Hallways are one of the most interesting spaces to decorate. Unlike most rooms, we rarely stop and sit in them, we experience them as we move through our home. They welcome us home, connect one room to the next and create that all-important first impression. Yet, despite their role, hallways are often the last spaces we think about when it comes to colour.
The key to choosing the perfect hallway colour is to work with the space you have. Consider its natural light, width, ceiling height and overall size, then choose a shade that enhances its best features. Whether you’re working with a light-filled hallway, a low or high ceiling, a wide space or a darker, narrower corridor, read on to discover the colours that can transform your hallway.
Hallways with little or no light
Image colours: Breezing and the Original Beam Hack
One of the biggest misconceptions is that a dark hallway needs to be painted brilliant white. It doesn't. White needs light to come alive. In a hallway with very little natural light a stark white can actually appear flat, cold or slightly grey because there isn't enough light bouncing around the space to reveal it properly. Instead, think about soft, earthy shades to give this space character, adding in natural textures. Or embrace the lack of light completely, think deep greens, blues, earthy browns or rich jewel tones for a cocooning hallway. Use mirrors, warm artificial lighting and reflective or metallic details to introduce little moments of light.
Try these shades: Breezing, Constance Moss, Clay Pot
Hallways flooded with natural light
Image colours: Gentlemen's Club and Whitey White
At the opposite end of the spectrum, a hallway flooded with daylight gives you plenty of freedom with colour. The undertones of greens, blues and richer earthy colours are revealed more in strong daylight. And paler colours can feel wonderfully fresh and expansive. A soft blue-green shade, for example, can appear lighter and fresher in strong daylight, with its blue-green qualities becoming more apparent as the light moves.
But remember to consider the direction of that light. Warm south-facing light can intensify warmer undertones, while cooler north-facing light can emphasise blue and grey. Always look at your colour at different times of day.
Try these shades: Gentlemen’s Club, Funky Dora and Village Fayre
Narrow hallways
Image colours: Peach in Love and Whitey White
In a narrow hallway, try using colour strategically. Colour-drenching the walls in one colour can make the space feel more calming. If you have a long, narrow hallway, you could paint the bottom half of the wall a different colour or consider making the wall at the very end slightly deeper or warmer. Warm and darker colours visually advance, helping to bring that distant wall towards you and making the proportions feel more balanced.
Try these shades: Peach in Love, Dawlish, Nougat
Wide or square hallways
Image colours: Blackjack and Whitey White
In a large or square hallway, you have enough space to use deeper colours and be a little more dramatic, introduce panelling or create zones using different tones. Furniture becomes important too. A console table, bench, artwork or oversized mirror gives the eye somewhere to settle and prevents the hallway from feeling like an empty space between rooms.
Try these shades: Black Forest, Pickle, Scotch Mist
Think beyond the walls
Low ceilings? Take the wall colour onto the ceiling to create height or, if you prefer a lighter ceiling, choose a soft warm white rather than a brilliant white to reduce the contrast.
High ceilings? Use a deeper colour overhead or take the ceiling colour slightly down onto the walls. This creates a visual 'cap' to the room and makes very tall proportions feel more intimate.
Look beyond the hallway: Before choosing a colour, stand at your front door and look through the house. Consider which rooms you can see and choose shades that work together.
Stairs and landings: Think about where the staircase leads. You might begin with a deeper shade in a darker entrance hall and gradually introduce lighter tones as you reach a brighter landing.
