An Expert Guide to Designing Hallway Lighting
Our panel of experts explain how to design hallway lighting that’s functional, safe and welcoming
Your hallway is the first thing you see when you open the front door – and the artery of the house. From the first impression to night-time forays for a glass of water, the hallway has an outsized importance for both the look and functionality of a home. “The hallway sets the tone for the house,” Toria Thorpe of Lighting By Plum says. “Often a hallway gets forgotten, but in my opinion, as a linking space to the whole house, it’s one of my top priority spaces.”
So how do you light it? Do you go for ambience or functionality? Does hallway lighting need to be layered as in other rooms? How do you keep a hallway cosy, or ensure it’s safe when you tiptoe through it after dark?
We put these questions to our panel of experts, who explained how to design the best lighting scheme for these underrated spaces.
Professional advice from: Shanade McAllister-Fisher of Shanade McAllister-Fisher Design; Bhavin Taylor of Bhavin Taylor Design; Toria Thorpe of Lighting By Plum
So how do you light it? Do you go for ambience or functionality? Does hallway lighting need to be layered as in other rooms? How do you keep a hallway cosy, or ensure it’s safe when you tiptoe through it after dark?
We put these questions to our panel of experts, who explained how to design the best lighting scheme for these underrated spaces.
Professional advice from: Shanade McAllister-Fisher of Shanade McAllister-Fisher Design; Bhavin Taylor of Bhavin Taylor Design; Toria Thorpe of Lighting By Plum
Aim to layer light
While layering is important in most spaces, there’s a little more leeway in the hall, but it’s still a good idea.
“You might not need quite as many layers as you would in a kitchen or living room, but hallway lighting still benefits greatly from considered layering. It prevents the space feeling flat or sterile,” Shanade says.
This can be a technical as much as a design challenge, as there’s often only wiring for a single pendant at the entrance, especially in period properties. If you’re updating your hallway as part of a larger renovation, rewiring is the best option. “If you have the budget to hire an electrician to rewire/hardwire, this will offer the most polished look and ease of operation,” Bhavin Taylor says.
There are less invasive options, however. “To introduce layers of light without structural changes, I recommend using plug-in wall lights, rechargeable sconces or even discreet floor lamps,” Shanade says. “Modern designs ensure these options are as decorative as they are practical.
“Pairing a warm pendant with a few well-placed portable lights helps avoid relying on a single light source,” she continues, “bringing depth, comfort and a gentle sense of welcome to the space.”
While layering is important in most spaces, there’s a little more leeway in the hall, but it’s still a good idea.
“You might not need quite as many layers as you would in a kitchen or living room, but hallway lighting still benefits greatly from considered layering. It prevents the space feeling flat or sterile,” Shanade says.
This can be a technical as much as a design challenge, as there’s often only wiring for a single pendant at the entrance, especially in period properties. If you’re updating your hallway as part of a larger renovation, rewiring is the best option. “If you have the budget to hire an electrician to rewire/hardwire, this will offer the most polished look and ease of operation,” Bhavin Taylor says.
There are less invasive options, however. “To introduce layers of light without structural changes, I recommend using plug-in wall lights, rechargeable sconces or even discreet floor lamps,” Shanade says. “Modern designs ensure these options are as decorative as they are practical.
“Pairing a warm pendant with a few well-placed portable lights helps avoid relying on a single light source,” she continues, “bringing depth, comfort and a gentle sense of welcome to the space.”
Illuminate from top to bottom
Toria Thorpe recommends building in three layers of lighting, at the top, middle and bottom of the hallway.
“Making sure the light [reaches] the ceiling to create a brighter-feeling space is key here,” she says, “using reflected light from [cornices] or lips and ledges, wall lights, and uplights to light door frames is one way of ensuring this.”
“Ambient lighting should offer consistency and comfort,” Shanade agrees. “Flush ceiling fittings or discreet recessed spots work beautifully. Task lighting near stairs is essential for safety and clarity, especially in low light. Accent lighting can highlight artwork, textured walls or architectural details, adding depth and visual interest. Low-level lighting is wonderful in homes with children or for anyone moving through the space at night.”
Want some help? Find interior designers and lighting designers on Houzz.
Toria Thorpe recommends building in three layers of lighting, at the top, middle and bottom of the hallway.
“Making sure the light [reaches] the ceiling to create a brighter-feeling space is key here,” she says, “using reflected light from [cornices] or lips and ledges, wall lights, and uplights to light door frames is one way of ensuring this.”
“Ambient lighting should offer consistency and comfort,” Shanade agrees. “Flush ceiling fittings or discreet recessed spots work beautifully. Task lighting near stairs is essential for safety and clarity, especially in low light. Accent lighting can highlight artwork, textured walls or architectural details, adding depth and visual interest. Low-level lighting is wonderful in homes with children or for anyone moving through the space at night.”
Want some help? Find interior designers and lighting designers on Houzz.
Incorporate safety lighting, especially on stairs
Don’t forget to address safety through low-level lighting and sensors.
“If you have young children, elders or someone who requires additional assistance in the home, it can be beneficial to have sensor lights that come on if anyone’s passing through, especially at night,” Bhavin says. “Lighting like this can also be useful on stairs, especially if there’s no natural light, as this will help to avoid any accidents.”
“Night lights or discreet stair lights bring reassurance without harshness,” Shanade says. “Motion sensors work well in hallways, gently illuminating the space as someone enters or passes through. A gentle blend of ambient light from a ceiling fixture, soft accent lighting on the walls or artwork, and low-level lighting for safety or softness can create a welcoming and harmonious effect.”
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
Don’t forget to address safety through low-level lighting and sensors.
“If you have young children, elders or someone who requires additional assistance in the home, it can be beneficial to have sensor lights that come on if anyone’s passing through, especially at night,” Bhavin says. “Lighting like this can also be useful on stairs, especially if there’s no natural light, as this will help to avoid any accidents.”
“Night lights or discreet stair lights bring reassurance without harshness,” Shanade says. “Motion sensors work well in hallways, gently illuminating the space as someone enters or passes through. A gentle blend of ambient light from a ceiling fixture, soft accent lighting on the walls or artwork, and low-level lighting for safety or softness can create a welcoming and harmonious effect.”
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
Create a sense of warmth in a hallway that lacks natural light
Our experts agree it’s important to use light to create warmth and ambience in a dark hallway.
“When a hallway lacks natural light, it’s important to bring in a feeling of warmth and openness through other means. This is where lighting becomes more than functional, it becomes emotional,” Shanade says. “I often use warm white LED lighting, sometimes behind architectural features, to gently emulate daylight. Reflective surfaces, light tones and tactile materials also help to enhance any available light and prevent the space feeling enclosed or forgotten.”
Bhavin suggests considering the design of the hallway as a whole and not just the lighting. “A space that lacks natural light is never going to be bright,” he says, “So, if you decorate with light colours or even white, it’s always going to have an element of grey, which in my opinion can be quite depressing. Instead, look to inject warm, rich colours into the space and then pair with some [stylish] lighting to create an intimate and cosy space.”
Our experts agree it’s important to use light to create warmth and ambience in a dark hallway.
“When a hallway lacks natural light, it’s important to bring in a feeling of warmth and openness through other means. This is where lighting becomes more than functional, it becomes emotional,” Shanade says. “I often use warm white LED lighting, sometimes behind architectural features, to gently emulate daylight. Reflective surfaces, light tones and tactile materials also help to enhance any available light and prevent the space feeling enclosed or forgotten.”
Bhavin suggests considering the design of the hallway as a whole and not just the lighting. “A space that lacks natural light is never going to be bright,” he says, “So, if you decorate with light colours or even white, it’s always going to have an element of grey, which in my opinion can be quite depressing. Instead, look to inject warm, rich colours into the space and then pair with some [stylish] lighting to create an intimate and cosy space.”
Use lighting to add the wow factor
This means mixing task and ambient lighting, and using statement light fixtures for visual interest. “If your budget allows, it’s good to have a combination of functional and decorative lighting, as it allows you to change the mood of the hallway depending on how you plan to use the space,” Bhavin says.
“Lighting the staircase can often create a ‘wow’,” Toria says. “A central chandelier hanging through the stairwell can be impressive.”
“Consider fittings that balance both beauty and function,” Shanade adds. “Avoid overcomplicating it: clarity, consistency and calm are often more powerful than excess.”
Houzz tools can be helpful here. “We may suggest [clients] create a mood board through Houzz to help us get closer to the concept they want,” Toria says.
This means mixing task and ambient lighting, and using statement light fixtures for visual interest. “If your budget allows, it’s good to have a combination of functional and decorative lighting, as it allows you to change the mood of the hallway depending on how you plan to use the space,” Bhavin says.
“Lighting the staircase can often create a ‘wow’,” Toria says. “A central chandelier hanging through the stairwell can be impressive.”
“Consider fittings that balance both beauty and function,” Shanade adds. “Avoid overcomplicating it: clarity, consistency and calm are often more powerful than excess.”
Houzz tools can be helpful here. “We may suggest [clients] create a mood board through Houzz to help us get closer to the concept they want,” Toria says.
Consider lighting automation for convenience
Technology can be particularly useful in a hallway. For one thing, it’s often the command centre for most of a home’s lighting.
“Lighting automation can be useful in a hallway, as often there are numerous light circuits activated from each switch position – for example, lighting for the outside will need to be activated from the hallway, and also lighting for the floors above,” Toria says. “So a control system will simplify things and [avoid] a large grid of dimmers or switches. It’s also often nice to be able to turn the whole house off as you leave.”
“Technology can be an invaluable layer, especially when used quietly and intuitively,” Shanade says. “Smart lighting systems allow for thoughtful automation, such as lights that dim in the evening or brighten when you arrive home.”
“If you’re away, but want to make it look as if someone is home, the ability to switch lights on and off remotely can be beneficial,” Bhavin adds.
“What matters most is that the technology supports daily life without disrupting the emotional quality of the space,” Shanade says.
However, Bhavin cautions that lighting automation may not be for everyone. “One thing to think of is that this kind of tech will always depend on the technical abilities of the homeowner,” he says.
Technology can be particularly useful in a hallway. For one thing, it’s often the command centre for most of a home’s lighting.
“Lighting automation can be useful in a hallway, as often there are numerous light circuits activated from each switch position – for example, lighting for the outside will need to be activated from the hallway, and also lighting for the floors above,” Toria says. “So a control system will simplify things and [avoid] a large grid of dimmers or switches. It’s also often nice to be able to turn the whole house off as you leave.”
“Technology can be an invaluable layer, especially when used quietly and intuitively,” Shanade says. “Smart lighting systems allow for thoughtful automation, such as lights that dim in the evening or brighten when you arrive home.”
“If you’re away, but want to make it look as if someone is home, the ability to switch lights on and off remotely can be beneficial,” Bhavin adds.
“What matters most is that the technology supports daily life without disrupting the emotional quality of the space,” Shanade says.
However, Bhavin cautions that lighting automation may not be for everyone. “One thing to think of is that this kind of tech will always depend on the technical abilities of the homeowner,” he says.
Find the right professional
If you’re ready to get started on your hallway lighting design, begin by making a list of all the features you’ll need. “Think about what you want to achieve in your hallway – the mood, functionality, style etc,” Bhavin says.
Again, think about the user journey, and be specific with your measurements. “Map out the journey, noting entry points, ceiling heights, and areas that need focus, such as staircases or dark corners. A simple drawing with key zones can be a powerful planning tool,” Shanade says.
Once you have this information, you can get a professional to take it from there. “A professional will be able to offer advice, create the best outcome [for] your needs and budget, and, most importantly, stop you making expensive mistakes,” Bhavin says. “They will be able to [tell you] whether your plan is possible and advise on the associated costs.”
Tell us…
Have you found this professional advice useful? Let us know in the Comments.
If you’re ready to get started on your hallway lighting design, begin by making a list of all the features you’ll need. “Think about what you want to achieve in your hallway – the mood, functionality, style etc,” Bhavin says.
Again, think about the user journey, and be specific with your measurements. “Map out the journey, noting entry points, ceiling heights, and areas that need focus, such as staircases or dark corners. A simple drawing with key zones can be a powerful planning tool,” Shanade says.
Once you have this information, you can get a professional to take it from there. “A professional will be able to offer advice, create the best outcome [for] your needs and budget, and, most importantly, stop you making expensive mistakes,” Bhavin says. “They will be able to [tell you] whether your plan is possible and advise on the associated costs.”
Tell us…
Have you found this professional advice useful? Let us know in the Comments.
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Unlike a room in which you might want to light features or static vignettes, in a hallway the key is movement and flow.
“Hallways are spaces of transition: they connect us from one part of the home to another, quietly setting the tone for what’s to come,” Shanade McAllister-Fisher says. “Lighting here is not just about practicality, it’s about creating an atmosphere that guides, welcomes and soothes. It’s an opportunity to introduce warmth and personality, however small the space may be.”
Toria says planning a lighting scheme is all about designing a continuous flow of light through the space. How do you do that? “Maybe a succession of wall lights or pendants, [or] uplights illuminating the doors through which you want to encourage movement; lighting artwork as you walk through, [or] soft lighting for nighttime navigation,” she says.
Think about the views and obstacles a user might encounter on their journey through the house. “First work out how you want people to walk through the house – normally through the front door into the heart of the house … kitchen/dining/living,” Toria says. “Is there a sightline through the hallway to the garden that will become black at night? [In that case,] considering external lighting through to the back will be vital.
“Also think about nighttime walking,” she says, “and work out which route [someone] would take from the upstairs through to the kitchen.”