Transform Your Hallway in Time for Christmas: 5 Tips for Welcoming Guests
With Christmas only a matter of weeks away, we’re preparing for guests over the festive season and, as the entrance to your home, the hallway deserves extra special attention. If you’re hosting this Christmas, now is the ideal time to declutter and refresh this area of the home. Whilst there’s no need for a full makeover, there are some simple tricks and little touches that can make all the difference.
Combine style and practicality with textured walls
“Wall panels offer a great practical solution as they are extremely durable and provide a protective barrier against the wall. They’re also easy to clean, as most panel finishes can be wiped down or touched up with paint, making them simple to maintain as guests arrive over the busy Christmas period!” Summa Costandi, the co-founder at decorative wall panelling company Panels by Sofia explains.
“From an aesthetic perspective, wall panels add a layer of texture to the space, helping to add depth and create a warm and inviting environment as soon as your guests step into your home.” Sofia says.
“When selecting panels, consider the overall style you’re looking to create in your home. Classic designs, such as tongue and groove, bead and butt or shaker style, are great for achieving that cosy ‘cottage’ look. Alternatively, ribbed and fluted designs are so on-trend right now, and the clean vertical lines will help to create the illusion of more space by naturally drawing the eye upwards.”
Panels by Sofia – Ribbed Wall Panels
Create a harmonious space with warm layered lighting
According to Kris Manalo, Head of Design at home furnishing and accessories brand, Atkin and Thyme, the way we light the entrance to our home helps to set the tone and shape guests’ first impressions. “We want our friends and family to feel instantly relaxed as they enter our home and lighting has a major part to play here.” Kris says. “Ideally, you want the lighting in your hallway to feel warm and inviting whilst also being bright enough for people to see their surroundings as they take off their shoes and coats and settle into your house.”
“Layered lighting is a great way to achieve this harmonious atmosphere. It refers to using a combination of light sources and different levels of light to achieve the perfectly balanced aesthetic. Ideally, you want to combine the three main lighting types: ambient, task and accent.
“Ambient lighting is usually the main light source in a room and often comes in the form of a ceiling pendant or other downlight. As it says in the name, task lighting is used to help us carry out certain tasks.” Kris explains. “This could come in the form of a table or floor lamp next to a shoe rack. Accent lighting is used as a way of highlighting certain elements of a room, such as a wall light over photos or alcoves, and is more of a decorative feature.
“Simple changes to your lighting design, such as adding a small table lamp to a sideboard, will help to give your hallway a cosy glow. You should also consider the colour temperature of your bulb; warmer colours tend to work well in this area as they create a more welcoming environment.”
Product example:
Atkin and Thyme – Alana Table Lamp with Red Cherry Marble
Clever storage will help to hide any clutter
The hallway tends to be an area of the home that can quickly become cluttered, and this is amplified during the Christmas period when we have guests over. Kris says: “Whether it’s a hidden shoe rack, a bench seat with built-in cupboards or a stylish sideboard with plenty of drawer space, there are so many clever storage solutions that are perfect for tucking away all the items that usually take residence in the hallway.
“If you’re looking for a statement piece that is stylish as well as practical, a console table could be the perfect addition to your hallway.” A console table is a long, narrow table that is designed to sit against a wall in small spaces. It’s an extremely functional piece of furniture and can be used to store keys, letters, dog leads and any other small items that you tend to leave lying around.
Kris recommends, “A slim version with a glass top can give the illusion of more space in small areas, or, for larger hallways, opt for a console table with drawers and space for baskets underneath so you can easily tidy away shoes and other items. Pop a table lamp and a mini Christmas tree on top to create that warm, festive feel as soon as guests arrive.”
Product example:
Atkin and Thyme – Austin Console Table
Set the scene with a festive fragrance
Scents have the power to evoke emotion, bring back memories, and really help to set the scene in your home. Greet your guests with a winter fragrance in the hallway to set the atmosphere as they walk through the door. Aimee Lauren, founder of RinkyDink Candles: “For that luxury Christmas mahogany feel – all dark wood with a Michael Buble record in the background – look for the right fragrance notes: tobacco, leather, oak are great paired with delicate florals, or sweet vanilla…
“Don’t put candles too close to the door – put them in the corner, where the smell can expand into the room. Think about the way the air moves around your house. It sounds a bit weird, but it can really impact where and how you smell the scent!”
Add a statement chair for maximum comfort
“If you have the space, a soft accent chair is the perfect way to go the extra mile for your guests as it shows that you’ve really prepared for their arrival,” says Kris.
“Choose a compact and comfortable chair where your guests can sit to take off their shoes as they walk through the door. Don’t be afraid to play around with colour and pattern here too, it’s a great way to add a statement piece to your hallway. Your accent chair can even double up as emergency seating when it comes to serving Christmas dinner!”
Product example:
Atkin and Thyme – Wesley Occasional Chair in Deep Green Velvet