• Originally published August 18, 2010 at midnight, updated August 18, 2010 at midnight

By Kathryn WeberAt first glance, hallways appear as little more than pass-through rooms, but hallways present a unique opportunity for decorating. More than just a way to get from part of the house to the next, hallways are often one of the few rooms in the house with uninterrupted wall space - and that creates more decorating possibilities. Similar to a powder bathroom, hallways are a terrific spot to display your decorating daring.

LIGHT IT UP

Besides being long and narrow, hallways are frequently dark and lit with only a single ceiling fixture. Brighter lighting is a simple fix that both brightens and opens up the hallway. Adding a row of can lights is one way to brighten up a dim hall. Another simple and efficient option? Track lighting.

Track lighting comes in a variety of styles that fit well in most decor, and some of the new curved track lights offer both illumination and interest. Select lights that can be moved to highlight artwork or dark corners. Yet another option is the chandelier. They've shown up in bedrooms, kitchens and baths, so why not put one in a hall? A chandelier provides an unexpected touch of elegance and sparkle to a dark, uninviting hallway.

CREATE PASSING INTEREST

Just because you walk through the hallway on your way somewhere else, doesn't mean it has to be devoid of style. After lighting, design interest is the second thing that's notoriously absent from hallways. True to their pass-through nature, hallways are often passed on when it comes to decorating. But their small, defined space and large, open wall space make it a perfect place for creating interest, and that starts with some eye-catching style.

Whether you use paint or wallpaper, a punch of pattern or color enlivens a lackluster space. Apply to the entire hall, or for a more creative approach, create a single feature wall using a pattern or pop of color. Next, layer in more design style by adding a large piece of artwork or a grouping of photographs. A hallway is the perfect spot to round up all those stray family pictures and craft a rogue's gallery of family photographs, or to creatively display a collection of travel post cards. If you've installed track lighting, be sure to turn the individual lights to illuminate your feature wall.

MAKE IT USEFUL

Just because the hallway is more of a conduit than a functional room, that doesn't mean it has to just sit there and look pretty. A narrow console can be used to place keys, mail or a purse on the way out the door. It can also be used to assemble a collection of attractive accessories. Other ideas include hanging a row of hooks to corral coats, leashes or book bags, a shelf that can hold knickknacks or keys or a mirror could be hung in the hallway to check your appearance as you head out the door.

Some creative inspiration and design attention is all it takes for a once-drab and dimly-lit hallway to command attention and say "look at me" - and put your hallway on a more equal design footing with the rest of the house. With a dolled-up hallway, a trip from one room to the next will be a much more appealing and enjoyable journey.

Kathryn Weber is a home and decorating columnist and publishes the Red Lotus Letter feng shui E-zine. For more information, contact Weber through her website,www.redlotusletter.com.

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