What colours to you like as this will impact on the scheme. I would add a picture rail as I think it would have had one originally. What about doing a dark grey ceiling & carry on down to a picture rail. Then do the woodwork & cornices in white with pale grey on the walls. Dulux Grey Steel 3 or 4 for the walls (mixed) or grey pearl (off the shelf) & then Farrow & Ball plummet on the ceiling down to picture rail. Grey carpet. Add a very large mirror to reflect light back into the hall & add some interesting prints to the stairwell.

Like this

https://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/clapham-family-home-victorian-hallway-and-landing-london-phvw-vp~2349370

Hi Mcpeeple!

First of all, add a wallrail to the staircase, this will make it substantially safer, but also add a little interest to the staircase, maybe something like this Rail in a Box?

Then on the staircase itself, maybe consider a lighter carpet, maybe a cream or light grey, this would add a little light to the hallway and make it more welcoming. I'd also echo headers13, some light prints on the stairwell would look great!

Thanks so much Houzz-peeps - thee are all great suggestions....the colours I like are rich blues and greys. One thought I had was to paint the floor an inky-blue (like Stiffkey Blue) and everything else white, but then that might look a little 'clinical'. Im also thinking about a light sisal (or similar) carpet for the stairs....

I would paint the walls a stone/olive colour like Little Green Portland Stone or F&B Old White. Definitely sisal on the stairs, it keeps its looks and is tough. Woodwork off white (white too clinical) and ceiling off white too (Pointing). Would the floor boards come up nicely with a bit of sanding?

The floorboards have potential (though Ive no experience of this). But Im guessing that the dark stain down each side will limit what i can do with them (ie paint, or stain darker). Or maybe not?

why not paint the floor and the corbel features in a bluey grey and the rest in an off white and sisal carpet. You will need to have plenty of layers on the floor as it will be a high traffic area.

Hello mcpeeple,

Lovely... First decide on the scheme you want and then work the colours accordingly.. So I like where you're thinking with this... I'd paint the ceilings whitening by Little Greene then give the floor a darker shade you want say grey for instance, then you can choose to compliment the bottom half of the wall up to dado rail with a slightly lighter shade..

Paint the above half in a lighter version still of said colour and then all wood work and details a darker shade which may be close to the floor or bottom half of the wall colour. I'd do the cornicing and all architrave on doors the same darker colour... If not grey then blue will also work in this way.. Hang a large mirror on the right.. Square really plain but old! Doesn't need a rail or anything just the dado is good! Paint the sides of the stairs and you could have some small mirrors going up the stairs to give some idea of space here... bounce light..

On to lighting...

https://www.jim-lawrence.co.uk/product/22961/deben-glass-pendant-light#3394AB

https://www.jim-lawrence.co.uk/product/22109/bellingham-pendant#3040AB

https://www.jim-lawrence.co.uk/product/16077/holborn-pendant-light#3316AB

https://www.jim-lawrence.co.uk/product/16024/bloomsbury-pendant-light

Some ideas... Wood work doesn't necessarily need to be white or cream it can be any shade you like that you want to compliment the walls with... I actually much prefer to see someone really embracing colour which include all the wood work, architraves and doors... Skirting too... So two images that give you an idea of how you can use colour in more interesting ways.. It adds a lot of class too... : ))

Dark dark...

I definitely recommend asking a wooden flooring specialist to advise on the floorboards. I have worked on several projects where I have called in the professionals. They can usually restore solid wooden floors to their former glory, I can't say for sure but I suspect they would be able to remove the painted strips at the sides. Worth asking.

I agree with Brandi at the top. Paint everything white to really open up the space and a carpet runner in a fun colour with a stripe the length of the stairs.

This hallway is virtually identical to mine, apart from the flooring (mine is tiled). We have just had it plastered and have given it one coat of white paint to brighten it up while we decide what to do. I will be following this thread for ideas and pictures of your lovely hallway!

I would recommend a skinny 2 column cast iron or steel column radiator. You can add some interest whilst not taking up any more space.

Radiators for hallways - restricted depth · More Info

Radiators for hallways - restricted depth · More Info

Hello Mcpeeple, I have a hallway/ staircase very similar to yours and I'm going through the same dilemmas. I wish my floorboards were in as good nick. Whilst I much prefer matt paint in my Victorian Terrace I have chose a silk for the hallway to try and bounce as much light around. Have you thought about a narrow radiator cover which would be cheaper then replacing your radiator but allows for a small shelf to dress in the hallway? Whilst I appreciate it's narrow you can remove it should you need to move larger items such as furniture. I'm also planning on dressing mine with a range of antique mirrors all of different shapes. As you will know the mirrors should give the impression of more space. Good luck with your project!

have you considered a wallpaper... I know I often mention wallpapers but they are amazingly resillient if you get a good one. I have a paper in my own hall that has been up for 9 years and has outlived the paint by a long chalk.

Wipeable, and strong, and there are so many that have a little bit of opalescence or metallics that will bounce a bit more light about. Doesn't have to be a pattern, could be a texture to keep in your colour palette.

I agree with those who have suggested white for the woodwork , a slight off white that is. Unless your house is brand new or has been replastered perfectly brilliant whites will show off all the lumps and bumps. so stick to a milky/creamy whites for warmth or a grey white if you want a cool scheme.

striped runners will make the hall seem longer if you want to give that impression and a large mirror in the narrowest part is helpful for illusionary width. ( also helpful for that last minute check theres no toothpaste round your mouth on the way out the door)

don't put anthing like coat hooks along the narrow part or it'll be like navigating through the wardrobe to Narnia. but a high shelf might be useful

Hello,

You can consider our hand-painted wallpaper, color and size can be customized.www.jameite.com

Maybe inside our website, you can find inspiration。

Thanks!!

How about light grey walls with a tiled floor

If you are after colour you could do as they have done here with selected colour in the ceiling panels? This could be incorporated in the tile colour you go for.

Shannon

Why not keep the walls simple but add in the colour with a brand new radiator! https://www.bisque.co.uk/