How to Design a Narrow Hallway? Wardrobes, Mirrors, Seating, and Clever Ideas
Organizing space in a small entryway isn't easy, but with some clever tricks, you can maximize the potential of even the smallest room. In this article, we'll explore the trendiest interior design solutions that will allow you to create an elegant entryway without breaking the bank. So, let's get started!
Challenges of a narrow hallway - how to overcome them?
Rule number one: less is more. You can visually lighten a narrow hallway by limiting the number of pieces of furniture and accessories. It should be stylish, but not overwhelming, so larger wardrobes with sliding doors and ready-made furniture sets, creating a cohesive look, are perfect for such rooms. A 3-in-1 wardrobe is also an excellent option, combining a shoe cabinet, a coat rack, and a wardrobe into one easy-to-use unit.
Wardrobes and built-in wardrobes for narrow corridors
When space is tight, it's worth maximizing vertical and horizontal space, including unused alcoves, sloped ceilings, and the wall above the entrance door. A wardrobe integrated into a wall alcove saves space, which you can use for storing outerwear, shoes, accessories, household items, and more. A wardrobe for a narrow hallway can be equipped with a special extension, serving as a once-popular overhead storage unit—a storage unit mounted directly under the ceiling. In contemporary interior design (not just hallways), this type of built-in wardrobe is extremely popular. And it's no wonder: it allows for storing a multitude of items in a small space. At the same time, it makes it easier to keep things tidy.
Sliding and built-in wardrobes
A spacious wardrobe with sliding doors is the perfect complement to a narrow hallway. Customize the piece to your needs by adding hanging rails, shelves, hanging organizers, or adding a storage unit for small items. This spacious model can even accommodate a vacuum cleaner and small exercise equipment. So, if you're looking for furniture for special needs, a hallway wardrobe is the perfect choice.
Shallow chests of drawers and shoe cabinets
Furniture placed against walls along the main circulation route should be shallow enough to not block the passage. Therefore, avoid massive chests of drawers and cabinets, which will not only distort the room's proportions but also reduce its functionality. Shoe cabinets , chests of drawers, or elegant console tables in very tight spaces should be a maximum of 40 cm deep.
Mirrors and optical enlargement of space
The appropriate use of a mirrored motif in the entryway will instantly enhance the interior's proportions and bring out its best. Mirrors are also essential for hallways due to their practicality. You can choose a hanging or freestanding model, or one integrated into the front of a wardrobe or chest of drawers .
Full-length mirrors on doors and walls
A larger mirrored surface, allowing you to fully reflect your reflection, is a useful addition to the entrance door. Smaller decorative mirrors in fanciful shapes or ornate frames can complement the décor. Regardless of the type, they will visually enlarge and brighten the space, which is especially important in interiors lacking access to daylight.
Seats - practical and comfortable solutions
An elegant pouffe, a shoe cabinet with an upholstered seat, a stool with storage, or perhaps a stylish coffee table with a soft cushion? This type of furniture allows you to sit down for a moment, comfortably lace up your shoes, or put away your shopping after arriving home. They don't take up much space, yet they significantly simplify daily life. What's more, they add a cozy touch to any space.
An example is the modern NELLI 1 wardrobe, which combines wood tones with classic black. Dark, matte fronts perfectly complement the soft seat and upholstered coat rack. Behind the cabinet doors are shelves and a clothes rail. The unit is only 95 cm wide, making it a perfect fit for small spaces. The entire unit is made of durable laminated furniture board and damage-resistant upholstery fabric.
Benches with space for shoes, stools with container
A hallway seat is often used for shoe storage. Beneath it are open or closed shoe shelves. An alternative to an upholstered bench is a compact pouffe or a wooden stool with storage. Each of these solutions offers ample space for small essentials, an umbrella, a leash, shoe care products, and more.
One of our store's offerings is the timeless MEVIA 1 wardrobe, which includes a spacious shoe cabinet, an upholstered panel with hangers, a seat, and shoe shelves, as well as a wardrobe and a wall mirror. This set will perfectly complement a modern apartment with a Scandinavian, rustic, soft-loft, or boho style. The furniture features black metal legs and metal handles. You can find a wide selection of ready-made hallway sets at Furnitop.co.uk.
Lighting and colors of the narrow hall
It's long been known that color and lighting play a crucial role in interior design. They are especially important in narrow, disproportionate, or windowless rooms. A light-colored wall visually opens up the space, adds lightness, and helps avoid an overwhelming effect. Therefore, it's recommended to use white as a base color in small rooms. You can complement it with accessories in bold colors. These are perfect for this purpose—a crystal lamp, high-gloss fronts, a mirror, etc.
Choose your lighting fixture carefully. It should be bright yet cozy, so neutral or warm light is the optimal choice. A stylish wall lamp, a modern ceiling lamp, or energy-efficient LEDs will create the perfect atmosphere. In a windowless hallway, lighting mounted inside a wardrobe is also useful. This way, you can quickly find what you're looking for without having to turn on the main light source.
Warm light and bright colors
If you're still wondering how to decorate a narrow hallway, start by choosing the right color scheme. Timeless combinations will work well: gray and white, black and wood, beige and white, fashionable shades of cashmere paired with light wood, marble accents with gold accents, delicate pastels combined with white, and shades of raw concrete, which will complement a loft-style decor. You can decorate the walls with timeless stucco or slats. Furniture with a slatted decor, such as those from the LAILA collection, also looks particularly interesting. In this case, white is interwoven with artisan oak elements, and the whole look is completed by a tall mirror on the wardrobe front. A shoe compartment is hidden beneath the soft beige seat. The piece is 40 cm deep, so you can easily fit it in even the narrowest hallway.
Decorations and details that make the difference
Individual elements of the entrance area can also serve a decorative purpose. These include upholstered panels decorated with quilting or stitching, a designer lamp, a console table with fancifully curved legs, or even a soft rug with an intriguing pattern. A shelf and mirror can be illuminated with energy-saving LEDs. High-quality finishing materials, including flooring, skirting boards, and door frames, provide a perfect backdrop for the furniture. Place a decorative vase, perfume bottle, or elegant tray for valuables on the top of the dresser. However, be moderate in choosing accessories so as not to overwhelm the décor.
Wall hangers, posters, 3D wallpapers
Decorating a narrow hallway? Complement your decor with flat wall decorations, such as a framed print, a landscape painting, a poster from your favorite movie, a boho-style macrame, or a wallpaper with an interesting pattern. Elements like a coat rack, a wall lamp, or a mirror don't take up space, serving both practical and decorative purposes. Small, whimsical mirrors hang on the wall above a dresser or cabinet, and look interesting.
What should we avoid in a narrow, dark hallway? Too many accessories is one thing, but maintaining aesthetic consistency in terms of the colors used and Patterns. Patterned wallpaper in a vibrant color can shrink an already small space, so if you must, cover only a selected section of the wall with it and leave the rest neutral.
Sample arrangements from Furnitop.co.uk
Compact furniture for a narrow hallway will allow you to create a comfortable entryway that will be the showpiece of your home. Take the elegant CROSI collection, for example, featuring a chest of drawers, a spacious wardrobe, a mirror, and a coat rack with a shelf. The entire collection is made of high-quality laminated furniture board, and ABS edging additionally protects the furniture from damage. Choose light colors for a narrow hallway to visually brighten and enlarge it. White CROSI furniture is perfect here. Minimalist design goes hand in hand with functionality. Black accents add character to the arrangement. The set is also available in other color options.
Ideas for arranging a very narrow corridor in a block of flats
Mirror wall in the hall – inspirations
Using a mirrored wall in a very tight hallway is an interesting design trick, definitely recommended for small spaces. An equally effective solution is to install a wardrobe or dressing room with a large mirror in the entryway. One option is the versatile CUBE model, combining white and gray. Here, you'll find hidden compartments, shelves, and clothes hangers. You can easily store outerwear, shoes, hats, and other accessories. A large mirror image will visually open up the space, introduce a sense of lightness, and, what's more, highlight a selected element of an elegant arrangement (the mirror can reflect, for example, a window in an adjacent room or green potted plants).
Furniture sets for a small hall - what to choose?
Practical hallway furniture makes it easier to keep things organized and allows you to comfortably prepare for an outing. At Furnitop.co.uk, you'll find a wide selection of hallway sets, spacious sliding wardrobes, corner wardrobes, single-door wardrobes, and multi-door wardrobes. You'll also find functional extensions that offer even more storage space. In our store, you'll find wall and floor coat racks, shoe cabinets, upholstered benches, storage seats, and complete wardrobes for every budget. The fashionable designs and beautiful color schemes of our furniture will easily match your interior.
The stylish PIRMO wardrobe in Riviera Oak with white fronts will look great in a very small hallway. Tall solid wood legs add a touch of lightness and make it easy to keep the floor clean. The piece includes shelves and shoe cabinets, hooks for outerwear, and a minimalist mirror. It will look great in an apartment inspired by Scandinavian, boho, soft loft, or even classic aesthetics.
