10 hallway door ideas that will elevate your entrance

Set the tone for your home from the start with design-led hallway door ideas that your guests will pause to admire before entering.

The hall isn’t just somewhere for people to pass through on their way to the living areas, it is the space where you get to give a first impression of your personal style. And a dark, narrow or bland hallway ideas will leave a bad one, making it feel outdated and unwelcoming.

So elevate it with doors that make a difference, adding colour, character, drama and light. We talk to the experts on how you can update your access and make this high-traffic area a real highlight of your home.

Hallway door ideas

1. Introduce natural light with a glazed hallway door

Hallways can feel gloomy and cold if there are few windows letting in natural light. But glass internal doors let you ‘borrow’ light from other rooms to brighten the dimmest corners.

"This a great solution to the challenge of dark rooms as large expanses of glass allow light to pass through from one room to the next," says Victoria Brocklesby of Origin Doors and Windows.

"Some designs can also be coupled with fixed frames to create a statement entranceway and allow even more natural light to flow through a space.

"While large, uninterrupted panes of glass can offer a clean, minimalist look, many homeowners opt to add horizontal and vertical bars to create the steel-style look that never goes out of fashion," she says.

Glass doors can also offer a tantalising glimpse into the living areas beyond, but if your private spaces are never as tidy as you’d like, there’s a solution for that.

"Options such as frosted or reeded glass are perfect for rooms where there is need for additional privacy or to disguise clutter, without fully blocking natural light," adds Victoria.

Victoria Brocklesby

As chief operating officer at windows sand doors specialist Origin Global, Victoria has years of experience knowing how glass doors can enhance an interior

2. Use pocket doors to maximise space in a small hallway

Pocket doors are the secret to maximising space in a hallway or the rooms on the other side. They glide discreetly into the ‘pocket’ of a wall cavity rather than needing clearance to swing into the hall or into a room.

Because they are concealed behind a purpose-built stud wall, this can narrow the space in the room or the hall. This needs to be taken into account, so you can decide whether the benefits of not having the door opening into a tight space are worth the extra centimetres of thickness on one wall.

They are also trickier to install than a conventional hinged door, or a sliding door where the operating system is on the outside, as the frame of the stud wall will have to be fitted, covered with plasterboard and decorated. As such, they're often a feature worth considering when taking on a renovation or self-build project.

3. Pack an architectural punch with a contemporary door

Play with pattern, colour and texture with a modern door that isn't a 21st-century interpretation of a multi-panelled classic.

Choose a grooved design that elevates a slab door and gives it a chic, sharp style.

Grey has become one of the most popular neutrals for interiors, and this Miami door from Liberty Doors is fully finished in an on-trend ash grey that will work with most colour schemes.

Made from sustainable poplar, it has a wood grain finish and durable solid engineered core made of multiple layers of timber pressed together. This makes a low-maintenance door that has excellent thermal insulation properties.

4. Embrace and restore original doors in a hallway

If your home is of a particular period, recapture some of the authentic appeal with a door from that era.

"If you’re looking to add character, restored old doors are a unique way to do it," says Eric Bramlett, who works in real estate. "These bring history and craftsmanship that you just don’t find in modern doors. Restoring an old door can add a personal touch to a home that makes it stand out."

Original doors can often be found disguised under plain panels after a misguided attempt at modernisation. Carefully remove the panelling then restoring the doors by stripping and sanding off any old paint or flaking varnish, then refinish with oil, varnish or wax. Add vintage-looking knobs or handles for an authentic touch.

To completely replace old doors, search salvage and reclamation yards for styles from the right time.

5. Make an entrance with double doors

"There’s something about walking through double doors that just feels grand, even if they lead from a hallway into a living room," says Eric. "They really elevate a space.

"They are perfect if you want to make a statement, and the extra width also makes the space feel more accessible and airy."

Double doors can make an impressive entrance to any interior area. If rooms have been knocked through to make something more open plan and one of the separate entrances closed up, creating a double-doored access will ensure it is not dwarfed by the newly enlarged space.

Eric Bramlett

As the founder and owner of Bramlett Residential, Eric has a keen eye for the small details that make a big difference in a home, and knows the updates that will impress visitors and add value to a property.

6. Introduce storage behind discreet hallway doors

If you are using the space under the stairs for hallway storage ideas in a busy family home, a cupboard that blends in will hide away coats, shoes, bags, and the vacuum without making the hallway feel cluttered with too many doors.

They can be designed to fit seamlessly into matching panelling, painted the same colour or disguised with thin wooden slats/beading.

Doors that open with a touch and don’t need a visible handle add to the illusion of it just being part of the staircase.

7. Choose timber doors for a timeless look

Wood is a traditional material for doors, yet is also available today in contemporary designs, as well as enduring styles that first appeared back in the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras.

Natural wood brings warmth to a space, and the grain of the timber, whether it’s oak, walnut or pine, gives each door individual appeal.

They are often weightier than their hollow core counterparts, so need sturdy hinges to support them, but they are durable and will last for decades. Their dense nature also offers good acoustic insulation.

Solid wood doors can be more expensive, but it is an investment worth making as they can add value to your home.

8. Introduce rustic charm to a hallway with barn-style sliding doors

Sliding barn-style doors offer the same space-saving benefits as a pocket door in that they glide to the side rather than swinging open. However, with the door or doors and sliding mechanism all on show, you need to be sure they complement your overall decorating scheme.

"Sliding doors can introduce a touch of rustic charm, especially when paired with exposed wrought iron fixtures or a barn-style rail system," says Rossella Marzocchella, a designer with Decor and Decor. "They bring character and warmth to a hallway, making them ideal for homes with a country or cottage aesthetic.

"You can also get creative with materials, using reclaimed wood for a vintage feel, or frosted glass for a modern twist that allows light to pass through while maintaining privacy."

Rossella Marzocchella

Rossella is an Italian designer currently collaborating with Decor and Decor, who produce hardware for cupboards, units and doors as well as sliding door kits. She has a passion for creating stylish and functional spaces.

9. Use a bifold door where floorspace is at a premium

"Bifold doors are particularly useful when you need regular access to a space but don’t have the luxury of much floor room," says Rosella. "For example, in a hallway that’s already quite narrow, a bifold door allows you to open up to a cupboard or living area without having a bulky door swinging into the space.

"They come in a variety of materials, so whether you want a sleek, contemporary finish in white or something more rustic like oak or reclaimed wood, they can be easily customised to match your home’s aesthetic."

10. Match your door with your wall in a narrow hallway

Painting your hallway doors or the architraves surrounding them is the most cost-effective way to update your interior, and one that can be tackled by even the most novice DIYer.

White is classic, natural and fresh. Black can be dramatic and elegant, a striking counterpoint to light-coloured walls. Grey is the versatile, goes-with-anything neutral that offers a modern alternative to white.

But why not mix things up with a bright splash of colour. The shade you choose can be a contrast to the frame or walls, or you could drench the ceiling, walls and doors in the same colour. Alternatively, experiment with paint effects, such as a half and half painted scheme that cuts right across the wall and door.

FAQs

Is the front door a hallway door?

From the back, certainly, and you shouldn’t overlook it as a way of adding colour and character to your space. You could paint it to match the front or in a contrasting colour that is cohesive with the rest of your hallway scheme.

How much does a new hallway door cost?

There are many variables that can affect price, including material, style and size. Checkatrade estimates that an internal door costs from £25 to £150+, with fitting ranging from £150 to £350. A bespoke-built, solid wood door can cost over £1,000.

What are the benefits of hollow core vs solid core hallway door?

​​A hollow core door comprises a thin layer of wood or fibreboard over a honeycomb core made of cardboard or plastic. These are a popular option for renovators on a tight budget. A solid core door has a filling of engineered non-natural wood like MDF, covered with wood veneer. Sturdy and durable, it won't warp like natural wood, and the dense centre means they offer excellent soundproofing and insulation.

Can I cut out noise from the hallway?

If one of your downstairs rooms is being used as a home office, consider an acoustic door to block distractions from the busy thoroughfare. The dense core and tight seals along the door edges reduce the amount of noise and vibrations from the other side. Look for doors that are Quiet Mark Certified.

Should the door open in or out?

Internal doors usually open inwards into a room rather than out into the hallway, in case it impinges on an already narrow space or impedes people walking through this much-used part of the home.

If you are still in the planning phase of your build, entrance hallway design and its layout is one of the most important decisions you can make about the space as it sets the tone of your home. The layout you choose can give either a contemporary feel or a more snug, cosy cottage look. Take a look at our small hallway ideas as well as our piece on modern hallway ideas for inspiration before you get started.