Decorating
Colour Code: The Best Hues for Hallways
Light or dark? Bright or subdued? If you're having trouble deciding what's the right colour for your hallway, read on
As the first thing on show when the front door is opened, and the place you pass through to get to other areas of the house, the hall is an important path on your home’s decorating journey. But light or dark, which way to go? Ultra-dark hallways have become increasingly popular, and the transient nature of the space certainly makes it a good place to experiment. Alternatively, a light, bright entrance is hard to beat for an open and cheery welcome. Still not sure? Browse through this selection to help you decide.
Tone it down
Not feeling quite brave enough to fully commit to a dark colour? Try a brighter shade. This hallway has the essence of a rich, sumptuous look thanks to the dusky-blue walls. Teaming this blue with rich timber floors gives a confident, grown-up welcome, while the bright white trim and ceiling keep the scheme light.
Not feeling quite brave enough to fully commit to a dark colour? Try a brighter shade. This hallway has the essence of a rich, sumptuous look thanks to the dusky-blue walls. Teaming this blue with rich timber floors gives a confident, grown-up welcome, while the bright white trim and ceiling keep the scheme light.
Go halves
Still not convinced? This is the perfect entry-level dark hallway – in fact, it’s not really dark at all. Dip your toe into the look with a mid-grey stair wall complete with a zingy border. Here, it’s a deep yellow band, but pink or blue would work just as well. The white panelling in the hallway further lightens the whole effect. This is a great example of taking an idea and adapting it to suit – the little tweaks make it swoony, not gloomy.
Browse more grey hallways
Still not convinced? This is the perfect entry-level dark hallway – in fact, it’s not really dark at all. Dip your toe into the look with a mid-grey stair wall complete with a zingy border. Here, it’s a deep yellow band, but pink or blue would work just as well. The white panelling in the hallway further lightens the whole effect. This is a great example of taking an idea and adapting it to suit – the little tweaks make it swoony, not gloomy.
Browse more grey hallways
Let there be light
At the other end of the spectrum, this light and elegant space offers the epitome of a warm welcome. Classic dark wooden furniture set against pale creamy walls is all that is needed for a neutral but nice space.
At the other end of the spectrum, this light and elegant space offers the epitome of a warm welcome. Classic dark wooden furniture set against pale creamy walls is all that is needed for a neutral but nice space.
Pick one wall
Here’s a neat idea. Instead of using a bold colour on all of the walls, why not just experiment with the panels under the stairs? Painting the hall and stairway is a big decorating job, and the chosen colour creates the all-important first impression of a home – hence the need to make sure you choose the right shade. But painting the bulk of the space in timeless white, then just adding colour to a particular area allows for bursts of easy-to-change creativity, such as the blue and orange seen here.
Here’s a neat idea. Instead of using a bold colour on all of the walls, why not just experiment with the panels under the stairs? Painting the hall and stairway is a big decorating job, and the chosen colour creates the all-important first impression of a home – hence the need to make sure you choose the right shade. But painting the bulk of the space in timeless white, then just adding colour to a particular area allows for bursts of easy-to-change creativity, such as the blue and orange seen here.
Be pale and interesting
Less standard than white and more interesting than magnolia, very pale grey is a sophisticated choice in a hallway. It may lack the drama of its darker incarnations, but it more than makes up for it on the practicality front. Pale grey looks good in both contemporary and traditional homes, and it works particularly well with a wooden floor.
Less standard than white and more interesting than magnolia, very pale grey is a sophisticated choice in a hallway. It may lack the drama of its darker incarnations, but it more than makes up for it on the practicality front. Pale grey looks good in both contemporary and traditional homes, and it works particularly well with a wooden floor.
Opt for mellow yellow
This mustard-tinged yellow offers a classy slice of colour in a hallway. Team with dark accessories and a mix of dark and pale wood to create contrast, then allow yourself to feel a bit smug at your own cleverness every time you walk through the door.
21 ways to welcome yellow into your home
This mustard-tinged yellow offers a classy slice of colour in a hallway. Team with dark accessories and a mix of dark and pale wood to create contrast, then allow yourself to feel a bit smug at your own cleverness every time you walk through the door.
21 ways to welcome yellow into your home
Glo for it
If mustard yellow is a little too subtle for you, this neon wall could be just the thing to deliver a daily dose of fun. Unlike a living room or kitchen, a hallway is a space that you just pass through, rather than sit down and relax in, so can be a good place to try out more adventurous decorating ideas such as this.
If mustard yellow is a little too subtle for you, this neon wall could be just the thing to deliver a daily dose of fun. Unlike a living room or kitchen, a hallway is a space that you just pass through, rather than sit down and relax in, so can be a good place to try out more adventurous decorating ideas such as this.
Put down the paintbrush
Of course, paint isn’t the only option. For those who just can’t decide what colour to go for, what could be better than wall panels with a selection of colourful LED lighting!
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Read more hallway and entryway stories
Of course, paint isn’t the only option. For those who just can’t decide what colour to go for, what could be better than wall panels with a selection of colourful LED lighting!
Tell us
If you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation!
More
Read more hallway and entryway stories
Dare you go this dark? It may seem a bit daunting in a hallway, but when teamed with super-crisp white woodwork and a few carefully chosen accessories, opening the door onto a cocooning hallway such as this can feel comforting and homely. A glazed front door will help to allow light in and stop it feeling too imposing.