Drab hallways, areas by staircases, or an unused corner are one of the highest traffic areas in the home. But is your hallway duller and darker than light and airy? It’s easier than you think to transform your hallway or any used corner with purpose.
For a great welcoming look, move away from dark colors and poorly lit lighting. Instead, bring your home entrance area to life with large mirrors, a pop of color and smart storage.
It may feel like a long, often awkwardly shaped corridor at times, but the hallway should still be treated as if it were a room. We speak to the experts to find out just how to brighten up a hallway, whatever the size.
Lighting is perhaps one of the easiest ways to brighten up your hallway, and there are plenty of options for this, too. Wall sconces are winners with narrow hallways, while ceiling spotlights also cleverly keeps the area looking tidy. Avoid heavy, low-hanging lights for space as compact as this.
Choose a wall-mounted light that directs light upward to cast a soft diffused light against the wall and ceiling. These are most effective when used in conjunction with a dimmer switch. If you have space, add a floor lamp to brighten up dark corners and create a warm glow within your hallway.
Fresh shades of white, cream or soft pastels can easily refresh your hallway. If you are able to redecorate, giving a fresh lick of paint to your space will elevate your home almost immediately.
If you want to make a bold statement, opt for a pop of color. Giving your hallway character with color is a smart way to brighten up the welcoming area. Color is a wonderful way to brighten up and to add dimension to a hallway. A vibrant shade of sage green or ochre – which has become incredibly popular recently – will breathe life into a hallway. You can never go wrong painting space in a very simple bright white, too.
And if you’re really feeling brave, why not embrace the trend of flower-strewn panels? These bold blooms might seem bright for a hallway, but you will be sure to create a scene-stealing entrance.
If you’re looking to completely redecorate your hallway space, start with the flooring. Whether you opt for hallway tiles, a soft carpet or marble stone, this will dramatically enhance your entrance area.
A door with clear or translucent glass is a fantastic way of flooding a hallway with light and therefore making it seem larger and lighter.
The choice of flooring for the hallway will also have a bearing on how light space feels. Opting for a lighter scheme with large tiles or wooden planks will create the illusion of more space as well as visual impact.
While a hallway may feel like one of the smallest spaces in the home, it doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with the standout features you love.
Try using a metallic paint as a paint effect over a matt emulsion to add shine and reflection and bring a space to life.
Elsewhere, mirrors and glossed console tables are excellent accessories worth investing in. ‘You could buy lots of different shapes and sizes of mirrors, both old and new, then paint the frames the same color as the wall and group together.
