Divorce Design Tip: Hallways

For the Divorcee, whose apartment or house size may be now at a premium, giving the appearance of an enlarged space is essential. Every visual aide in creating the illusion of a larger space counts.

Enter the well-proportioned hallway, where by invention and creativity, your home can achieve an even more attractive, larger appearance! Especially in urban environments, where apartments tend to look more like long hallways off of which are ganged all the rooms, these tricks of the trade are great to know! 

The secrets behind making hallways and/or narrow passageways, look more expansive, are several. Usually this tunnel feeling occurs because hallways tend to be rather narrow, emphasizing the taller ceiling height. By dropping the ceiling, even if not originally very high, it will magically make the passageway look wider. This optical illusion occurs because as the ceiling drops, the side walls magically appear to be further apart.

To further this effect, build in or insert recessive architectural (not decorative) mirrors onto one wall or both, visually widening the hallway. Another bit of magic to enlarge one’s passageway is to add some picture molding at around the 7′ or 8′ height. This decorative enhancement will give the hallway a more humanistic feel, while visually increasing the breadth of the space.

Gail Green is an interior designer whose firm Gail Green Interiors practices interior design, architecture and decorating. With a full understanding of the complex position a recently divorced person faces, Gail Green Interiors enables them to transition smoothly from one home to another, taking care of their decorating or renovation responsibilities.