| Sophisticated simplicity sums up the look in | | | | feature. Door furniture and handles should have a |
| apartment-style halls. Space may be at a | | | | contemporary twist - in matte metallics or quirky |
| premium, or the hall double as a living area, so | | | | resin shapes. |
| features are both decorative and practical. | | | | Style Pointers |
| The apartment-style hallway offers a first glimpse | | | | WALLS |
| of a home where a busy urban lifestyle is | | | | Plain/color block: white, neutral, space |
| reflected in its pared-down, stylish decoration. | | | | light-enhancing walls and ceilings: controlled contrast |
| Planned with creative flair, the furniture is | | | | color areas, textural, rough-cast/mirrored/metallic |
| streamlined, the storage practical, and the color | | | | glass brick areas. |
| scheme distinctive. Utilizing space in a visually | | | | Wall coverings: graphic images, bold colorwash |
| pleasing and innovative way is a priority. Hallways | | | | effects. |
| can be small and narrow, or airy and open plan, | | | | WINDOWS |
| with boundaries between the hall and the living or | | | | Simple blinds/curtains: natural or colored wood |
| work areas not traditionally defined. | | | | slatted Venetians, white, neutral, color accent |
| Color, shape, and texture create an essentially | | | | Roman, or roller blinds; rod pocket/tab, |
| upbeat mood. Space-enhancing neutrals are | | | | eyelet-headed/tension wire curtains, panels; metal |
| balanced with vibrant color accents and simple | | | | curtain rods. |
| furniture and accessories. These have sleek | | | | FABRICS |
| organic or geometric lines, in pale wood, metal, | | | | Neutrals/striking color: natural heavy cotton/linen |
| glass, or plastic, perhaps counter-balanced with | | | | weaves; bold checks; stripes; bold, stylized |
| high-tech industrial-look pieces, or flattered by | | | | abstract florals/graphic prints. |
| textured natural fibers. Simple accessories, such | | | | FLOORING |
| as a plain table lamp, are in keeping with the | | | | Sleek/space-defining: blond woodstrip/colored |
| pared-down look. | | | | floorboards; natural fiber matting; linoleum/rubber |
| Creating the Look | | | | flooring; contrast color tiles; plain wall-to-wall |
| Visual streamlining creates a sense of space, and | | | | carpet; bold abstract/designer rugs. |
| minimizes less than perfect features. Use pale | | | | FURNITURE |
| color or white to create a sense of light and | | | | Streamlined/space saving: clean lines, designer |
| space, and consider how the color choice will | | | | architectural pieces, dual purpose, blond wood, |
| affect adjoining rooms - aim for a good tonal | | | | steel/aluminum, console table/chest of drawers |
| balance, using either color harmonies or contrasts. | | | | desk, neutral/mirror fronted built-in cupboards; |
| Use stronger color or interesting texture such as | | | | modular/free-standing shelf unit; color-accent |
| roughcast plaster, and glossy finishes, to | | | | occasional chair/seating. |
| accentuate structural features such as pillars, | | | | LIGHTING |
| posts, alcoves, prominent walls, or sloping ceilings. | | | | Atmospheric/high-tech: wire tracking/halogen |
| In a narrow hall you can use mirrors or mirror | | | | spotlights; sculptural effect pendant/avant-garde |
| tiles to open up the space or front a built-in | | | | quirky, designer chandelier; versatile task |
| cupboard. | | | | atmospheric lamps; wall-mounted or free-standing |
| In a larger space such as an open-plan hall/living | | | | torcheres, natural finish, metallic, glass; table lamps |
| room, create a visual break with a screen wall of | | | | in molded plastic, metallics, glass, parchment. |
| glass bricks, or use a freestanding shelving unit as | | | | ACCESSORIES |
| a divider between the entrance and the living | | | | Color accent/sculptural: designer style, |
| area. | | | | avant-garde, bold, organic form/streamlined looks |
| Counteract the effect of too many doors - or | | | | for: clothes/hat stand/hooks, umbrella stand in |
| any other unwelcome details -by painting them a | | | | pale wood/brushed steel; sleek wood/metallic |
| color to blend with the walls. Woodwork should | | | | picture frames, graphic/modern art/photographic |
| match the wall color, or be painted a slightly lighter | | | | prints; plain/colored glass/plastic or brushed steel |
| or darker shade in a matte finish. To suit the | | | | vases/containers, modern clock; specimen flowers |
| style, doors should be plain and flush with a wood | | | | large plant/cacti; over-sized urns/twisted willow |
| veneer finish, glass paneled (with wired glass for a | | | | twigs. |
| high-tech look), or painted as a color accent | | | | |