by Janette Peel

Created on: February 16, 2009   Last Updated: February 26, 2009

First impressions are always important, so take time to plan and decorate your entrance hall, to make it a warm and welcoming introduction to your home.

Your entrance area acts as a buffer zone between the outside world and your home. Yet entrances and hallways rarely feature high on the list of decorating priorities. Most people naturally concentrate their efforts on making improvements to the main living area, and tend to neglect the space immediately behind the front door. Unfortunately, a cluttered, dingy or dimly lit hallway gives visitors a bad first impression.

In a busy household with a lot of traffic back and forth, wall and floor surfaces need to be especially robust and hardwearing. You may need space to keep outdoor clothing or a pram and, as the hall often acts as an unofficial nerve center, it is also useful to organize a place where you can leave messages.

As well as the view from the front door, you should also consider how this area connects with other rooms in your home. Where space is tight, in a small flat for example, a unifying treatment on the floor or in the color scheming creates a sense of openness. In larger houses, the entrance area can take on a more distinctive character in its own right.

SURFACES AND FINISHES

Walls: Hallways tend to be narrow and enclosed and may not receive much direct light. In these cases, light colors look clean and fresh. Neutrals are a safe bet and make for easy transitions to the color schemes in adjoining rooms. For a more daring approach, intense color is very stylish and uplifting. Bear in mind that silk and satin finish paints reflect more light than matt ones and are a good option when light is really at a premium.

Walls paneled up to dado height in tongue and groove boarding are very practical in a busy hallway. Half-height paneling also adjusts the proportions of a tall, narrow space.

Doors: Most hallways connect to several different rooms. Where there are a number of doors in a restricted space, including the main entrance to the home, they become major focal points.

Attractive door furniture in brass or porcelain improves any door. In some cases, you may wish to upgrade the door itself, solid paneled doors are more appealing than cheaper flush ones.

In a narrow hall, doors are best painted in the same color as the walls. Wood grain doors make an attractive feature against a plain background. Alternatively, paint doors a slightly darker or more intense shade than the wall color for a little extra definition.

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