In most apartments, and in some private houses you can find a long narrow corridor. Often it is gloomy and does not attract attention at all. The dull atmosphere in the narrow corridor is created by dark walls that visually reduce the already small space. Darkness adds to this room and poor lighting. Consider how to beautifully design a narrow corridor and visually expand it.
If you solve the problem with insufficient lighting and dark walls, the narrow corridor will immediately radically change. You can supplement the new perception of such a room by changing the design of the flooring and additional wall decoration.
The color of the walls in the narrow corridor
When choosing a wallpaper or paint for the walls of a narrow corridor, it is better to give preference to the lightest tones. If there is no external lighting in a small room, white may be the best option for wall decoration. It creates the effect of visual expansion of the room, as it has the ability to reflect light. But if the apartment has small children or pets, the white walls of the narrow corridor will quickly get dirty, they will constantly have to be washed or tinted.
In this case, the main tone of the walls of the narrow corridor should be a weakly saturated color with the greatest amount of white. Colors like light green, blue, pale lilac or coffee with milk are perfect. The walls of the narrow corridor can also be decorated in light beige pastel colors, as in the photo below.
Narrow Aisle Lighting
Good lighting of a narrow corridor will allow you to visually expand it, relieve gloom and dullness. Previously, the corridors of all typical apartments were lit by two, or even one lamp, the light from which was absolutely not enough. For a spacious perception of a narrow corridor, ceiling lights are needed. Depending on the chosen design, these can be spots, lamps or chandeliers. The number of lighting points depends on the power of the bulbs, on which it is extremely undesirable to save.
The following photo shows a long narrow corridor, quite bright due to the large amount of lighting built into the ceiling and white walls.
If in the narrow corridor there are two powerful lamps, but the light is still not enough, it is worth trying to double such lighting, that is, install two more of the same. Perhaps this will achieve the desired result. Narrow corridors are sometimes illuminated with a sconce, but in this case it is important that their rays are evenly distributed.
The floor in the narrow corridor
People make a gross mistake when decorating the floor of a narrow corridor with longitudinal stripes. Such a floor visually stretches and narrows the already narrow corridor, distorts and emphasizes its irregular shapes. It is not recommended to make the floor of a narrow corridor too dark and lay a carpet path on it that has a parallel pattern on the edges.
Floor coverings for a narrow corridor are better to choose neutral light shades. So the corridor will visually look wider and more spacious. The carpet is best replaced with a few small rugs. It is good if they have graphic clear drawings or wide stripes. But the plain, bright doormats also fit perfectly into the narrow corridor, especially if the design of the corridor is decorated in a modern style.
In the next photo, the corridor is quite bright, but the floor is decorated with a dark coating. It looks beautiful, but if you mentally replace the dark floor with a light one, the picture would change for the better.
A little more visually expand the narrow corridor will allow a light wooden floor covering mounted in the transverse direction, for example, parquet board.
Narrow corridor wall design
First of all, mirrors are used to expand the narrow space of the corridor from the objects of wall decor. If several mirrors with different shapes are placed opposite each other, the result will be impressive.
The next photo shows a not too narrow corridor, one wall of which is shorter than the other. The long wall is decorated with various mirrors. If for a second we imagine that the second wall looks approximately the same, we would get a wonderful visual expansion of the room with the help of mirrors.
Very often the walls in the corridor are decorated with paintings or photographs. An example in the photo below.
But in a too narrow room, the frames protruding from the walls can interfere with movement along the corridor. This problem can be solved by slightly drowning the frames of the paintings in the wall. True, such a decor of the walls of a narrow corridor requires effort and time. So that the frames with photos could not be touched when moving along the corridor, they can be hung higher. But here it’s impossible to use big pictures.
Another version of the corridor design can be seen in the following photo. Here the width of the room is slightly larger than the standard apartment. That is why this corridor has a compact shelf with decor items. An example of this design can be noted for those who have a “moderately” narrow corridor in the house.
The most practical and modern tool for decorating narrow corridors are vinyl wall stickers. Firstly, they are inexpensive, and secondly, absolutely do not interfere with the movement along the walls. In addition, decorating the walls with vinyl stickers is easy. And the most important plus is that they will only have an alternative to handmade painting.
The corridor in the apartment is like the cover of a book - the beginning of the home. And the design of this part of the apartment should be approached very carefully. In addition, if the corridor is not happy with its area, then some design techniques will have to be applied to expand a visually narrow space.
1. The choice of color and material of the walls for the hallway.
If the corridor is dark and narrow, then the best solution is to fulfill it in the most light colors. White, beige, or pastel shades will do this job perfectly. The most inappropriate color is a small ornament. If you want to decorate the corridor, then these should be large elements in a small amount, for example, large flowers on the wallpaper, located as far as possible from each other.
Materials for decorating the corridor must be chosen practical, not soiled, easily washable - non-woven, vinyl, glassy wallpaper, light wall panels. An inexpensive and practical option is painting the walls, which can be easily refreshed. The cost of completing wall decoration can be found on the website stroit.kiev.ua.
2. Floor and ceiling.
You should not install bulky-looking structures of plasterboard ceilings in several levels, various colors and configurations in the corridor. All this will further enhance the effect of a small space. An ideal option would be a white glossy stretch ceiling, which will visually expand the space. It is better to make the floor glossy. A tile or a bulk floor is suitable for this purpose.
3. Lighting.
A gorgeous large chandelier in the hallway will not look appropriate. It is better to give preference to spotlights or hidden lighting. Lamps should also be chosen small.
4. Mirrors.
This is another tricky trick that will help to increase the space. You can install mirror panels in the entire wall, or a large mirror in a beautiful frame. This creates the illusion of additional space.
5. Furniture.
If the hallway area allows, then you can make a narrow wardrobe in the whole wall with mirrored doors. Doors must be sliding. If this is not possible, then you can attach beautiful decorative hooks or a light clothes hanger to the wall. What you should not do is clutter up an already small area with heavy and bulky furniture.
6. Decor.
To decorate the corridor, it is better to use large elements of decor, let it be photographs or paintings in visually light frames, hung horizontally. There should not be so many, a maximum of three. They will help to correctly place accents in the interior of the hallway with plain walls and flooring.
Using these simple tricks, you can easily make even the smallest and darkest corridor a highlight of the interior. Thus, turning it into a stylish space filled with lightness and airiness.
Surprisingly, many designers do not consider narrow corridor a problem. On the contrary, a narrow corridor is a striking individual feature that, with the right approach, will make the interior of this room original, unique and creative. Consider a few basic techniques for designing a narrow corridor.
In order to visually expand the space of a narrow corridor, it is best to use light colors and shades - white, coffee, blue, light green, light purple, etc. True, this design has one significant drawback - the walls will quickly get dirty, especially since the narrow corridor itself implies frequent mechanical impact on the walls - with elbows, shoes, bags, etc. Therefore, when choosing finishing materials, you can pay attention to more saturated colors, but with a high content of white.
However, in some cases, narrow corridors accept more or less dark colors (burgundy, purple, sapphire), which is especially true for classic interiors.
If we talk about the choice of finishing materials, then for narrow corridors materials with a fairly high stability class are suitable: wallpaper (it is better if they are washable), wall panels, decorative stone, tile, laminate and linoleum should have the appropriate indicators.
In the case when there is a pantry in a narrow corridor, it is better to remove the door to it, and give the opening some interesting shape - arched or curved. This technique will visually expand the space of a narrow corridor.
Visually expand the narrow space of the corridor will help mirrors located on the walls. It can be either one or several mirrors. In this case, the following rule should be adhered to: large mirror surfaces are permissible only in those narrow corridors that have a length of several meters; in not very long narrow corridors it is better to use several not too wide mirrors, since in this case they give more effective visual illusions.
Visually changing the geometry of space will help the rugs. This solution is suitable for narrow and long corridors.
Not the least role in the design of narrow corridors is lighting. As a rule, narrow corridors are quite dark, which is why it is recommended to install several lamps in them. It can be both ceiling lights, and all kinds of chandeliers, sconces and lights.
As for furniture, for a narrow corridor, closets with open shelves, shelves, narrow sliding wardrobes with translucent, mirrored or frosted doors, as well as combined wardrobes combining both of these options are perfect. As accessories for a narrow corridor, preference can be given to paintings, photographs, figurines and decorative vases mounted on high and narrow catwalks or two-legged consoles.
The entrance hall as a link between the house and the outside world: in the morning there we finish the gatherings and our image for the next day, and in the evening the entrance hall meets us. It is important that this room is comfortable, functional and creates a pleasant mood. A small squeezing hallway is unlikely to cope with this task with a bang. Let's see what tricks will help make it bigger without redevelopment.
The ideal scenario for a small hallway is a minimal set of furniture. Enough, for example, hangers, a shoe tray, a small banquette, stands for umbrellas and a hinged shelf organizer. This configuration is both functional and will leave the room the necessary air. However, in the realities of city apartments in the hallway, not only actual clothes are stored, but also jackets for other seasons, bags and accessories.
Visually hide the cabinet
To save a small hallway, in which there is a closet, a niche will help. Embed a wardrobe in a niche to the ceiling, and it looks like a wall, and not like a wardrobe. It is even better to hide it by picking up or painting the doors to match the walls or by completely decorating them with mirrors.
Color spectrum
It is no secret to anyone that light colors visually expand the space - use this technique! If there is not enough accent, then one wall can be highlighted with bright paint or wallpaper. It is also better to choose light furniture, and make the details bright and contrasting so that the design of the hallway is not smeared into one pale spot.
Patterns
Using graphic techniques, you can also create volume: horizontal stripes expand the space, and vertical stripes raise the ceiling. Patterns and ornaments that create a visual illusion will attract attention, the remaining room is transformed due to this emphasis. Make one wall in a medium-sized cage or lay the floor with small tiles with a checkered pattern - the effect will not take long.
Continuation effect
Wall murals or artful painting on the wall, depicting a street that goes into the distance, a veranda overlooking the sea or a large window into the garden, not only look magical, but also help to expand the hallway as if deep into the picture. Particularly, the reception will be useful if there is a wall in front of the front door that you look at while entering the apartment. The image can be applied not only to the wall, but also to the cabinet or door.
Mirrors
Mirrors are real saviors of small rooms. If two doors lead from the hallway, the mirror can be hung on the space between them. Any wall, cabinet doors, front door is also a great place for a mirror. In an elongated hallway, mirrors are best placed along a long wall.
The only remark: consider the number of mirrors and their location relative to each other, if you do not want to feel in a maze. For a large room, it is better to choose mirrors in carved panels or a composition of small mirrors - this will create a feeling of windows in other rooms, rather than one endless one. It is very important that it will be reflected - it is better if it will be beautiful elements of furniture and lamps, and not a shelf with dirty shoes.
Gloss
Add not only mirrors to the hallway, but also glossy objects that will reflect light. For example, for walls, you can choose glossy paint, and put a vase of crystal or varnished ceramics on the bedside table.
Shine
Last, but far from unimportant, is the entrance hall lighting. The main rule: the light should be sufficient and comfortable so that you can get dressed and examine yourself before leaving the house. But also light will help change the shape and size of the room. For example, the ceiling height often does not match the size of the hallway, so it’s better to choose the sconces and spots on the walls instead of the ceiling lamp, so the ceiling will be lost in the twilight and the brain will draw a comfortable height.
Another tip is to put or hang lamps at the mirrors so that the light is reflected from them. In addition to general lighting, the entrance hall will not interfere with directional lighting: on a shelf with trifles, above a mirror and in a closet.
Small hallways, narrow corridors - this is a typical layout of apartment buildings. With the help of the right decor and carefully selected design, you can make the small hallway functional and fit all the necessary items: cabinets, shelves for shoes, mirrors.
The main goals of design
The main ideas that are aimed at designing a very small corridor in the hallway should be subordinated to one goal - to visually increase the space.
There are certain rules that help to realize this task:
- It is not necessary to use dark tones in the design. The lighter the room, the more it seems;
- Large bright ornaments visually reduce the size. It is also advisable to refuse them;
- Visually increases the usable area of \u200b\u200blight. So, you should think about installing additional backlight;
- Even a room with a large area can turn an excess of bulky furniture into a "warehouse". You need to carefully consider what furniture will be in the hallway, without which you can do;
- The design of small hallways necessarily includes the installation of a mirror or several mirrors. This is a necessary detail of the interior;
- The space of the corridor should not be overloaded with small details. These cute little things look good in the bedroom, or ladies' boudoir.
All kinds of patchwork rugs, mats, toys that should give personality, even in good lighting, it is impossible to properly evaluate. They are simply not visible. At the same time, they can create a feeling of general clutter up the room.
Architectural tricks that visually increase space
The modern design of the narrow entrance hall in a small apartment helps to expand the space thanks to new technological solutions.
Nowhere to install mirrors to add lightness? Stained-glass windows can be inserted into the interior door leaf; they also adorn the doors of corridor cabinets.
The niches located in the walls, probably by the designers, were conceived as places for storing shoes. But in practice, niches only interfere: a cabinet, even the narrowest one, cannot be installed in them. Unless to put a bag at the entrance from the street.
If you install additional light sources in them, then this will create a feeling of spaciousness and additional comfort.
Doors do not always fit into the design of a very narrow and small hallway. Simply removing the door leafs is ugly. But replacing them with arched openings is stylish.
Some designers suggest dismantling the mezzanine. In a small apartment, such a decision creates inconvenience for its inhabitants - there is nowhere to put things.
Modern materials - for example, drywall, from which false ceilings are made - at the same time mask this detail of the interior, and visually increase the height of the corridor.
Wall Decor and Lighting
Light walls, light wallpapers, light ceiling and floor coverings. All this will make the room visually wider, but we should not forget that this is still a hallway, and even too narrow.
Involuntarily, you will touch the light walls and furniture with clothes and hands, pollution will appear, the general appearance will become unattractive.
Those places that can not be touched, you can decorate. The corners on the walls should be covered with plastic or metal corners, the protruding parts of the cabinets with bright, easily washable plastic.
When entering the apartment, at the very bottom of the door and walls, it is better to install a tile or plastic panel. This will help protect yourself from dirt that gets from street shoes.
Additional illumination will allow you to better navigate in the hallway space and avoid contact with walls and furniture.
It is possible to create a modern design of inconvenient small hallways due to fashionable and convenient acoustic lamps. What is their advantage?
Key positive points:
- they work from batteries, which means they do not require an electric cable;
- are not stationary - when moving furniture they can be moved from one place to another;
- turn on the sound of steps, which will help to avoid unnecessary contact with objects;
- have a light intensity control.
The disadvantage is that batteries often have to be recharged. If you alternate the use of light sources: at the entrance, the battery lamps are turned on, and then they are turned off and switched to stationary lighting, recharging will be required less often.
In addition, these lamps can be installed in cabinets, which is very convenient.
Finishing small rooms
When decorating walls in a small room, it is optimal to use wallpaper. They are presented in a wide range of quality, texture and color. As already mentioned, inhighly In small rooms, bright colors and large ornaments are undesirable. Revive the general look will help the texture of the material.
Do not paste over hallways with paper wallpaper. If the washable option seems out of date, then you can apply the finish with metallized, fiberglass, quartz, linkcrust.
Liquid wallpaper is applied to the wall with a spatula, making it possible to experiment with colors. Modern materials are durable, they can be washed and vacuum cleaned if they become dirty.
It is very convenient to decorate the walls of the corridor with MDF or PVC panels. They have wear resistance, create the effect of additional sound insulation, wash great.
But during installation they eat up a few so necessary centimeters of space. Now decorative plaster has come into fashion. Should I use it in a small hallway? Imitation of natural stone will make the room even narrower.
Whatever design ideas are proposed for a small hallway, preference should be given to a bright shiny ceiling. Glossy stretch coatings expand the space perfectly. There is no economic opportunity to install this design, you can carefully align the ceiling and paint with ordinary paint in white.
An interesting element is the mirrored ceiling with backlight. When choosing a floor covering, it is worth being guided not only by aesthetics, but also by practicality. The floor load in the hallway is higher than in other rooms.
Parquet and wooden floor at the entrance to the apartment - this is impractical. As a modern material with sufficient wear resistance and ease of maintenance, a laminate can be recommended.
It is not necessary to lay carpet in small hallways. Light - quickly gets dirty, and dark - visually reduces the volume of the corridor.
Linoleum is not much cheaper in cost, although its installation is easier to carry out. But even special commercial linoleum quickly deteriorates from sharp women's heels. Savings will be doubtful.
The ideal flooring in the hallway is ceramic tile. Resistant to stress, easy to clean. But you should take into account such a nuance - you have to pick up tiles with a rough surface. Otherwise, you may be injured when entering the apartment.
How to arrange a corner hallway
It is necessary to rationally use the corners of the corridor. On them you can install multilevel shelves, fix mirrors. Custom-made furniture fits nicely into the design of the small corner hallway.When ordering furniture, you need to consider its functionality and the ability to install.
