10 Easy Ways To Pep Up a Tired Hallway
Give a warm welcome to these creative quick fixes guaranteed to revitalise your hall
If our eyes are the window to our soul, then our hallway is a taster of what’s to come in the rest of our home. Why is it, then, that such an important, welcoming space is often forgotten in the grand scheme of our house? If your entrance is looking a tad neglected and shabby, it’s very simple to create a warm, inviting and personality-packed area with a few straightforward decorating tricks – a quick paint job, say, or a vibrant stair runner. As the saying goes, start as you mean to go on.
Revitalise with white
Boost the sense of light and space in your hallway in an instant simply by painting everything white. Go for brilliant white walls and bleached floorboards, then sprinkle in a few homely accessories for an uplifting introduction to your home.
Boost the sense of light and space in your hallway in an instant simply by painting everything white. Go for brilliant white walls and bleached floorboards, then sprinkle in a few homely accessories for an uplifting introduction to your home.
Have fun with accessories
No time to repaint or lay new flooring? Then keep it simple but effective by seeking out unusual hooks, shelving and rails on which to hang your coats, jackets and hats. These old rackets fashioned into mirrors with hooks instantly add a fun note to the hallway without fighting with the fabulous stained glass.
No time to repaint or lay new flooring? Then keep it simple but effective by seeking out unusual hooks, shelving and rails on which to hang your coats, jackets and hats. These old rackets fashioned into mirrors with hooks instantly add a fun note to the hallway without fighting with the fabulous stained glass.
Dare to go dark
If you prefer a little more drama, why not push the decorating boat out with dramatic darks – think grey, aubergine, midnight blue or even black itself. This hallway has been painted head to toe in deep charcoal and the result is striking yet cosy and cocooning at the same time. The neon brights emphasise the richness of the charcoal and punctuate the space to lead the eye through to the rest of the house.
If you prefer a little more drama, why not push the decorating boat out with dramatic darks – think grey, aubergine, midnight blue or even black itself. This hallway has been painted head to toe in deep charcoal and the result is striking yet cosy and cocooning at the same time. The neon brights emphasise the richness of the charcoal and punctuate the space to lead the eye through to the rest of the house.
Liberate your imagination
Who would have guessed that a vintage metal locker bedecked in flowers could look so lovely? This effect could be recreated with craft shop accessories or wall stickers. Hallways are the perfect spot in which to site one standout piece against a plain white backdrop (and if it has storage, even better).
Check out more hallway storage ideas
Who would have guessed that a vintage metal locker bedecked in flowers could look so lovely? This effect could be recreated with craft shop accessories or wall stickers. Hallways are the perfect spot in which to site one standout piece against a plain white backdrop (and if it has storage, even better).
Check out more hallway storage ideas
Create a rustic vibe
Fans of country style can introduce the mood right from the front step. Distressed paintwork, patterned runners and rattan storage boxes are inviting, warm and practical to boot.
Fans of country style can introduce the mood right from the front step. Distressed paintwork, patterned runners and rattan storage boxes are inviting, warm and practical to boot.
Try a colourful runner
Striped runners are a tried-and-tested way of instantly adding much-needed zing to a bland hallway. Set strong colours against a white staircase for maximum effect. In this hall, inset lights highlight the stairs even further. And don’t you love the postcards propped on shallow shelves? This is a great way to add interesting artworks without taking up too much of a narrow space.
Striped runners are a tried-and-tested way of instantly adding much-needed zing to a bland hallway. Set strong colours against a white staircase for maximum effect. In this hall, inset lights highlight the stairs even further. And don’t you love the postcards propped on shallow shelves? This is a great way to add interesting artworks without taking up too much of a narrow space.
Hang a fabulous light
In a plain white or neutral scheme, go all out on a decadent light fixture. Mix and match styles and scale for a really striking look. The quirkier, the better, I say…
In a plain white or neutral scheme, go all out on a decadent light fixture. Mix and match styles and scale for a really striking look. The quirkier, the better, I say…
Break free from neutrals
On paper, this shouldn’t work, but aren’t all the best decorating ideas about taking risks and choosing things you love, even if they defy all the style rules? If you want colour and pattern in your hallway, stick to a monochrome palette and accent with a single vivid shade for max effect. Here, the clash of lime-green florals and humbug stripes is fresh, fun and totally on-trend.
Carpet or paint on the stairs? Join the debate
On paper, this shouldn’t work, but aren’t all the best decorating ideas about taking risks and choosing things you love, even if they defy all the style rules? If you want colour and pattern in your hallway, stick to a monochrome palette and accent with a single vivid shade for max effect. Here, the clash of lime-green florals and humbug stripes is fresh, fun and totally on-trend.
Carpet or paint on the stairs? Join the debate
Enliven traditional pieces
This hallway nods to Victorian tradition but in a fresher, more modern way. This vintage settle with a lift-up seat is perfect for a hall as it offers extra storage space, and here it’s been given a lift with a lick of slate-blue paint. The floor tiles, meanwhile, have the feel of Victorian encaustics, but are a mix of colours and patterns to add a little energy and bring the effect up to date.
TELL US...
Had a hallway success? Share your favourite ideas and photos in the Comments below.
This hallway nods to Victorian tradition but in a fresher, more modern way. This vintage settle with a lift-up seat is perfect for a hall as it offers extra storage space, and here it’s been given a lift with a lick of slate-blue paint. The floor tiles, meanwhile, have the feel of Victorian encaustics, but are a mix of colours and patterns to add a little energy and bring the effect up to date.
TELL US...
Had a hallway success? Share your favourite ideas and photos in the Comments below.
Make your hallway as inviting and comfortable as the rest of your home by building in a bench so guests can take the weight off – and take in your fabulous décor at the same time. This bench announces to visitors that they are entering a cosy, relaxing home. Paint your seat the same colour as the surrounding woodwork and team with a stylish, durable fabric for an elegant look.