Decorating & Design
April 9, 2021
45+ Hardworking Hallways That Maximize Space & Style
Hallways are often forgotten, but have so much to offer. Maximize space in your home by putting hallways, stairways, mudrooms and entryways to work — whether that means adding storage or boosting style with a standout design moment. Check out these spaces that are as good looking as they are hardworking, and get ideas for your own space.
Who says the front door can’t have its own design moment? A Victorian Gothic chair and antique console table have a practical purpose, but the china collection, vintage portrait and lantern chandelier make this entry truly memorable.
At the base of these handsome stairs, a woven holder displays umbrellas and canes, and the window sill is the perfect place for plants to soak up the sun.
Designer Barbara Purdy masterfully layered woven, wood and other natural materials in this welcoming entryway. Two baskets under the console keep everyday essentials out of sight.
At the entrance to designers Colin Blanchard and Kenneth McRobbie’s store and studio area, a basket of vintage croquet mallets and an antique wing chair greet clients and set the tone for the rest of the historical home.
In the Spring 2020 Princess Margaret Showhome, designer Sarah Baeumler created a hardworking nook with blue millwork and blush wallpaper. The built-in unit offers an array of hooks, drawers and cubbies to keep odds and ends stored away for a more uniform look.
Dog parents will adore this foyer by Calgary design duo SmithErickson Designs. There’s a spot to hang the leash, store dog food and put the water and food bowls. Stanley is one lucky pup!
In this charming mudroom, an antique pine bench is practical and “adds a sense of history to a new space,” says designer Allison Willson of this new-build farmhouse. A greige cabinet feels equally on-trend and timeless.
“We really wanted the bench, the stairs and the wardrobe to read as a whole,” says Aránzazu González Bernardo, principal designer of Odami, of this eye-catching entryway. The Corian stone on the bench stands up to the wear and tear of life with kids.
Perfect for answering emails (or secretly storing bar essentials), this arched nook in the hallway makes the most of a blank wall.
The entrance at the back of this house gets major style points with a graphic black door, beadboard wall and geometric tile underfoot. But it’s the wooden bench and hooks that make it practical for everyday living.
On the second-floor landing of this modern home, custom built-ins are filled with black books and artful knickknacks for graphic impact. A colorful painting and gilt picture light feel unexpected.
Practical 30- by 30-inch porcelain floor tiles (that mimimic slate) are the perfect choice for muddy boots in this cabin entryway. Winter essentials amp up the cozy factor, so it’s okay to leave them out on display!
Just when we thought this light-filled entryway couldn’t get any more wonderful, H&H’s Designer of the Year Sophie Burke added a rustic console table and comfy seating to make it feel lived-in.
Inspired by a Chloé boutique the homeowner saw in Paris, the picket detail on the stairway balustrade adds an artful touch to the entryway, complete with hardworking white and wood built-ins.
This penthouse entryway is equally functional and fashionable with a glam console table that holds books, baskets and a quirky vase with flowers. “Lucite is like jewelry,” says designer Anne Hepfer. “It adds sparkle and glamour.”
In this character-driven vestibule, built-in window seats — on either side of the restored 1900s door — offer a place to put on your shoes and store hats, gloves and scarves in the drawers underneath.
Would a farmhouse be complete without a lust-worthy mudroom? Designer Susan Burns maxed out storage right in the basement entryway with a floor-to-ceiling wardrobe, built-in wooden bench, woven basket and more.
Tall, inky cabinets create a moody entrance at the back of this contemporary Vancouver home. There’s room for everything from sports equipment to seasonal clothing — all tucked behind closed doors.
A hand-woven side chair and baskets create a beachy vibe in this charming cottage entryway. Designer Tiffany Piotrowski’s father made the powder blue bench, which is a comfy spot to kick off your shoes.
A Shaker-style peg rail blends beautifully into the beadboard walls, while aqua blue throw pillows provide comfort and pay homage to the lakeside location of this country oasis.
Wall hooks and a compact bench make this narrow cottage entryway practical and polished. Plus, a sage green door adds an unexpected splash of color.
See more of this boho designer hideaway on H&H TV.
The eclectic Kelly Wearstler wallpaper makes the entryway of this Les Ensembliers rental stand out, while a tall console provides plenty of room to keep shoes and other outdoor essentials stylishly tucked away.
In this century-old Victorian home, a denim blue bench commands attention and packs plenty of use — it’s a drawer set, coat rack and bench all in one!
A handsome vintage dresser and chair are both useful and beautiful in designer Luke Havekes’ New England-style entryway. A buttery yellow front door feels like a ray of sunshine.
The emerald green bench — which is one of 2020’s hottest hues — is a gorgeous focal point and a convenient place to change shoes.
Wall hooks at two different heights work for adults and little ones in this Port Perry, Ontario, farmhouse. The hooks are painted to blend in subtly with the panelling for added architectural flair.
The cloudy wallpaper in this nautical foyer evokes a coastal-chic vibe. An antique mirror framed by gilt sconces gives off an opulent first impression.
In curator Pamela Meredith’s artful Toronto home, a sleek side table displays a quirky objets, while a low-set built-in bench doubles as a cubby for shoes.
The spotted wallpaper in this eclectic entryway adds a youthful touch to balance out the minimal decor. The open shelving console provides plenty of out-of-sight storage as well.
This antique console — a wedding gift from designer Francesca Albertazzi‘s grandmother — adds vintage charm to the crisp, clean entryway.
In this compact foyer, a custom-made storage unit is the perfect height for putting down sunglasses and accessories. The flower vase and mirror prove that every corner deserves to be decorated.
A golden light fixture and curvy console balance the dark vertical wall panelling in this Muskoka lakehouse. Two layers of shelving offer a space to stash small objects.
In this Victorian home, Mazen El-Abdallah designed a streamlined entry hall with a floating console to keep shoes and clutter in check.
Senior design editor Sally Armstrong created this entryway wall organizer for sunglasses, keys and mail. With wall hooks and a bench for shoe storage, this entrance is both functional and stylish.
Learn how to make this DIY: Modern Wall Organizer.
This front hallway makes a grand entrance with a sophisticated pedestal table — the perfect spot for stacks of coffee table books.
This memorable hallway features a showstopping wallpaper by Kelly Wearstler. A sleek console table is the ideal place to display vases, bowls and other collectibles.
In the entry vestibule of this character-filled home, an industrial hall tree topped with bamboo hat holders adds a functional element to a diminutive space.
In this back hallway, an antique bench brings vintage character and is a practical spot to get bundled up for a snowy adventure. A wicker basket corals mitts, scarves and hats.
Senior design editor Joel Bray pumped up the storage in this hallway by adding a wooden DIY hat rack. Show off your collections seasonally — straw hats in the summer and scarves and fedoras come winter.\
Learn how to make this DIY: Wall-Mounted Hat Rack.
Every stairway should have a place to sit and enjoy a spectacular view. Topped with cozy accent pillows and throws, this bench becomes a functional focal point in what is normally a transitional space.
In this Princess Margaret showhome, designer Brian Gluckstein created a pretty and functional side entry hall. Within the wall of built-in storage are two closets, a bench and plenty of open shelves.
This airy entryway in Victoria, British Columbia, features a vintage wardrobe that acts as a family closet. The warm wood tempers the black and white scheme and striking cement floor tile.
Designer Sabrina Albanese made the most of her condo hallway’s storage potential by adding Eames coat hooks and a storage cube. And just around the corner? A space-saving wall-mounted desk and a lucite chair on casters.
A wall of white oak built-ins provides essential storage in this mudroom-meets-entryway. There’s space to sit and put on shoes, as well as hang jackets and bags — and there’s even room to store a bike.
Not only is this hallway striking, but it’s also functional. A clean white wall is the backdrop for the stunning artwork and brass chandelier, while a console table is the ideal locale for writing a note or stacking the mail.
A vintage peg coat rack and basket corral frequently used outerwear in this back hallway.
The downstairs hall of this Toronto pied-à-terre includes a bow-front Georgian chest, which offers a place to stash keys and display beloved pieces.
Reminiscent of an art gallery, this hallway features a massive Aubusson tapestry. Further furnished with a simple upholstered bench and a striking armchair, the space feels grand yet comfortable.
The stairway in this East Coast guest house nods to the nautical with a unique rope handrail and a gallery wall full of sea-worthy oil paintings, boat etchings and photographs.
This back entry is all about function: a wood and wire table provides a place for showcasing bowls and flowers, the vintage bench is a spot to pull off muddy boots and a wicker basket contains mitts, hats, gloves and scarves in the colder months.
Senior design editor Sally Armstrong designed this simple but hardworking front entry that features a clean-lined bench and wall hooks to hang bags and scarves.
For her entry hall, designer Erika Floysvik created a genius cabinet: it rolls out of the way to reveal access to a 205-square-foot crawlspace under the bedroom.