35 really useful hallway decor ideas (plus tips & tricks) from interiors experts
First Impressions
Treat your hallway like you would any other room, with decorative displays that will make your space as beautiful as it is functional. Wall-hung storage cubes provide the ideal place to pop vases and books, while wallpaper, paint and a stair runner in shades of grey create a calming vibe.
Calm And Orderly
Neutral doesn’t have to mean bland – add interest with texture and materials, from distressed wood pieces to panelled walls and sumptuous, soft-on-the-feet carpet. Complete the look with grandiose period-style furniture and a few considered decorative objects on display.
Scene Setter
Create the ultimate impact with a wall mural that sets the scene perfectly. Add in a mid-century style bench and some soft furnishings and you’ve got a spot that you’ll be hard pressed to leave.
For Thought
Bench seating and a row of painted wall hooks is a clever way of keeping coats and hats tidy, while offering a spot to sit and take off shoes and boots. Cladding the walls and seating in similar dark blue-painted panels will keep the space feeling cohesive rather than cluttered.
Country Charm
No matter how small your space, a hallway can still benefit from traditional, cosy touches. Hard flooring and painted walls are counterbalanced with long linen curtains, a textured rug and a simple cushion, while wood seating with a built-in shelf offers room for rattan baskets and storage. Pop in some logs and a pair of wellies for true country style.
all-to-Wall Impact
Nothing makes a statement quite like colourful walls. Don’t stop at that one feature wall, either – take your chosen paper onto the staircase wall so you can get the full effect. This ocean wave paper is complemented with a porthole-shaped mirror, while the dark wood floor offers a deck-type feel.
The hallway can often be the most neglected area of the home, overlooked when it comes to design and decoration in favour of those rooms we use most often. But everything from the colour on your walls to the materials underfoot can create a warm welcome for you and your guests.
'Hallways are the most important transitional spaces within our homes so whatever we choose to do decoration-wise has to work perfectly with the other rooms that lead off it,' says Marianne Shillingford, creative director at Dulux. 'This decorating dilemma often results in us being super cautious with colour and using neutral pale shades which can flatten the atmosphere, creating a space that is simply a functional corridor that no one really lingers in or remembers.
'You need to break down the visual boxiness of the space and add focal points of interest that make it a more dynamic part of your home to be in.'
And the same rule applies if you have a narrow hallway, you just need to be more clever with your space. 'If your hallway is small, consider furniture that provides storage, such as a sideboard with drawers or doors,' says Lena Gierasinska, head of product and displays at Barker and Stonehouse. 'To add interest to the space, style surfaces with eye-catching lamps or ceramic vases filled with flowers.'
Whether you have a dark hallway or a cluttered dumping ground, take inspiration from these hallway decor ideas and expert tips and tricks to help you make the most of your space.
Hallway ideas: use art
Just because a hallway is a transitional space, doesn't mean it should be neglected when it comes to dressing with art or accessories.
'Always walk around the space and you will feel the natural spots for art to be,' says Camilla Clarke, creative director at interior design studio Albion Nord. 'This may be next to a window or at the end of a corridor. Remember art doesn’t always need to be hung on the centre of the wall it can rest on top of tables or layered next to sculptures or on bookshelves and joinery.'
Hallway ideas: the illusion of space
A mirror in a hallway will open up the space by maximising light, while also offering little glimpses of the next room. Mirrors reflect light, making the space seem wider and brighter, as well as giving you the chance to double check your appearance before you walk out the door.
Pictured: Orta Mirror at Heal’s
Hallway ideas: pops of colour
A small hallway doesn't have to mean a dull hallway, nor do you have to stick to white paint to make it feel brighter and bigger. Don't be afraid to experiment with colour, especially in a light-starved space. A confident use of a bright colour such as yellow creates a welcoming and vibrant space. If you don't want to go all out and paint your walls bright yellow, try adding a few bold accessories such as hooks or benches to get a similar feel.
Pictured: Walls painted in Re:Mix Livid at Little Greene
Hallway ideas: go for laminate
Your choice of flooring will have a bearing on how light your hallway feels. Opting for pale wooden planks will create the illusion of more light and space, but go for a wood-effect laminate instead of the real thing– anything sealed will make a high-traffic area a little more resilient, and effectively reflect light into a darker space.
Hallway ideas: choose stripes
In a hallway you'll want to incorporate design elements that enhance a sense of space wherever possible. An easy and stylish way to do so is with stripes. This timeless pattern is brilliant at creating the illusion of space. Using vertically striped wallpaper in your hallway will draw your eye towards the ceiling, making it appear higher.
Pictured: Stig Stripe wallpaper in Mint, Cathy Nordström
Hallway ideas: introduce florals
Fresh, blousy florals will always make a design statement, and what better way than in your hallway? Go big and bold with statement wallpaper that still doesn't scream 'loud', as seen here with a peony print wallpaper with muted green, white, mellow yellow and blush pink shades. To let the wallpaper do the talking, keep furniture and accessories pared-back.
Pictured: Peonia Grande Zinc Wallpaper, Designers Guild
Hallway ideas: rethink your design approach
When tackling a hallway redesign, think of your space as you would any other room. It's not simply a transitional area to hang your coat – hallways will benefit from a considered use of paint, softening rugs and runners, wall art and accessories as much as any other room.
Pictured: Small Osterley Indoor Plant Pot at Cult Furniture
Hallway ideas: feature storage
When it comes to hallway storage, so many of us will look to narrow consoles, low benches, or wall-mounted cubbies – but with these pieces, functionality often supersedes form. Provided your hallway is wide enough, there is no reason why you shouldn't go for more feature furniture, like a beautifully designed chest of drawers.
Pictured: Bobbin furniture range at John Lewis & Partners
Hallway ideas: extra seating
If space allows, seating can be a useful addition to a hallway. It could be the perfect spot to escape to relax and read, somewhere to chat on the phone or simply a space to wait for others to put their shoes on. You could choose a statement chair and table to create a proper seating area or use a bench option instead.
Pictured: Brompton porcelain 'Field Liquorice' and ' Milk', Ca' Pietra
Hallway ideas: make it yellow
Yellow is a great choice for a transitional space like a hallway. Bright, uplifting and an instant mood-boost, the light shade also makes it ideal for narrow hallways. Here, the white panelling, door frames and ceiling (including cornicing) provides a nice contrast painted in white.
Pictured: Chartwell velvet carpet, Good Housekeeping collection at Carpetright
Hallway ideas: create a consistent flow
Choose shades within the same colour family to create a consistent flow from room to room. Here, a pale mint green with white is used in the narrow hallway, making it bright and airy, and it perfectly complements the cocooning dark green in the adjacent living room.
Pictured: Serene Green (hallway) and Loving Green (living room), YesColours
Hallway ideas: creating a palette
The size and length of a hallway should always be a key consideration when selecting a colour palette.
'For a warm glow, the skirting could be a clotted cream colour (high gloss finish), the walls could be in a soft butter yellow (flat finish), and the ceiling could be a hint of peaches and cream (flat finish). For a fresh, cool bask, the skirting could be a crisp light grey (high gloss finish), the walls in a pale minty colour (flat finish), and the ceiling the palest of azure (flat finish),' says Gillian C. Rose, colour scientist, interior designer and founder of The Science of Colour.
Pictured: Door painted in Copper Green No.36 at Mylands London
Hallway ideas: maximise light
Adding in Crittall doors to a hallway is a striking way to enhance lighting (both natural light and artificial light sources from another room), and in turn, create a more spacious feel. Additionally, a crisp white and mellow yellow colour combination works wonders in creating an airy space, as does pale wood flooring to enhance a sense of openness in the home.
Hallway ideas: WFH space
Under stair space can be more than just a cupboard for household debris. Forgoing the extra storage and opening it up can create new opportunities, such as a seating area to relax in or a modest desk and chair to provide a compact work from home space.
Pictured: ANYDAY collection at John Lewis & Partners
Hallway ideas: conscious styling
'As a transitional space within the home, it’s important that the hallway is clutter- free, well-lit, and consciously styled in-keeping with the rest of the interiors,' says Shelley Cochrane, accessories buyer at Furniture Village. 'The key to striking the perfect balance is to choose furnishings and décor that are both beautiful and functional – think slim-line consoles and storage benches to tidy away essentials, and handy wall mirrors for last-minute touch ups.'
Pictured: Hewitt Large Sideboard at Furniture Village
Hallway ideas: layering lighting
Transform a dark hallway with carefully positioned lighting. Directional wall lights can highlight a beautiful ceiling, and pendant lighting can be really effective in making a small space feel much bigger. A single pendant light can have the opposite effect, leaving too many shadows and patches of darkness. Instead, opt for multiple pendant lights running the length of your hall. This will draw the eye into the space and feel much warmer and inviting.
Pictured: Eos Up Feather Wall Lamp at Sweetpea & Willow
Hallway ideas: try scandi-inspired
'Hallways, by nature, are typically dark. Brown, green, grey, telephone box red, and any of the primary colours in full hue, are all ones I would avoid,' says Gillian.
Instead, try a subtle scandi-inspired palette with a spectrum of clean whites and pale woods.
Pictured: House Beautiful Corinthian Doric Laminate at Carpetright
Hallway ideas: add a runner
Whilst tiles or wooden floors are the easy-to-clean option in a high-traffic hallway, slipping your shoes off onto a cold floor isn't terribly welcoming. The solution? Hall runners.
A hallway runner can offer comfort as well as being the final touch that brings the design elements of your hallway together. Choose from a variety of colourways, patterns and textures. Think about whether you want to make a statement with your runner or whether your flooring is the centrepiece. If it's the latter, a more muted rug, such as natural jute, might work better. Don't forget to add an anti-slip mat underneath.
Pictured: Ferm Living Square Runner at Heal's
Hallway ideas: vertical storage
Ensure you have enough storage for everyone in the home to have a couple of pairs of shoes in the hallway, plus room for guests to leave theirs when they arrive. You can get a bit creative with storage in small spaces, employing a narrow locker like this Mustard Made design.
Pictured: Mustard Made Locker at Rose & Grey
Hallway ideas: window dressing
'Blinds can be used to add a pop of colour and visual interest in the hallway where there is less wall space for other decorative elements. Introduce a window blind with an on-trend botanical design to bring the scheme right up to date. You can introduce texture to a neutral hallway with digitally printed window blinds. The result is a simply stunning showpiece for windows,' says Mike Stephen of Apollo Blinds.
Pictured: House Beautiful Breeze Russet Blinds at Hillarys
Hallway ideas: indoor/outdoor connection
'Whether or not you are near a garden, you may want to consider bringing one in by using soft lettuce leaf shades,' says Gillian. 'I would recommend a dull flat finish as this creates gentler shadows and softer reflections. However, if you wish to create a more dramatic environment, then by all means select colours that conjure up strong, immediate emotional responses – deep aubergines and plums will do just that.'
Pictured: Walls painted in Bancha at Farrow & Ball
Hallway ideas: protecting against scuffs and scrapes
Regardless of the paint colour you choose, it's advisable to invest in washable paint for a hallway. This way, any muddy splashes or little fingerprints can be easily wiped away. Alternatively, wood panelling can help to keep your walls in good condition. Try to opt for panelling that suits the age and history of your property.
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Hallway ideas: playful tiling
Whilst narrow hallways benefit from large format floor tiles in highly polished and light-reflecting finishes, large or open-plan hallways allow more freedom.
'Play around with designs that draw the eye from the door and into the heart of the home. A beautiful parquet herringbone pattern is perfect for fooling the eye into seeing never-ending depth, while still keeping a traditional, warm and homely feel to the overall look,' Topps Tiles explain.
Pictured: Retromix Star Large Patterned Tiles at London Tile Co
Hallway ideas: the ultimate hallway plant
'The Fiddle Leaf pops up on our feed as the ultimate statement piece for a hallway – what a welcome! The large, beautiful violin-shaped leaves are thick and leathery, the stem is substantial and robust. It prefers the indirect sun so by a door is often the perfect place,' says Maddie Porritt, Head Buyer at The Stem.
Pictured: Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree at The Stem
Hallway ideas: paint tricks
Clever painting techniques can help make a narrow hallway seem bigger. 'Use a lighter colour at the top of the wall, and halfway down – where a traditional dado rail might have gone – change to another colour. But always with small rooms, use light coloured paints and furniture, to help give an illusion of more space,' says Cato Cooper of The Emporium Somerset.
Pictured: Walls painted in Acorn and Hopper, both at Little Greene
Hallway ideas: don't fight with the layout
Hallways can frequently be a bit of an architectural nightmare, with cramped proportions, uneven flooring and an absence of natural light, but trying to alter the structure of a hallway can pose more problems than it solves. The most we would suggest is dispensing with unnecessary partitioning to create a more expansive space, and using panes of glass in a front door to encourage natural light.
Pictured: Door painted in Pink House Pink at Mylands London
Hallway ideas: introduce fragrance
Use fresh flowers in a hallway to introduce a welcoming fragrance. Lisa Lewis, a home staging consultant at Stylize, says: 'Having plenty of natural light in the hallway signifies a warm and happy home. Continue this happy state by keeping the entranceway clear and add a beautiful vase of real flowers to represent life and growth.'
Pictured: Kingston Saxony Carpet in Citrine at Carpetright
Hallway ideas: balance walls and floors
If you use a feature floor tile with abundant pattern and intricate design, consider a fresh white palette for the rest of the room. This can be particularly effective in long and narrow hallways where busy floor tiles can guide the eye to the rooms beyond.
Pictured: Quintessential Porcelain Salisbury Tiles at Hyperion Tiles
Hallway ideas: making the most of space
Kelly Collins, head of creative and in-house interior designer at Swyft Home, suggests reconsidering the traditional uses of a hallway. 'Transitional spaces are those parts of the home that we use to get from one to another, such as hallways, corridors and landings. Often there is quite a lot of wasted space here which could easily be big enough for a reading area. Recessed reading nooks, such as under the stairs or by transforming a built-in cupboard area can also be a great idea,' says Kelly.
Pictured: Wallpaper and paint at Little Greene
Hallway ideas: hard-wearing floors
'Make sure you opt for a smart choice of flooring and something that's hardwearing. A porcelain tile will help to minimise any deterioration while still allowing homeowners to maintain something stylish and design-led, thanks to the choice in prints and patterns that they come in,' advise Topps Tiles. 'Porcelain or ceramic tiles offer practical solutions and are available in a range of styles and colours to suit any design scheme. Wood-effect porcelain tiles are an excellent alternative to real wood, visually identical but unaffected by everyday use and much easier to maintain.'
Pictured: Victorian Flooring™ Newbury Black Tile at Tops Tiles
Hallway ideas: painted murals
Botanical wallpaper or painted detailing is a playful way to bring the great outdoors into your home – the perfect choice for a hallway to create a seamless transition from the outside in. We love this painted hallway mural of trailing plants.
Read: 31 living room wallpaper ideas
Hallway ideas: statement storage
Unless you have a separate porch it's likely you will still need somewhere to hang your coat and other accessories. Modern coat stands can bring a fun element to contemporary hallways and may better resemble a modern sculpture piece than a traditional coat stand.
If floor space is of a premium, consider wall-mounted hooks. Colourful coat hooks can offer a playful alternative that will be less obtrusive than a coat stand but still offer the same functionality. Plus, they make a great wall feature too.
Pictured: Hang It All Coat Rack at Heal's
Hallway ideas: use lighting purposefully
'Layering of light is key when it comes to creating the impression of space in your hallway. LED step lights can help by creating drama,' says Sally Storey, creative director of John Cullen Lighting. 'A useful trick is to use 1W LED uplights to light a feature at the end of the hallway. This will draw ones eye down the hallway, creating the impression of space. Combine this with directional recessed downlights, to wash light down the walls, illuminating every inch of your hallway.'
Pictured: Original BTC Hector Globe Pendant at Holloways of Ludlow
Hallway ideas: choose the right door
One of the best ways to brighten a dark hallway is to buy a new front door. Creating new windows is a structural challenge, but choosing a door with glass panes is the easiest solution. If you have a dark hallway to the rear of your property, you can use glass panels to the half shown here, or in a front door, simply choose a frosted or reeded glass for privacy.
Pictured: Walls painted in Citrine at Little Greene
Hallway ideas: make the most of wall space
Keep your hallway floor clutter-free and instead use the wall space at your disposal. 'By running lengths of peg rails along the walls you can create clever storage solutions and can hang not just coats and hats but bags and gardening equipment such as watering cans, brushes and trowels. Add a run of overhead shelving above or around head height to store boxes and baskets, and keep shoes and bits and bobs off the floor. Keep the clutter under control as all too often a corridor or hallway can become a dumping ground. Make sure there's a home for everything and everything has a home,' says Cato.
Pictured: Sahin Cane Coat Rack at Beaumonde
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