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Design Dilemma hallway entry

Dingy Outdoor Hallway

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

We have a weird narrow (door width) hallway in-between our house and a garage convert room. Most people come in through the back and it's a very uninviting space. I can't find any other examples of a hallway like this for inspiration, and it's too narrow for most mudroom ideas. Any ideas to make this more inviting? Photos in comments below

Featured Answer

Jennifer K

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

This hall needs light. This is what I'd do:

paint the brick a light colour using satin or semi-gloss
put one long runner in a bright colour down the length of the hall
add a few more ceiling lights. A set of track lights that you can point at a gallery wall could work
hang a series of art prints down the length of the hall to make a "gallery wall"
trim colour should match the painted brick

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Comments (12)

Jennifer K
3 years ago
Post pictures from both ends, please. It's hard to help without seeing the space.
Emily Bachner thanked Jennifer K
Emily Bachner
Original Author
3 years ago
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I spent 2 days on my own in Tokyo and had a VERY difficult time, but the decor had nothing to do with it. I had only 2 meals in 2 days because I couldn't find restaurants. I'd find these windows with food displays, and no door into the restaurant. The doors on either side of the restaurant would lead into the lobby of an apartment building, or into some dark stairs into a basement, which I wasn't going to explore. My 2 meals ended up being at McDonalds and Subway. :/ I was generally lost the whole time. It was a stopover on my way home from a work trip in China. In China, taxis are cheap (by North American standards). So I'd find a taxi stand and hand the driver a card given to me by the hotel that told the driver where to go, and he'd bring me home. Leaving the hotel, I'd have the doorman write down where I was going throughout the day on a piece of paper, and I'd give that to the driver. But in Tokyo, taxis were out of my budget. So I took the subway. And somehow I had no issue finding my stop (English characters on subway signs?). But then I'd come out of the subway, have no idea which way I was facing, and couldn't read the kanji on the street signs. That's pretty much my only memories of Japan, being lost.
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Selene, a history of your comments shows that you're both mostly interested in promoting the replica MCM furniture sold at a NYC furniture store, Manhattan Home Design. You wouldn't happen to work there or own the store, or be friends or partners (personally or professionally) with someone who is, would you? Also, there have been more than a dozen BBB complaints in the past three years about the store you've been recommending, which I would find problematic if I were looking to buy something there. Your posts in this thread and others sound very similar to some by Gabriella Robbins, James Sorenson, Daniel Blake and others, who are all also promoting MCM replica furniture in general, and Manhattan Home Design in particular. Are all of you friends or partners in this venture? Or bots? Because this is looking very co-ordinated at this point.
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kathleen MK
3 years ago
use some mirrors to bounce light and expand the space visually. Emily offered some great ideas too
Emily Bachner
Original Author
3 years ago
Jennifer, I definitely agree more light although painting brick isn't preferred since our house is the same brick. We were also thinking of putting in a new door with windows in at the end, it opens up to a laundry room with windows so some more natural light may come in. It's an odd space! Never thought to hang up artwork out there though!
Emily Bachner
Original Author
3 years ago
Kathleen, good idea! Might have to position it in the back so it doesn't accidentally scare me on the way in or out 😂
houssaon
3 years ago
I suspect both walls are load bearing, but if you can open a portion of one side, that would help. I like the idea of a full glass door.
Jennifer K
3 years ago
If it feels more outdoor than indoor, I wouldn't paint the brick either. I'd definitely paint the other wall though. You may find some nice outdoor wall art that might suit your corridor. And I think adding a door with windows would help a lot.
Fancy Flight Outdoor Art · More Info

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Floral Palette Outdoor Art · More Info

Stainless Steel Tree Wall Art · More Info

Black Sea Bass, 17" · More Info

Varya Transitional Geometric Indigo Light Gray Indoor/Outdoor Runner Rug 3x8 · More Info

Alfresco Area Rug, 2'3"x11'9" · More Info
Emily Bachner thanked Jennifer K
partim
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I agree with Jennifer K that the brick wall should be painted. I don't see that it makes any difference that the brick is the same as your outdoor brick. Maybe even dry wall over it.

This is now an indoor hallway and its oddness comes from the brick wall and the indoor/outdoor rugs that make it feel like a windowless enclosed outdoor space. Adding art is a good idea too - it's a hallway like any other part of your home.

Replacing the doorway with a glass one is a great idea. Is a small skylight out of budget? Maybe a few solar tubes?
Emily Bachner thanked partim
calidesign
3 years ago
Don't paint the brick. Paint the opposite wall a bright white - but check first because it almost looks like it has mold or mildew. Put in new laminate flooring in the space so you can remove all the rugs. It's way too narrow to hang anything at all on the walls.
Emily Bachner thanked calidesign
Emily Bachner
Original Author
3 years ago
Calidesign/partim - it's a tough space since it's completely outdoors but closed in on 3 sides, it doesn't necessarily get wet but humid SC summers get to it. I went after the one wall with bleach/soap and it's definitely mildewy. I'm not sure when or how the previous owners closed off the garage. Maybe some outdoor paint can tackle the wall though.
calidesign
3 years ago
If it's open to the elements, I would find a way to seal it off with a door or else use an exterior wood or other exterior surface on the walls instead of drywall. Mildew and mold can get serious and spread - it's a health hazard.

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