Hall Stories

It's a room that is often overlooked, but its the first room people see when they enter the house, so put your stamp on it and offer a warm welcome.

Although this wallpaper is stunning, with its all over bird design, it's the bright painted architrave, door and skirting that gives this hallway oomph, oh and that gorgeous, huge lamp. The whole is such an eclectic mix - traditional wallpaper, modern geometric rug, black floorboards, yellow painted woodwork and mid century furniture, not to mention the chrome and glass 80's inspired table. It shouldn't work, but it does. Loriini in Dorian wallpaper, Little Greene

Now this is a good sized hallway, plenty to play with here, so make the floor talk with a bold, monochrome geo design carpet. There is really no need for anything else, pale grey walls and white woodwork - job done. Columbus Greek Key carpet, Carpetright

Ahhh runners, don't you just love them? And in such a gorgeous colourway, red and orange with a grey stripe, echoed in the fabric covered stool and a cool striped rug. What's not to like..... Fitzroy Bright from Roger Oates

Don't know about you but harlequin shapes always make me think about retro circuses, which probably accounts for this mad collection of objects. You have to admit the wallpaper is stunning though, especially with the battered woodwork on the stairs Tortola Charcoal wallpaper, Clarke & Clarke

I would love to do this to my stairs, I think it looks great, practical too, as these are all vinyl. Rococo vinyl range from Lifestyle Floors

Another good sized hallway, so it can take a bold pattern, and this stunning floral trail paper looks fantastic. Tie in the colour scheme with deep grey paintwork and add a dramatic console table. Protea trail in Monument wallpaper, Paint and Paper Library

Another monochrome beauty, an all-over floral paper that continues up the stairs. That staircase is to die for isn't it? I imagine this house is somewhere like Bath, a Regency house maybe and someone has just walked through the door after a few days away. A chair is always a good addition if you have space, either to put things on (like your trilby) or to take your shoes off. Sackville Street wallpaper in Tweed, Little Greene. This paper comes from the English Heritage archive.