5 drawbacks of the hallway that can be fixed in a weekend

If your entryway is far from perfect, you can't find the right item in the closet, and shoes and boxes are scattered under your feet – something needs to change. Start with the drawbacks that can be fixed in a couple of days: hang brighter light bulbs, organize seasonal clothing, make the space cozier and brighter with mirrors – we explain how to make the most of your weekend.

Drawback #1: The hallway is very dark

You walk into your apartment and feel like you're in a cave. One lamp barely illuminates the entry area, and dark walls steal away even that small amount of light.

Solution: paint and illuminate! Light-colored walls are a necessity in a small hallway. They don't have to be white: peach, light gray, beige – the choice is vast. Add good lighting – a lifesaving duo for a small hallway. Place light sources above the mirror, in the closet, or next to it, above the console – getting ready for work will become easier.

Problem #2: Narrow and cramped space

Hallways in standard apartments can't boast of large size or convenient layout. Often they are just a tiny patch between the front door and the room, or a long narrow corridor.

Solution: use mirrors in the hallway interior – they help visually expand the space. Don't be afraid to decorate an entire wall with a mirror – the effect will be stunning. Such a panel can be ordered from a workshop and glued to the wall. Mirrored surfaces of wardrobes and dressers reflect light and make the hallway cozier and more welcoming – when buying furniture for the hallway, prefer such options.

Problem #3: Feeling of disorder

Sometimes the hallway becomes a transfer point for bags, backpacks, clothes that you were supposed to organize but forgot. Incoherent storage of coats, raincoats, and seasonal accessories looks untidy.

Solution: put things in a closet – the best solution to the problem. The volume and depth depend on the size of the hallway, and in a tight corridor, you should give up on a complex storage system. You can opt for a freestanding or built-in closet. If you have a big family, avoid using open coat racks – they create an unpleasant effect of crowding and disorder.

Drawback #4: Shoes are in the way

Shoes arranged in rows along the wall usually don't promise anything good: dust and dirt accumulate next to them, and in winter, snow melts and forms puddles – and they don't look great.

Solution: shoe cubbies and shelves for shoes will help. There are many options in stores, including hanging storage systems – they save a bit of useful space. Organizing the hallway will now be much easier.

Problem #5: No place to store keys and small items

When you come home, you immediately look for a place to put the keys, bills that just came out of the mailbox, gloves. If there's no shelf for them in the hallway, moving things around risks losing them.

Solution: even in the smallest hallway, you can find space for a small shelf to store small items. This can be a regular painted board with hooks for keys or a stylish wall-mounted console — now everything necessary will be in its place and always within reach.