To create a luxe glam entrance hall with a sunburst wall clock, hang the clock as the single focal point on the wall that faces you as you come in, set it above a slim console in glass, mirror or metallic finish, and light it with warm wall lights on either side. Then keep the rest of the hall disciplined: a restrained colour palette, one or two reflective surfaces, hidden storage for everyday clutter and flooring that adds polish. Glamour in a hallway comes from contrast and control, not from filling every surface.
The entrance hall sets the tone for the rest of the house. In most British homes it is also narrow, busy and full of practical demands, from coats and shoes to post and parcels. That makes it a good test of whether a glamorous look can work in real life. A sunburst clock is a strong starting point because it gives you a decorative centrepiece that is also useful. Our sunburst and modern wall clocks UK sale include gold, brass, silver and mirrored designs in a range of sizes, and they sit within our wider modern living room furniture UK collection of decorative pieces that move easily between rooms.
The sunburst shape has been used in decorative design for a very long time, and it became especially associated with mid century and Art Deco glamour. Its radiating lines draw the eye to the centre and create movement on a flat wall, which is exactly what a long, narrow hallway needs.
In a hall, the sunburst does three jobs. It gives you something to look at the moment you open the door. It reflects light from wall fittings and the fanlight above the door. And it tells the time, which is genuinely useful as you head out.
The most effective position is usually the wall directly facing the front door, if there is one. In a typical terrace or semi, that might be the end wall beyond the stairs, a short return wall, or the wall above a radiator cover. If your hall is a long corridor with no facing wall, choose the longest uninterrupted side wall instead, ideally opposite the stairs.
Avoid walls behind the swing of the front door and anywhere that coats will hang in front of the clock. A sunburst needs space around it to read properly; crowding it with hooks and frames dilutes the effect. It helps to plan the clock and the furniture together; our modern hallway furniture UK range includes slim pieces designed for narrow spaces, so you can see what will fit beneath it.
Sunburst clocks are measured across the tips of their rays, so a clock that looks modest in a photograph can be quite wide on the wall. Hallways are often narrow, so measure carefully.
On a wall above a console, the clock should be roughly the same width as the console or slightly narrower. On a bare wall, leave at least a hand’s width of clear space on either side. A clock of 60cm to 80cm across often suits a standard hallway wall, while larger designs need a generous double height space or a wide landing.
Hang the centre of the clock at roughly eye level when standing, a little higher if it sits above furniture. In a hall, you view it on foot, so it should not feel as though it is looming over you.
A console beneath the clock grounds the arrangement and gives you a surface for keys, post and a lamp. For a glam look, choose a design that reflects light rather than absorbs it. Our glass console tables UK sale include clear glass, smoked glass and metallic framed designs that keep a narrow hall feeling open.
Depth matters. Hallways need a clear walkway, and furniture that projects too far quickly becomes an obstacle. Our guide to hallway furniture depths and corridor clearance in UK homes explains how much space to leave so that people, prams and shopping can pass comfortably.
Keep the console top edited. A small tray for keys, a single vase of flowers and perhaps a candle or diffuser are enough. Everything else should go into drawers or a nearby cabinet.
Glamour does not survive alongside piles of shoes and bags. The secret to a luxe hall is that its practical function is mostly hidden.
Coordinated storage in a similar finish to the console makes it easier to keep the glam elements in view and the everyday clutter out of it.
The colour around the clock determines whether it reads as elegant or overwhelming. A few combinations work particularly well.
Warm greige, mushroom or stone walls let a gold sunburst glow without competing. This is the easiest palette to live with and suits most period and modern homes.
Navy, forest green, aubergine or charcoal walls make metallic finishes look richer. In a hall with good natural light, a dark colour can feel dramatic rather than gloomy.
A silver or chrome sunburst against a cool pale wall has a crisper, more contemporary glamour. Add warmth with lighting and natural materials so it does not feel cold.
Chequerboard or monochrome floor tiles, white walls and a gold sunburst create a classic look that nods to the Art Deco era.
Lighting is where hallways often fall short. A single central pendant tends to flatten everything. For a glam scheme, add wall lights on either side of the clock, or a picture light above it, so that the rays catch the light and cast soft shadows on the wall.
Warm white bulbs suit gold and brass finishes. Cooler light works with silver but can make a hallway feel clinical. A small table lamp on the console adds a welcoming glow in the evening and saves you switching on the overhead light every time you come in.
Mirror, glass, polished metal and lacquer all add glamour, but in a narrow hall too many reflective surfaces can feel chaotic. Two or three is usually right: the clock itself, the console, and perhaps a mirrored tray or lamp base.
If you would like a mirror as well as a clock, place it on a different wall rather than beside the clock. A mirror opposite a window or near the front door helps bounce light deeper into the hall and is useful for a final check before leaving.
The floor has a large influence on the overall impression of a hallway. Encaustic or geometric tiles, polished stone, or dark stained floorboards all suit a glam scheme. A runner in a rich colour or subtle pattern adds softness, absorbs sound and protects the floor from everyday wear. Choose a flat weave or low pile runner so the front door opens freely.
A glam hallway is about the first impression: a warm glow from the wall lights, the shimmer of a sunburst clock, a clear console and a floor that looks cared for. Get the focal point right, hide the clutter and keep the palette controlled, and even a modest hallway can feel quietly luxurious.
You can explore sunburst clocks, glass consoles and hallway storage together at Furniture in Fashion, where we offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
A clock of around 60cm to 80cm across suits most standard hallway walls. Larger clocks need a wide wall or double height space so the rays have room around them.
Yes, a console grounds the clock and gives you useful surface space. Choose a console of similar or slightly greater width than the clock.
It can. Choose slim, reflective furniture, keep the walkway clear, use closed storage for shoes and coats, and light the clock with wall lights rather than relying on a ceiling pendant.
Warm neutrals, deep blues and greens, aubergine, charcoal and crisp white all work. Darker colours make gold appear richer, while warm neutrals give a softer, more understated result.
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