As you step into your front hall, does it make you feel calm, happy and welcomed? Or does clutter or a dated decor create stress and frustration? If you’re unhappy with your hall, there are five key areas to consider, from basic function to beautiful decoration. 

Walls
Paint can transform a bland hallway, or opt for wallpaper, tiles or timber cladding. While pale colours reflect light and emphasise a sense of space, dark schemes can be cosy and interesting, but need adequate lighting. For practicality, protect the lower halves of the walls with tiles, timber or extra-tough paint. Period-style patterned tiles, beaded wall panelling or embossed wallpapers suit older properties with original features, while in a modern home consider geometrics, oversized florals or tongue-and-groove cladding. 

Flooring
Add a runner, either washable or in a dark colour that won’t show the dirt, to revive the floor.

Alternatively, sand and varnish a timber floor, or replace tired carpet or vinyl. Hall floors must be durable, non-slip, resistant to dirt and stains, and easy to clean. Stone, ceramic, quarry or Victorian-style encaustic tiles are ideal. Timber boards or parquet need regular polishing or waxing, though some are water-resistant, extra-tough boards that are super-easy to care for. Cheaper laminates may not last long. Good quality vinyl flooring is practical and comfortable. A dark 80:20 wool-nylon mix twist-pile carpet should withstand heavy usage, or consider tough natural matting such as coir, sisal or rush. 

Lighting
Halls should be welcoming and illuminate steps or thresholds. Consider specialist light-reflecting paint, or wallpaper with a metallic sheen. Add a large mirror. Wall lights can act as obstacles in a narrow hall but recessed ceiling downlights or a pendant (or a row of them) are ideal. 

Storage
Built-in wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling storage, including any wonky areas, makes the most of available space. Tall, shallow cupboards painted the same colour as the walls, or mirrored, will be barely noticeable. Alternatively, choose freestanding cupboards, sideboards or console tables. Add umbrella stands, dog beds, boot racks, high-up bike hooks, a coat rack or a radiator shelf for post and keys, depending on available space.

Decoration
Paintings or photographs can make an impact in a hallway and up the stairs. With sufficient light, house plants in attractive pots are fabulous, as are books on a side table or shelf. A console table or a deep shelf gives space for a lamp, a basket for keys etc., and a vase of flowers.