Cindy and I continue to receive lots of questions from our readers asking for help with their decorating dilemmas. We’re thrilled to be able to offer some advice and maybe provide some direction. If you have a problem area in your home, feel free to drop us a line at solutions@yourdecoratinghotline . If you have a room that you’re struggling with, you may want to consider using our complete and very personalized consultation (read more here). For today, a reader has written with a dilemma shared by many people – what to do with a long, boring hallway….
How to Decorate a Hallway
Cheryl writes: “Hi – I’m in the process of redecorating my hallway. My house is about 25 years old and it needs an update. I currently have medium beige carpet with four doorways to bedrooms. The hall is about 25 feet long. I currently have chair rail that separates all the way down. Should I paint it a light color and then a lighter color and then a mid to darker color at the end? And what about a mirror at the very end or should I use artwork? Can’t wait to hear your suggestions!” -Cheryl
Cheryl, it sounds like your hallway connects to most major parts of the house with all that length and doorways. When choosing a color, make sure it’s cohesive with all those rooms, so it may need to be neutral so it doesn’t fight with other room wall colors. If all the other rooms are neutral, you can use a bolder color in the hall for some interest.
The red is too dominant and feels top heavy. Photo via JustMoulding.com
A darker color on the bottom is more pleasing; photo via TJB Homes.com
Generally, the bottom part of the chair rail is a mid to dark color and above the chair rail is lighter. It’s visually more pleasing and balanced because it will feel top heavy if you put the darker color above the rail. As for what to put at the end of the hall, it depends on your needs. If no natural light reaches the hallway and it’s dim, a mirror would be a good solution to reflect and add light to the hall. Make it a substantial mirror, almost filling the width of the space. Art would add color and movement to the hall. If there’s room, add a narrow table or small bookcase under the art/mirror to anchor it and create more of a destination.
Light wall colors and art at the end of the hall draws attention; photo via Carpet the World.org
Hallways are also great places to add pattern to the wall, either painted, stenciled, or with wallpaper. Since you have the chair rail, put the pattern above it, saving time and money instead of doing the whole wall. Here’s a couple of articles I wrote a while ago dealing with hallway design: Hall Decorating Ideas and Hallway Challenges.
Wainscoting topped by wallpaper. This could also just be painted a dark color under a chair rail. Photo via LilacSilhouette.blogspot.com
Your Hallway Decor Tricks
How do you decorate a hallway? Do you ignore it as only a necessary evil (getting from one room to another) or do you spice it up? Share your ideas with Cheryl so she has lots of info to help her decide.
Remember the Giveaway
We’re giving away three wonderful gifts on June 15. All you have to do to be eligible to win is leave us a comment on a post between now and the 15th. Every day that you leave a comment, your name will be entered – 1 comment, 1 entry; 6 comments, 6 entries! You might win a gorgeous accent pillow from Desmond Brown Design or some handy chalkboard stick-on tags from Bradens Grace Wall Art or maybe our 100 page color e-book How to Successfully Use Color in Home Decorating. Be sure and leave a comment today!
Chalkboard labels from Bradens Grace Wall Art ETSY shop
Pillow from Desmond Brown ETSY shop
Tote from Desmond Brown ETSY shop
What would you like to win?
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Interesting, I wouldn’t have thought about the idea that the hall, connecting to so many different rooms as it does, should not want to “fight” with any of them. Makes sense. Our hallway/staircase on all 3 floors is a bright yellow, and now I’m wondering if it’s not clashing with the rest of the house!
I love your website and help! We have a very long hall. Thanks for the tips!
Where did the table in the Lilac Silhouette come from?
I’m sorry, I have no idea about that table. You might check the blog Lilac Silhouette and see if there is any further information in the photo credit there.
Missed a few days of reading because I was busy, but fun to catch up today and be reminded of your giveaway.
That butterfly pillow just gives me a buzz! You know, the more I read about wallpaper the more I like it….again. A hallway would be a great place to “play with paper.” franki
That Grecian vase in the blue hallway is gorgeous!!!
Hall ways are so small usually that one can spend a little more on really good wallpaper or excellent accessories! My hallways are bare right now! Can’t wait to tackle them!
Nice thoughts, thanks for sharing Terrie!