Take Your Hallway from Drab to Fab
How can I make a dark, narrow hallway inviting and interesting?
Rose Responds…
Hallways are always challenging because usually there are no strong architectural features to highlight them. Additionally, they can be dark, as most lack windows which provide natural light.
First and most importantly, add molding or upgrade your existing molding. You should look for something that is five inches minimum for crown molding and, even better, you might want to try a two-piece crown molding, with detail. If there are doorways leading to other spaces, make sure there is molding around each of them that is appropriate in scale. This ensures a natural upgrade and will always provide a highly finished look.
If there is a blank wall at the end of the hallway, hang a beautiful mirror that has a lot of character to it. It should be of an unusual shape, have a special hand-painted finish, be shimmering gold or hand-carved. Just remember, anything but plain! It will brighten and reflect the hallway.
Hang lots of artwork. Choose frames that are the same or similar in color and finish. Display a special collection of paintings that are related to each other. For instance, water colors by the same artist, or photos of family travel work well. Make sure the hallway is well-lit. If needed, add more lighting. Low-voltage can lighting is very effective when it is used to wash the walls and highlight the artwork or photographs.
Choose a bold paint color. Use a striping detail (see photograph) or a textural wall finish. Some of the latest wall coverings have beautiful textured finishes and may add a great deal of interest as a background to the artwork.
Take your hallway from drab to fab, dark to delightful! It may just be a hallway, but it connects all the rooms in your home; elevate these important pathways and make them as beautiful as the rest of the house.