11 Hallway Decorating Ideas to Bring Style to Any Size
Hallways are often overlooked as an afterthought in home decorating, but they offer a surprising amount of potential for design. Whether you have a compact hallway or a grand, sweeping space, it’s easy to transform it into a beautiful, elegant area that sets the tone for the rest of your home. Here are 11 hallway decorating ideas to inspire you.
1. Select Wallpaper with Character
According to designer James Carter, wallpaper can act as a quiet unifier of a hallway, tying together all the other varied elements in the space. This space features a gallery of art atop a classic yellow striped pattern.
Consider wallpaper as a bold way to add visual interest and personality to your hallway. A stripy pattern, floral design, or fun geometric print can instantly elevate the space and create a sense of energy.
2. Curate a Wall of Art
Art is an obvious choice for hallway walls, but it’s also one of the most effective. Breon O’Casey paintings occupy a wall alongside a carved wood sculpture from New Guinea and a scallop shell wall light Porta Romana in the entrance hall of hotelier Kit Kemp’s Barbadian getaway.
A mismatched collection of art creates a visually interesting and engaging display that adds personality to your hallway. Consider mixing frame styles, shapes, and sizes to add to the eclectic feel.
3. Create a Library
If you have enough width in your hallway, consider adding floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. A Dutch door painted Benjamin Moore’s Classic Burgundy serves as the main entrance to the Connecticut lake home designed by David Kleinberg.
A floor-to-ceiling bookshelf can instantly transform your hallway into a warm, inviting space that’s perfect for curling up with a good book. Consider adding comfortable seating and soft lighting to complete the cozy atmosphere.
4. Commission Mural Art
Mark Luscombe-Whyte captures scenes of Paris’s Right and Left Banks in a mural that adorn the walls of a hallway designed by Timothy Corrigan.
Mural art can add a unique and whimsical touch to your hallway. Consider commissioning a local artist to create a one-of-a-kind mural that reflects your personality and style.
5. Don’t Forget the Ceiling
Create visual interest when guests look up by adding a wallcovering to the ceiling. This iridescent one by York Wallcoverings is reminiscent of Texas limestone and complements the terracotta walls in Atelier Davis’s hallway.
The ceiling is often an overlooked space in home decorating, but it offers a wealth of potential for design. Consider adding a bold color, pattern, or texture to create a statement piece in your hallway.
6. Bring the Garden Indoors
A hallway with natural light is the perfect space to incorporate elements of the garden. This Pebble Beach chateau features paired obelisk garden sculptures, leggy iron planters by Dennis & Leen, and hanging lanterns.
Combine natural elements with unique decor to bring the outdoors into your hallway. Consider incorporating plants, woven baskets, and other organic materials to create a unique, nature-inspired space.
7. Display Ceramics
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.
Consider using a hallway as a showcase for ceramic pieces. A beautifully crafted vase or vase can instantly add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the space.
8. Incorporate a Special Antique Piece
A special antique can find a special home in a hallway that you will walk through daily. This 1820s case clock is on loan from decorator Heather Chadduck Hillegas in the stair hall of this Colonial Williamsburg home.
A beautiful antique piece can instantly elevate the style and sophistication of a hallway. Consider incorporating an heirloom or vintage piece to add a touch of elegance and personality to the space.
9. Layer Shades of Color
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. Botanicals by Stuart Thornton add to the beautiful display.
Consider experimenting with a single color and its many shades to create a cohesive and stylish space. Blue and green tones work particularly well in a hallway, as they create a calm and soothing atmosphere.
10. Add Texture to the Walls
In this New York residence, hand-traffed fluted plaster lines the walls in the entryway, adding a tactile and visually interesting element to the space.
A well-textured wall can instantly elevate the interest and personality of a hallway. Consider incorporating natural materials, such as stone or reclaimed wood, or adding a textured wallpaper to create a statement piece.
11. Have Fun with the Flooring
A painted geometric flooring creates a beautiful pop of vibrancy in the entry hall of this Park Avenue apartment designed by Nick Olsen.
A unique and colorful flooring can instantly add energy and personality to a hallway. Consider incorporating a vibrant pattern or color to create a beautiful focal point in the space.
About the Author
Madoline Markham Koonce is the assistant managing editor at VERANDA, where she covers design, shopping, travel, and culture. She began her career at Southern Living and then worked in community journalism, including serving as editor of three community magazines, before joining the team of both VERANDA and Country Living magazines.
Mission: Decorating can sometimes seem daunting, but a few small changes can instantly transform a space into something beautiful and inviting. Remember to have fun and experiment with different styles, materials, and colors to find what works best for you.
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What are some hallway decorating ideas?
11 ideas including using wallpaper, hanging art, creating a library, mural art, ceiling treatments, incorporating outdoor elements, displaying ceramics, adding antique items, layering colors, texturing walls, and experimenting with flooring.
Can wallpaper be used to decorate hallways?
Yes, wallpaper can unify a hallway, add visual interest, and create energy with patterns like stripes, florals, or geometrics.
How can art be displayed in a hallway?
A mix of mismatched art pieces can create a visually engaging display and add personality to the hallway.
Is it possible to transform a hallway into a library?
Yes, with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, the hallway can be turned into a cozy space for reading, enhanced with seating and soft lighting.
What is the advantage of mural art in a hallway?
Mural art adds a unique, whimsical, and personalized touch, reflecting your style and making the space one-of-a-kind.
How can the ceiling contribute to hallway design?
Adding wallcoverings or bold colors/textures to the ceiling can add dimension and create a focal point in the hallway.
What outdoor elements can be brought indoors for hallway decoration?
Elements like garden sculptures, planters, and hanging lanterns can bring the feel of the outdoors into your hallway, creating a unique design.
How does displaying ceramics enhance a hallway?
Glazed or Asian ceramics can add sophistication and elegance to the hallway, making it a focal point and showpiece.
What role can antique items play in hallway decoration?
Antique items like case clocks can elevate the style and sophistication of a hallway, adding a touch of elegance and personality.
How can color be used to decorate a hallway?
Layering different shades of a single color, such as blue or green, can create a cohesive and stylish space in a hallway.
What types of textures can be used in hallway walls?
Natural materials like stone or reclaimed wood, or textured wallpaper can add depth and interest to the hallway’s walls.
How can flooring make a statement in a hallway?
A vibrant or patterned flooring can add energy and personality to the hallway, serving as a notable focal point.
