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Help with colours, dark hallway.

8 years ago

Hello. Moved into our Victorian mid terrace 6 months ago. There's nothing wrong with our hallway and landing but the walls need a lick of paint and I'm overthinking what colour.

There's no windows but light bursts in through the top bedroom window in the afternoon, and the front door panels in the morning. The dark carpet doesn't help one bit and we plan to change this to something lighter or maybe even stripped boards.

For one small wall in the hallway, I have gorgeous white wallpaper with sketchy navy boats (we took inspiration from the honeymoon B&B we stayed in in Cornwall!) and it's also a nice touch as our house address is Harbour Rd, so I'd quite like to keep with nautical ideas to some degree.

Floor is lovely Victorian tiles, hints of duck egg blue in them but don't know whether this colour would be too much on the walls.

Last consideration - the walls are imperfect - would prefer Matt to hide this but also needs to be wipeable (filthy handed kids.)

Anyone have any ideas?

Comments (4)

PRO
Tiago Faria and Jane Considine Architects
8 years ago
As a rule of thumb use richer or warmer colour on shaded surfaces because if you go for white or light colours in shadow they always look grey. Save white for anywhere day light hits. For your downstairs hall what about paints from Farrow and Ball:

Farrow & Ball Paint · More Info

Upstairs the hall looks narrow but even so, adding details will help - wall lights, mirrors etc. I think this area needs more elaboration. Maybe this is a good place for your wallpaper which just might be too much with the tiles downstairs? A picture rail would be appropriate here and be sure to choose a colour for the woodwork that suits, the default white might not.

Jane
Maribel Siewierska
8 years ago
There's is a very good article in here called Decoration: 13 ways to light up a dark hallway. I think they have very good ideas.
I would use bright colours and objects that reflect light and make the Victorian tiles the centre of the design, and you might need to consider the use artificial light in a way that looks very natural. I think the red carpet isn't doing you any favour as its absorbing the light, can you use just light wood flooring with a light colour runner for the stairs.
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There’s nothing more welcoming than a bright and inviting hallway as the introduction to your house, so it’s important to capture any available light and lead the eye into the heart of your home. Light and Space If you really want to get maximum light into your hallway, choose a colour from the Dulux Light + Space range. This has revolutionary light reflecting technology which magically captures light, and bounces it back into the room to help open up darker areas. Cotton Breeze is a gorgeous fresh pale blue grey that would really come to life on the walls and ceiling, and tie in with the blue in your floor. Reflections An easy trick to lift a space is to place mirrors in strategic places. Positioning a large mirror on your landing will make your hallway feel wider, as well as bouncing light that comes in from the doorways. Glass light fittings and glazed framed pictures on the walls will also help with catching the light, and making your hallway feel bright and uplifting. Colour play Lighter colours will open up your hallway, but you don’t always have to go for ‘off white’ to get the best solution. With a hint of nautical, Velvet Touch 5 is a gorgeous soft pale duck egg blue that will co-ordinate with your floor tiles beautifully. Go for a matt finish to disguise uneven surfaces, and Endurance+ which is super hardwearing and wipeable - perfect to clean away any sticky fingerprints. Pick out the architectural details such as skirting and coving in Absolute White for a lovely fresh feel. Focal Point The wall that runs up your stairs is a real focal point of your hallway, so bring this to life with a fuller shade such as Velvet Touch 3, or a printed wallpaper. Highlight this wall with a collection of your favourite pictures or family photos, grouped together for maximum impact. Good luck and please let us know what you go for! Nina Dulux Design Expert www.designer.duluxamazingspace.co.uk
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Hi there, Have you ever thought of brightening your hallway with a new banister? Take a look at some of these for inspiration If you want any more information please visit our website www.shawstairs.com or email us info@shawstairs.com Many Thanks Shaw Stairs Ltd.
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Clara Laity
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for your input.

I agree the red carpet is horrendous, in fact we've just ripped half of it up on the landing and started sanding. The boards are gorgeous, and the light is bouncing about differently already.

Interesting idea about using the wallpaper upstairs instead. Will bear this in mind.

Also absolutely right about the pale colour just looking grey. Will update when there's progress!
Lyndsey P
8 years ago
We had the same issue when we moved into our Victorian semi- the previous owners had black tiles, brown carpet and brown walls and it felt like a cave.

We removed the carpet and tiles and painted everything white as a starting point. We're now on phase 2, which was replacing the tiles with. Victorian replica, stripping the stairs and adding colour. We're going for white on one side and duck egg blue on the other to pick up a colour in the tiles. I just haven't found the perfect blue yet!!

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