Hallways get heavy foot traffic in any home. Is yours looking sad and neglected? If so, here are 7 delightfully easy hallway decor ideas to help you personalize it and create a space you'll love.
Is a hallway a separate room of the house? Not exactly. Does it deserve the same attention as any other space when you decorate? Absolutely! Hallway decor is key to making your entire house feel like home.
Too often, people overlook hallways when they decorate. I've seen plenty of hallways that look like blank slates, just waiting – no, begging – to be decorated. I get it! In my old house, I decorated practically the entire rest of the place before I ever thought about the hallway.
Does your hallway need some attention? When you see a nicely decorated hallway, you might think of it as "one of those Pinterest homes." But there's no reason you can't have that same gorgeous look in your own space!
My Hallway Mini Transformation
I used to think hallways were wasted space. But I've changed my mind, and I really love our long hallway that connects our living room, kitchen, entryway and our primary bedroom. It's grand, with tall ceilings, a chair rail and bold crown molding.
I've known for a while that I wanted to add some fun details to give it personality, especially at the end of the hallway where it turns the corner into our primary bedroom.
I've been hunting for the perfect piece of art. But the one canvas I fell in love with was a little over my budget, and I couldn't bring myself to spend that much while I'm trying to buy things for my kitchen makeover.
So I set out to make something myself. I considered painting some new abstract art and framing it with a DIY frame. Or I thought about making something like my framed beach art, which I made from a blank canvas, one of my printed photos and some scrap wood. That last idea got my wheels spinning, and I decided to find a photo I'd taken to fill that space.
Since the end of the hallway turns into our bedroom, I thought it would be fun to pick a photo that meant something to us as a couple. Then I remembered a photo I took of the fountain in Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia, last year during our 10-year anniversary trip.
It was perfect! So I found a company that would frame it beautifully. I was willing to spend a little money because it wasn't going to cost even half of what the art I wanted would have cost. So, I was saving money (naturally).
And this is how it looks now!
Let's take a closer look! It's hard to get a good shot with the glare off the glass, but it looks so good in real life!
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I added a faux fiddle leaf fig I've had for years, and voilà! The hallway now has personality and a special memory to boot!
I still have more plans to spruce up the hallway, but for now we're so happy with this little update.
A note about the frame. I used Framebridge to print the photo, mat it and frame it. It was such a simple process: you just upload your photo to their site, select the frame and mat options, and order! It's my first time using Framebridge (not sponsored), but it won't be my last!
The framed photo arrived quickly, and it's beautiful, with a full backing and a wire hanger on the back, ready to hang. I chose the Bowery frame, which is a champagne silver frame that pairs well with brass or silver fixtures. I love it!
7 Easy Hallway Ideas
Your hallway may be dead space on your home's floor plan, but it can be anything but dead space in your life. I know from personal experience how much simply decorating a hallway can change the look and feel of a home.
That's why I'm sharing 7 easier-than-you-may-think hallway decor ideas to help you turn an overlooked hallway into a space that feels warm and inviting.
1. Hallway Rug
When you have a long, narrow transitional space, use a hallway rug to add definition and warmth. It's a key way to tie the hallway in with the decor for the rest of your home.
Narrow hallways can feel tough to tackle, but they can actually be pretty simple. A hallway rug, like this cozy example from Park & Oak, completely transforms and warms a long, narrow corridor.
Click or tap the images below to shop these gorgeous runners!
2. Hallway Wall Decor: The Photo Wall
A hallway is a blank canvas just waiting to be painted, so to speak. Create a gallery of personal photos or artwork to add a beautiful, personal touch.
You can keep it simple with coordinating frames, as I did in my hallway in our last house. Or you can create a full gallery wall, like this wonderful example from Style At Home. I love the effect that hanging personal photos has on a space.
3. Add Light
You can easily add some light to a dark hallway with a lamp or some wall sconces. Adding just a little light can make the hallway feel like part of the rest of your home, rather than a cold, dark extension no one wants to walk through.
Whether you put a lamp at the end of the hallway, hang wall sconces or rely on overhead lighting, create a warm space with light. This example from Studio McGee is a beautiful look at how wall sconces brighten up a narrow space.
Let's be honest – the beautiful windows and natural light don't hurt either!
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Another great way to layer in texture and interest in a hallway is to swap out can lights for pendant lighting. It takes your hallway design up ten notches!
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4. Framed Mirror
Hanging a framed mirror in an otherwise dull hallway creates the illusion of extra space. Mirrors also bounce light from windows or light fixtures, which brightens the area and makes it feel larger at the same time. This is one of those hallway decor ideas that works especially well in small, narrow transitional areas.
I hung this large round mirror in the hallway area that begins in our kitchen. It's a lovely way to add visual interest and reflection to an otherwise bare, empty space. And at Christmas, we string the Christmas cards we receive across it!
5. Narrow Table
A console table adds depth and detail to a hallway by giving you a place to display photos, trinkets and other meaningful mementos, plus lamps and more. With hundreds of options and designs available, choosing a hallway table can be a daunting (but totally fun) task.
In this example from The DIY Mommy, the hallway console doubles as chic shoe storage thanks to its cabinets with doors.
6. Light Colors
Hallways often lack natural light, so brighten them up with light, neutral paint colors or light reflective wallpaper. This makes any space brighter without extra lighting. Bonus: it works well in small hallways to make them feel bigger too!
Related: How to Choose the Best White Paint Color
7. Add Personality
Hallways are often small, drab areas that feel cold and boring. Add personality to a small space with patterned wallpaper. You can use it to add color, keep the hallway light and bright, or add some fun texture.
I love this example from Lily Pad Cottage. The wallpaper is bright, fun and could work in almost any hallway.
Sincerely Sara D. not only added wallpaper and some pretty new lights to her hallway, but she also added a chair rail and panel molding. Talk about an upgrade!
Final Thoughts
I hope these hallway decor ideas have helped you picture what your own hallway could look like with a little time and love.
Use these hallway ideas to personalize your space and create a place you love to walk through several times a day.
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