A loft style entrance hall works best with one tall shoe storage unit as its anchor because a single vertical piece provides generous storage while leaving the floor and walls largely open. That openness is the essence of loft design. Rather than filling the hall with several small items, you choose one well made unit, give it a clear wall and let the materials around it do the rest.
Our modern shoe storage cabinets UK sale include tall designs in dark wood, metal and mixed finishes that sit naturally in this kind of scheme. For the supporting pieces, our modern hallway furniture UK collection brings together coat stands, mirrors and smaller storage in finishes that complement an industrial look.
Before choosing furniture, it helps to know what you are aiming for. Loft interiors take their cues from converted industrial buildings. The typical ingredients include:
You do not need a warehouse to achieve this. A painted brick effect wall, a dark metal light fitting and the right storage piece can bring the feeling into a standard hallway.
Because one piece carries the whole scheme, it is worth taking time over the choice.
Dark stained wood with a black metal frame is the classic loft combination. It feels robust and slightly workshop like. An all metal unit in matt black or gunmetal grey is more austere and suits concrete floors and very pared back spaces. Reclaimed effect timber adds warmth and texture if your hallway is otherwise quite cool.
Look for a strong silhouette: straight sides, a simple top and either open shelving or flat fronted doors. Open shelves show off shoes and suit tidy households. Closed doors or flip down compartments hide everything and keep the look calmer, which is useful if the hall is visible from the living area.
A tall unit will usually stand somewhere between 150 and 190cm high. Choose a height that relates to the space: in a hall with a standard ceiling, stopping a little short of the ceiling leaves breathing room above. In a double height or high ceilinged space, a taller unit makes better use of the volume. Depth is critical in a hall, so keep it shallow enough to leave a comfortable walkway.
The tall unit should sit on the most solid, uninterrupted wall in the hall. A brick or feature wall is ideal, because the unit and the wall reinforce each other. Avoid placing it directly beside the front door hinge, where it can make the entrance feel cramped as you step inside.
Think about the view from the door. A tall unit at the far end of a hallway draws the eye through the space and makes it feel longer. Positioned midway along one wall, it creates a natural pause and leaves room for a bench or coat stand opposite.
Always secure a tall storage unit to the wall with appropriate fixings. Tall, relatively shallow furniture can tip if a child climbs it or if doors are opened while it is heavily loaded at the top.
With storage handled by one piece, walls and floors become your main design tools.
Exposed brick is the obvious choice for a loft feel. If your walls are plastered, a deep charcoal, warm grey or soft putty paint gives a similar sense of weight. Limewash or textured plaster finishes add depth without the commitment of brick slips.
On the floor, polished concrete, large format tiles in grey or stone tones, or wide dark timber boards all suit the look. A flat woven runner in a muted colour softens the space and helps with noise, which matters in a hallway with hard surfaces.
A tall shoe unit solves footwear, but coats, bags and umbrellas still need somewhere to go. In a loft scheme the solution should be just as simple and honest.
A freestanding metal coat stand works well because it is visually light, sculptural and easy to move. Our modern coat stands UK sale include slim metal and timber designs that sit comfortably beside a tall unit without competing with it. Place the stand on the opposite side of the hall or a little way along from the unit, so each piece has its own space.
For wet days, a dedicated stand by the door stops umbrellas from dripping onto shoes. Our umbrella stands UK include metal and stone effect designs that echo industrial materials.
Lighting is where a loft style hallway really comes to life. A pendant with a metal shade, a cage light or a simple exposed bulb on a fabric cable all suit the look. If your hall is long, two or three matching pendants in a line create rhythm.
Add a second layer of light to stop the tall unit casting deep shadows. A wall light beside it or a small lamp on a nearby shelf brings warmth in the evening. Choose warm white bulbs, which flatter brick, timber and dark metal far more than cool tones.
The risk with any minimal scheme is that small items creep in and spoil the effect. A loft hall usually needs only a few carefully chosen accessories:
Resist adding more. The strength of the scheme comes from its restraint.
Hallways tend to collect clutter faster than almost any other room. Shoes, coats and post are the usual culprits, as our UK hallway clutter survey on shoes, coats and post explores. In a loft scheme, clutter is especially noticeable because there is so little else in the space.
Give every household member a defined shelf or compartment in the tall unit. Move seasonal shoes elsewhere when they are not in use. Deal with post as it arrives, and keep the floor in front of the unit clear so the shape of the piece stays visible.
One of the appeals of loft interiors is that they look better with a little wear. Scuffed leather, softened timber and slightly worn metal all add to the character. When you are choosing a tall unit and the pieces around it, favour materials that age gracefully rather than ones that need to stay pristine.
Oiled or lightly lacquered wood develops a gentle sheen with handling, and small marks blend into the grain. Powder coated steel in matt black or graphite resists chips well and hides fingerprints. Brushed or aged brass details mellow over time and suit the slightly utilitarian feel of a loft space.
By contrast, very glossy surfaces and bright polished chrome can look out of place and show every knock. If you love a sleek finish, use it sparingly, perhaps on a mirror frame or a light fitting, and keep the main storage piece in a more forgiving material.
Think about the floor in the same way. Concrete, stone and dark timber cope with grit and wet shoes far better than pale carpet, and a sturdy flat woven runner can be rotated or replaced as it wears. Choosing materials that tolerate daily life means the hall keeps its relaxed, lived in character without constant upkeep.
Not every home has the volume of a warehouse conversion, but the principles still apply. In a narrow terrace hallway, choose a slimmer tall unit with closed fronts, use a dark paint colour on just one wall for depth, and keep the floor as open as possible. In a flat, a tall unit beside the front door can define an entrance zone even without a separate hall.
At Furniture in Fashion, our hallway storage includes tall units in wood, metal and mixed materials, so you can build a loft inspired entrance that suits the size of your home.
Most tall units stand somewhere between 150 and 190cm. Choose a height that relates to your ceiling and leaves some space above, and always fix the unit to the wall.
Yes. Deep grey or charcoal paint, textured plaster, metal light fittings and a dark wood and metal storage unit all create an industrial feel without brick.
Open shelving suits tidy households and shows off the frame. Closed doors give a calmer look and hide clutter, which is helpful if the hall is visible from living areas.
Polished concrete, large grey or stone tiles and wide dark timber boards all work well. A flat woven runner adds comfort and reduces noise.
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