Choosing the right furniture for the hallway. Varieties, ideas

The hallway is the first room a person enters when entering a house or apartment. It contains elements designed to store various things, shoes, and should also be attractive and comfortable. Therefore, furniture in the hallway should be chosen with special care, adhering to a certain stylistic direction. Modern manufacturers offer a variety of such interior items with different parameters, colors, sizes, and shapes. A variety of materials are used for their production, so all factors should be assessed to get a beautiful, optimal room.

No. 1. Considering the size of the room

When choosing furniture, it is important to correctly determine its size, which depends on the parameters of the room itself. Unfortunately, most hallways in domestic apartments are very tiny , and you can only put a small cabinet there, accommodate a shelf for shoes and somehow hang a mirror. It happens that even this modest set does not fit, and then you have to make do with a hanger or a set of hooks, a small shelf and a mirror. If the hallway is medium in size , then you can accommodate a fire pit and pay attention to modular furniture, which can be modified at your discretion. A sliding wardrobe, which can decorate a medium or large hallway, would also be a good option. In any case, before buying anything, you need to measure all the parameters of the room, or even better, sketch out a small sketch indicating where and what will be located.

Hallway furniture color

When choosing a suitable color scheme for your hallway, you need to rely on its size. Furniture in light colors visually increases the space of the room, so it will be the best option in small rooms. But dark furniture will fit perfectly into a wide or long hallway. Bright colors will also fit perfectly into a large room.

In fact, choosing good quality furniture for the hallway of a room is not so difficult if you adhere to all the above tips.

Expert Yulia Kovtunova (Author, content manager) Work experience: 3 years, since 2020.

No. 2. Choosing a style

In terms of interior style, it is pointless to advise anything, since everyone chooses what they like. It is important that the hallway does not differ in style from the rest of the rooms in the apartment: it is allowed to use a different color scheme, but it is better to leave the general principles the same. By the way, as for color, light-colored furniture is perfect for small , which will not constrain the space and visually reduce it. For miniature hallways, you can choose minimalism or hi-tech as the main direction.

Modern designers claim that different rooms in an apartment can be decorated in different styles, but at the same time they should be united by something in common, and the chosen styles should be compatible with each other.

Furniture and doors set the tone for the corridor

The color of the hallway largely depends on the carpentry elements (doors, baseboards, arches, partitions), as well as existing or future furniture. Modern interiors follow the general rule: the shade of furniture and doors must match. Soft contrast is allowed, with a difference of no more than 2 tones. For example, walnut and Italian walnut, milky oak and bleached oak. The combination of dark doors, baseboards, floors and white furniture, in which the fittings match the carpentry in color, looks interesting.

The interior of the hallway in a single tone creates the illusion of free space. A hidden storage area is created (a wardrobe to match the shade of the walls or a wardrobe built into a niche), doors of the same color are installed and a plinth is mounted. In this case, a shoe cabinet, a hanger, a banquette, and a wall mirror frame act as an accent in the room. They can be 2-3 shades lighter or darker than other surfaces.

In large hallways with regular geometric shapes, you can use bright color schemes. Dark furniture and light walls are a traditional interior option. In a small, narrow and long corridor, it is worth limiting yourself to three similar shades, one of which acts as the main one, and the other two are used as an accent.

No. 3. Furniture material

Hallway furniture, as a rule, is made of MDF or chipboard, and sets made of natural wood are much more expensive, and they look appropriate in more or less spacious rooms. Plastic furniture elements are very easy on the interior and are more suitable for country houses, but if this is the only possible option, then even the simplest plastic shoe stand can be successfully used.

As when choosing any other furniture, you need to pay attention to the build quality, the reliability of the fittings, and the strength of fastening of individual parts. It is important that all doors and shelves open and slide freely, and that the hooks support the appropriate weight. Inserts made of plastic, glass or metal may be present as decoration, and depending on this, the quality of the fittings and the material itself, the price will differ. By the way, pay attention to the ready-made hallways, which are made of any size and configuration: they fit perfectly near the wall or in the corner, have a different number of shelves, hooks, doors, accommodate compartments for shoes, outerwear, hats, all sorts of small items, etc. Of course, they can’t do without a mirror.

Modular furniture for hallways is now widely available on sale : these are several important blocks made in the same style, which can be swapped depending on the configuration of a particular room. This is a universal and very convenient option that has already saved more than one miniature hallway, and when moving, there will be no need to look for new furniture, but simply adapt the existing one.

Cabinets

The optimal options for shelving for rectangular elongated rooms are:

1. 1
   elongated with a depth of up to 45 cm, which are installed along one of the walls;
2. 2
   corner ones, allowing you to choose larger and more spacious designs;
3. 3
   straight rectangular, if there is a niche or a dead end (in this case, the remaining walls can be freed up, expanding the space for movement).

When deciding which hallway closet to choose for a narrow corridor, choose the built-in option with a compartment door. The model without the side and rear walls of the case saves a few extra centimeters for storage, and the sliding opening system does not block free passage.

Shelving should occupy the entire space from floor to ceiling and be multifunctional. The upper mezzanines are convenient for storing out-of-season clothes, the lower compartments can be allocated for shoes, and the inner drawers can be used for accessories. Doors with a mirror will make changing clothes comfortable and also visually expand the room.

When choosing a custom-made set, consider the number and location of internal compartments depending on the type of things stored in them. For outerwear, you can use hooks, but it is preferable to have a crossbar with separate hangers. Make room for bags, hats, shoes - if you put them in one pile, they will quickly lose their appeal.

Nightstands and chests of drawers

Such furniture becomes a good alternative to bookcases and racks when their installation is impossible. Chests of drawers can have different shapes and designs; they are often combined with open floor hangers or wall hooks for outerwear.

The cabinets also act as benches for sitting - their upper part is softly upholstered or remains hard.
The compartments of such structures are reserved for storing shoes. For this purpose, separate banquettes are also used, which consist of several horizontal shelves, retractable or rotating drawers. Tip: To make shoes last longer and not bend during storage, choose a cabinet with shelves of different heights. Compartments with separate levels for low shoes or long boots are suitable for all-season use.

Hangers

If you are deciding which hallway is best for a very small corridor, consider the option with open hangers. A panel with hooks takes up less space compared to wardrobes, but can accommodate a large amount of outerwear. The downside of this solution is the creation of visible piles of things, which can look sloppy.

Floor hangers are made in standardized or unusual versions. With their help, it is convenient to store a small amount of clothing near the front door.

Poufs, stools, other furniture

For rooms with a large area, such furnishing elements are placed for comfort and beauty. But in a small corridor, it is recommended to limit the number of chairs, ottomans, as well as various stands and key holders. It is better to replace them with benches or additional drawers in the wardrobe.

When there is free space for additional furnishings, choose functional sets. They should combine several purposes, for example, a mirror with a shelf for small items, an ottoman with an internal storage box. It is recommended to place stands and stools along only one of the walls.

Types of hallway designs

You can buy ready-made or custom-made furniture of the following type:

• open;
• closed;
• mixed.

To know how to choose the right hallway design, you need to take into account the features of each type, area, room layout, and available budget. Open models are modular - they consist of different combinations of shelving, hangers, cabinets, banquettes and other furniture. The main difference is the absence of doors. This allows you to save on material costs and labor, adds usable space, but leaves everything in sight, which can look untidy. The benefits of modular furnishings include a wide variety of options and design styles.

Closed structures hide behind the doors all the internal contents of shelves and chests of drawers. They look larger, and some of the space is lost on the body. In a small room, sliding doors and built-in shelves are preferable. Before choosing a closed hallway, consider the availability of additional space for placing a bench or stool. Typically such designs do not include this detail.

Mixed furniture allows you to experiment with the number and types of open and closed elements. The required combination is selected depending on the number of items, seasonality, convenience, free space and other individual parameters. For example, clothes and shoes for daily use are placed in open compartments, while accessories and out-of-season items are hidden on shelves with doors.

Choosing a corridor layout

Furniture can look and perform its roles differently - depending on how you choose the layout of the hallway for the corridor. For a narrow room, the following options are selected:

1. 1 linear. All elements are placed along one wall, so shallow furniture and wardrobes are desirable;
2. 2 U-shaped. Three walls are used, for example, near the far blind area or near the front door. This layout is used when there are few pieces of furniture, as well as for zoning (the furnished area is maximally used for storing things, the rest of the space is for free movement, dressing and interesting decoration);
3. 3 corner. One of the most optimal layouts. L-shaped wardrobes are spacious, occupy unused space, and provide a wide choice for arranging other interior elements.

In each of the options for a narrow and small room, it is important not to overload it with unnecessary details and useless furniture.

Decor and lighting

In the design of an elongated lobby, it is necessary to adhere to minimalism. Do not use many parts, especially small ones, which create an overloaded effect and quickly collect dust. As an attractive and useful decor, it is better to choose stylish baskets and boxes for storing things on open shelves.

Suites and walls in narrow corridors are selected in light colors. Contrast visually expands the space, but also without the use of dark colors. For example, a set of a more saturated tone is selected against the background of light wallpaper and floor surface.

Tip: The room will appear larger if long walls are decorated in a light, solid color, and short walls in a more saturated shade (or use a pattern with three-dimensional patterns).

Due to the lack of windows, proper lighting plays an important role. In a small corridor, it is recommended to install ceiling spotlights that provide bright light. Wall-mounted floor lamps are also suitable, helping to further zone the room. Furniture with mirror or glossy surfaces creates an additional rich distribution of rays.

Additional recommendations

Some tips on how to choose the right hallway from:

• do not skimp on quality: the furnishings in the corridor often come into contact with moisture and dirt from the street, so they must be made of durable wood, MDF, chipboard with protective coatings;
• a separately illuminated large full-length mirror is an excellent solution for a narrow lobby;
• stick to one style, if possible, furnish the room so that it is in harmony with the entire apartment or house;
• choose furniture that matches each other, as well as the surface of the walls, floor and ceiling;
• give preference to making the entire set to order - the designer will help you choose the optimal and interesting project, ideally suited to the room measurements and the client’s wishes.

By choosing the right furniture, decor and lighting, even without a spacious hallway, you can make it functional and comfortable.

No. 4. The wardrobe is the main item in the hallway

It is quite difficult to imagine a hallway without a closet, since it is the one that stores such necessary things as jackets, hats, scarves, gloves and other accessories. Of course, the ideal option is a wardrobe , especially since now you can find or, in extreme cases, make a custom-made model of almost any size. It is also suitable for hallways that are not very spacious, since it is spacious, but at the same time, the door opening system in it is sliding, which means that they will not impede movement and completely block the exit from the apartment, like swing doors.

If the hallway is so compact that a wardrobe won’t fit in there, or if it has a square shape, then it is better to use a small wardrobe combined with a mezzanine and a bedside table for shoes, a seating area, a system of hooks and a mirror. This entire multifunctional system takes up very little space, but provides the opportunity to store the most necessary things. By the way, in some sets the hinged doors of such a cabinet are equipped with compartments for storing small items, such as gloves and umbrellas.

When trying to save space in the hallway, it is important not to overdo it: although the closet should be compact, if its depth is less than 40 cm, then it will be completely roomy and non-functional. And once again it is worth noting that the quality of workmanship and reliability of the fittings determine the ease of use of such furniture in the future.

1How to choose a wardrobe in the hallway (compartment or regular)

The closet is the main storage system in the hall. In order not to make a mistake in choosing it, we advise you to take into account three main criteria.

Design

There are cabinet-mounted, semi-built-in and built-in models. The first ones are disassembled and assembled. They can be moved to another place. For built-in ones, the filling in the form of shelves and rods is fixed directly to the walls of the room. Semi-built use one or two walls as side or back walls.

Door opening mechanism

It can be mounted, suspended or sliding. In the first case, the guides are hidden inside the body; in the second, the panel moves along the upper console, while the lower one is missing. The sliding mechanism involves the use of rollers that move along the upper and lower guides.

Filling

As a rule, the owner decides which elements are best to choose for the wardrobe in the hallway. So, if you plan to store a lot of things on hangers in it, there should be more rods. For tall models, it makes sense to order a pantograph that will lower and raise them. For small items, drawers, baskets, etc. are used. If space allows, it’s a good idea to install a pull-out ironing board. It's very practical.

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Design: Marina Pennie and Roman Voronov. Photo: Sergey Ananyev

No. 5. If the cabinet doesn't fit

If the hallway is very compact, and even the smallest closet will not fit in it, then you will have to select several of the most important items separately from each other and try to place them in the existing space.

But you certainly can’t do without a hanger in the hallway: it can be either a small bar with several hooks or a floor model. The second option, of course, is more convenient and prettier, but due to its bulk, it is not suitable for placement in every hallway. Wall hangers can be equipped with a different number of hooks located at the same or different heights, and a small shelf can be installed on top of them for storing hats or umbrellas. This is one of the most compact options, which at the same time remains functional.

In any case, the hanger is intended to store a small number of things that are currently in constant use. If down jackets, spring jackets, hats, and caps hang there, then the sight will not be the most aesthetic, and sooner or later this mountain of things will begin to bother you.

Furniture for a narrow hallway

If you have a narrow hallway, then you should consider compact options for cabinet or forged furniture. It is important to find a suitable compromise between compactness and functionality.

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Custom built-in wardrobes are perfect, where designers will take into account all your wishes. If there is no space for cabinets at all, it is better to limit yourself to a small set of furniture that takes up a minimum of usable space.

When choosing furniture for such a specific hallway, you should give preference to options with a small depth, be it a wardrobe or a clothes hanger.

No. 6. Where should you put your shoes?

If your hallway easily accommodates a wardrobe or a cabinet with a bedside table for storing shoes, then the issue can be resolved. But what to do in a number of other cases? An excellent option that is suitable even for the most compact hallways is a fire pit . This is a narrow object the height of a chest of drawers, which has several sections for storing shoes: depending on the type of shoes and the width of the top itself, the number of pairs that can easily be placed in it can vary significantly. Compactness is achieved due to the fact that all shoes are stored there virtually in a vertical state.

There are plenty of other options. The simplest is storing shoes on special plastic shelves: their selection is not very extensive, but they are spacious, but also require a certain space in the hallway. Often, bedside tables for shoes a bench, bench or ottoman in the hallway is also resolved, with the help of which putting on and taking off shoes is much more convenient.

However, shoe cabinets may not be equipped with a seat, but at the same time have a very original and attractive appearance, making the hallway stylish and unique. In this case, it is worth providing a stool, a separate bench or a small bench where you can sit down and put on your shoes.

What furniture to choose for a small hallway

A particularly interesting design challenge is to arrange all the necessary pieces of furniture in a small room, plus do it with taste. A few more tips on how to choose hallway furniture for optimal use of space.

So:

• It is worth abandoning traditional bulky furniture and purchasing a modern set of compact and multifunctional items.
• Your resource is the height of the hallway, it is better to use it to the maximum.
• Instead of a cabinet with hinged doors, install a sliding wardrobe; this significantly saves space.
• The decoration and furniture should have more light colors and mirror surfaces, visually expanding the boundaries of the room.
• Put your shoes on special shelves or in a shoe rack.
• It is necessary to adhere to one style when decorating.
• It is better to install compact lamps that do not interfere with movement in the hallway.
• Be sure to install a pouffe, a bench or attach a folding structure so that you can sit down.

No. 7. Why not have a mirror?

A mirror is as important an attribute of a hallway as a closet, hangers and all kinds of shelves, because not everyone can leave the house without looking at their own reflection. Only owners of spacious hallways can afford to provide a separate place for it. A convenient and functional option is to place a mirror above the chest of drawers.

If the hallway cannot boast a huge amount of square meters, then the best option is to combine the functions of a mirror and any other piece of furniture. So, mirrored wardrobe doors and a mirror on the door of a small cabinet look great. If these items still do not fit in the hallway, then pay attention to compact models for hallways that combine a shelf, hooks and a mirror, for example. As a last resort, you can always choose a mirror with specific parameters separately, but do not rush to enclose it in a massive frame, which will be out of place in a small hallway.

Modern hallway - corner furniture

An entrance hall with corner furniture has received wide demand. This is due to the peculiarity of combining many functions, ease of assembly, which can be done with your own hands, and a variety of design types. The high functionality of the corner hallway cannot be underestimated; in addition to the closet, there are always various shelves on which you can conveniently arrange various items. The corner furniture includes all the necessary items: hangers, mirrors, hat shelves, umbrella holders, seating and a shoe rack.

This versatile furniture helps you place everything you need for your hallway in one place.

Corner furniture is installed in the corner of the room and can have several options:

• In the form of a corner cabinet with additional elements on one or both sides;
• The cabinet is connected on the same level with various bookcases and shelves arranged at right angles with each other.

Choosing a corner hallway implies its further assembly. If the furniture is expensive, then it is better to entrust this process to professionals. If you wish, of course, you can complete the assembly yourself, using drawings and instructions that contain a description of all stages.

No. 8. Useful little things

The hallway, like any other room, cannot do without accessories, only here they can also perform some specific function. So, if there is some space left in the room, then you can put an umbrella stand , which will complement the existing interior design. You can place an elegant key holder , put a newspaper rack , or just a small box for accumulating all sorts of little things, such as flyers, business cards, small money, etc.

In addition, the interior of the hallway can be supplemented with other items: paintings, vases, clocks, photographs, but all this should be in moderation so as not to overload the room and not take away its proper functionality.

Advice from experts on choosing furniture for the hallway

First of all, designers recommend correlating the size of the room with the size of the interior items and thinking about how many pieces of furniture will fit in the hallway. Most apartments cannot boast of spacious areas, so the hallways in them should be filled with only the most necessary things: a wardrobe or chest of drawers for clothes, a hanger, a shoe rack and a mirror. Sometimes even this can be too much, and you have to give up something.

Next you need to decide on a style. It is believed that it is better to make the hallway in the same style as the rest of the rooms in the apartment or house. Even the interior colors should not be much different. Modern designers have already moved away from this rule and believe that each room can be decorated in a unique style, but it is important that something unites them.

Most often, the following styles are chosen to decorate a hallway:

• Classic. A relevant and universal solution for all times. Perfect for a standard hallway. White furniture with bronze or gold trim will look good. Mirrors will fit into the interior perfectly. If the hallway area is small, then you should give preference to an open hanger and a narrow chest of drawers. If the size of the room allows, then a spacious built-in wardrobe will be the optimal solution;
• Provence. It is suitable for creative individuals who like to be in a romantic environment. Provence looks good in bright and spacious rooms. This interior style is characterized by light wooden furniture, an abundance of decorative elements in pastel colors, floral motifs, simplicity and simplicity;
• High tech. This style is preferred by lovers of everything new and modern. The interior is multifunctional and clear; such a room always has a lot of glass, mirror and metal surfaces. The most suitable furniture for the high-tech style is folding transformable structures, which can be used for various purposes;
• Loft. A very fashionable trend, the main feature of which is industrial motifs. For a loft-style hallway, they recommend imitation brickwork and concrete surfaces, artificially aged furniture, and simple lamps. It is worth considering that this style is suitable for spacious rooms with a lot of free space.

Hallway Country

As for the material for furniture in the hallway, professionals recommend natural wood. This is a higher quality and environmentally friendly option compared to chipboard and MDF. Plastic pieces of furniture give the interior of an apartment a cheap look, but in country houses they are quite appropriate.

Forged furniture will help create a unique, original interior in the hallway.

The mirror is an important detail that is worth mentioning separately. It must be in the hallway, like a closet, hangers, and shoe shelves. There is not always free space for a large mirror, so it is often placed above the chest of drawers or hung on the front door. If the hallway area is small, then the best option is to purchase a mirror combined with another element of the interior. For example, it could be a cabinet with mirrored doors. You can buy a separate small mirror, but it is important to remember the harmonious combination of objects. For example, massive frames in a small room look ridiculous.

How to choose a hallway without paying attention to useful details? Many accessories can perform multiple functions. For example, if the hallway is spacious enough, then an umbrella stand near the front door will come in handy. In addition to the main function, it will serve as a decorative element. An unusual key holder, an elegant stand for newspapers and other correspondence, a vintage box for small items - all this will be an excellent addition to your hallway. Don't forget about classic decorations - watches, vases, paintings. The main thing is not to combine all this in large quantities, otherwise there is a risk of “overloading” the room and limiting the necessary functionality.

Hallway Brio

In conclusion

The ease of arranging a hallway is directly proportional to its size: the more spacious and spacious it is, the easier it is to choose furniture, because almost anything can be installed. If it comes to a modest-sized or even tiny hallway, then everything can turn into a real problem. For the smallest rooms, it is better not to even use ready-made sets, but to select the most necessary items separately, maintaining a single style. It is worth remembering that absolutely any hallway can be made functional, you just need an individual approach: a little imagination and imagination, making calculations and maximum attention when choosing furniture - and your hallway will turn into a cozy and comfortable place, capable of coping with all the assigned tasks.

Tags: Hallway