Help - Hallway, Stairs and Landing Ideas

7 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Hi. I'm looking for some advice and inspiration on colours for my landing, stairs and hallway. We currently have a daffodil white colour (the light has made it look very yellow which isn't the case) on the hallway, stairs and landing which was put on when we moved in to cover the rather dark blue walls! The dado rail was already there. Thinking about having it removed as it doesn't seem to serve a purpose. I'm planning on having the bannister (restained) and spindles (painted white). Not sure about post colours yet I only want to use paint. I'm not into greys which seems to be the in thing. I like rustic, country themes in general. I have no idea about window dressings. I'm not sure curtains would look right but don't want the window to seem small. I'm keeping the upstairs light for now but need new ones for hallway. Any help would be greatly appreciated. (Excuse the mess!)

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Deborah Hayward

7 years ago

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Comments (29)

Katie Thomas
Original Author
7 years ago
Anyone?
Laura Thomas
7 years ago
Sorry I'm probably not much help with the colour schemes but to me Country = sage /olive greens and creams/off white.

The dado may be hiding a join/blemish in the plaster if you have solid walls that are built on top of the 1st floor - I have this issue in our house and trying to think of ways to hide it!
Katie Thomas thanked Laura Thomas
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Hiya, we have a Victorian hallway and it is done very similar to Rukmini’s first image. We have a greeny grey under the dado (including the skirting and dado itself) and on the doors and architraves. It’s Blanket by Paint & Paper library which is a little darker than Rukmini’s pic. Then an off white above the dado and on the ceiling. It used to be off white all over and the grey definitely has made it darker. On the other hand it also feels smarter and shows the marks less! Swings and roundabouts. I wouldn’t have three colours, I would pick one colour plus off white above the dado/picture rail (Pointing seems sensible!!) Your tiles look browny grey so would suggest looking at Ammonite by F&B and its family of colours - (Cornforth White, Purbeck Stone). See below for the F&B families of greys. If you want bluey or greeny greys then Paint & Paper Library are a good source but be careful to see if they will go with your tiles.
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Deborah Hayward
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
hi i think stair areas need to reflect as much light as they can as they are often dark, what about a light yellow shade, warm and inviting also go nice with your flooring, and if your are having curtains in the hallway yellow and greens would look nice,and a matching blind on the window on the stairs, also try to use mirrors to reflect the light around, i will have a look for some photos for you to give you some help.
Katie Thomas thanked Deborah Hayward
Katie Thomas
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you both for your comments. I was thinking about moving away from the very pale yellow we have as sometimes it seems a bit cold. Although a warmer yellow may work. I do love greens and they are present in most of my rooms. Wasn't sure of whether to steer clear of them or not. I think a sage green may be too dark.
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Deborah Hayward
7 years ago
Yeah sage green is lovely but I think a little to dark for a hallway, i will have a think and see if I can come up with any other nice colours
Katie Thomas thanked Deborah Hayward
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Deborah Hayward
7 years ago
What about a mauve or lavender shades? With blue and pink accessories, warm shades but not to purple
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Deborah Hayward
7 years ago
A B
7 years ago
How about a pale blue? Something like this although you could use paint instead of wallpaper

http://southbank-ipcmedia-com.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/roomideas/live/styles/static_large_portrait/s3/Pale-blue-country-hallway-with-oversized-chandelier.jpg?_=a760944c55a3bf87342a1b9c2a0b62c1
Katie Thomas
Original Author
7 years ago
It's nice Jen but I'm worried it will seem a little cold as I will only be using paint.

It's so hard picking a colour!
kikiamack
7 years ago
You could try Dulux Sandy Steps. A warm pale neutral that looks nice in all lights, and against wood. Maybe you could add the country elements with painted furniture and accessories.
Katie Thomas thanked kikiamack
Katie Thomas
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks. I will take a look at the colour.

Do you or anyone else have any ideas about window dressings?
PRO
Bloc Blinds
7 years ago
Hi Katie,

I recently painted my bathroom at home in Dash of Nutmeg from Crown and thought it was a lovely warm but bright colour. It would go really well with your wooden floor and white skirting too.

As for the window treatment I would suggest our Premium Roller Blind with Pelmet . It gives a really simple but stylish look to the window. The pelmet adds a designer feel and and can be easily hooked on and off along with the fabric of the blind so you can change your colour scheme in no time, and best of all no need to remeasure or even remove the system itself from the window.

Once you have decided on the paint colour take a look through our fabric range online and give us a call or an email if you have any questions.

Best of luck with your project,

Kiera
Pictured above is a Premium Roller Blind and Pelmet in Pacific fabric.
Juliet Docherty
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Hi Katie,

I know what you mean about the grey, you seem to be after a warm mellow look? You could try Farrow and Ball Matchstick (see link) or Joa's White. Both are warm and would look lovely with the dark wood. I would avoid white woodwork if you want a rustic theme and go for White Tie which is a lovely mellow off white. I would put a roman blind on the window, it would look lovely.
minnie101
7 years ago
Hi Katie. If you like green I might look at farrow and ball lime white which isn't too green or yellow. I'd go for a Roman blind hung outside the recess to maximise light and won't make the window seem small
k11agl
7 years ago
I vote for F&B shadow white (the wall behind the piano). It has a tiny touch of green but changes to warm shades to grey or sandy at time as the day goes by and under different colour/temperature I put on. Otherwise I think the ever popular elephants breath would look cosy and welcoming in your landings. Hope it helps. Remember to share photos :)
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Hesketh Property Services
7 years ago
I'd paint your spindles, window sill, doors,arcs,casings, and skirting boards in white eggshell or white satinwood. I'd leave the hand rail in stain. Have a look at Grecian white by dulux for the walls. Also take a look at the Dulux Heritage Range of colours and Little Greene. I'd also paint your window wall in a shade darker.
Clare Marie
7 years ago
I have a similar stairwell at home and my window is probably a bit smaller than yours. To make it seem bigger I have hung a blind on the wall about a foot or so above the window and pulled it down just past the top of the window. it gives the illusion of a larger window than you actually have and fills some of the void above. you could choose something rustic/country that you like and pick a wall colour from that. Then accessorise with Wicker baskets for storage and farmhouse style hooks on the walls. lighten the wood on the bannisters.
when painting you could just paint the dad rail the same as the wall colour the blend it away. It probably does cover a join in the plaster.
bagpuss2
7 years ago
I'd try to find a matching light - or similar for downstairs. If you are unsure about window treatment how about a semi opaque roller blind? Go for a pale ivory/cream for the walls- there are multiple options from F&B and leave off painting the spindles until everything else is done.
Katie Thomas
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Thank you everyone for your comments.

I don't think I can put similar lights downstairs as they may be too low and the ones upstairs were in the house when we moved in. Not sure what lighting instead. I'd probably only use a lamp for the actual light anyway. Need to decide on the style though. I'm thinking a floor lamp would work best as it would fill the space. I would like to get a chair to put in front of one of the doors too. Just don't want to spend a lot and also I guess it can't be too big.

I definitely think the white spindles with dark posts and handrails will look best.

I've bought a few tester pots so going to paint into lining paper today.
highwoodhouse
7 years ago
I am have a similar situation with my hall and stairs. I am almost sure I will use Pale powder (F&B) as I have used it before and loved in in all lights. I use it with Pointing. Together I believe this gives the country feel although modern. Agree a simple roller blind for the window. I prefer fairly simple schemes though so this may be too boring for some!
Sonia
7 years ago
My favourite wall colour is Dulux Egyptian Cotton. It's a mushroom shade very similar to F&B Skimming Stone and Elephants Breath. I've used it in my hall and bedroom with white satinwood paintwork. Looks very crisp and clean, and a lot cheaper than F&B. It goes with anything. Here's some photos of my tiny stairway complete with original dado rail.
Katie Thomas
Original Author
7 years ago
That's nice. I may pop out to get that in a tester!
PRO
2 The Drawing Board
7 years ago
Hello, May I suggest a nice warm cream or natural hessian, I've used this a lot in my own home and it looks warm but keeps everything light. As for curtains either a Roman blind which is placed well above the window so it remains seen but doesn't cover the window up. Curtains and a nice pelmet would also look great if you place a pelmet above the window so it just comes and inch or two over the edge of the window and take the pelmet as wide as the wall and hang curtains at each side, the window will appear larger and again doesn't cover up the window so allowing lots of natural light in. As for colours for curtains etc perhaps some burnt orange and beige cream mix in a country style plaid would be nice and cosy with a hint of country. The curtains I have came from next, you can purchase fabric, made to measure or ready mades.
katlucy
7 years ago
Hi Katie

I think I would be tempted to paint out the dark wood of the front door and landing window together with the spindles to let the warmth of the other woods to shine through.

If you have greens elsewhere in the surrounding rooms it would be good to choose a colour that brings them together. I agree F & B Lime White could be a good choice.

I like the colours of your door curtain as accent colours.

Lamps would be my choice too everytime.

looking forward to seeing what you choose.
Joanna Biddolph
7 years ago
If you like sage green, use sage green! The hall looks a little dark in places and all the wisdom from designers is that if it is dark, it is dark and no amount of bright colours will change it; they will look less bright in the dark - which equals dark. Go with it and use your favourite green or an even darker shade. Green is about to be very big; be ahead of the curve! It's also really hard to imagine it not being dark but as soon as you have some furniture in there, and some pictures or other things on the walls, it will look interesting and have a bit of a visual lift. Put up a couple of mirrors, too, to reflect the light which will make it seem lighter - you could have one on the right of the stairs so it reflects a little from the window and one on the wall in the main section near the front door. Have a bit of fun with it. It's where everyone arrives - cosy is very welcoming all year round.
lkirk44
7 years ago
For the stairs window l would go for a roman blind and by having it higher up than lintel it will make the window seem larger, also means you can pull it up to let the max light in.
I love country style and if you went for large scale pattern on hall door curtains it would look really cosy.
As for the walls a warm nutmeg would suit your lovely floor x
PRO
Hesketh Property Services
7 years ago
I'm currently working on a hall,stairs and landing. It's not as big as yours but it's quite dark. They picked a Johnstones colour, it's code is S 0502-Y. They went with an Acrylic Durable Matt which has a scrub rating of 1.
J Hen
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
InHi, i read some replies but not all so forgive me if someone has already said this but here goes.

This is what I’d do;

1. Move away from yellow! It’s too similar to the white doors and frames.

2. Reinstate the dado as well as a picture rail to split the decorating areas. Paint both white. I’m no expert but the dado looks off to me as it goes straight instead of down the stairs.

3. Decorate the bottom with a lovely wallpaper (diy no ladders) to compliment the colour Lilac.

4. Paint above the dado lilac.

5. Add lots of pictures above the dado.

6. Your stair case is amazing white spindles and posts would be lovely. Top it off with a lilac carpet runner.

7. Roman blinds to the windows - colourful like the wallpaper.

Good Luck whatever you decide.