How Much Does It Cost to Renovate a Hallway: Budget-Friendly Tips

Besides, ergonomic issues in the hallway arise as well, since its area is usually quite modest. How to calculate a budget so that a small hallway becomes elegant and convenient – and at the same time saves money? We found several ways and are ready to share them with you.

Method #1: Don't Add Anything Extra

A full set of hallway furniture is becoming a less useful purchase these days: even if the wardrobes fit within the volume of your corridor, they are not always arranged conveniently. Usually, they clutter the space, annoy with their gloomy appearance, and don't solve storage problems for seasonal items and various small things.

A chair or large footstool is also not necessary: it might turn out that in your hallway, it's better to put on shoes while standing. Think not about a seating area but rather a shelf where you can lean.

Perhaps the role of storage can be fulfilled by shoe racks – or even two. Consider – maybe they will be more useful to you than, for example, a large wardrobe. Imagine in detail how you will use all the items planned in your project – and don't spend money on what won't be useful.

Method #2: Save on Storage

A tall built-in wardrobe to the ceiling – a common feature of small apartments, and such popularity is understandable: wardrobes rarely look fancy, but they allow you to avoid cluttering small living spaces with furniture.

However, if possible, refrain from building such a wardrobe in the hallway. Instead, install bookshelves and small storage units in a narrow corridor, fill them with attractive boxes and baskets – this storage system will be much more economical.

If you absolutely must have a wardrobe, calculate the dimensions and contents carefully. Minimum doors, shallow depth, budget materials (MDF and particle board, for doors – mirrors and white opaque glass "lakomat", inside – wire baskets instead of expensive drawers, clothing hangers, and simple hanging shelves) – this is the most economical combination for built-in storage systems.

Method #3: Creative Approach and Handmade Work

Make furniture yourself or update old items by hand. A small elegant wardrobe for outerwear works perfectly in the hallway. An old shallow coat closet, repainted and equipped with new attractive handles and shelves, can make your interior ultra-modern at almost no cost. A vintage-style dresser can easily fulfill the role of a shoe rack and console in the hallway. It may not even need repainting – just enhance its look with vintage accessories and add shelves for shoes instead of the lower drawers. In the smallest hallway, install a nostalgic “grandmother’s” coat hanger with a shelf for headwear – these can be found at very modest prices in furniture stores.

Method #4: Save on Door Replacement

The entrance door and interior doors are the most expensive items in hallway renovation. Leave them as they are but change the finish. The most popular covering for updating is laminate, which can be used to finish both heavy metal doors and room and bathroom doors.

Additionally, doors can simply be repainted (use special paints and always prime non-porous surfaces), decorated with chalkboard panels, glass or stained-glass inserts, covered with self-adhesive film or even wallpapers – all this mostly concerns interior doors. Replace handles and plates – and calculate the savings!

Method #5: Choose Affordable Finishing Materials

After selecting and preparing furniture and doors, calculate how much finishing material you will need (usually it is recommended to have a 15% reserve, but you can cut these costs after careful calculation).

Replacing floor covering is traditionally an expensive pleasure. If the leveling is even, lay ceramic granite on it – but not across the entire hallway area, just on two square meters near the entrance (sale of tiles can help save money).

The rest of the floor space can be covered with affordable linoleum or even laminate. Other budget-friendly coverings, unfortunately, are not very suitable for hallways due to poor moisture resistance and cleaning durability. These are the main principles when choosing finishing materials for all surfaces in the hallway.

The cheapest way to finish the ceiling is by painting. However, you can also make a suspended ceiling covered with vinyl panels. They cost around 100–200 rubles per long board (e.g., 25x270 cm). For the framework, choose wooden strips. This structure will slightly reduce ceiling height but allows for installing recessed lights (they are cheap, convenient, and save space).

Paint, like in the case of the ceiling – the most budget-friendly option, but it requires even walls. A little imperfection can be hidden with textured painting, although it has its drawbacks: the decorative relief on painted walls hinders cleaning.

Vinyl wallpapers and PVC panels cost about the same per square meter. Panels come both smooth and with brick or stone textures or wood imitation. For savings, use durable vinyl wallpaper or paneling only on the lower half of the walls. The space from this “plinth” to the ceiling can be covered with attractive paper wallpapers.

To make it “not like everyone else” – get creative: use laminate for walls and ceiling (it will last long on the walls and look unique, although it won’t do well on the floor). Cover surfaces with tongue-and-groove boards or old planks. Previously used doors and cabinet doors with panels or channels will cost you nothing – painted white, they will level the walls, visually expand the space, and fill it with nostalgic charm.

After finishing work, it remains to outfit the hallway with prepared furniture, add lighting and decorations. For a very small space, you might not even spend money on decoration: a hand-painted picture in an attractive frame or an inexpensive poster, candles on the console, photos on the wall – just a few touches will be enough to give the hallway its individuality and charm. All this, of course, for a reasonable price!