How about a pale iredescent type paper on the top part to brighten up the hallway. I think the wood panelling looks lovely, plus if it's a historic house maybe you might want to retain it.

Thank you -can you suggest such a paper? I want to have impact if possible

I would absolutely retain the panelling, as it is appropriate to the period of the house; the thing to do in my opinion is to make sure it is in the best condition possible. Ask a restorer to come in to see what it would take to strip off the varnish and re-finish it; that way you could lighten it as well.

The other alternative is to go with the dark -- paint it a dark colour (dark blue? a strong grey?), and have the walls and floor very light. That would have a strong impact and give a modern touch without compromising the style.

I have already lost the blue lightshades - thank you for your ideas - I like the paper. Painting the panelling white is a bit worrying...

I will definitely retain the panelling tho

The panelling is great, don't paint it. The walls above would be lovely just white - perhaps one of the many by Farrow and Ball. It would simplify and calm the hall and give it the light you want. Add colour with artworks or a beautiful runner on the floor.

We had a similar problem but with an entirely different house - mid century not historic. But I am wondering if it could be adapted to be in sympathy architecturally? It sounds counter intuitive but we subdivided the hallway, effectively creating a smaller, better proportioned entrance immediately behind the front door, which we replaced with one that was fully glazed. The main entrance door was then set back 2-3 metres, so the immediate impact of the house for visitors etc. became a plant and light filled space. Behind this the inner hallway appeared to be much less gloomy as it was shorter and benefitted, in our case, from new skylights in the roof which flooded the stairwell with light. Hope you find something that works for you!

It looks beautiful... all I would do would be to remove the side dresser and see if you can add another two ceiling lights down the hallway ... good luck!

Hi Diana,

When used and place right mirrors can really make a difference to a space, they can help brighten up a place and create a sense of space.

Here are some helpful tips we can offer.

The placement of mirrors behind table lamp is definitely an effective one. Pair together a table and when lit the mirror will double the amount of illumination from the table lamps.

here are some table lamps we would recommend. The gold and antique brass will complement the wooden table and gold picture frame beautifully.

Mini Scratched Table Lamp with Light Beige Shade - Copper

1 Light Traditional Style Table Lamp with Pleated Conical Shade - Antique Brass

Another tip, placing 2 mirrors adjacent to each other will help reflect light and illuminate your hallways.

You can take a look at the mirrors we offer here.

here are the mirrors we would recommend.

Classic Bar Square Mirror - Bronze

For more tips on using mirrors to brighten up your space you can check out ourblog post on this.

Hope this helps. If
you have any questions feel free to contact us by emailing
customerservice@litecraft.co.uk or by calling 0161 359 4777

Kind Regards

Litecraft Team

Hi there,

have you thought about a light oak flooring? That might help brighten the hallway up. We have many in stock, if you have a look here. If there is any you find of interest we would be more than happy to send you out a FREE sample.

If you have any queries or question please do not hesitate to let us know.

Kind Regards,

Floor Monster

Hello Diane, you need to keep the decoration to suit the house era, but remove the furniture and the pictures they squeeze the width (mirrors flush to the wall would reflect more light and width). Change the lighting to above only - they need to be identical and if not the same as the elaborate existing something very flamboyant for the impact. Ideally change each end door to ones with glass, again with an impact pattern but allowing the light to flow through.

TBH, I'm the opposite of everyone above... hate the paneling!, thats the part thats dictating the dark and gloominess with it being so dark, and to put in a lighter shade of wood flooring would raise another pet hate of mine which is mismatched and numerous types of wood in the same space. I like the wallpaper you put in, just should have gone lighter as suggested above.
My suggestion is a stunning tiled victorian type flooring, as you seem to like geometric patterns by the wallpaper you chose...you wouldnt be looking at the walls then. I would also be replacing that ceiling light

I would paint the wainscoting a light/mid grey - to pick out the silver in the wallpaper - This would lift the whole area without the need of wallpapering again. If the wallpaper is still too dark/overpowering then change to a more subtle pattern/colour or paint the walls. At least you would have given it a go and it might just save time/money if they work together.

I would also go back to floor boards as the carpet you currently have is a bit drab. (Sorry). Or put down a light patterned runner.

Grey wainscoting - I would go for a lighter grey than this though

I would also replace the side table and lamp with more luxurious pieces. Also adding a large mirror will bounce light around the room - I think the pictures you have at the moment disappear with the wallpaper and look too fussy.

Shannon

I would definitely paint the panelling Matt white. Nothing else you do is going to stop that dark wood sucking the light. Nothing. I would also paint the radiator the same Matt white (radiator paint obvs). Skirting too. Lots of period properties have beautiful white wainscotting. Now your hall will have more unity and flow with the door and frames. I would move your chair into another room. I would paint your hall table white or a bright pop of blue to mirror the wallpaper or replace it if unwilling to do that. The dark wood really draw the eye to the wrong places. You need a much bigger mirror on the wall where you already have one. Metalis or reflective lamps as someone else suggested is also a good idea. Your wallpaper is fine, nice in fact if you go white below. A more expensive but easy fix would be to get a front door with frosted glass panels in it to allow more real light in. Your sight lines should be towards the light at the end of the hall coming in from the back door. However, because you have the beige runner at the front door and then a different rug cutting across the view line half way down, your sight line towards the light is effectively cut. I would get a narrower runner to go all the way from the front to back door. Alternatively, your beige one is too wide, it also cuts the flow, so you could buy a narrower runner for there and replace the one near the stairs with a circular rug. That would make the area near the stairs with the big clock a real destination area.

Your hall is architecturally attractive - particularly with the fact that the eye is drawn to the stairs beyond the immediate hallway.

I think some of the above pictures of hallways are really beautiful and the sort of thing that would suit your hallway. I would do the following:

Paint the panelling white to match your doorframes. It will still look stunning and very period, just much lighter and more welcoming.

Repaper in a more subtly coloured but nice large scale design - something much more neutral. It will have impact but not feel too closed in.

New elegant transparent light fittings or shiny metal light fittings.

A slim console - perhaps a slim metal framed/glass console? Mount a large mirror over it and place twin lamps symmetrically at each end - or just one if the width isn't sufficient for 2. Choose a mirror style that compliments the whole look.

keep artwork to a minimum if you have chosen a patterned wall paper - the eye doesn't know what to rest on if colourful pictures are mounted onto a busy wallpaper. (I think this is one thing that is not right with your hall currently)

hope these ideas are useful!

Hi Diana,

I personally love the dark panelling, however I would change the wallpaper to sometime more subtle and neutral. I have attached links to a few of my wallpaper suggestions. I'd also echo the above advice and, depending on the condition of the floor below, remove the carpet you currently have in place and perhaps replace with a more narrow, runner style carpet in a light colour to complement whichever replacement wallpaper you might choose.

http://www.janeclayton.co.uk/product/empiretrellis/115071

http://www.janeclayton.co.uk/product/subtle/122367

http://www.janeclayton.co.uk/product/clandon/109247

http://www.janeclayton.co.uk/product/leepriory/109259

http://www.janeclayton.co.uk/product/plains/44106

http://www.janeclayton.co.uk/product/trellis/68597

Please do let us know how you get on!

Jess

Thank you Jess - I like your ideas and the time you have given to thinking about my hall! I favour the first wallpaper empire trellis/115071 because the others are lovely but possibly a bit more 'bedroomy?' the floor below the runner is old flagstones, but they are in a dirty looking state and it looks a little like a pavement sadly. The house - or that hallway bit of it, is William and Mary period. I will try and post pics. of what I ultimately do - tho am 'considering' the painting the panelling option - having myself stripped it back to the brown from gloss white (with many chips) 20 odd years ago.

Hi Diana. Do you want to create impact or do you want the hall to be lighter? It could have amazing impact but be atmospheric or do you want it lighter above all else? I would paint the panelling as it is always going to sap light out of the space, but I wouldn't paint it white. There are hundreds of subtle colours to go for, but white can be very cold and unsympathetic. I would expose the old flagstone floor, add a persian rug and paint the panelling and wall above. Add a couple of subtle LED's (warm as possible) but keep a statement pendant light.

Do you plan to remove wooden panneling?

Hi Diana, I love the wallpaper so I'd keep it. I also like the panelling but it draws your eye to that darker area, so I'd paint it though not sure about white as I think it could make it look a bit stark. Farrow and Ball colours would work and they'd be good at suggesting a suitable colour if you take a sample of the wallpaper to one of their shops. I'd also change the floor covering to a different shade, and I love the idea about adding a mirror.

I would keep the panelling but loose the wallpaper. Bathroom11 has some great pics. (where is the table from pic 4 ?). I would do something plainer & upgrade the furniture. Use a pendant light.

Clapham Family Home · More Info

Interesting the split opinion on to paint or not to paint! On this occasion, the arched panelled architrave is already painted white so it would not be a leap to paint the dark wood. I also thin =k it would elongate the space. Could also make the wall paper pop and avoid an unnecessary extra job. Tiles would be lovely but would ideally carry through to the adjacent space which is already tiled. Again this would open up the whole space. It's a beautiful hallway but yes my vote: paint the wood!

yes, would love to see the results, thanks Jules

so we did paint the panelling in a very light grey and above, we did remove the rather in your face wallpaper and painted the walls a darker grey We also simplified the wall space and removed all the pictures and just hung a mirror. We got rid of the antique and rather dark furniture and put in a light console and one large lamp. At the end of the long hall, we painted the walls a striking blue in order to draw the eye down to the garden door. I took up the long runner and left it flagstones with a kelim rug It looks much lighter and more sophisticated.

Fabulous! You have a real eye for decor, well done diana.

Great looking hallway.

Loved the wooden panelling already; love it now even more painted.

And yes more photos please. :)

Sometimes posting photos takes a while. Wait with submitting your post until the photo(s) look clear.

Oh! I'm sorry you think it has.... but I have revealed the beautiful stone floor and everything was a little over-bearing and old fashioned before... But yes, I see that point that we don't all want to be generic 'chi-chi' - I think my style elsewhere is pretty eclectic - and at least I have a 'Trainspotter' poster in the hall with a lot of *** words in it!

I absolutely love what you've done, Diana.

It's so elegant and stylish, but not fuddy duddy. You've updated it, without spoiling the character and beauty.

Way too often, people spoil the most beautiful period houses, trying to be too clever with garish and over the top decor or too many "on trend", fashion features. When really the house needs to just speak for itself.

You have a beautiful house.

That is lovely. I am looking for inspiration for my hallway and wondering about painting panelling too. You have helped loads, thank you.

It looks lovely, especially the way the light picks out the surface of the flagstones.

Hello Diana! In my opinion your hallway is perfect the way it is.