The Ultimate Guide to Hallway Decorating: 11 Ideas to Bring Style to Your Corridors
When it comes to decorating our homes, it’s easy to overlook the humble hallway. But these often-underutilized spaces are ripe for design, offering the perfect opportunity to experiment with bold color, pattern, and texture. Whether your hallway is narrow and compact or wide and expansive, there are countless ways to bring a touch of elegance and style to this frequently used space.
Select Wallpaper with Character
Wallpaper can act as a quiet unifier of a hallway, tying together all the other varied elements in the space. Designers often use it to create a cohesive look, adding a dash of personality and whimsy to the space. This yellow striped pattern in a hallway designed by James Carter is the perfect example, paired with a gallery of art on top to create a sense of depth and visual interest.
Key Considerations for Choosing Wallpaper
* Choose a pattern that reflects your personal style and complements the overall aesthetic of your home
* Consider the scale of the pattern – a smaller pattern may be more suitable for a narrower hallway
* Think about the maintenance requirements of the wallpaper – some may require more upkeep than others
Curate a Wall of Art
Art is an obvious choice for hallway walls and one not to be overlooked. A thoughtfully curated collection can add a touch of sophistication and elegance to your hallway, creating a beautiful focal point for visitors. In this entryway, paintings by Breon OCasey occupy a wall alongside a carved wood sculpture from New Guinea and a scallop shell wall light by Porta Romana.
Creating a Gallery Wall: Tips and Tricks
* Start by assembling a collection of pieces that resonate with you, whether they’re paintings, prints, or photographs
* Consider the scale and proportions of each piece, ensuring they are balanced and harmonious
* Use a level and measuring tape to ensure a uniform spacing between each piece
Create a Library
If you have enough width in your hallway, consider adding floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Not only do they provide ample storage for your favorite reads, but they also create a cozy, inviting atmosphere. In this white oak-clad library hall, a Dutch door painted in Benjamin Moore’s Classic Burgundy serves as the main entrance, adding a touch of warmth and character.
Creating a Cozy Library: Essential Elements
* Start with a neutral backdrop – a muted color or natural wood tone
* Add a statement piece of furniture, such as a reading chair or ottoman
* Don’t forget the lights – a pendant light or table lamp can add a touch of warmth and ambiance
Commission Mural Art
Nothing makes a visual statement in a hallway like murals adorning the walls. Here, scenes of Paris’s Right and Left Banks by painter Pascal Amblard adorn a hall designed by Timothy Corrigan, creating a breathtakingly beautiful focal point.
What to Consider When Commissioning a Mural
* Find an artist whose style resonates with you and your space
* Discuss your vision and expectations with the artist, ensuring they understand your creative direction
* Consider the durability and maintenance requirements of the mural, especially if it will be exposed to direct sunlight or high humidity
Don’t Forget the Ceiling
When guests walk into your hallway, they inevitably look up – so don’t forget to add some visual interest to your ceiling. A wallcovering like this iridescent one by York Wallcoverings, reminiscent of Texas limestone, complements the terracotta walls and adds a touch of whimsy to the space.
Adding Visual Interest to Your Ceiling
* Consider using a statement light fixture, such as a chandelier or pendant light
* Paint the ceiling a bold, contrasting color to create a striking focal point
* Add a textured element, such as a medallion or molding, to create depth and visual interest
Bring the Garden Indoors
The right garden elements can give a hallway, particularly one with natural light, the feel of a chic solarium. Here, a pair of obelisk garden sculptures, leggy iron planters by Dennis Leen, and hanging lanterns create a beautiful indoor-outdoor space.
Bringing the Outdoors In: Tips and Tricks
* Choose plants that thrive in indoor conditions, such as low-maintenance succulents or tropical palms
* Incorporate natural elements, such as wood, stone, or rattan, to create a cohesive look
* Consider the scent of essential oils or candles to enhance the atmosphere and create a relaxing ambiance
Display Ceramics
Hallways can make a great showcase for ceramic pieces, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to your space. Here, glazed brown pottery and Asian ceramics are on display in front of a screen in the entry hall of this Napa Valley cottage, designed by Dan Fink.
Creating a Beautiful Vignette: Tips and Tricks
* Choose a focal point – in this case, the ceramic pieces – and create a cohesive vignette around it
* Balance the space with a neutral background and a sprinkling of greenery
* Consider the scale of each piece, ensuring they are balanced and harmonious
Incorporate a Special Antique Piece
A special antique can find a special home in a hallway that you will walk through daily. Here, an 1820s case clock is on loan from decorator Heather Chadduck Hillegass, adding a touch of history and elegance to the space.
Tips for Incorporating Antique Pieces
* Research the piece to ensure it’s genuine and worth restoring
* Consider the condition of the piece – if it needs restoration, factor this into your budget
* Create a focal point around the piece, using it as the centerpiece of your design
Layer Shades of Color
Though a hallway isn’t usually the most spacious room in a home, there’s still plenty of space to play with a color and its many shades. In this Block Island home, interior designer Miles Redd layered shades of blue in the entrance hall, including a custom-painted marbled mirror by Agustin Hurtado and lacquer-and-brass lighting by Charles Edwards.
Layering Shades of Color: Tips and Tricks
* Start with a neutral base color and gradually build up layers of color
* Consider the mood and atmosphere you want to create – warm colors for a cozy space or cool colors for a relaxing atmosphere
* Play with texture and pattern to create a cohesive look
Botanicals Add Texture to the Walls
Textured walls elevate the look of any corridor with interest. In this New York residence designed by Robert Passal, hand-trawled fluted plaster lines the walls in the entryway to background Sunbathers by Hayley Mitchell, and a chandelier by Visual Comfort hangs overhead.
Adding Texture to Your Walls: Tips and Tricks
* Choose a textured element that complements your overall design aesthetic
* Balance texture with smooth surfaces to prevent overstimulation
* Consider the maintenance requirements of the textured element, such as cleaning and upkeep
Have Fun with the Flooring
Don’t overlook the flooring in your hallway design, as it can add a pop of vibrancy and energy to the space. In this Park Avenue apartment designed by Nick Olsen, a painted geometric flooring by Chris Pearson enlivens the entry hall, along with a leather-clad door.
Choosing the Right Flooring: Tips and Tricks
* Consider the functionality of the flooring, as well as its aesthetic value
* Think about the durability and maintenance requirements of the flooring
* Play with pattern and color to create a cohesive look that complements your overall design aesthetic.
What are 11 ideas to bring style to hallways?
Selecting wallpaper, curating a wall of art, creating a library, commissioning mural art, not forgetting the ceiling, bringing the garden indoors, displaying ceramics, incorporating a special antique piece, layering shades of color, adding botanicals to the walls, and having fun with the flooring.
How can wallpaper add personality to a hallway?
Wallpaper can act as a quiet unifier of a hallway, tying together varied elements and adding a dash of personality and whimsy.
What considerations should be made when choosing wallpaper for a hallway?
Consider the pattern, scale, and maintenance requirements of the wallpaper.
How can art be used in a hallway?
A thoughtfully curated collection of paintings, prints, or photographs can add sophistication and elegance, creating a beautiful focal point.
What tips are offered for creating a gallery wall in a hallway?
Assemble a collection of resonating pieces, consider their scale and proportions, and use a level and measuring tape for even spacing.
How can bookshelves be incorporated into a hallway?
Adding floor-to-ceiling bookshelves can provide storage and create a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
What are essential elements for creating a cozy library in a hallway?
Start with a neutral backdrop, add statement furniture, and include lighting.
What does mural art bring to a hallway?
Murals create a visual statement and focal point.
What should one consider when commissioning a mural for a hallway?
Find an artist, discuss your vision, and consider the mural’s durability.
How can visual interest be added to a hallway ceiling?
Use statement lighting fixtures, bold colors, or textured elements.
What elements can make a hallway feel like a chic solarium?
Choose plants, natural elements, and scents that enhance the atmosphere.
How can ceramics enhance a hallway’s look?
Ceramic pieces can add elegance and sophistication, focusing on a cohesive vignette, balanced space, and harmonious scale.
What are tips for incorporating antique pieces into a hallway?
Research the piece, consider its condition, and use it as a centerpiece.
How can color layers be used to decorate a hallway?
Start with a neutral base, consider the mood, and play with texture and pattern.
What role can textures play in hallway walls?
Textures add interest, balance with smooth surfaces, and consider maintenance.
How can flooring add vibrancy to a hallway?
Painted geometric flooring and material choices can enliven the entry hall.
What are factors to consider when choosing flooring for a hallway?
Functionality, durability, and maintenance requirements should be considered.
