'Painting your hallway in an off-white shade is a timeless and effective way to give the space a brighter look and enhance the light in the narrow room. In turn creating the feeling of a larger space, as the light bounces off the walls,' Michael at The Paint Shed says.
Opt for lighter shades to make narrow hallways look bigger
The lighter the colour, the more it reflects available light – the darker the colour, the more it will absorb the light. So if you want to make a hallway seem larger you will need to go for lighter shades,” explains Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown.
Narrow hallways
If you are looking to create a more subtly painted hallway, whilst still adding light and the illusion of space, especially in a narrow hallway, bright neutral and white shades are the way to go.
For many of us, calm and peaceful are at the top of the list for hallway ideas that bring good vibes. Soothing greens, whites and greys offer an instant feeling of peace by washing your space in a refreshing atmosphere.
You could move around or re-size adjoining rooms to make room for the hallway being widened without infringing on the rooms. If this isn't possible, you could also look into adding more natural lighting, lighter paint or wider walls to give the hallway the illusion of looking wider.
'Painting your hallway in an off-white shade is a timeless and effective way to give the space a brighter look and enhance the light in the narrow room. In turn creating the feeling of a larger space, as the light bounces off the walls,' Michael at The Paint Shed says.
An important area, hallways are the connection between all of the other spaces in your home. You may wish to use neutral paint colors to tie the rooms together. Hallway areas may be darker there aren't windows to add light. So consider using lighter paint colors to reflect light and keep your hallways brighter.
British-born brand Lick is on a mission to make painting and decorating more enjoyable and sustainable. Lick paints are water-based, low VOC, and benefit from a high pigment content, meaning they cover walls and surfaces brilliantly with a rich and vibrant colour.
Orange: the warm hallway paint colour
Orange is a brave choice, but it's also really fun. A splash of orange adds instant warmth. It's so uplifting and vibrant that it gives an instant energy boost. A pop of bright orange is enough to do the trick.
Patterned wallpaper can add depth and intensity to a wide hallway. If you want to stick with light or neutral walls and flooring in your hallway, adding dark furniture or pictures can create a striking contrast. Use similar styles of art and decorations throughout the hallway to enhance the flow of your home.
“Neutral hues provide optimal versatility and flexibility between the hallway and the rooms it connects to,” says Arianna Cesa, color and design expert at Benjamin Moore. Some of our favorite neutrals and grays for hallways include Wind's Breath OC-24, Collingwood OC-28, and Silver Chain 1472.
Q: What colors make a small room look bigger? A: The lighter your colors are, the bigger the room will feel. Stick to shades of white and cream, pastels and light neutrals in gray and taupe. Q: How do you make a small room look bigger on a budget?
Decorate walls in light colours
Brighter colours will help reflect the light, making your space appear bigger. Steer clear of brash tones and opt for neutral ones that fall somewhere on the white spectrum. As well as this, it is advised that you avoid feature walls within smaller hallways.
To make a small or narrow hallway look bigger, paint the hallways a lighter paint color like white or off-white.
Hallway etiquette means being respectful of other people in the hall, and it means being aware that other people need to get around you and to class. Having good hallway etiquette is very simple, and I have five tips to help you practice it. Having a conversation with a friend? Move to the side of the hallway.
One of the most popular vintage hallway mirror styles is the oval-shaped mirror with an ornate frame. It is a classic piece that can work in any decor style. Another popular antique hallway mirror style is the arched mirror with a wooden frame.
As the hallway is a high traffic area and the first glimpse of somebody's home visitors will see, you will need to advise them on paint options accordingly. A perfect solution would be a more durable matt paint such as the Crown Scrubbable Range, 20 times more durable than the standard matt emulsion.
Much like white, soft grey and taupe paint colours can add an element of ease and openness to small hallway spaces. If you're not a fan of crisp, pure white, a softer neutral shade is a great colour for narrow hallways, as it'll have the same brightening and widening effect.
Create An Illusion Of Space
Paint hallways with light, airy colours to widen the space visually. Steer clear of dark and warm colours for your hall as these will make the space seem smaller. Lay any directional flooring running toward the source of light in your hall – which may be the front door itself.
Many people stick to white walls when decorating a dark hallway. While this approach will reflect light and open things up, it's not the most inspiring. A soft grey shade interspersed with a warming accent colour will help you maximise natural light, without compromising on character.