According to feng shui, hallways and entrances are a space that should be uncluttered, minimal and tidy in looks. Whether you follow the practice or not, we can all agree that a clean and airy hallway sets a positive tone for your home and makes coming in from a long day’s work that little bit easier. Here are x innovative storage ideas for narrow hallways to help you achieve just that.
But first, let’s take a quick look at why maintaining a tidy hallway is a good idea and how it can transform your home.
Why a tidy hallway matters
Not usually seen as a standout feature or even as a feature in and of itself, corridors, hallways and entrances are often overlooked. But they are important.
If the kitchen or living room is the heart of the home, surely the hallways are the veins. It's the first thing you and your guests see upon entering, and it can greatly influence the overall energy, functionality and appearance of your living space.
Rather than leaving your hallway as a mere place to pass through, they can double up as a kind of palette cleanser between rooms and can even provide additional storage space. Here’s how to make the most of it.
11 small narrow hallway storage ideas
If you have one of those notoriously narrow hallways and your heart is aching for additional space, listen up to these actionable tips to conquer the space and come out on top.
1. Open shelving wins
At first glance, you might think that this idea might be better placed in the kitchen – and while, yes, open shelving is such a brilliant kitchen storage hack, it works pretty much everywhere. Move your storage up and out of the way and you encourage movement, allowing people to flow seamlessly from room to room. No more bumping into unnecessary clutter.
2. Make magic with a hallway library
Who can resist the allure of a hallway library? Line your walls with tall-reaching shelving units, making sure to keep them as slim as possible and you can store your books out of the way whilst decorating the space with the various colours of the tomes.
3. Regain space with a storage bench
These handy pieces can become our saviours when out-of-season items such as woolly hats, caps and scarves plague the hallway. Depending on the size of the bench and the relative size of the corridor, a bench can help clear the area – just make sure your measurements are spot on as you don’t want to encroach on the space.
4. Tuck clutter away behind hidden doors
There’s something so exciting about secret in-built elements like a concealed doorway to a hidden storage hatch, something almost Coraline-esque. If you have the room, seamlessly incorporating a hidden door into your wall can create a minimalist aesthetic. Consider exploring this option beneath your staircase or within a closet.
5. Add slimline hallway consoles
Slimline hallway consoles are always a winner in cramped spaces, and they can look so elegant too. If you have a radiator in the hallway, you might want to place it in a way that works to conceal it without eating up any valuable inches as radiator covers are known to do.
6. Mounted pegs will revolutionise your space
If you’re concerned about adding bulky furniture, why not utilise the walls? Simply install wall-mounted pegs along the corridor for coats, bags, umbrellas and the like. You can even add wicker baskets to contain additional smaller items or dried flowers if you find that you have excess pegs.
7. Opt for a modest sideboard
If you have a slightly wider corridor, then incorporating a wider sideboard where possible will give you plenty of storage space for a variety of differently sized items as well as decorative space on top for a basket, vase or trinkets. Available in a whole host of materials such as wood, veneer and chrome there’s something out there to satisfy your décor needs.
8. Install a mounted shoe rack
Coat and shoe racks often come in pairs, and they go a long way to beautify your storage options. Take this Oakland bench unit: it injects a lovely English countryside charm without compromising on its functional purpose.
9. Try out ottoman storage
Similar to the bench option, ottomans make a cost-effective and flexible alternative. Contrary to popular belief they don’t just belong in the living room – you can add them to your hallway as a practical place to lace up your boots or pull off your Converse whilst hiding away your bits and bobs in an enclosed storage container.
10. Utilise under the stairs
Of our small narrow hallway storage ideas, we think that this is one of the most exciting. In cases where your hallway has very little available space, making use of the area beneath the stairs can serve as a practical and efficient method to incorporate extra storage that would otherwise be impossible. Whether that’s a storage hatch you can flip up, a cupboard under the stairs with vertical storage or under-the-stairs drawers, there are truly so many options to take inspiration from.
11. Take a stand with umbrellas
If you have umbrellas cluttering up the corners of your hallway, this is your sign to change things up. By deciding to invest in an umbrella stand, you’ll ensure that they’re not under your feet or dripping water all over your floors.
Take back your space
There we have it: 11 creative storage ideas for narrow hallways, to help you reclaim your space and regain some zen in your home – you’re welcome. If anything should be clear, it’s that a tidy home is a happy home. We hope you enjoy your newfound freedom!
