Your hallway doesn’t have to be empty space – here are some simple ideas to make the most of it with DIY projects that take a matter of minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1.<\/span> Put up a mirror, reflecting back light and making the space look bigger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2.<\/span> Add a small shelf for keys, mail or loose change – out of sight of your letterbox, for security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3.<\/span> Brighten up the space with a lick of paint, even if only on one wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4.<\/span> If block colour’s not your thing, stencil a design across the wall instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5.<\/span> Add simple seating – somewhere to sit to put on and take off your shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6.<\/span> Install a shoe rack to keep wet and muddy footwear off the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7.<\/span> Above this, put up some hooks for coats, hats and umbrellas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 8.<\/span> Increase your home’s storage with a chest or cupboard – possibly with a padded top to double as a seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 9. Fit or replace your hallway’s coving for a tidy finish around the ceiling.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n 10.<\/span> Got a spare plug socket? Trail a phone charger to your hall table so you always have somewhere to plug in your handset – with cable hooks and tidies to tack the wire neatly to the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 11.<\/span> Replace an old, worn-out doorbell sounder with a fully functional newer model, properly wired into your button outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 12.<\/span> Fit a secure box for any valuables, firmly screwed to the wall so it cannot be easily removed by thieves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 13.<\/span> Add a wall light or table lamp so you have light as soon as you arrive home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 14.<\/span> Clean, wax or polish the floor, or lay new carpet – usually not expensive for a normal-sized hallway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 15.<\/span> For a personal touch to wall decoration, put up a few family photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 16.<\/span> Install draught excluders to prevent cold air from creeping into your home via your hallway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 17.<\/span> Combine with a cage or container to catch posted mail, and prevent any other unwanted access through your letterbox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 18.<\/span> Paint your interior doors to help make the entry into your home as attractive as possible – do the same for skirting boards and any door and window frames or sills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 19.<\/span> In small hallways, work vertically – shoe racks below coat pegs below hat hooks, for example – to maximise your use of space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 20.<\/span> If your front door opens directly into your living room, create a virtual hallway, with a small table for keys and cash, and a wall-mounted or free-standing coat and umbrella stand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of these are quick-fixes, and many use materials you might already have in your garage or under-stairs cupboard – but spend an afternoon on them, and your hallway could soon be looking much better and brighter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like us on Facebook<\/a> and follow us on Twitter<\/a> and Google +<\/a> for all the latest news, offers and events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n