Photography: Simon Brown
People aren’t always comfortable with blurred lines, but there’s no denying our homes are filled with them. There are the spaces we move through in a moment, such as hallways and staircases, and the rooms we only use for specific, fleeting tasks, like pantries and walk-in robes. These serve important purposes yet are often overlooked as we rarely linger in them. But no more! Allow us to introduce you to the liminal spaces in your home so you can create effortless flow.
“Think of these areas as part of the story, not just the path between rooms.”
Jaya Duggal, Choices Flooring brand manager
What is liminal space?
Liminality is a broad concept. Referring to the “in-between”, it covers physical spaces (such as airports and train stations) as well as transitional periods in life and even society as a whole (for example, the Covid pandemic put the entire world in a liminal state). In the home, liminal space is any area that you move through without ever staying in for long. It’s part of the journey and rarely the destination.
Every home has liminal spaces, no matter how small. We all have entrances, doorways and other thoroughfares. “Liminal spaces are no longer an afterthought in home design,” shares Jaya Duggal, brand manager of Choices Flooring. “They help create visual and spatial flow.” After all, the way you move through your home should feel effortless, and a cramped hallway or poorly executed mudroom will only hinder that.
But how can you elevate these necessary yet difficult spaces? Read on for expert advice on how to blend form and functionality for a home that goes with the flow.
Liminal space #1: Entrances
Walking through your front door involves a series of subconscious actions completed in the span of seconds, such as putting your keys away. Danielle Bonello-Dunsford, founder and principal designer of Danielle Victoria Design Studio, says your main entrance should have “clear sightlines, space to transition indoors, and practical elements like a console”. Start with flooring that gently guides you into your home. Lay floorboards vertically or use a hallway runner to subtly direct the eye inside. For decor, a sleek console table with storage will fulfil functional needs, while lamps, artwork and fresh flowers add a warm and welcoming ambience. A statement mirror will tie your scheme together while allowing for last-minute touch-ups before you head out the door.
Liminal space #2: Staircases
Designing a staircase involves many functional considerations. As Danielle explains, if you’re installing new flooring or a runner, your chosen material could affect the height levels at the top and bottom of the staircase. Research is key, here. “Acoustics is another consideration,” says Danielle, who likes incorporating stair runners to soften your step, both audibly and physically. If you’re embarking on a more cosmetic makeover, replacing or repainting your balustrades, newel posts and handrail can dramatically transform the look of your staircase.
A few statement pieces can also make a great impact. A large pendant will elevate a scheme, while illuminating and visually filling the void between storeys that could otherwise appear sparse and dark. For curved staircases, consider decorating the empty floor space near the bottom using a small table topped with books, a vase and greenery. If you have a landing, this is the perfect place to hang a large artwork. But show restraint – one or two beautiful items are all you need.
Stair runners create a soft and tactile journey when you move from one level of your home to another, while enhancing grip underfoot. They are often more cost-effective than fully carpeted stairs, and introduce charm with the flooring beneath the runner visible on either side. Danielle recommends sisal, with cotton borders and an underlay, as this is durable and works well with most types of stair nosing. If you have a narrow staircase, she suggests choosing a wider runner to prevent a “striped and narrowing effect”.
The benefits of stair runners
Liminal space #3: Hallways
“Hallways should allow smooth circulation, have sufficient lighting, and accommodate traffic flow without any obstruction,” says Danielle, who says 1000 to 1200 millimetres is an ideal width for hallways. For narrower thoroughfares, soft furnishings such as hall runners, or window dressings like curtains or blinds, can beautify the space without obstructing your path.
Paint presents another chance to play. “Colour drenching, where the same colour that features on the walls is also used on the ceiling, can elevate the sense of grandness in a space,” explains Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux colour planning and communications manager. She suggests using colour to highlight architectural features. “It’s an effective design technique whether you’re wanting a tonal, complementary or contrasting colour scheme.” If you have a sizeable hall, chic pendants, a selection of artwork and a console table can add the finishing touches. A built-in cupboard is also handy for storing bags, coats and shoes.
Liminal space #4: Mudrooms
At the midpoint between a room and transitional space, mudrooms prevent people from tracking dirt all over the home. As such, low-maintenance and hardy flooring is a key consideration. “Mudrooms are becoming essential in Australian homes, especially with our indoor-outdoor lifestyle,” shares Jaya. “They’re a frontline defence against dirt and moisture. Easy-care flooring like luxury vinyl or hybrid is essential.” Other functional features that the much-coveted mudroom requires are seating and storage.
When it comes to these elements, the more the merrier, if you have the space. After all, more seating means multiple people can remove shoes, coats and bags simultaneously, before storing them away. If your mudroom is more of a nook, then a single bench or chair, a few hooks and freestanding storage is sufficient. Wicker baskets are a wonderful option, too. “They are so practical and beautiful to look at,” says Danielle. “And they can be as messy as you like on the inside!”
Liminal space #5: Pantries
Pantries see a flurry of activity, with people quickly grabbing ingredients then racing to the kitchen. To ensure ease of movement, incorporate clever storage to maximise this small space without impeding its flow. Danielle suggests using adjustable shelving to store tall objects and offer flexibility with height. Pantry shelves above the benchtop are usually 300 millimetres deep, but for pantries humbler in size, a shallower depth will happily suffice. Helen Parker, creative director at DeVol Kitchens, prefers a depth of 250 millimetres as it’s unobtrusive and lets you see every ingredient at a glance.
When it comes to styling, resist the urge to clutter your pantry with unrelated decor. Instead, try decorating with beloved recipe books or hang a fabric skirt in a pretty print to hide unsightly essentials. And don’t underestimate the aesthetic appeal of matching airtight containers. “There is something really calming and orderly about seeing neat rows of goods all lined up,” shares Helen. “They almost are the decoration in themselves.”
“An unused space can easily become an invaluable place to neatly store your things.”
Helen Parker, DeVol Kitchens creative director
Liminal space #6: Walk-in wardrobes
Mornings are hard enough as it is, but seizing the day can feel impossible when your first task is dealing with a walk-in robe that lacks flow and doesn’t meet your needs. To begin, Danielle checks how much drawer storage, half-height and full-height hanging space her clients require, as well as whether they’d like a safe for jewellery. Although custom joinery is ideal, it can always be retrofitted when your budget allows. In the meantime, custom handles can elevate more cost-effective options like Ikea wardrobes.
As with all liminal spaces, you don’t want to interrupt the flow in or out, so keep a clear thoroughfare between your walk-in robe and bedroom. To preserve sightlines and for a seamless sense, Tom Cahill, director of Cahill Building Group, recommends using a hidden cavity sliding door. And of course, when it comes to style, little additions can make a big difference: a place to sit while putting on shoes, plush carpet underfoot and a full-length mirror in your dressing space.
Danielle Bonello-Dunsford, from Danielle Victoria Design Studio, shares her recommended minimum clearances for different thoroughfares in the home.
An interior designer’s recommended minimum clearances
Hallways: A width of 1000 to 1200 millimetres is ideal for hallways; 900 millimetres is the minimum width.
Doorways: The standard width of 820 millimetres will suit most doorways, arches and thresholds.
Walk-in robes: A width of 900 to 1000 millimetres is recommended between half-height hanging rails in walk-in wardrobes.
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