Hallways are often overlooked as transitional spaces in the home, serving a single purpose of connecting one room or floor to the next. However, in Eva Longoria's vibrant home, her hall is far from a forgotten corner and more a design moment.
There are many ways to make an impression with hall decor, but Eva Longoria's use of colorful wall art, sculptural furniture, and a statement round rug put her hall decor firmly in the stylish camp. It's simple yet bold, elegant yet understated, and has the feel of an art gallery – somewhere to pause and stay awhile. It's clearly a central part of her home, and there's no reason that your hall shouldn't be, too.
Below, the experts share their tips for designing a stand-out hallway. I've also curated an edit of rugs, round tables, and wall art – from a lookalike rug designed by Jonathan Adler for Ruggable to a striking circular table (Amazon) – to inspire you to get creative in your hall.
Shop Eva Longoria's Color-Block Style
Designed by Jonathan Adler, this circular rug is so similar to Eva Longoria's own piece, both in terms of the graphic design and the muted pink and blue color palette. Pair with a circular table for added impact.
Leaning into a similar color palette to Eva Longoria's, this rug has a more geometric look and the color blocking effect feels contemporary and fresh for a gallery-style hallway space like the actor's.
Part of Drew Barrymore's range for Walmart, this circular table is ideal for a hall, thanks to it's bold look and interesting pedestal base. Add a simple vase of white flowers for instant drama.
The silhouette of this table will create a clear focal point in a transitional space. Keep it uncluttered to emphasise the clean lines, and add a simple sculptural vase slightly off-center for an arty twist.
Reflecting the pattern of the rug, this print by an independent artist brings color and interest to an otherwise neutral space. Picking out similar shades from a rug makes it feel more intentional.
Choosing poster-style art brings a storied look to a neutral hall – if it's from your own collection, whether from an exhibition, festival or concert you've attended, it will add personality, too.
While Eva Longoria's hall is, admittedly, already a dramatic space in terms of ceiling height and scale, you don't need a grand entranceway to, well, create an entrance. Just think about doing things on a smaller scale. You don't need a large circular table. A sculptural, yet streamlined console table with some beautifully styled blooms or candles will look just as lovely.
'A hall is the perfect place to show off a stand-out piece of furniture that you love that doesn't quite fit in your other rooms or with the rest of the decor. For example, a circular pedestal table can be a thing of beauty in itself, with a simple vase or flowers placed on it, rather than serving a function as a dining table, giving the space more of a gallery vibe,' explains Head of Interiors, Hebe Hatton.
And when it comes to the art, you can afford to be expressive, especially when the rest of the space is neutral, like Eva Longoria's. 'The hall is one of the rare spaces in the home where you are actually free to experiment with your choice of art,' explains Kristina Allan, Home Staging Expert and Founder of Kristina Allan Las Vegas Real Estate. 'Hallways can take brighter tones and interesting colour combinations. This does not mean that everything has to be colourful and loud, just more unexpected.'
You can also bring in color with a statement rug like Eva Longoria's. Her circular rug beautifully echoes the circular table, not only in shape but pattern, with the colorful concentric circles. While vintage rugs are lovely, they are perfect for more lived-in spaces, thanks to the often subtle patterns and faded hues. A hall or entryway is your chance to go for something bold and contemporary.
Think of a rug as an alternative piece of art. Just be sure to check our rug size guide to find the best shape and fit for your space. Plus, a rug doesn't need to be circular to make an impact. You could opt for a runner-style in a narrow hall or a more organic shape for added interest.
The key to this power-of-three look is to pick out some common ground, be that a similar shape in the furniture and rug pattern or a color theme in the rug and artwork. This will help to ensure a cohesive thread runs through your look.
If this has inspired you to get a little more creative and to transform those transitional spaces into gallery-style zones, read up on how to decorate with art for lots more advice.
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