Large hall but odd layout - how would you use it?

[ThePurpleOctopus]

We're one year into our new house, and I still don't really know what to do with the hall. I'm not sure if it's best to post here or in Home Decoration, so happy to move it over if this isn't appropriate.

Situation: our hall is large (about 4m x 5m). You go into it from the porch, and it has the staircase in it, as well as doors to other rooms.

Because of the layout, there is almost no wall space (see picture). What looks like wall space on the right-hand side is covered by a large radiator right in the middle. We could look into moving this to one side or the other, but it would be a reasonable faff and cost (very old heating system), and maybe not the most worthwhile. There isn't anywhere else for the radiator to go, and it's definitely needed as it's a cold and draughty house.

Now, because it's quite a large house, we don't necessarily 'need' something in the hall. We're not short of storage, and the porch is where shoes, keys, etc. live.

But it's a weird and empty room. The previous owners had a decorative table right in the middle, and also one against the wall between the two top doors (on the picture). Because we've got young kids, these would feel obstructive for our family, so I don't know if something right in the middle would work.

This is not a major problem, more something I ruminate on every now and then. Would love ideas if anyone has any.

How about a sofa along where the radiator is, but pulled out by about a foot so it's not up against it. You could go for a style and colour that you might not choose for the rest of the house - so velvet sapphire or fuchsia, for example. Then put a lovely floor lamp close to sofa, and perhaps a large plant. Add some sort of storage cabinet or shelving - perhaps under the window. Display a few nice bits on it. Choose some art that you like for the walls - could just be prints from Etsy. A couple of large framed prints might look better then lots of smaller ones. Perhaps add an ornate mirror. Consider tiling instead of carpet, perhaps with a large rug under the sofa. Some thoughts!

Can you post more of the layout? It's hard to get a feel.

I'm moving soon and the house has a huge L shaped hallway with lots of doors and windows. I'm eyeing up a vintage telephone sofa to fill some space, and some tall plants.

It really depends more on what other rooms you have and how you use them.

If it were my house I’d probably make it a formal dining area with a large mirror and shel above the radiator. If there’s already a dining room I’d use that as a second sitting room, playroom or study as the children grow.

What about an art installation or mobile hung from the ceiling? Then plants on stands dotted around the walls. You'll keep all the floor space for the children to hare around in.

I love these ideas, thanks all! And keep them coming.

I hadn't even thought about going 'big' like a sofa. That's definitely got me thinking....

We're very lucky in terms of other rooms. The ground floor has: kitchen diner, living room, other reception room (we use as playroom), pantry, cloakroom and downstairs loo, and an office. And then 5 bedrooms upstairs. So I don't need the hall to take on the function of any other rooms, I don't think.

I would go for something like this in front if the radiator, large rug in the centre, small armchair with small table on left and large plants anywhere else.

Do you need storage? The room is so big you could have something similar to fitted wardrobes for coats, shoes etc.

I’d fill it with dog beds and dogs! 😁

How about a round sofa/chair?

are you a musical family? You would have plenty of space for a piano and it would be a good place to practice any musical instrument. I'm guessing its too draughty to sit for long reading a book, otherwise I would suggest making it a library type area with a couple of comfy chairs, plants, standard lamps etc.

Op your hall sounds similar to mine. On the walls I have photos, coat hooks and a large mirror. I have a table for the post and a big rug, under a chandelier and that’s it. I like the feeling of space.

I used to have a storage bench with two compartments - each child’s school books / PE kits / club kits would go in a compartment. That worked well.

Similar to my Dad's hallway.

They have wallpapered one wall with O/S maps of the Lakes (they love the Lakes) and put a old church pew up against the wall/ slightly away from the radiator. The back of the hallway has a small desk for chucking keys etc.

However, most of the space is left as space and it doubles as a gathering area when waiting for everyone to put the right boots, shoes, scarves etc on before heading out.

Basically it kind of doubles as. 'posher' boot room / area for bootin g up, coating up and heading out.

I think you should think whether anything useful might happen in his hall — is there any function that is currently lacking that would work in between porch and actual rooms or going upstairs?

Otherwise, I’d just hang paintings or prints on whatever wall is available.

Can you post a bit more of the house layout? Hard to get a feel for it without seeing what goes where? Is it something where you cod get e.g. fitted bookcases round the various doors, and then a comfy chair and lamp etc in the corner near the radiator? Probably hopeless if it's really properly draughty/cold though. I think a quiet/adult space would be my temptation, but it would really depend how much through-traffic the hall gets all the time.

I've got a wide hallway and I've gone for a statement patterned velvet sofa with a lamp table next to it - the sofa is fairly loud and not something I'd necessarily put elsewhere. It is useful though, changing shoes, I read there sometimes.

This winter I had a door curtain made in the same fabric and love it. It looks amazing pooled on the floor.

Plus an old glazed bookcase, mirror, leaning bookcase with one of those bulb lamps and a few pictures.

@stealthninjamum

Op your hall sounds similar to mine. On the walls I have photos, coat hooks and a large mirror. I have a table for the post and a big rug, under a chandelier and that’s it. I like the feeling of space.

I used to have a storage bench with two compartments - each child’s school books / PE kits / club kits would go in a compartment. That worked well.

can never go wrong with useful storage in the right place. Also, consider lots of different lighting so that you however you use the hall, the lighting is right - bright when you want it to be bright, subdued and warm and welcoming at other times. I also like the idea of a real showman chandelier that is a bit of a wow factor.

We did our large hallway this year, removed an angular chimney breast and put the lighting in the "right" place. Wish we'd done it years ago as it makes so much difference.

No to the sofa - would you honestly ever sit in there??

I'd be inclined to put full height cupboards along the wall - stowage is always good

Or full height bookcases and make it a sort of library

You could change the rather or to a vertical one and get some wall space back

My Mum had a hall like this. The grandchildren played in it a lot so their toys lived in a big quirky sideboard and there was also a big blanket box for more toys plus lots of art on the walls. It was the best place for art in the whole place as it got lots of light and you could really see it as you came in. There was also a rug that the kids played on. It was ideal in that with kids gone it was an adult space but kids there and it was a playroom.

Ours is a similar layout. I've got large rug that covers nearly the whole floor space. Then a wide console table on one wall (with 2 lamps and a mirror above it). Then a wide oak bench with 2 storage basket along the other wall with a piece of art over it. Then other artwork on the other walls

Ooh love the library idea

@ThePurpleOctopus

I love these ideas, thanks all! And keep them coming.

I hadn't even thought about going 'big' like a sofa. That's definitely got me thinking....

We're very lucky in terms of other rooms. The ground floor has: kitchen diner, living room, other reception room (we use as playroom), pantry, cloakroom and downstairs loo, and an office. And then 5 bedrooms upstairs. So I don't need the hall to take on the function of any other rooms, I don't think.

Aah I see. I like a separate formal dining room and we have one, but I do appreciate that they're not really in vogue and not used most of the time, so that can be a waste if you have other uses for the room.

If you don't need that hall to have a dedicated purpose other than as a true reception area then you can do whatever takes your fancy.

Ours has the stairs in the centre and they're open underneath. The windows and radiators are either side of the front door so that frees up long wall spaces but puts a stop to the one big statement as you come through the door. We have a sideboard with a mirror above and big bullet lamps either side, a console table with a lamp and a clock on the wall above and on the other side, a tall cupboard which houses outside boots, hats, gloves, scarves, dog leads and all that and there's a comfy armchair to the side of it, which is a good place to get the boots on and off.

If I had a big open space ahead of me I'd go with a central table and fresh flowers or a large plant on display and use it for recent family photos, post and magazines. That would suit our lifestyle though, not so sure what yours is like and whether this is off the mark.

@Summersdreaming

Ooh love the library idea

This makes me think 'dust' 😂. All my books are in glazed cabinets for that reason.

A coffee table in the middle and 2 sofas facing each other over it.

Definitely a baby-grand piano...
(Dreams of a home with room for one...)