Homeowners 'must make a good first impression'
When welcoming new guests into your home or showing a prospective buyer round, making a good impression should be one of the most important considerations.
This is according to Gabrielle Fagan in an article for the Matlock Mercury, who said although hallways are the most neglected areas in most houses, it is crucial they are presentable and are calm instead of cluttered.
She advised when consumers make over their houses, often the decor of a hall is an afterthought, but it should be the "star of the show" as it is the first insight into your domestic life people will see.
The expert suggested letting loose and using boldly-patterned wallpaper or experimenting with colours you might be too hesitant to use in rooms like the kitchen and lounge.
Ms Fagan pointed to recommendations made by Charlotte Hedeman Gueniau, author of Happy Home, who claimed homeowners could paint walls a brighter or darker shade halfway up a wall and said: "Using lighter shade for the upper half of the wall which reaches the ceiling will make a hallway look more spacious."
It was also noted in the article that making stairs more attractive is also the key to leaving a good first impression in the minds of guests, with Simon Meyrick, designer at Neville Johnson, quoted as saying a staircase's visual impact can "reflect upon the whole property".
To refresh the hallway in your abode , it might be worth looking into other ways - besides painting the walls - you can make visitors feel comfortable and at ease.
Laminate flooring is one option you could consider, as there are various shades and styles you could choose from to make your hall unique and as the space is often dark, the surface is sure to create a greater sense of light and space.
Whether you fit popular materials like pine and walnut, or go for more adventurous styles - like oak floors with glamorous gold highlights - you can rest assured laminate floors will wow anyone entering your home for the first time and the surface itself will last for years to come.
