Giving the hall and stairs a makeover is a job theat most people put off for as long as possible. The job causes disruption throughout the house and takes longer than almost any similar sized room to decorate. In most houses the hall and stairs are central to the home, so it is time to get down to it today.

This is a job that has been waiting for you for a long time, so you might as well do it properly, not just a lick of paint. It is time for a complete and total renovation of this important area of your home. It should be a space in its own right, rather than just a corridor thatpeople pass through.

Planning is the key to this, as it is to any makeover. Visit showrooms and lok at catalogues for ideas. Search the Internet for staircases, to find out what your options are. A unique hallway is achievable for any of us.

Structural features are the first to be decided upon. The staircase is the feature that leaps out at any visitor to your home. It dominates this space, yet the standard staircase fitted by builders is totally unimaginative. You now have the opportunity to start from scratch. Spiral staircases take up less room and are available in every material imaginable, from glass to colored polycarbonate, from stainless steel to timber of every description.

Visit a specialist website to find your full range of options. Some will allow you to design your staircase online, changing the shape, color and materials the staircase is constructed from.

Once you have decided on the stairs, the second structural feature is the front door. If you have a solid timber door, consider replacement with a modern door with glass panels. This simple task will make the hallway much lighter and more spacious. At the same time look at any windows that you could replace.

Internal doors are the next consideration. Most hallways have at least two or three doors in them. This is the time to change them. If you fit glass doors, the hall will be much lighter again.

Lighting is vital in this area. Have you thought of a chandelier? Having more than one bulb will reduce shadows and really cheer up the hallway in the winter evenings. There are thousands of designs from deer antlers to traditional Waterford crystal.

Another lighting option would be wall chandeliers or lights. Putting the wiring in at this stage will save much mess at a later date.

The floor and walls are all that are left. These are less permanent, and will be replaced or recovered more frequently than the structural features above. For the floor, consider ceramic tiles for a sophisticated, while still being practical, look. Carpets are warmer and will soften the room if that is what you are looking for. Timber flooring is another excellent choice, but be careful about fitting laminate flooring in this heavy traffic area. The laminate sheets tend to separate and leave unsightly gaps.

If you do decide on a hard surface for the floor, then you will need some sound absorbing drapes or furniture, otherwise the echoes will be horrendous.

Lastly, what furniture will you put in the hall? This area is best left uncluttered, but it is an excellent place to put a display case designed to show off your collection at its best.