Home Decorating Space of the Week: A Narrow Hallway Gains Family-Friendly Storage and Style Now this is how you maximize space in your home. By Teddy Willson Teddy Willson Teddy Willson is a New York-based writer who covers culture, home and entertainment. Her favorite day is new music Friday and she considers Pinterest the ultimate life planner. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on February 15, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Photography by Emily Followill As the founder of the design firm Atelier Davis, Jessica Davis was thrilled to find an authentic midcentury home in Atlanta for her family of four. As a mom, she was less enthused that the open-concept layout lacked a separate play space for her kids. So she rejiggered the floor plan to make a hallway creativity zone. Sunlight, lots of art, child-size work spaces, and plenty of storage make it just the spot to spark their imaginations. 11 Inspiring Entryway Ideas That Make a Great First Impression Embrace the Whimsy Mismatched art looks effortless and cool. Use decorative washi tape to hang—and quickly swap out—artwork and photos on the walls. Sprinkle in a few framed pieces and prop canvases against the wall for an eclectic vibe. Find Versatile Items Jessica arranged four low bookcases to look like a built-in. Combined, the units do triple duty: Create a seating area, provide storage, and form a kid-height surface for crafting. Add Depth With Paint White walls are a neutral backdrop for the kids' colorful creations. To make the hallway appear longer and taller, Jessica painted a dark border along the upper trim—try Valspar's Fait Accompli. Green storage bins echo the landscaping outside the window. Get the Look: 01 of 04 A Multitasking Bookcase IKEA $60, ikea.com Measuring less than 17 inches deep, the KALLAX bookcase doesn't jut out too far from the wall, but it does sneak in some valuable storage space. An added bonus: the bookcase blocks the walls from tiny hands, keeping them fingerprint-free. 02 of 04 Floating Bookshelf Container Store $230, containerstore.com When space is limited, vertical storage is your best friend. Case in point: this floating bookshelf, which lets you build a sturdy tower of books. This is an organized way to satisfy those book-piling tendencies. 03 of 04 Low-Key Lighting Brilliant Outdoors $55, brilliantoutdoors.com Modern light fixtures with black bases and clear glass bulbs illuminate the space without distracting from the design. 04 of 04 A Sturdy Seat Crate & Kids $50, crateandbarrel.com Whether you're turning your hallway into a craft zone or decorating a separate playroom, opt for hardshell chairs that are durable and easy to wipe clean. Germs and glitter glue don't stand a chance. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit