Good colours for hallways

20 Designer-Approved Concrete Floor Ideas

Hallway colour schemes – 26 ways to make a grand entrance

Ideal Home Newsletter

The Home Of Great Ideas For More Than 100 Years

Thank you for signing up to . You will receive a verification email shortly.

There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.

With hallway colour schemes, you generally have two options. You can a) embrace the lack of natural light and go dark and moody, or b) employ paler, more reflective tones to brighten things up. We’d err on the side of moody as it can make the rooms leading on from the hall feel more spacious, but the choice is all yours...

The ideal hallway invites you to take off your shoes, hang up your coat, and exhale in the comfort of being home. And colour plays a huge role in creating the right space for you. Do you want muted, soothing shades to welcome you in after your long commute, or would you prefer it to feel more energetic with statement colours and pattern? Would you like it to be warm and cocooning or crisp and clean?

Hallway colour schemes to inspire

Be inspired by our pick of the best hallway ideas when it comes to colour schemes. And once you’ve decided on the kind of first impression you want to create with your hallway colour ideas, there are some practical steps you can take so you’re not touching up chipped paint a year down the line. 

‘Hallways are by their nature intensely high traffic areas and so a durable washable matt paint is always a smart choice,’ says interior designer Shanade McAllister-Fisher . ‘Dulux easy-care is perfect for neutral colours but I would tend to choose Farrow & Ball estate emulsion or Little Greene Intelligent matt emulsion when using colour as they offer a richer depth of colour.' 

1. Combine monochrome patterns with sky blue

(Image credit: Future PLC / Dan Duchars)

Find a black and white patterned wallpaper you love and use that as the envelope of your hallway, adding colour and texture with storage baskets and a slim side table. This modern floral pattern reminds us a little of Moroccan tiles and would work as a lovely backdrop for splashes of bright blues, pinks, oranges and greens in a 70s boho scheme. The uplifting sky blue of the front door here demonstrates this beautifully, elevating the space and giving it plenty of character.

2. Wipe the slate clean with all white everything

(Image credit: Future PLC / Richard Powers)

Keep things simple with some timeless white hallway ideas. Give all walls and woodwork a fresh lick of the best white paint for a look that's clean, modern and bright. You could also use a matt finish halfway up the wall and a gloss finish on the top to create an interesting textural contrast, all while sticking with basic white. As this room shows, white doesn't have to be boring and makes this downstairs loo look intriguing.

3. Hone in on deep blues

(Image credit: Future PLC / Dominic Blackmore)

Choose a fresh teal or a perennially popular navy for your walls and floors, and then layer on accessories in similar tones. Install shoe storage onto the wall painted in dark blue and add a handy shelf on top for displaying decor. Incorporate planters, a rug, a wall mirror and vases in keeping with the blue theme to create a cohesive look that hangs together. Accent colours of yellow or orange will inject energy into the space and break things up. 

4. Embrace bursts of fiery red

(Image credit: Annie Sloan)

Make a statement with a daring hallway colour idea, like this rich red hallway with red and white checkerboard floors. ‘This year people are making bolder colour choices in their homes, and you cannot get any bolder than bright, hot, dramatic red,’ says Annie Sloan . 

‘Use this statement shade in hallways and landings – short bursts of fiery reds work fabulously here and you’ll certainly intrigue the postman with your bold colour choice. Contrast red with mellow and luxurious chocolate browns.’ 

5. Envelope the space with colour drenching

(Image credit: Future PLC)

Put the white paint away and go for one wrap-around colour for woodwork, walls and even the ceiling. This will draw attention away from the edges and make the space feel larger. 

‘Colour drenching, especially when using darker brave colours, works best in small spaces like hallway or corridor,’ says Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown . ‘By enveloping a small space in a colour, the focus shifts from noticing the size of that space to just appreciation of the shades that surround us.’ 

6. Indulge with opulent tones

(Image credit: CTD Tiles)

To create a luxurious feel in your hallway, Amanda Telford from CTD Tiles recommends going for opulent dark tones from ceiling to floor. ‘Incorporate moodier colours through materials such as paint, wallpaper and tiles. ‘To add intrigue, choose tiles with a touch of pattern,’ Amanda suggests.

7. Take it upstairs with patterned wallpaper

(Image credit: Future PLC / Georgia Burns)

If you generally prefer neutrals but want to add some interest, why not make a feature of the wall that leads upstairs? The staircase is a transitional space; it's not somewhere we tend to sit in for hours as we do in the living room. So you can afford to be more playful and daring with your hallway colour ideas without worrying that you'll go off it. Blue wallpaper with a white palm-leafed print here really brightens up an otherwise neutral scheme.

8. Reflect on metallic designs with hints of gold

(Image credit: I Love Wallpaper)

If you’re going down the brighten-it-up route, why not try a wallpaper that has some hints of metallic in it? ‘Consider a lighter paint or wallpaper, such as I Love Wallpaper’s Venice Industrial Metallic wallpaper ,’ says Chelsea Clark. ‘This will illuminate and create a feeling of space.' Hallway mirror ideas will also prevent a space from feeling cramped.

'If you want to incorporate a pattern, avoid small print repeats as these can further shrink the space,' adds Chelsea. 'Opt for a pattern that brings warmth, personality and light to ensure a welcoming entrance.’ 

9. Choose green to soothe the soul

(Image credit: Valspar Paint)

Paint halfway up your walls in pale, minty green, taking it over the skirting boards and doorframes to create contrast. This calming green and white hallway colour scheme is really stylish and considered, blurring the boundary between your indoor and outdoor space. Thanks to its associations with nature, green is always a safe bet if you want to create a space that feels safe and soothing.

10. Be bold with colour combinations

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Georgia Burns)

To make that 'wow' first impression the key is to be brave with colour combinations and even pattern. As this stunning hallway proves, an accent pop of sunshine yellow looks striking when paired with black.

To keep the look focused try using the accent colours purely on woodwork within the hallway, keeping the main mains in a neutral shade.

A patterned floor works well for combining a paint colour scheme, plus a patterned hallway flooring idea is ideal as it shows up less dirt than a block colour solution.

11. Take an accent colour to waist height

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Douglas Gibb)

An ideal way to use colour in a hallway, especially good as a small hallway idea, is to use a heavier accent colour on the lower portion of the wall leaving the top in a bright white. Balancing the use of colours helps to prevent the space from feeling overwhelmed by the stronger of the two colours.

Painting along the hallway but only to waist level frames the space, breaking up a solid corridor of wall. By doing so you're creating a Trompe-l'œil effect that can give a different perspective, making the space feel bigger and the ceilings higher.

12. Showcase the stairs

(Image credit: Claire Lloyd Davies/Style at Home)

An imaginative staircase idea can do wonders to transform a hallway in an instant. Liven up a white hallway with the addition of an accent colour painted on the stairs.

Less is so much more with this modern approach to a hallway colour scheme. Go for any colour you love, painting it on staircase risers and drawing attention to them with brilliant white treads and backdrop.

13. Pick out the woodwork in contrasting colours

(Image credit: Dulux)

There are those that say never paint the original woodwork on a stairway but we say when it looks this good, why not?

Picking out the woodwork on a staircase in a bold contrast colour is a great way to modernise your hallway scheme. In this stylish hallway a black wood stain makes the banisters and spindles stand out for all the right reasons.

Going one step further, the design team at Dulux have introduced softer accent colours on the stairs, which works beautifully in the space.

14. Mix and match complementary colours

(Image credit: Dominic Blackmore)

Use your hallway as a place to experiment with complimentary colours. This colourful hallway scheme has boldly mixed coral pink with a teal blue – opposite colours on the colour wheel – and it works so well.

The pink tone of the paper is matched with a runner to add an element of coordination, allowing the blue painted sideboard to really stand out. Proving how well opposites attract, as far as colour is concerned.

15. Create a refreshing blue entrance

(Image credit: Dulux)

Traditionally homes have small and narrow hallways, often lacking space and light. So select a shade such as Dulux's White Mist to open it up. With a clean slate to work with, you’re then free to add a unique flourish, which is where painting the ceiling, the door, its surrounds and a stripe down one wall comes in.

Dulux's soft blue Mineral Mist keeps things fresh and conjures up a subtle coastal theme in the process. Both of these shades are taken from Dulux's Easycare Washable & Tough range. This paint is more likely to withstand scuffs and marks, which in a high-traffic area like a hallway, is a huge advantage.

16. Welcome ambience with moody tones

(Image credit: Dominic Blackmore)

Brooding dark walls are becoming more and more popular in the modern home. It's often a misconception that dark can make a room feel smaller, which can be the case. But more often than not it creates a sense of space by almost pushing the walls out.

It also depends on the light. If your hallway has a great source of natural light it can totally take a dark wall colour.

To prevent the dark walls feeling too overwhelming pair with white painted woodwork, bleached wood furniture and light accessories such as this simple hallway lighting idea.

17. Opt for on-trend shades of calming grey

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Tim Young)

A calming, soft grey shade will offer a timeless look. Create a restful feel with dove grey hallway ideas by using two shades on the wall for contrast. Helen Ashmore, Head of Design at Laura Ashley agrees that dove grey is a perfect choice for a hallway. 'This neutral shade features an underlying hint of red, that will add some warmth to your colour scheme.

'Break up your hallway by creating an architectural feature such as a drop picture rail or a mid-dado rail so you can add depth of colour with a stronger shade. To create tonal variation within the scheme, add a lighter more subtle tone on the main part of the wall.'

Lighten the look with white or cream furniture and glass accessories. It’s incredibly versatile, too. Look for shades that have subtle hints of blue or pink, and dress them using luxe metallics or natural textures.

18. Make an impact with purple

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Mark Scott)

Create a comforting, cosy vibe with beautiful rich tones, such as the berry colour on this panelled wall. This look is super snug and wintery, with a draft-excluding curtain that will keep your home wonderfully warm. But the blue and white leaf-print curtain makes it more than suitable for the sunniest of seasons, too.

19. Introduce fun and friendly accents

(Image credit: Dominic Blackmore)

Create a hallway that can change with you, using a versatile mix of colour, pattern and hard-working furniture that’s easy to live with, and reflects your personality.

This vibrant look uses a clever hallway shoe storage idea and is all about mixing up colour. Use fabrics featuring multicoloured prints as a starting point and you’ll have more flexibility when you want to update the accent tones in the future.

If you want to up the glamour, add more jewel tones, such as turquoise blue, hot fuchsia pink and deep emerald green, to your palette for a more luxurious feel.

20. Decorate with duck egg blue

(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Brittain)

This new modern rustic style takes elements of traditional country looks, but gives them a smarter edge that suits any home. Think chic without the shabby! Swap the floral-patterned wallpapers of classic country style for crisp, painted walls and matching woodwork for a simple streamlined backdrop.

Duck egg is a great colour choice for a feature wall. Perfect for clutter-lovers, duck egg's calming effect will offset busyness if you like to have a lot of stuff on show.

21. Choose sun-bleached simplicity

(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Brittain)

Bring the beach home by mixing weathered coastal colours, unfussy reclaimed-wood furniture and characterful seaside motifs for a look that will relax you as soon as you walk through the front door. Lighten the look by mixing in painted furniture in a classic country style. Avoid bold blues in favour of soft stone, sand, pebble-grey and shell pink.

22. Hang captivating artwork

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Tim Young)

Choose a large-scale artwork and hang it in your hallway for an easy way to add character to your hallway colour scheme. Pick something you love, as you will inevitably see it a lot while moving throughout your home.

Black and white designs are good choices, but you could also go for something super colourful if you prefer a lively look. Consider your wall paint and how it will best show off your picture – the brilliant white walls here look fantastic, and really show off the blue details.

23. Welcome hints of natural green

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore)

Get back to nature with beautiful botanical shades and motifs in your hallway. Even a soft hint of green on the walls adds impact when looking to create a serene and welcoming space.

If you have period features, put them centre stage with pared-back hallway colour schemes. Or you could use a different paint colour to highlight features such as dado-height panelling or skirting boards.

Try using a richly patterned hallway wallpaper idea or paint in recesses, nooks, just above the dado rail or even on stair risers. Add an assortment of green furniture artworks and accessories to enhance the accent colour.

24. Live au naturel

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Polly Eltes)

Let nature take centre stage, the way it definitely does in this hallway, which is packed with natural elements, from the colour palette to the natural materials in the wooden floor and stone wall.

The large window is a big bonus for nature lovers, too, offering views far beyond the confines of the hallway and letting the light flood in. We love the sea-life-inspired artwork, too.

25. Uplift with daffodil yellow

(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Brittain)

Let the sunshine in with corn-field yellows and rustic woods – all inspired by nature’s best. Light up a gloomy under stairs space with a butter-yellow wall covering featuring super-sized foliage – the perfect spot for a clever hallway storage idea like the one shown above.

26. Introduce colour through accessories

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Georgia Burns)

This hallway was the first opportunity for this home owner to take in her chosen jungle theme. She took inspiration from natural textures and raw materials and slowly but surely, this neutral colour split wall became a stylish gallery wall full of memories and treasures. 

Do you feel inspired by these hallway colour schemes? Happy decorating!

What colour is best to paint a hallway?

'Whether you’re looking to emphasise just one feature of your hallway or wanting to transform the entire space, choosing a lighter palette is a great option as it often creates the illusion of natural light in dark and cavernous areas,' advises Charlotte Radford, Senior Product Manager at Valspar .

Charlotte says a dark hallway isn't always a bad feature, and that dark navy blue can create a calming space for greeting guests. 'Painting with a mid-sheen will also create a light-enhancing effect in your hallway, as these finishes will naturally reflect any light present in the space,' she adds. 'It’s important to remember, however, that these more reflective sheens can accentuate any blemishes on your walls, so make sure you are working on perfectly smooth surfaces. '

What colours brighten a hallway?

Chelsea Clark from I Love Wallpaper comments that many households opt for a neutral colour palette as this ensures often dark and narrow spaces feel light and airy. ‘For those wanting to add a little personality, injecting light and mid-tone shades of pink, blue, yellow and green will instantly add an uplifting and mood-boosting feel to any space,’ she says. 

Should hallways be lighter or darker?

 ‘I love a dark hallway,’ comments interior designer Shanade. ‘Many don’t have windows or natural light so why not embrace this and create drama with shades of rich deep colours?

Choosing a color for decorating the hallway, photo - Rehouz

≡ Content:

• - Size matters
• - Light and color
• - How to combine colors in the hallway
• – Textures and prints
• — Photo examples, Video

The theater begins with a hanger, and the house - with a hallway. It is here that guests are welcomed and seen off, they preen themselves at the mirror before leaving and exhale after a hard day's work, “diving” into soft slippers.
The entrance hall is a kind of tuning fork of mood for everyone entering or leaving the dwelling. And in order to set the right tone for the mood, you should responsibly approach the choice of color scheme!

Size matters

When choosing a color, take into account the area and configuration of the room. Unfortunately, most apartment owners cannot boast of a large entrance hall. Moreover, it is usually very small, or is a narrow corridor. It is in such situations that you will have to forget about painting the walls in your favorite dark chocolate color - it will visually “swallow” part of the space!

For a small hallway, walls in one of the cold colors of the spectrum, which include:

• milky;
• light brown;
• blue;
• ivory;
• silver;
• ash smoky;
• beige;
• grey.

Gray and beige win-win lies in their neutrality. A neutral color is formed when a shadow falls on white - gray is obtained. Gray mixed with yellow gives beige. The latter is called the ghost of the color palette: it is present in the material world, but no one notices it. Beige does not have a clear symbolism, it does not take an active part in the social, political or religious spheres.
Painting the walls in gray or beige shifts attention from form to content - a small entrance hall in neutral shades will seem a little larger than it actually is.
If you are lucky enough to become the owner of a dwelling with a large hallway, then when choosing a color you can feel much freer and use a warm range:

• orange;
• red;
• yellow;
• cream;
• apricot;
• coffee;
• rose yellow.

Light and color

The next factor influencing the basic tone of the hallway is its illumination.
Here, the main thing is to follow the rule: the brightness of the walls is directly proportional to the amount of light in the room.
If the hallway has a sunny window or a well-thought-out lighting scenario, then the choice can be made in favor of:

• blue;
• green;
• indigo;
• aqua;
• turquoise;
• purple.

A dimly lit hallway should be decorated in bright colors.
What designers do not advise to do is to opt for white, because in low light it becomes dull, and over time also “dirty”.
White is a "reflector" of daylight, and when there is nothing to reflect in your hallway, it is better to give preference to another shade.

How to combine colors in the hallway

When decorating any room, you should be guided by the “rule of three colors”. This means that you need to decide which color will become the main one, and which two will be additional.

If the entrance hall is conceived in a neutral color and without bright accents, then you can choose combinations of colors close in palette, for example: milky and beige, brown and gray, turquoise and blue. Soft transitions from one color to another will not irritate or bother.
In cases where contrast is required, white will make an excellent batch for any of the bright colors.
The combination of walls in rich, juicy shades and white furniture and doors looks very impressive. In such cases, it is better to make the ceiling and floor neutral: for example, bright yellow walls will be in harmony with a grayish ceiling and light gray-brown flooring.
If the furniture is bright, then light walls will be the best background for it - for example, in a light gray hallway you can “settle” a cheerful green wardrobe or an orange-colored pouffe.
Contrast in the interior will help to create accessories in black, dark brown or dark gray. They can be unusual modern lamps, an original hanger for outerwear, as well as framing paintings or mirrors.

Textures and prints

Do not forget that the textures of finishing materials can also help to achieve the desired visual effect. Now, wall decoration with natural wood is gaining popularity, since it is not only an environmentally friendly material - you don’t need to perfectly align the walls under it, but a well-chosen shade and pattern of wooden panels will help expand the space of a small hallway, make it cozy and warm.
Finishing with decorative bricks and plaster does not lose its position, but it will look better in large hallways, where there is a need for zoning and you can not be afraid that the finishing material will “steal” a certain amount of space.

You should also pay attention to the ombre effect, which will help to make the hallway unique.

As for prints, when decorating a hallway, they can both play a cruel joke and correct the shortcomings of the room.
So, horizontal stripes will visually expand the space, and vertical ones will raise the ceiling a little higher (a white horizontal strip on the wall along the ceiling has about the same effect).
But it is better to avoid overly colorful or large drawings - they will visually reduce the hallway and, with a high degree of probability, will quickly begin to get on your nerves.
More Useful Interior Design Tips →

Hallway Design - Photo

***

When choosing a hallway design, remember that this small room sets the tone for the entire living space and should contribute to the good mood of both owners and guests at home.

0 0 votes

Article rating

How to choose the color in the hallway

The entrance hall is the first thing that greets guests at home. She tells more about her hosts than she thinks. Small or not, spacious or narrow - any hallway can pleasantly impress with its design or spoil the impression. An important role in this is played by the color of the hallway, which can completely change the geometry of the space and set the style direction.

Choosing the right color combinations, you can get an interior that is harmonious and pleasing every day.

The color of the hallway can completely change the geometry of the space and set the stylistic direction.

Contents

• Role of color
• Color properties
• Corridor ceiling color solution
• Corridor floor
• Wall color solution
• Shade selection for each style
  • 0006
  • Loft Colors
  • Modern Colors
  • Vintage Colors
• Lighting
• Video: Hallway Colors
• Photo Gallery:
• Hallway Ideas

  Role of color

  As you know, different shades can evoke a particular mood. By which of them a person prefers, one can tell a lot about his character. But, in addition to the psychological impact, the choice of palette has a purely practical meaning.

  It can visually enlarge a small space, combine or, conversely, zone it. Therefore, despite the importance of the technical properties of finishing materials, one should not underestimate the role of their color scheme.

  Increase space with light colors.

  Color properties

  The color scheme in the design decides a lot. When making repairs, you can get rid of pressing problems with just the right choice of finishes.

  • A small room can be completely transformed by light cold colors: gray, ice blue, brown. They should be dim, as if powdered;

    Cold shades in the hallway.

  • Gray or beige, both are the perfect backdrop for any room design. They are neutral, such walls distract attention from the shape of the room. Therefore, the hallway in gray or beige tones will seem larger;

    Beige color in the hallway.

  • A narrow hall should not be made dark. It is better to apply the same technique as for a small room: light shades;

    Light colors in a narrow hall.

  • If you are lucky with the size of the hall, you can safely use dark tones. They are characteristic of many stylistic trends, give the house solidity;

    Dark shades in a spacious hallway.

  • Choose no more than three shades for the hallway palette. One of them will be the main, predominant, and the other two will be additional. On their combination, the color scheme of the interior is built.

  Corridor ceiling color scheme

  The ceiling is one of the most important design elements. Choosing a palette for him, you should focus on the shape of the room and its size, as well as the style direction.

  Floor in corridor

  Finishing materials for the floor will be constantly exposed to mechanical stress, they will have to be cleaned more often than in other rooms. Therefore, it is not surprising that many choose dark floors in the hallway because of their practicality. But, oddly enough, pollution is less visible on a neutral surface. Therefore, it is worth considering this option. Moreover, in addition to excellent external characteristics, modern finishing materials have high wear resistance and durability.

  Neutral flooring color.

  When choosing a color for your flooring, here are some tips from designers:

  Wall color scheme

  The design of the walls determines the entire interior of the hallway. They, being the background, at the same time attract more attention. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the finish for these surfaces carefully.

  A selection of shades for every style

  The color scheme is one of the components of the design. When deciding what color to paint the walls, floor, ceiling in the corridor, you should focus on the style direction. Each of the currents has its own preferred shades. Consider the most popular of them.

  Provence colors

  Provence style evokes the peaceful mood of the French hinterland. Usually there is a lot of wood and other natural materials. Finishing should go well with them. The main rule is soft, muted background tones. They seem to have burned out under the sun. Use:

  • Pale lilac;
  • Light blue;
  • Mint;
  • Dusty Rose;
  • Light green;
  • Cream.

  Olive and lemon decor can be an accent.

  The unifying elements can be baked milk or ivory shades.

  Cream color in the interior of the apartment.

  Loft colors

  Modern loft is characterized by simplicity of solutions combined with urban chic.

  An interesting solution for the background would be a gray coating “under concrete” or terracotta “under brick”. If you want to have a more discreet loft, you should take a closer look at the use of white brick in the interior. Black metal decorative elements combined with glass look spectacular.

  Modern loft is characterized by simplicity of solutions combined with urban chic.

  Art Nouveau colors

  This style is characterized by simplicity and functionality. The interior, as a rule, is not oversaturated with unnecessary details and objects. The color scheme is also characterized by this: there is no place for brightness. You should choose discreet pastel, close to natural, shades.

  Modern style in interior design.

  Vintage colors

  A hall in this style should evoke fantasy, inviting you to other eras. Vintage interiors are characterized by many small details that have a history. Therefore, the color scheme should be such as to become the background for all these interesting things.

  Regardless of the time to which the vintage design refers, the background is best done in pastel. The accent will be rich brown, burgundy, indigo, emerald decor.

  Pastel background in the hallway.

  Backlight

  Diversify the design of the backlight. It can be a logical continuation of decorating ideas or become an independent interior accent. At the same time, there are several features of her choice.

  Lamp in the hallway.

  Whatever the hallway, by choosing the right combination of colors and textures, you can not only visually change its architecture, but also completely change its perception.

  Video: Choosing colors in the hallway