Four ways to transform a hallway into a useful space
The day you moved into your home, you may have wondered how you would ever fill all the space. Fast forward a few years and suddenly you’re racking your brains trying to find one additional storage spaceor think about a larger renovation more square footage.
If this sounds like you and you’re out of ideas, there’s a “hidden” resource lurking in your house: the hallways. Depending on how wide yours are (which is the minimum width according to the International Residential Code). 36 inchesbut most home hallways are 42-48 inches wide, and some homes even have 60 or 72 inch hallways!), you might put them to better use than as a mere conduit from one room to another.
If your hallways are only one meter wide, it will be difficult to make them double load-bearing. But if your hallways are at least three feet wide, you have the opportunity to transform them into surprisingly useful spaces.
Use a hallway as a dining room
If you have a relatively wide hallway off the kitchen and need a place to eat that isn’t over the sink or balancing plates on your knees, you can turn this space into a quasi-dining room with a little creativity. With four feet of space to work, a narrow dining table like this one, Pushed against a wall, it can work—at just under 16 inches wide, it offers plenty of room for seating, and the chairs slide underneath when not in use. Hang some lighting over the table and put up a shelf for storage and you have a small but usable dining room. If you have less space, you might even consider a folding table that folds flat against the wall when not in use.
Set up a hallway library
One of the easiest ways to use a hallway as a room is to turn it into a library or other storage area with shelves. Shallow bookshelves like this one (less than 10 inches deep) can make even a three-foot hallway a viable library option. Adding narrow seating (like this). Entrance bench) on the wall between two of the bookshelves and some wall lighting can make the hallway feel like a cozy reading space.
Use a hallway as a conversation area
Hallways are usually hectic, but if you don’t have room in your house to sit and chat with a friend, your hallway might provide an opportunity. If your hallway is at least one meter wide, a flat bench with backrest together with one narrow side table Create a space where you can sit with a cup of tea and chat with a neighbor or hang out and think without being distracted by a TV mounted right in front of you.
A hallway can even be a “bedroom”.
No, your hallway will never be a proper bedroom, even if it’s a ridiculous two meters wide. But if it is at least a meter wide, then may Be a place where surprise and excess guests can sleep if necessary. One or two narrow double bed frames or Daybeds can transform a wide hallway into a sleeping space, and the daybed option doubles as seating for a conversation area or reading nook when not being used for another purpose.
