Three Types of Hallways and 7 Design Ideas to Transform Them
The Way We See It, There Are Three Kinds of Hallways
The first is the entry hall, which isn’t really a hallway per se. It’s more of a drop-off zone for keys, shoes, and bags, which means it needs to be functional as well as stylish. For tips on how to make an entry hall shine, check out our master class in designing your entryway.
The other kinds of hallways — the ones that are often ignored completely — are the ones found throughout the interior of your home, usually connecting rooms and open living areas. Some are long, dark, and narrow. Others are bright with a generous amount of natural light coming in from windows on at least one side. If yours is lucky enough to be bathed in sunlight, you’re basically only working on one wall; you’ll want to be careful not to overdo it, especially if the view outside is worth a look.
Either way, there is so much you can do with a hallway to keep it from being boring. It’s a high-traffic area, so you’ll have to take that into consideration, but that’s even more reason to invest a little time and money into making it beautiful. Here are seven ways to design your hallways that make the most of the space:
1. Create a Gallery Wall
This works best with wide hallways that are well lit, so anyone walking through can stop and enjoy each piece of wall art. For a modern vibe, a symmetrical gallery wall filled with black and white family photos is perfect. For a more relaxed, boho vibe, mix photos, paintings, and prints with structural wall decor that’s three-dimensional. If your hallway has walls on both sides, keep your gallery to one side, so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. When hallways are dark, a bit narrow, or both, having distractions on both sides can feel like the walls are closing in on you.
2. Make the Ceiling Pop
Sometimes the best way to forget that you’re walking through an enclosed space is to draw the eye up. Depending on the style of your home and your budget, tin ceilings, horizontal wood beams, or even a coat of paint in an eye-catching shade can do the trick. Since this isn’t a space where anyone is going to spend a great deal of time in, it’s the perfect place to push the envelope. If you don’t want to commit to anything that can’t be easily undone, try peel-and-stick tiles, paint stripes in fun shades, or draw a simple mural or something abstract on the ceiling.
3. Create Recessed Shelves for a Mini Library
Photo Credit: Yann Maignan from Unsplash
If you’re building a custom home or doing light remodeling, it’s fairly easy to create recessed shelves on one side of the hallway. If you’d rather not stuff it with books, place a few decorative objects and pieces of artwork on display and use books to prop them up. This idea works particularly well if you have a door or wall vent on the other side of the hallway, as attention will automatically swing to the shelves.
4. Show Off a Lighting Installation
The natural shape of most hallways — long and narrow — makes it easy to make ceiling fixtures the focal point. Instead of choosing just one chandelier or pendant, try hanging several in a cluster in the center. Grouping fixtures in the same style but different sizes adds the polished look of a true lighting installation. A linear approach with a row of lanterns along the entire length can be equally stunning.
5. Go Bold With Wallpaper
With peel-and-stick varieties, there’s no reason not to experiment. For a contemporary vibe, try a geometric design. For an earthy look, botanical prints set the mood. Request samples before committing, as textures and colors may look different in person. Tape them to the wall (or ceiling) for a day to see how they interact with shifting light.
6. Create a Hall of Mirrors
Mirrors brighten a space and make it appear larger. Hang mirrors in different styles or sizes along one wall for eclectic appeal. In modern homes, opt for cohesiveness with mirrors in the same color or style without being identical.
7. Make a Runner the Star
A runner softens the space and draws you forward. Choose a low-pile texture (cotton, nylon, or polypropylene) for durability and safety. Leave 4-5 inches of flooring visible on both sides for the best look.
With imagination, hallways can become visually stunning spaces that are fun to walk through every day.
