Long Hallway No Natural Light Decorating Ideas

The place for arrivals and departures, hallways are one of the most high traffic areas in the home. But is your hallway more dull and dark than light and airy? It's easier than you think to transform your hallway into a welcoming haven packed with purpose.

For a great welcoming look, move away from dark furniture and poorly-lit lighting. Instead, bring your home entrance area to life with large mirrors, a pop of colour and smart storage.

It may feel like a long, often awkwardly-shaped corridor at times, but the hallway should still be treated as if it were a room. We speak to the experts to find out just how to brighten up a hallway, whatever the size.

1. Opt for bright lighting

Lighting is perhaps one of the easiest ways to brighten up your hallway, and there are plenty of options for this, too. Wall sconces are winners with narrow hallways, while ceiling spotlights also cleverly keeps the area looking tidy. Avoid heavy, low-hanging lights for a space as compact as this.

'The perfect lighting scheme can make all the difference when creating a welcoming atmosphere as you enter your home,' Chris Jordan, Managing Director at Christopher Wray tells House Beautiful UK.

'Choose a wall mounted uplighter to cast a soft diffused light against the wall and ceiling. These are most effective when used in conjunction with a dimmer switch. If you have the space, add a floor lamp to brighten up dark corners and create a warm glow within your hallway.'

For more inspiration and to get the full look, head to Gardentrading.com

Garden Trading

2. Choosing your paint colours

Fresh shades of white, cream or soft pastels can easily refresh your hallway. If you are able to redecorate, giving a fresh lick of paint to your space will elevate your home almost immediately.

If you want to make a bold statement, opt for a pop of colour. Giving your hallway character with colour is a smart way to brighten up the welcoming area. 'Colour is a wonderful way to brighten up and to add dimension to a hallway. A vibrant shade of sage green or ochre – which has become incredibly popular recently – will breathe life into a hallway. You can never go wrong painting the space in a very simple bright white, too,' interior designer Joanna Wood tells us.

And if you're really feeling brave, why not embrace the trend of flower-strewn panels? These bold blooms might seem bright for a hallway, but you will be sure to create a scene-stealing entrance.

For more inspiration and to get the full look, head to Dunelm

Dunelm

If you're looking to completely redecorate your hallway space, start with the flooring. Whether you opt for hallway tiles, a soft carpet or marble stone, this will dramatically enhance your entrance area.

Remember: it's also a place where everybody walks through to enter your home first, so ensure flooring is weather-resistant.

'A door with clear or translucent glass is a fantastic way of flooding a hallway with light, and therefore making it seem larger and lighter,' Joanna explains.

'The choice of flooring for the hallway will also have a bearing on how light the space feels. Opting for a lighter scheme with large tiles or wooden planks will create the illusion of more space as well as visual impact.'

For more information and to get the full look, head to Kersaint Cobb

Kersaint Cobb

4. Adding standout features

While a hallway may feel like one of the smallest spaces in the home, it doesn't mean you can't experiment with the standout features you love.

Judy Smith, Crown Colour Consultant, recommends tapping into bold metallic tones: 'Try using a metallic paint as a paint effect over a matt emulsion to add shine and reflection and bring a space to life.'

Elsewhere, mirrors and glossed console tables are excellent accessories worth investing in. 'You could buy lots of different shapes and sizes of mirrors, both old and new, then paint the frames the same colour as the wall and group together,' adds Judy.

For more information and to get the full look, head to Norsu Home

LISA COHEN PHOTOGRAPHY/norsuHOME

5. Paint radiators and woodwork the same colour

When painting, don't forget your radiators and woodwork. It's easy to forget these, but by giving them a fresh lick of paint, your hallway will feel new again.

'Don't just think about the walls – putting a new coat of paint on woodwork including stair risers and spindles really helps to freshen and brighten a hallway,' Judy from Crown Paints explains.

'Tones of white will obviously be a suitable colour for a bright hallway and can look super stylish – especially if you think about painting woodwork something like a pale grey to give definition.'

For more information and to shop the full look, head to Mind The Gap

Mind The Gap

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