A few months ago, I undertook a project that was way, way overdue. I’m not sure why it took me so long, but simply adding a second light to my long, narrow, and dark hallway made an instant difference. It also “shed a light” on the fact that this chunk of real estate was woefully underutilized and could actually be usable space.
A hallway (whether upstairs or down) is a necessary evil in many homes. As a means to move from room to room, it’s essential, but can feel like a waste of square footage. And, so a hallway often goes unnoticed and ignored! Whilst I had updated the upstairs bedrooms with color, pattern, and personality, the hall connecting them was dull, featureless, and dark.
If you have a ho-hum hall in need of a mini-makeover, here are some easy to implement ideas that will take your space from drab to fab in no time!
Invest in Multiple Light Sources
My personal hallway epiphany came when I finally added that second light to my long hall. A builder’s grade flush mount light had been inconveniently positioned at one end of the space, leaving the other end basically in semi darkness.
I chose two classic lantern style fixtures and placed one at either end. And voila! The space felt brighter and airier, even though this is a closed hallway with no windows.
Depending on the length of your hall, you can reposition a single light fixture, add a second (or third), or just use slightly brighter bulbs (always check the fixture for the maximum wattage that can be used safely, to reduce fire risk).
Especially if you are starting from scratch as I was, in a hallway, you can get a bit creative in your lighting choices. For those with 8’ ceilings, a flush mount or semi flush mount will feel less intrusive. For those with higher ceilings, a lantern style, or full-on chandelier imbues the space with presence.
Add a Dash of Color
My own hallway is currently painted in a Benjamin Moore eggshell (a holdover from a whole-house paint job completed years ago). The choice was meant to brighten the space. However, it is completely devoid of any style whatsoever!
According to the Spruce, in the recent article “22 Hallway Paint Colors to Give Your Space the Refresh You’ve Been Craving,” if you want your hallway to look bigger, “choose lighter shades that help reflect any natural light coming in. White is the best at reflecting light, but you can choose many lighter shades.” Since all of my bedrooms and bathrooms connected by this hall are done in shades of blue and green, I plan to add a charming, cottage-y duck egg green to the space after the holidays!
For a warmer, cozier look, you can opt for a darker shade. Or try a beautiful wallpaper that provides instant visual oomph, turning the hall itself into a destination. Some of the new peel and stick wallpaper is lovely, easy to hang, removable, and oh-so-affordable – often less than $10 per roll! One of my personal favorites is a lovely blue and white floral wallpaper with birds, available on Amazon.
Create a Destination
If your hallway is quite long, it can feel a bit like a hotel corridor. But taking a tip from garden design (placing a fountain or statue at the end of a path), creating a destination focal point at the end will give the eye a target. A window is ideal (my grandmother’s little bungalow, for example, had a Snow White-esque diamond shaped window, which always enchanted me as a child). Adding a stained glass panel (or one of the new faux stained glass film panels, which are very easy to apply) creates drama and eliminates the privacy need for window treatments.
No window? A stunning piece of framed artwork or a small table that holds a beautiful object can be extremely effective, as well.
Add Storage
If you are blessed with the wide hallway, prevalent in many older homes, utilize that space for storage… beautifully. Narrow bookcases provide a place to house not only books, but also pretty bric-a-brac. Narrow console tables offer an elegant look and break up the distance in a very long space.If your hall isn’t wide enough on its own to accommodate storage options, consider adding niches between the studs to take advantage of space that is currently covered. (Enlisting the aid of a reputable contractor first will eliminate costly mistakes, such as realizing that the fireplace chimney is behind the wall!)
Architectural Elements Add Impact
Since my own house was built in the 1950s, it has the classic mid-century modern disdain for architectural elements, embellishments, and detail. So, over the years, I have been painstakingly adding charm, a bit at a time. Now I can do the same to the hall!
Since a hallway is a self-contained space, this is a perfect opportunity to create a truly stunning space. Try higher baseboards, wainscoting, crown moulding, chair rail, or lighting medallions.
Art Adds Interest
If you are anything like me, you have a cache of artwork that simply doesn’t “fit” any room in the house (but at the same time, you somehow can’t give up). In addition to my little store of art, I also recently inherited quite a few pieces, including some lovely mirrors, but had no space to put them. Or so I thought, until I realized that combined, they would look striking in the hall.
Adding artwork to a hallway provides wonderful visual interest. And, if you enjoy a gallery wall, an eclectic combination of pieces can be quite fun. One note on hung artwork: To avoid disaster, especially if your hall is narrow, do not add pieces with depth that protrude too far out from the wall (such as wreaths) or pieces that could easily “catch” someone walking (plates with plate hangers, for example).
Look Up!
Author Blythe Copeland at Martha Stewart Living says, “If you limit your design plans to the lower parts of your room—the walls, floors, furniture, and windows—then you’re missing an opportunity to take your aesthetic to a higher level (literally!). Incorporating the ceiling into your interior design allows you to change the whole mood of your room… choose an unexpected hue that turns the rest of your aesthetic into a cohesive whole.”
Just a few ideas include architectural elements, wood cladding, a unique paint color, wallpaper, or a pressed tin ceiling.
Don’t Forget the Flooring
My own hallway has lovely hardwood floors. However, they always felt a bit naked. So, I recently added a pretty runner that made all the difference (it also cut down on the echo).
Whether you choose tile, wood, or carpet, adding interesting flooring in a hallway can provide your home with a real wow factor. It is also generally quite cost-effective, since the square footage is limited.
Have more suggestions for turning a hallway into truly usable space? Please share them in the comments!
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