Help with boring , narrow, characterless hall .

[Ginandbitterlemons]

I have a very boring house - ex council house-1939 .. in an area of outstanding beauty near the sea. ( previously had a beautiful house - original features, wood floors- but not in this stunning area - and to buy here had to compromise)
Please can someone suggest what to do with this hallway …to make it more interesting .. dare I say stricking.
( last house had high ceiling s, original features.. so simple decor was all that was needed)

Am completely looking to replace the worn beige carpet. But I guess i need something to blend with the kitchen floor , so
that there is flow ..?
( I’ve only had wooded foor throughout before) so any suggestions much appreciated.
Am also hoping for design tips , and paint colour ideas( was thinking of a sort of bare plaster pink - to complement the kitchen units( they are original 1970s) … thanks and help!!!

Upload your photo onto chatpgt and ask it to make your hall more characterful, cosy, rustic etc. I use it when undecided about paint, soft furnishings etc. Fun to see what it comes up with. Usually some pretty interesting images come up!

I probably shouldn’t say this but this is a similar set up to horrid Henry’s house which I am using as a reference to guide where you should lay out your furniture .
bottom of stairs small sideboard with mirror and lamp, other side coat hook and shoe rack, hall long rug , everything colourful

I really love the bare plaster colour - my favourite is RIBA Plaster 1 because it’s not too pink.

Otherwise I always think herringbone carpet gives stairways a bit of character. Neutrals such as F&B Schoolhouse White, Wimborne White & Clunch kind of go with everything.

I love that you have original 70s orange units - it reminds me of my Lundy dollhouse furniture.

A 30s hallway is not very different from an Edwardian one - staircase with spindals etc. Do you want to do much work or just make it less plain through decoration? If the former I would look at removing the dividing wall and reinstating a banister. That walled in bit of the staircase makes it dark and boxy. Opening it up, provided there is not structural issue would make the space feel lighter and bigger. 30s banisters often had square caps on newel the posts, but a modern post and bannister could be nice too.

Also do you want to re-instate the original features/look and feel of 30s or echo the 70s kitchen, or go for something inspired by the coast?

Practically, I would have a look on right move at similar houses in the area to see what people have done, but I think you need to think about the space first and the big elements like staircase, doors nd lighting and then how you use it (do you need mirror or hall table with mirror, landing strip, coat hooks, shoe storage, umbrella stand) and work from there? And then you can think about colours and style.

I would worry about a plaster pink in that stairway being a bit enclosing in an already dark space.

Depending on what is under the carpet you might be able to paint the stairs then use a runner down the middle, sea tones or black and white or something with orange. It is a small hall so you could invest in better, maybe real wood flooring with carpet on the stairs.
Wall colours the plaster pink would be nice or you could use a sage or olive green with touches of pink and orange.
What is it like looking from the kitchen back to the front door?
I would probably do plants and maybe a collection of small mirrors or pictures.

Not very inspiring (empty house I think) but you can see the original banister and door here and how much lighter it is. I had a look on Rightmove at an estate in Lewes of 1920s/30s houses, people have done a variety of things, this one though has clearly been left.

Oh I guess the images have to be approved or didn't work, its the Neville estate area two egs here:

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/166901303#/media?id=media11&ref=photoCollage&channel=RESBUY
& https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/167985893#/?channel=RESBUY

That kitchen is stunning!!!! LOVE!

Aluna
thanks for the examples!
My house is not v 1930s imsgr wose wise- despite being build in 1939 in my mind - as Ive just double checked with dh and it’s actually 1949! !!!
I really like modernist design.
The kitchen was originally dark wood 1980s or something so i installed the 197o s kitchen as am on v limited income as we gave up our careers to live newr sea and noe do ad hoc work.

nzeire Thank you! It was £20 off face book and was in someones garage. They were selling it to raise funds for an ill family member- so I said add a 0 - and make it £200. We then renovated the wood on it . Its v worn inside , but the outside is fine !

CapriceDeDieux Thanks
dh says it’s structural- but I am not sure - we have removed walls before and I get about joists- but next doot is the same - but i will check

I love modernism- and would like a strong look !

I absolutely LOVE your kitchen.

Could you run with the 1970s theme? Check out 70shousemanchester for inspiration.

Alternatively, how about hanging the stairs with a mismatched selection of mirrors to bring light in. Sisal stair runner with binding to match the kitchen units.

SeaAndStars
Thank you ! !
do you mean sisal with a brown edge ? Fab idea ! ( strip the stairs and a sizal runner or just sisal) ?

I’d go with a strong colour on the walls. Something that looks vibrant with your kitchen cabinets. Or a vibrant runner if you want to stay more neutral on the walls.

There’s a creator on tiktok called Victoria Emes who recently did a tour of her house. The colour of your kitchen reminded me of her - so bright and colourful! She painted her stairs and put a gorgeous runner. Perhaps that could work? The video is here: vt.tiktok.com/ZSU9XjAfw/

https://i.etsystatic.com/27973061/r/il/0ffe64/6793190948/il_794xN.6793190948_i0ui.jpg

saw this runner!