Everyone cares about their kitchens and bathrooms. And rightly so… those rooms get the most traffic and attention from visitors.
Here’s the thing…
There are sections of your home that you walk by EVERY day and hardly give a second thought. Hallways, entryways, staircases and mudrooms are typically neglected by most homeowners.
Which is a problem because…
Neglected spaces have a massive impact on your home’s safety, value and overall aesthetics. It’s an easy mistake that most people don’t even realize they’re making.
What you’re going to learn:
- Why you should spend more time improving these forgotten spaces
- The areas of your home that get ignored the most
- How hallway runner rugs can make a big difference
- Easy upgrades you can make right now to improve these areas
Why You Should Spend More Time On Overlooked Spaces
When was the last time you really spent any time in your hallway just walking through it? Chances are probably never.
Hallways, landings and entryways are treated like transition spaces that aren’t worth paying attention to. People tend to get fixated on rooms like the kitchen or master bedroom and forget about what’s surrounding these rooms.
But the reality is these spaces…
Set the tone for your entire home. Bare walls, poor lighting and unfinished flooring create a cold and sterile feeling that ruins the overall vibe of your home.
They’re also a safety hazard.
Did you know that falls are actually the leading cause of injury related deaths in the US? According to the National Safety Council, there were 48,308 deaths caused by falls in 2024. That’s more than double any other preventable cause of death. Why is this? A lot of these falls are due to bare floors, slippery surfaces and poor maintained areas.
Makes sense when you think about it. High traffic areas are where people are rushing to get somewhere, carrying groceries, cleaning up toys and oftentimes they are traversing back and forth in low lighting conditions. When you don’t take the time to properly maintain these areas they become very dangerous.
Another reason often overlooked areas are bad… They’re ugly.
A nice living room full of color, decor and furniture doesn’t feel complete when you have to walk through a dingy dirty hallway to get there.
Lets take a look at which areas are commonly ignored.
The Areas Of Your Home That Get Ignored The Most
There are certain areas of the home that consistently get overlooked during remodels and decorating. Take a look at these rooms that are commonly forgotten about.
Hallways
Hallways are easily the most walked on area of your home that receives the least amount of decoration. Not only do they connect every room in your home, they rarely get any decoration of their own. Bare floors in hallways aren’t only ugly but slippery and noisy.
Throwing runner rugs in your hallways is one of the easiest improvements you can make. Runner rugs add color, reduce noise and help protect your floors. Not to mention they provide traction on smooth surfaces like hardwood, tile and laminate flooring which can drastically reduce slips and falls.
Entryways and Mudrooms
Entryways are where every guest in your home will gravitate to first. So why are most entryways filled with shoes, coats and keys with no real thought process to the design or functionality of the space?
Creating a welcoming entryway sets the tone for your entire home. Entryways don’t have to be complicated, start by adding a nice rug, some storage benches and proper lighting.
Staircases and Landings
Stairs are high traffic areas that get run all over. They are also commonly left untouched when decorating your home. But staircases and landings should be the first place you start.
Bare stairs are a slip and fall hazard. The National Floor Safety Institute reports that about 75% of slip and falls occur in the home or surrounding areas. Adding some simple stair runners and a landing rug can help improve safety as well as the style of your home.
Laundry Rooms
If there was an Olympics for rooms that deserve the most love… Laundry rooms would be the gold medal winner. Every home has one (or multiple) and they all tend to be utilitarian and not very fun to spend time in. Improving your laundry room can be as easy as adding an anti-fatigue mat, some fresh coats of paint and better storage options.
How Hallway Runner Rugs Can Make Your Space Better
Runner rugs are one of the most underrated improvements you can make to your home. They’re inexpensive, easy to put down and instantly improve the look of any room.
Here’s why hallway runners are great:
Hallway runners don’t just add style to an ugly hallway. They actually serve multiple purposes that most people don’t think about.
- Reduce noise: Hard flooring can echo and create noisy hallways. A nice rug will absorb some of that noise.
- Protect floors: High traffic areas like hallways wear down floors quickly. Throw down a rug to help protect your floors and extend the life of them.
- Safety: Rugs provide extra traction. That’s important if you have kids, pets or elderly family members.
- Adds warmth: Last but not least, rugs add texture and warmth to a cold sterile hallway.
Just remember, when choosing your rug to measure the hallway first and don’t hang up the rug to where it touches the walls on both sides. Leave a few inches of flooring exposed on either side for a cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing look. And when it comes to material, both wool and polypropylene hold up great for high traffic hallways.
Easy Upgrades You Can Make Right Now
You don’t have to finish your entire home all at once. Start with these simple tips that you can do to make your home feel more finished.
Improve the Lighting
Low lighting or no lighting at all can make a space feel unfinished. Swap out those old dim lights for brighter bulbs. Look into wall sconces or LED lights for hallways to add depth and make your space feel warmer. Better lighting also helps with visibility which can help reduce accidents.
Mirrors
Mirrors are your friend when it comes to small hallways and entryways. Not only do mirrors reflect light they make small spaces feel larger and more open. Place a mirror strategically and it can make your hallway feel like a completely different space.
Add Some Wall Decor
Empty walls are an opportunity missed. Add some wall decor or build a simple gallery wall in your hallways. This is a great way to show off some of your style whether that be fun modern art, family photos or something as simple as posters.
Add Storage
When it comes to your entryway and mudrooms, throw some storage! Hooks, baskets, shoe racks and even some slim storage cabinets can help reduce clutter and keep everyone’s stuff organized.
Scents
Ok hear me out on this one. Whenever anyone walks into your home, your hallway and entryway are the first areas they will encounter. Make a good first impression by placing a reed diffuser or scented candle in these areas. A subtle scent will not only make your space smell wonderful, but it sets the tone for the rest of your home.
Wrapping It All Up
We spend so much time worrying about the rooms we think count. Kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and living rooms… they’re all important but what about the spaces that connect every single one of these rooms.
Baby corners of your home may not be the most glamorous rooms to spend your time or money on… But they help tie your home together.
Small improvements like hallway runner rugs, added storage, and lighting can:
- Increase safety throughout your home by reducing accidents in high traffic areas.
- Make your home look better by creating a cohesive look that flows from room to room.
- Make your home more enjoyable by adding color and warmth to boring spaces.
And the best part is, none of these upgrades have to be crazy expensive. Start with high traffic areas and work your way from there. You’ll be surprised how much improving these forgotten spaces can change your home.