Designing a small hall: 14 ideas full of tips

Designing a small hall: 14 ideas full of tips © Gautier

It is often given little attention. Wrong, because the entrance is far from being a simple passage area. Optimizing this space makes it practical and functional, but also welcoming and warm. Here are 14 suggestions for a well-appointed entrance.

We tend to neglect it, even to forget it. The entrance is however a room in its own right, it even has a key role in housing. If you just go through it when entering or leaving, this room still needs to be functional. Ideally, you should be able to hang your coat there, store your shoes, drop off your keys or your handbag … The entrance must therefore be fitted out in a practical way, with suitable storage space.. Depending on the space available, we can install a closet, or at least one coat rack or hooks, a shoe cabinet, a console, and why not a bench or a small armchair to be able to put on and take off comfortably. You can also provide a mirror to take a last look at your outfit before leaving in the morning. Another important point: lighting. An entrance must be well lit. We therefore expect an efficient light source on the ceiling, which is completed with a wall lamp or a small lamp to put on a piece of furniture to create a warmer atmosphere. Identifying the entrance visually is also a good idea. Whether small or more spacious, closed or open to a hallway or a living room, the entrance must mark the separation between the outside world and the privacy of one’s home. We do not hesitate, when possible, to delimit space, with color (paint, wallpaper), a carpet, a screen, a curtain, or even to close it with a door or a canopy. Finally, the last aspect not to be overlooked: the decor. It’s the first thing you see when you get home, it’s also where you welcome your guests, the entrance must therefore be pleasant and warm. To fill up with ideas, here are 14 suggestions for arranging and staging your entrance.

Clever storage for a well-organized entrance

Clever storage for a well-organized entrance © Cuisinella

The idea that appeals to us: smart storage so that everything is in its place. Open to the living room, this entrance has a well-structured space thanks to a series of adequate storage spaces. Everyone can leave their belongings there, coats, bags, keys, skateboard or scooter … The room is well organized, and does not overflow into the living room.

Clever storage for a well-organized entrance

A small entrance optimized to the maximum

A small entrance optimized to the maximum © Gautier

The idea that appeals to us: a tailor-made layout that thinks of everything. A small shoe cabinet that also acts as a bench to put on more easily, hooks to hang everyday coats and a wardrobe space to store others, a high cabinet to store what we use less often … proof that a well-thought-out space, even a small one, can make all the difference.

A small entrance optimized to the maximum

A well-structured entrance with an all-in-one piece of furniture

A well-structured entrance with an all-in-one piece of furniture © Archea

The idea that appeals to us: an all-in-one piece of furniture that also serves as a separation from the living room. This storage island is great for making things disappear that you don’t want to see lying around. Above all, it allows you to clearly delimit the space between the entrance and the living room, a good idea for structuring your interior when all the rooms communicate with each other.

A well-structured entrance with an all-in-one piece of furniture

A tidy entrance even in a studio

A tidy entrance even in a studio © Maisons du monde

The idea that appeals to us: ultra practical storage units that blend in with the decor. Even in a studio, where space is at a premium, having a practical entrance is essential. This all-in-one piece of furniture can do it all: drawers, lockers, coat racks, shelves and even bench, nothing is missing. It even matches the rest of the furniture for a flawless interior.

A tidy entrance even in a studio

An optimized entrance at the foot of the stairs

An optimized entrance at the foot of the stairs © Ikea

The idea that appeals to us: a small entrance which intelligently occupies the foot of the stairs. Without being very spacious, it perfectly illustrates how to optimize space to make it a functional place: hooks that climb up the ramp, a small shoe cabinet, a chest of drawers to put down your keys and store your papers, an armchair for to put on comfortably, a mirror, several light sources for tailor-made lighting … It’s flawless.

An optimized entrance at the foot of the stairs

A stylish entrance even when you don’t have an entrance

A stylish entrance even when you don’t have an entrance © Maisons du monde

The idea that appeals to us: a practical and well-identified entrance even when there is no dedicated space. It sometimes happens, especially in small homes, that the front door opens directly into the living room. It is then necessary to create an entry where there is none. Coat hooks, a small bench, a rug are enough to suggest this special place in the house, and to create a place as stylish as it is functional.

A stylish entrance even when you don’t have an entrance

A functional and original entrance with a custom-made piece of furniture

A functional and original entrance with made-to-measure furniture © Leroy Merlin

The idea that appeals to us: a clever island-style piece of furniture that structures the entrance, and in which every nook or cranny offers a storage option. Do-it-yourselfers will be able to draw inspiration from it and give free rein to their imagination. Among the good ideas to remember: wooden rods to dry wet boots, a small comfortable bench, a multitude of niches to store everything, hooks, cupboards, drawers …

A functional and original entrance with a custom-made piece of furniture

A welcoming entrance in a corridor

A welcoming entrance in a corridor © Castorama

The idea that appeals to us: a hallway transformed into a warm entrance full of personality. Forgotten, or misused, the hallway too often ends up in wasted space. However, it makes the link between the different spaces of a home, and can therefore, if well laid out, serve as a link between the interior and the exterior. The colored ceiling and the graphic floor energize the room and mark the way. A series of hooks for hanging coats, scarves and hats, as well as bookcases provide practicality.

A welcoming entrance in a corridor

A well thought out starter for the whole family

The idea that appeals to us: a visually well identified entrance, which offers everyone a little corner of their own. Sometimes not much is enough to furnish the room effectively: a strip of colored wallpaper delimits the different spaces, and a storage cube serves both as a bench and as a shoe cabinet. Another good idea: coat racks installed at the right height so that everyone can hang their clothes.

A well thought out starter for the whole family

An entrance organized around an ultra practical bench

The idea that appeals to us: a nice bench that also serves as a shoe cabinet and umbrella stand. Practical, it is the essential element to arrange an entry, or to create one in a small space. Another good idea: a rug to help visually delimit the space (and to bring a little cozy side), as well as a storage unit and hooks that will complete the function of the room.

An entrance organized around an ultra practical bench

An optimized staircase for a functional entrance

The idea that appeals to us: intelligent use of the space under the stairs, which allows the entrance to be arranged without encroaching on the circulation area. A custom-made base cabinet is used here as a shoe cabinet, and also acts as a bench. Coat hooks allow you to hang the coats of the whole family. Other ideas to copy: a basket near the door to store mail, and cube shelves attached to the wall to store your keys or phone.

An optimized staircase for a functional entrance