Ask the designer

Q MY hallway is a cluttered mess and a nightmare to organise and keep clean — help!

A. An organised hallway will help you feel calmer as you dash out the door in the morning and return home at night — so get decluttering. Hanging space for coats, hats, dogs leads and so on is a must — (you might like the chic ‘Mahogany Hall Stand R’, reduced to €599, from Casey’s furniture in Cork and Limerick, www.caseys.ie). If there’s room, stagger hooks at different heights to add visual interest and allow the little ones to reach their own coats. Install narrow open shelves that are easy to access when you’re in a rush and keep them looking tidy by using pretty lined wicker baskets for smaller items such as keys and gloves. Make better use of the area under the stairs with customised storage — I’d recommend Derwin Tanner Carpentry Services in Cork (087 6569768). Lastly, splash out on a stylish doormat to keep your newly streamlined hallway clean.

Q. Unlike the other homely rooms in my house which are decorated with photos and keepsakes, my hallway has no personality — how can I make it a bit more ‘me’?

A. Despite the amount of time and money we spend on glamourising our living rooms and bedizening our bedrooms, quite often the first space that our guests are going to see gets ignored. This is where all that wasted wall space comes into play. Give guests a glimpse into your life by using your hallway as a family photo gallery. But be ruthless in your editing — only choose your favourites in a uniform size, finish and framing. A narrow console table, or demi-lune table is ideal for displaying a few objects you adore.

Likewise, shallow wall shelving won’t take up much room but adds much-needed interest to the area. Cluster personal items in odd-numbered groups of three or five as it’s easier on the eye. Finally, a couple of candle sconces will help make your hallway more homely.

Q. I’m thinking of adding a feature wall to my all-white hallway — any suggestions?

A. Hallway feature walls make for a dramatic entrance to your home. I suggest blowing your guests away with a glam textured metallic or stripe wallpaper, which are all the rage this season. With statement walls, it’s important to keep the rest of furniture and accessories minimal. For instance, a row of mirrored lights, large mirror or accent chair will help offset a glimmering feature wall. If you’re nervous about a dramatic change, consider hanging a large framed square of bold wallpaper instead. And if you decide against it altogether, you could always brighten up your neutral hallway with colourful furniture and coordinating stair runner.

Q. I’ve just started working from home, but with limited space what do you think of a hallway office?

A. A dead-end hallway or unused alcove can have surprising office potential. First assess all the space available including up the walls and above and around the doors — often there are unused nooks and crannies that could be used for storage such as wall-mounted bookshelves. An unused hallway closet or under the stairs can be repurposed into a functional workspace with overhead lights and a sliding door, for instance. However, as the hallway is a public part of your home, it’s important not to make it look too ‘officey’ either. A chic secretaire — which provides a focal point — is a great alternative to an office desk.