The hallway and boot room are the hardest-working spaces in a home. They're where muddy paws arrive, wellies get kicked off and guests get their very first impression. They're also the rooms most of us forget to decorate.

A few well-chosen pieces of vintage wall art change all of that. Classic horse paintings, sporting dogs, game birds and moody landscapes bring the warmth and character of an old country house, even in a new-build. Here's how to choose and hang art for the spaces you walk through every day.

1. Hang at eye level. Aim for the centre of the artwork to sit roughly 145–150cm from the floor. In a hallway people are standing and walking, so this matters even more than in a living room.
2. Mind the coats. Leave a clear gap above coat hooks and pegs so jackets and dog leads don't knock your frames.
3. Work in pairs or rows. Narrow spaces suit symmetry. A matching pair either side of a mirror, or a row of three along a corridor, always looks considered.
4. Mix in a statement piece. One larger landscape or horse painting at the end of a hall draws people in and makes the space feel longer.
5. Choose glazed frames. Real glass protects your prints from muddy hands, wet noses and everyday knocks.