How to: take your hallway to a whole new level

It was a hive of activity on Three’s The Block NZ as each team raced to finish their entrance, hallway and laundry… in just one week! What an incredible achievement.

The teams learned the importance of first impressions as they created their welcoming entrance and hallway. These spaces are often ignored when decorating but they rightfully deserve some attention—you pass through it so often, after all.

To help you get the most out of your entrance and hallway, we chatted with one of our stylists here at Città, Federica Contardi. Here are her top tips on taking your entrance and hallway to a whole new level.

First impressions matter

“Your entrance sets the scene and creates the first impression of your home,” Federica says. To create a lasting impression, she explains the space should be welcoming, not over-crowded and—most importantly—functional. No two entrances are created equally so it’s important to work with the space available. Federica says even small spaces can be made welcoming with something as simple as a nice doormat and a coat rack. She likes to keep a beautifully scented diffuser by the entrance.

Function is key

Hallways are notorious for becoming cluttered. To avoid this, Federica says it’s important to embrace practical storage solutions. Consider a coat stand like Artek Kiila or Mast for jackets and a Korbo Basket for wet umbrellas. Federica also suggests having shelves with storage baskets to keep shoes out of sight and uncluttered. You can also pop a dish on top of a shelf or sideboard for storing keys as you come in the door. Having a dedicated spot for keys means you’ll never lose them again!

Mirror, mirror on the wall

A well-placed mirror can make a dark hallway feel brighter and create the illusion of space. To maximise this effect, Federica says position a free-standing mirror close to a natural light source—such as near a window or at the end of a hallway. A hallway mirror also allows you to give your outfit a once-over before you head out the door. Consider a full-length mirror such as Pitch or Arc Free-Standing Mirror.

A work of art

Complete your entrance and hallway by injecting pieces of art. If you have shelves or a sideboard, Federica says you could display a sculpture or design pieces. We love Asili’s stunning soapstone pieces and Vitra’s charming wooden dolls. Make the most of the available wall space with a gallery wall of prints and frames. Alternatively, Federica says a statement lamp can act as a piece of art. This could be a quirky lamp (such as an Anglepoise) or a series of hanging pendant lights.

Get back to nature

Art aside, you can also add colour and texture with plants. Consider your hallway’s environment and choose your perfect plant accordingly. If you have minimal light, opt for a shade-loving plant such as aloe-vera, snake plant or vine-like heartleaf philodendron. Display in a traditional planter or for a softer, organic look, Federica suggests opting for a woven or material basket. If you don’t have a green thumb, display a dried flower arrangement in a vase instead.

We loved watching the teams race to finish their entrance, hallway and laundry on Three’s The Block NZ this week—what an undertaking! Tune in on Monday to Wednesday at 7.30pm and Sunday at 7pm or catch up on ThreeNow.