How to make your narrow hallway work harder — and look good

A busy hallway can quickly become a messy drop zone, but with clever storage, good lighting and playful colour, it can set a welcoming tone for the rest of your home. A narrow hallway can be much more than a route from one room to another. It’s where practicality meets style: a place to organise shoes, bags and keys while making a strong first impression. Clever storage, good lighting and a touch of colour can transform a busy hallway from drop zone to welcoming first impression. Picture: GettyWith thoughtful lighting, clever storage and a considered use of colour, even a tight passage can feel calm, useful and inviting. The key is to make every choice work hard without making the space feel crowded. Here’s how to spruce up your hallway. 1. Light it from the walls upNarrow hallways are often starved of natural light, so well-placed artificial lighting does the heavy lifting. Instead of relying on one harsh downlight, look for wall lighting that casts light up and along the walls to visually widen the space. This rechargeable Motion Sensor Light Kit from Kmart is an adhesive option that adds light without wall damage. Picture: KmartFor a fixed fitting, IKEA’s NYMÅNE wall lamp has ad...