Interior Design

Notes on Design With Mary Graham

Mary Graham shares her expert insights on designing welcoming entrance halls, including how to choose the right flooring, improve lighting, and create a smooth, natural flow into your home.

Entrance Halls

How can architectural detail add interest to an entrance hall?

Architectural detail can transform an entrance hall, even when the original space is quite simple. Elements such as arches, cornicing, panelling and generous skirting boards introduce character and structure, helping the space feel more considered and grounded.

Adding these details does not need to feel overly grand. Panelling can bring depth and rhythm to otherwise plain walls, while well-proportioned skirting boards and cornicing subtly frame the room. An arch can also help define the threshold between spaces, creating a gentle sense of progression as you move further into the house.

A neutral palette often works particularly well when introducing architectural features. It allows the form and craftsmanship to stand out without distraction. When handled carefully, these details give the entrance hall quiet interest while still allowing the rooms or views beyond to remain the true focus of the home.

What should you place in a large entrance hall?

If you have a large entrance hall, it can be helpful to introduce a piece of furniture that gently anchors the space. A table is often the most natural choice as it gives the room a sense of purpose rather than feeling purely transitional.

A table also creates an opportunity for a few thoughtful details. Fresh flowers and a stack of books can add another layer of character, offering a glimpse of inhabitants from the moment you step inside.

Placing a rug beneath the table can help soften the atmosphere as well. It introduces warmth underfoot and absorbs some of the sound that naturally gathers in hallways. We would often suggest an antique rug for an entrance hall and a jute or seagrass if someone wants a more neutral look.

Is it important to include somewhere to sit?

Even in the simplest entrance hall, including somewhere to sit can make a real difference. A small bench or seat provides a practical spot for putting on boots or taking off shoes, which is particularly useful for families.

In city homes, where there often isn’t space for a dedicated boot room, it offers a simple and space-efficient solution. If there is room beneath the seat, it can also double as shoe storage, helping to keep everyday footwear organised and out of the way.

How do you approach a narrow entrance hall?

Many houses have hallways where the width is limited, and these spaces often require a lighter approach to furniture. I find a narrow console can provide a useful surface without interrupting the flow through the space.

Colour can also help shape the experience of a tighter hallway. I find that warm, neutral tones are a palette cleanser between more decorative rooms. Carrying the same palette up the staircase can help the house feel cohesive, this continuity allows the eye to move naturally from one level to the next. In some narrow spaces, panelling paired with wallpaper above can introduce depth and interest without overwhelming the proportions.

Where furniture is difficult to place, I often suggest shelves as an alternative. They provide a surface for a lamp or a small object without taking up precious floor space, the floors and ceilings can take on a greater role in shaping the character of the space.

How should lighting be approached in an entrance hall?

Lighting plays an important role in shaping the atmosphere of an entrance hall. It is often the first impression of the home in the evening, so it should feel warm and welcoming while still being practical.

I think good lighting is particularly important in this part of the house because it is where coats are hung, shoes are taken off and bags are gathered before leaving. There needs to be enough light to see what you are doing. A central ceiling light can provide this clarity, ensuring the space feels bright and functional when needed.

Where possible, natural light can make a wonderful difference. A skylight or rooflight can transform an entrance hall during the day, drawing daylight down into the centre of the home and making the space feel far more open. I also find that layering the lighting creates a softer and more comfortable atmosphere, such as table lamps and wall lights.

How can storage be incorporated without losing charm?

Practical storage is essential in an entrance hall, particularly as it often needs to accommodate coats, shoes and the everyday belongings that gather by the door. I love pieces such as a chest of drawers, a small cupboard or a bench with space beneath, as it can provide useful places to store these items while still feeling appropriate to the scale of the room.

Hooks are another simple but effective solution, especially when spaced neatly along a wall or set against panelling. Baskets placed beneath a bench or console can also help keep shoes and accessories organised and easy to access.

When storage is considered carefully, the entrance hall is able to work hard without becoming cluttered, allowing everything needed for daily life to be close at hand.

Should an entrance hall use colour?

I find the entrance hall can sometimes benefit from a confident use of colour. It is always worth considering the environment people are arriving from. In a city, where the outside world can often feel grey, busy or hurried, stepping into a colourful entrance hall can feel wonderfully uplifting.

A brighter palette can create an immediate shift in mood. It marks the transition from public space to private home and helps establish a warmer atmosphere as soon as the door opens. Colour has a way of setting the emotional tone of a house, and the entrance hall is a natural place for that first impression.

At the same time, colour can also be used in the opposite way. A softer, more neutral palette can calm the space and allow the eye to travel naturally into the rooms beyond. I often find that a restrained entrance hall helps frame what lies ahead, giving greater emphasis to the views or interiors that follow.

What makes a good floor for an entrance hall?

The floor of an entrance hall carries more responsibility than we sometimes realise. It is the first surface you step onto and it quietly establishes the tone for the house. Materials such as stone, terracotta and oak all bring something slightly different to that first moment of arrival.

Stone offers a sense of permanence and calm. Terracotta introduces warmth and a softness of colour that can feel very inviting. I love how oak, meanwhile, brings a quieter domestic quality that sits comfortably within many homes. Each material has its own character, but what matters most is that the floor feels appropriate to the life of the house. I find that an entrance should be able to cope gracefully with muddy boots, damp coats and the small realities of everyday living while still feeling considered and welcoming.