Oliver Heath's bright hallway ideas
Expert advice on making a hall lighter, bigger and fresher
The hallway in my 1930s terrace is quite dark and in need of an overhaul. Can you suggest how I could brighten it up – and should I go for sisal flooring or wool carpet? Which is the most eco-friendly?
Oliver Heath says:
Hallways often suffer from a lack of daylight, being in the heart of the home and distant from larger windows, but what sort of a welcome does that offer? You need to work hard to maximise natural daylight while keeping this space inviting, easy to maintain and hardwearing. If you increase the amount of glass in your front door and/or lobby door this will go a long way to brighten it – try etched toughened glass for a secure but contemporary look. In addition, consider increasing the reflective quality of your walls – lighter colours will bounce much more daylight around the area. Dulux’s Light and Space range claims to be twice as reflective as conventional emulsions.
Of course, we all know that mirrors can add to a feeling of space, and in hallways they not only reflect the light but also offer you that all-important last glance to check your appearance before you leave the house. As for carpets, both natural wool and sisal can be sustainable options, but I’d recommend wool for busy areas, as it has a superior stain resistance and is easier to clean. Remember that patterns and lines can help to hide marks – check out Alternative Flooring’s eclectic range of wool carpets (www.alternativeflooring.com).
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