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22/04/2024
By Emma Hooton

From the City to the Country – Luxury Hallway Design

The hallway is the gateway to a home’s soul, providing a glimpse into its character, inhabitants and the stories that lie behind closed doors. Whether you live in a London townhouse, in a stylish apartment or on a beautiful country estate, this transitional space needs to echo the character and charm of the rest of the home to ensure a seamless flow. Here’s our guide for designing a luxury hallway…

Stylish flooring with effortless elegance

Beyond shaping first impressions, hallways bustle with activity unlike any area in the house. People, dogs, brollies and bags converge in the hallway, making it one of the most highly trafficked spaces. As such it needs flooring that looks good and lasts. This lends itself to gorgeous hardwoods, sophisticated marble with intricate veining patterns, and other durable natural stones. Eye-catching patterns can be created to add visual intrigue and to direct attention to specific features or rooms.

Custom millwork for architectural style

Intricately carved woodwork and wainscoting can transform the plain expanse of large hallway walls into luxurious and sophisticated spaces. These architectural elements, especially when displaying rich textures and elegant designs, can serve as timeless accents that elevate a hallway space. Whether adorned with elaborate patterns or displaying the natural beauty of wood, these panels add depth and character to hallways, creating a welcoming atmosphere that exudes warmth.

A polished tiled floor shows the steep underside of a modern white staircase which is illuminated by floor lighting.

Half-height timber panelling adds layering and leaves space for the art collection.

Eye-catching elements for unity and visual interest

Focal points such as large-scale artwork and sculpture can bring character, personality, and visual intrigue to hallways by elevating the design aesthetic. Contrary to their name, statement features don’t have to be overtly bold to make an impression. They can adopt the principle of ‘quiet luxury’ through understated opulence, muted colours and warmth, as this ‘statement’ hallway staircase proves.

Georgian Country House, Hampshire Interior Design Project

Crown moulding, a ceiling rose and herringbone flooring accents in a Georgian Country House also add luxury and sophistication to this hallway space. Antique features, artwork and flourishes of greenery also serve to bring visual interest and warmth without distracting from the focal staircase.

A stunning luxury modern art deco inspired hallway shows the view looking into the dining room. Sitting in a polished grey tile tile floor is a large circular underground wine cellar which is lit showing various bottles of wine.

Statement marble adds to the refined opulence of this Oxford Estate. A sleek spiral cellar brings a dash of Bond-esque allure, providing easy yet secure access through reinforced glass half-moon doors that retract at the press of a button.

For advice on other transitional spaces read our article on Boot Room Design. You may also enjoy our guide to decorating a large hallway.


Installing a hallway which resonates with the luxury of the rest of your home is a considered process. Studio Hooton has delivered whole home renovations for numerous luxury properties and country estates across the south of England. When it comes to planning your next upgrade contact us and we would be delighted to see how we can help with your next project.

Main Image: The sweeping staircase with iron balustrade in this hallway scheme adopts the principles of ‘quiet luxury’ by greeting guests with subtle luxury, muted hues and warmth

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