with a visible time stamp.
The Art Nouveau hallway also uses natural but more expensive materials such as stone, marble and wood. Stained-glass windows are used as decorations, and plant motifs are often used. This style is characterized by the lack of symmetry, many small details and sharp lines.
Scandinavian style is white walls. This direction perfectly combines small details and high practicality. Scandinavia is not even an interior style, but a whole philosophy of life.
