What wallpaper makes a hallway look bigger?

Author: Vergie McCullough IV  |  Last update: Monday, June 22, 2026

Choose Light-Colored Wallpaper Whites, creams, pastels, and light greys are all great choices for hallway wallpaper. Avoid dark, bold colours, which can make the hallway feel smaller and more enclosed.

What wallpaper looks good in a hallway?

These often narrow spaces are a great canvas for light and bright hallway wallpaper to make the space appear larger. If you are blessed with high ceilings then you could opt for a bold colour or dramatic geometric print to create a show stopping entrance.

What is the best wallpaper to make a room look bigger?

Metallic. Just like having a couple of mirrors scattered around your house helps to bounce light, metallic wallpaper works similarly. Instead of just light hitting the wallpaper, it is reflected off of it, which helps to make the room look lighter. Light and bright tend to make a room look bigger.

How do I choose a wallpaper for my hallway?

Here's how: Perception of Space – Light-colored wallpapers or those with subtle patterns can make a narrow hallway appear wider and more open. On the other hand, darker or more vibrant wallpapers can add depth and intrigue, making the space feel cozy.

What color is best for a narrow hallway?

For a narrow hallway, go for lighter tones that will open up the space, such as blush tones, soft gray, or a warmer beige. Your trim color should be two shades lighter than your main wall color to create some width in the hallway.

15 Ways to Transform Your Dark & Narrow Hallway

What color makes a hallway look wider?

To make a small or narrow hallway look bigger, paint the hallways a lighter paint color like white or off-white.

How to visually widen a narrow hallway?

Inspiration Station - Style and Storage
  1. Paint your walls in neutral colours.
  2. Elongate with vertical stripes.
  3. Cocoon with earthy colours.
  4. Give your front door a lick of paint.
  5. Use mirrors to create the illusion of space.
  6. Pick a light ceiling colour.
  7. Choosing hallway furniture.

How many rolls of wallpaper do I need for a hallway?

Take the height measurement of the room/area in metres and multiply it by the number of widths needed. Divide that number by the length of the wallpaper roll – usually 10m – and you'll have the number of rolls needed.

How do I choose wall art for my hallway?

How do I choose wall art for my hallway?
  1. Smaller hallways: Choose slim or vertically oriented pieces to avoid crowding.
  2. Larger hallways: A gallery wall or a series of medium-sized frames can add depth and personality.
  3. Top Tip: Hallways can lack natural light, so consider how the lighting interacts with your art.

Should I paint or wallpaper my hallway?

Paint usually needs refreshing and touching up every few years due to scuffs and scrapes from regular wear and tear. Wallpaper can maintain its original beauty without constant touch-ups. Though more expensive initially, wallpaper pays for itself over the years because it is a once and done project.

Does striped wallpaper make a room look bigger?

Make Your Room Appear Bigger

Using striped wallpapers creates the illusion of space and draws your eye towards the ceiling, making it appear higher. This makes striped wallpaper the perfect choice for smaller spaces! Top tip: if you want to make your room appear wider, opt for horizontal stripes.

What color makes a room look bigger?

You can also achieve this focal point illusion with dark greys (like Dark Lead Colour) and fathomless greens (like Jewel Beetle). Dark colours work especially well on walls at the far end of rectangular living spaces. Using dark paint behind headboards in smaller bedrooms can make the room look bigger.

What wall décor makes a room look bigger?

Opt for Light and Neutral Colors

These hues help to create an airy and open atmosphere, giving the impression of a larger room. Choose artwork that incorporates shades of white, cream, pastels, or soft neutrals. These light hues contribute to a minimalist aesthetic and visually expand the walls.

How do you make a hallway look welcoming?

Hallway ideas to welcome you home
  1. Get creative with paint. Do you want a hallway that stands out from the rest? ...
  2. Go above and beyond: wallpaper your ceiling. ...
  3. Paint half the wall. ...
  4. Draw the eye inwards. ...
  5. Bring the outdoors in. ...
  6. Don't forget your woodwork. ...
  7. Go bold with colours. ...
  8. Bring the light.

What color wallpaper makes a room look bigger?

Opt for light-colored wallpapers such as white, beige, pastels, or other light shades. Pastels, such as pale blue, green, or pink, and other light shades can also help to make a small room look more spacious.

What to put on walls in a hallway?

Since hallways, especially in city houses, tend to be narrow, the walls are an important feature. Opt for a warm paint colour, some elegant wall panelling, or a patterned wallpaper to lend the space character. Also consider adding wall lights, for a gentler glow than an overhead light.

How do you make a hallway look more expensive?

How to make a small entryway look more expensive, according to interior designers
  1. Add a mirror.
  2. Play with color and texture.
  3. Add a statement light fixture.
  4. Choose stylish storage solutions.
  5. Hang up wall art.
  6. Decorate your console table.
  7. Add a rug onto the floor.

What colours make a hallway look bigger?

In general, lighter colours will make your hallway appear bigger with the illusion of more light and open space. Small, narrow hallways tend to suit a white, cream, or pale grey colour scheme, whereas darker shades are often used in larger, wider hallway entrances to add warmth and depth.

Should hallway be darker or lighter than living room?

Otherwise, the darker color will make the space feel small, confined, and dark. Therefore, you might want to use lighter shades in hallways to make them appear more spacious.

Where do you put wallpaper in a hallway?

Hallway wallpaper ideas don't stop at the walls. With a host of designs available, you can create a feature from just about any flat surface, including stair risers. Using a geometric design such as the Echo-Stone pattern on your stair risers leads the eye upwards, turning a mundane feature into something special.

How much wallpaper do I need for a 12x12 room?

Divide the total square feet of wall space by 27 to determine the number of rolls required. The formula is: Square footage ÷ by 27 = Number of rolls. At this point, you could subtract 21 square feet for any doors and 15 square feet for each window.

Can you wallpaper just one wall in a hallway?

Wallpaper and paneling can be used together in a hallway to create a unique look. Wallpaper can be used on one or two walls, while paneling is used. It can create a modern look in a hallway. For example, you could use navy blue wallpaper with white wall paneling.

What flooring makes a hallway look bigger?

Light flooring is great as, similarly to lighter walls, it reflects the light and makes your hallway appear larger. However, don't be afraid to use dark flooring. The right dark flooring can also make your room appear bigger if partnered with the right cool-toned wall colour.

What is the best color for a narrow hallway?

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.

How do you style a skinny hallway?

Narrow benches that double as shoe storage are great for a narrow hallway. Add rails with hooks to maximise your wall's storage capabilities. Placing rugs at an angle breaks up the hallway into different zones. A leafy plant placed high up adds an enveloping feeling and an organic touch to the space.

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