How to Decorate a Hallway: Your Questions Answered

Planning to decorate a hallway but not sure where to start? Hallways come in an endless array of shapes and sizes; from sprawling ceilings to narrow corridors, the best advice depends on the space you’re working with. 

Whether you’re wondering about lighting, storage or how to make the most of the space, we’ve collated some of the most commonly asked questions, along with our top tips, about decorating a hallway.

How do I make a hallway feel welcoming and interesting?

Many neglect to put much time and effort into planning the design of their hallway, but to ensure it feels welcoming, it really should be as considered as any other room in the house. As the entrance to your home, it’s all about creating a good first impression – encouraging warmth for you and your guests, whilst nodding to your personality and interests.

Don’t be tempted to use your hallway as a place to ditch furniture and art that doesn’t have a natural place elsewhere in your home. Instead, think carefully about the feeling you want to evoke when stepping through the door, and plan around this.

To make a hallway feel welcoming, consider choosing a warm or bright colour on your walls and ensure lighting is inviting, not gloomy. A cosy rug or runner is a must so people aren’t stepping onto cold tiles when removing their shoes.

For added interest on arrival, inject your personality through unique artwork and accessories, quirky wallpaper and other points of interest reflective of your tastes.

What colour should I paint my hallway?

The best colour to paint your hallway really depends on the size of the space and the mood you want to elicit. A pale, neutral colour can be tempting, and is a common choice for many, but in reality, some shades can flatten the atmosphere, as well as emphasise any knocks or scuffs that are inevitable in such a high-traffic area. We have a comprehensive guide to colour theory with tips and ideas to help you pick your colour scheme for your hallway.

Don’t shy away from colour in your hallway. If the space is limited, consider warmer neutrals – like Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Mocha Mousse – rather than greys and whites. Or, go bold! Colour drenching can add drama or give the illusion of a larger space, depending on the hue.

For an elegant welcome, panelling is classy and can make a space look larger when positioned vertically, as it draws the eye up.

Want to add character? Then a patterned wallpaper could be the choice for you – something floral is ideal for welcoming the outdoors inside. However, if making a feature of your walls feels too much, you can add pops of colour through furniture and accessories.

The main consideration when choosing your colour palette is to ensure cohesion with the rooms that attach to your hallway so you create a seamless journey through your home.

What is the best lighting for a hallway? 

Again, the best lighting for a hallway really depends on the space. Your goal is to draw people in, not scare them away!

For those with tall ceilings and large stairways, a statement or stairwell chandelier will never get boring as you enter your home, and is sure to be a talking point for any guests.

For smaller spaces, wall lights and staggered pendants can entice people through narrow corridors. Just ensure you install enough of them; otherwise, it can have the opposite effect, throwing shadows across the hallways and making it feel gloomy. You can also include space-saving lighting, such as sleek, minimal floor-to-ceiling vertical lamps.

Table lamps can be placed on console tables and are a great way to create a warm, welcoming feeling without the harshness of an overhead. Additionally, backlit mirrors are ideal – particularly in smaller spaces – as an added light source, and to reflect light around the room.

How do I maximise storage in a hallway?

Maximising storage is essential when decorating your hallway. This area of the home is prone to pile-ups! From coats and shoes to bags and umbrellas, anything that is removed and discarded in the hallway, needs a storage space.

Built-in options are great where room allows, like hidden shoe cupboards under the stairs. Alternatively, furniture that doubles as storage – like a bench – is perfect for hiding items you’d prefer not to have on show.

If space is limited, use your walls by adding hooks for jackets and coats, or consider vertical or floating storage options that can tuck into narrow corners, or create a space beneath. For those with more expansive hallways, coat racks or wardrobes are a great choice for keeping items off-display.

What other furniture should I choose for a hallway?

When it comes to hallway furniture, console tables are a popular choice for housing keys, post, and other items that need to be accessible as you enter or leave the home. They come in a variety of sizes and options suitable for hallways, great and small! Console tables provide additional surface for lighting and other decorative items, like fresh flowers. To maximise storage options, pick one with extra drawers.

Benches and accent chairs are also ideal in a hallway as a place for people to perch on as they put on or remove their shoes, or as somewhere to sit and wait as you prepare to leave the house.

How can I make a small or narrow hallway look bigger? 

Small or narrow hallways can be made to look bigger with careful colour selection and clever use of storage. The key is to keep things light (but warm) and ensure as little clutter as possible. Smart storage is ideal for smaller spaces, so pick furniture that has dual uses.

Ensure your lighting illuminates the hallway to avoid it becoming dingy, and use mirrors to give the illusion of space.

How should I decorate a hallway? 

Functionality aside, there are plenty of ways you can decorate your hallway to make it feel unique to you and your household.

Large, statement wall art, or gallery walls with a pick n’ mix of pieces are eye-catching and allude to your interests. And remember, art doesn’t have to be housed on the wall and could instead be balanced on items of furniture. 

Mirrors are essential, not only to make the space feel wider and project light, but also to allow for that final reflection check before leaving the house!

Accessories should speak to your preferences and match the space. Plants bring in the outdoors and can feel welcoming, and if your hallway doesn’t allow for a large house plant, consider a vase of fresh flowers to make it look and smell enticing. 

Summary: Key considerations when decorating your hallway

If you’re decorating your hallway, it’s important to give it as much care and attention as you would any other room. As a high-traffic area, functional elements are important, but aesthetic is too, as it’s the gateway to the rest of your home.

Here are the key considerations to think about when planning your hallway redesign:

• Design for cohesion – pick a colour palette and theme that pays attention to other rooms in the home that are connected to the hallway. You want the design to complement and create a flow through your house.
• Balance practicality with personality – flooring and walls should be easy to clean, whilst remaining welcoming and stylistically interesting.
• Pick plenty of storage – hallways are magnets for ‘stuff’, so ensure any items that are likely to be dumped have somewhere to be stored. Furniture should be chosen with storage in mind.
• Let there be light – a dark hallway is a turn off for homeowners and guests alike. Ensure your space is well lit and welcomes people into your home.

Need a hand creating your ideal hallway? The team at Juliettes Interiors have over 20 years’ experience decorating hallways of all shapes and sizes. Contact them now to discuss your needs.