Dark hall

7 years ago

Hi I have a long dark hallway and I'm not sure how to brighten it up.. I was thinking of a mirror on the far door but I just don't know????

Featured Answer

PRO

Create Perfect

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Hi Sarah,

It is never nice to have a hallway that is dark and gloomy.. especially bearing in mind that it is the first room you enter and is where you greet people into your home.

I have attached a few images that I hope you will find useful.

With a lack of natural light you have a few options in this room but I would try just going lighter. Ideally the floor could be lighter, that is dependent on your budget and priority, but you could definitly paint the woodwork white and all the walls and ceiling a light colour (maybe a pale grey or yellow) to really help bounce that light around. Go for something with a slight glossy finish. Chorme knobs or a like would also help bounce it about which will give the space that much needed lift.

We and many other interior designers offer colour consulting packages or room by room re-designs so if your budget allows it maybe worth getting someone round to look at the space in more detail.

I hope it goes well for you and that we get to see your lighter, finished space.

Gina

A great before and after of light floor and walls at work.

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Comments (63)

sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
And should I put black and white pictures up or does it not matter??
sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
This is the mirror above the radiator cover
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sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
I could paint the frame and move it up to the middle of the hallway??
PRO
Avril Murphy Allen
7 years ago
Hi Sarah,

I'm looking at your hall thinking the least expensive option to brighten your hall is to paint the solid oak. The wooden doors are absorbing so much light. I know it's a difficult choice to paint solid wood, especially as they are maintenance free, but how long have you been living in your house? How long have you felt your hall is too dark?

Another option is to replace the door at the end of the hall. You can see the light coming under the door. Imagine if that was full length frosted glass, you'd still have privacy in the room but the hall would be filled with light.
PRO
Perroni Interior Design
7 years ago
Hi Sarah,

yes for the mirror around the electric cabinet. You could do that whole wall in frameless mirror to bounce the light inside. Check with your local Glass shop, they would come to measure, template and fit for you.

As for the oak mirror, yes you could paint the frames white as in the radiator cover, and place it as portrait on that wall in the middle of the corridor.

As for color of the picture frames, it all depends on the wall color/ paper that you will choose. I tend to think that white suits best, as we are trying to lighten the whole space...
sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
Frosted glass door at the end is a brilliantly idea but it's a bathroom, would you still have enough privacy?
PRO
Perroni Interior Design
7 years ago
I like this wallpaper as it is neutral and the Ochre touches brighten it up and ties in well with the oak door frames and floor.
PRO
Perroni Interior Design
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Otherwise, this one is soft and bright and pairs down the warmth of the oak...
PRO
Perroni Interior Design
7 years ago
other views of the blue one...
Tess Wijy
7 years ago
I don't think I would paint the doors what a shame!, get the front door top with a frosted window and watch the light come in.
PRO
Mazur Creative Studio
7 years ago
Hi Sarah,

I would install a full mirror on the right inside wall as you come in. You have a lot of natural light coming into the door and side return, this would reflect off the mirror. Please refer to picture.

The entrance hall rug, would need to be lighter and larger to cover a good part of the timber floor. The fact that the flooring is a mid stained timber this is also making the space darker.

As for the hallway, what about creating a mood lighting effect with floor washers or wall lights? You could alternate the wall spaces with nice art or family pictures. Adding a few touches of colours will help your visual into this hallway/ entrance hall.
Tess Wijy
7 years ago
Mazur you have hit nail on head! lighting in the evening and natural in day makes all the difference I have oak doors and a dark hallway we changed our door to a bigger window at top, the difference is amazing! we are planning to put some led lights and wall lights to give some spark to a once dull and uninviting space.
PRO
Mazur Creative Studio
7 years ago
That's great, the full width and height mirror feature wall will also increase the size of your entrance hall. Good luck with it all. Feel free to get in touch if you need too.
sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
If I do the wall of mirrors should I still put a mirror were the lamp is?
sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
If I changed the front door what type should I go for?
PRO
Mazur Creative Studio
7 years ago
Hi there,

I have added below a few options depending on your space and budget.

Option 1:

A Mondrian effect mirror wall going on the full width of the wall and around your door ( right side wall as you come in). Fitted above the skirting and to the top of ceiling. Note you may need a metal trim if your walls are not straight, this will give you a perfect finish.

Option 2:

A large decorative mirror applied directly to the wall. It will need to be centred on all four sides, I would say 100mm / 4 inch all around. Again here a metal trim or small timber surround trim would be nice. Please see picture below

Option 3

An oversize decorative mirror applied to the wall. Please see picture below.

I hope this helps.
sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
There is a door on that wall do I just mirror around it, also should I take away the lamp?
PRO
Mazur Creative Studio
7 years ago
The lamp should be removed from the corner, you have your down lights which should give you sufficient lighting in the night. If you go for option 1, I would do the full width of the wall including going around the door architrave.
sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
I like option 2 but don't see how I could centre this on this wall, should I just leave that space were the lamp is empty then, thank u for ur help
PRO
Mazur Creative Studio
7 years ago
Center option 2 were you currently have the wall picture and small cupboard, and yes the lamp can be removed.
sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you so much for your help its been great, what do you think of the idea of a glass frosted door at the far end of the hall, even though this is a bathroom
PRO
Nadine Iva
7 years ago
Hi again! If it's a bathroom at the end of the hall a glass frosted door might not be the best option. But you have s lot of choice with the above propositions regarding mirrors. If you choose not to put mirror where the lamp is (the lamp has to go in any case in my opinion) you can replace it with a nice plant as I suggested earlier or leave it empty. Definitely replace the rug for one with brighter neutral colours! Good luck!
sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
Yes I like the idea of a plant were the lamp is
PRO
Mazur Creative Studio
7 years ago
I would advise to keep all the doors matching. It was a pleasure helping you.
sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
What sort of rug would you advise?
PRO
Mazur Creative Studio
7 years ago
Something like this:

http://www.habitat.co.uk/stephens-small-grey-and-yellow-rug-120-x-180cm-465048

http://www.habitat.co.uk/flokati-large-cream-and-black-zig-zag-rug-170-x-240cm-446020

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/uk/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=5532436280002&category=SEARCH+RESULTS

http://www.therugcompany.com/uk/astral/
sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks
PRO
Nadine Iva
7 years ago
Rug in pale grey with white would look nice, something like this?
sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
One very last question...how about a mirror on the door at the end of the hall??
PRO
Paul Langston Interiors
7 years ago
Hi Sarah, maybe consider hidden LED lighting in the ceiling, either centred or to one side. This will brighten the space without the glare of visible lumieres and also make a statement of the ceiling. Good luck with your project :)
PRO
Mazur Creative Studio
7 years ago
I would not have a mirror fitted on the door, it will also be very narrow.
PRO
Nadine Iva
7 years ago
Don't hesitate to drop me a line if you need any further advice or help with choice of product/colours!
sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
I'm knew to this site so not sure how I would do that lol
minnie101
7 years ago
Hi Sarah. Does the bathroom get a lot of light? If so it may be worth investigating to see if you could have a transom window over that door. If you wanted to update your existing mirror look at "rub n buff" sold on amazon. Hard to tell the size from here but perhaps move that mirror (portrait) between the doors. If you like the antique mirror by mazur look at antique mirror tiles from my furniture.com and add beading around it. I have no idea of quality etc but having looked at antique mirrors for my hall they are not cheap at all! Perhaps consider just painting the skirts and architrave?
sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks yes the bathroom does get a lot of light, I never thought of that, thought the frosted glass door was good but with it being a bathroom I can't really do that
PRO
Perroni Interior Design
7 years ago
Hi Sarah,
Here I am again.
Maybe you could add a window to the top of your door, like the one on this picture. At least you would get some of the light through...
sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks everyone I'm going to put the mirrors up behind the door, paint and move the big mirror to the middle of the hall, put up white framed pictures were the mirror is, remove the lamp and put a white plant pot with plant, change the rug and look into led lighting along the floor up the hall, thanks everyone for all your help I'll post pics when I get done, one last thing, this is my cupboard should I leave it like it is or change in any way and also what about accessories for on top of the cupboard and radiator cover?
PRO
Perroni Interior Design
7 years ago
Hi Sarah
The easiest would be to leave it like it is and get your rug with pale matching tones.
As for accessories, think of what you need there as every house is different... Place for keys, mail, etc... Also on top of the cupboard, you could have a nice tinted glass vase (pick one of the colours from the rug) and have flowers in it. Or a nice plant.
PRO
Perroni Interior Design
7 years ago
That would create a great visual effect with the mirror behind.
PRO
Perroni Interior Design
7 years ago
I am glad that some of my ideas were helpful. If you wish to follow my style please go to my profile and click "follow".

Wish you the best of luck.
Looking forward to your pics.

All the best
Ana
PRO
Nadine Iva
7 years ago
Love your cupboard! You can add some delicate accessories with colours present on the cupboard. Flowers is a great idea. For radiator, if you like having family photos as I can see from your picture you can put more but all in matching frames, again something delicate, white will look good as there won't be much contrast with the radiator.
sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks ladies, I will try to get a rug in softer colours in the same type of vinyl as I live in a rainy country and any other type of light coloured rug would be ruined within weeks
PRO
Perroni Interior Design
7 years ago
Or you can try sisal/ jute rugs like these:

http://www.benuta.co.uk/sisal-rugs.html#isPage=1
sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
They're lovely
sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
Nadineiva and perroni I loved both your ideas so much I'm actually going to change the wallpaper in my kitchen and would love your input, I want to change the wallpaper and was thinking of something like this below with matching cushions for the sunroom and grey rug
sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
Another pic
PRO
Perroni Interior Design
7 years ago
I really like it!
PRO
Nadine Iva
7 years ago
Thank you Sarah! I'm really happy you liked the ideas! I like your wallpaper. I think to provide more light something like this might also look nice considering your personal taste.
sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi ladies what do you think of this rug??
sarahmccann72
Original Author
7 years ago
Or this shape