The hallway is the first room everyone sees and, in most homes, the last one anyone decorates. It’s where the post lands, the shoes pile up and the bulb has been “a bit dim” for three years. These hallway decorating ideas will help you turn it into a space that actually says welcome home.
We’ll walk through the hallway the way a visitor would, from the doormat to the far wall, with practical ideas for lighting, mirrors, colour and storage. There’s a section just for narrow hallways too, because that’s what most of us are working with.
Start at the front door
First impressions start at your feet. A good doormat inside the front door catches grit and rainwater before it reaches the rest of the house, and it frames the entrance so the hallway feels finished.
Choose a mat that’s as wide as the door opening, or close to it, and make sure it has a non-slip back on hard floors. The Biscpro indoor washable door mat is a 50 x 80cm dirt trapper with a microfibre surface and non-slip backing, and being washable means it won’t look grubby by February.
If you’ve got space, a second, tougher coir mat outside does the heavy scraping, leaving the inside mat to deal with the rest. Our full range of door mats covers both.
Hallway lighting: brighter and warmer
Hallways rarely get much daylight, so hallway lighting does more work here than almost anywhere else in the house. A single bare bulb makes the space feel cold and narrow; a better fitting and a warmer bulb change the mood straight away.
Choose the right ceiling light
Most hallways have standard or low ceilings, and the front door has to swing open underneath, so flush and semi-flush fittings are usually safer bets than long pendants. The Vikaey black crystal semi-flush ceiling light adds a bit of sparkle without hanging low, while the Goeco black LED ceiling light is a slim, modern option that gives plenty of light for a compact space.
If your ceiling is higher, such as in a Victorian terrace, you can afford something with more drop. A multi-arm fitting like the MiniSun three-way brushed chrome light with frosted glass shades spreads light further down a long hallway.
Layer the light
One ceiling light is rarely enough. If there’s room for a console table, a small lamp on top gives a warm pool of light that’s lovely to come home to on a winter evening. Warm white bulbs (around 2700K) feel far more welcoming than cool white in a hallway.
Hang a hallway mirror
A hallway mirror is the hardest-working accessory you can add. It bounces light around a dark space, makes a narrow hallway feel wider, and gives you a last check before you head out of the door.
For a quick check of your whole outfit, a full-length mirror is ideal. The Warmiehomy arched full-length mirror measures 165 x 60cm and can either hang on the wall or lean against it, and the arched top softens a hallway full of straight lines.
Short on wall space? Hang a smaller mirror above a console or radiator cover instead. The AAZZKANG gold framed mirror has a slim aluminium alloy frame that adds warmth without bulk. For something more of a statement, the Furniturebox Yoko window mirror has a black metal frame in an industrial, Japandi style and is large enough to lean or hang.
Position matters as much as style. Hanging a mirror on the long wall of a narrow hallway makes it feel noticeably wider. Placing one opposite or beside a source of light, whether that’s a window, a glazed door or a lamp, doubles its effect.
Narrow hallway ideas that make a real difference
Most UK hallways are long and thin, so the challenge is making them feel wider rather than more crowded. These narrow hallway ideas cost very little and all work in rented homes too.
- Keep the floor as clear as you can. Every pair of shoes left out makes the hallway feel narrower.
- Use wall hooks and a slim shelf instead of a deep console table.
- Lay a runner lengthways to draw the eye down the hallway and add warmth underfoot.
- Paint walls a light, warm colour and go a shade lighter on the ceiling.
- Hang a mirror on the long wall, as above.
- Keep artwork at eye level and in a single line, rather than a busy gallery wall.
Choosing a runner is trickier than it looks, so we’ve written a separate hallway runner guide covering sizes, materials and washable options.
Colour, paint and walls
Paint is where many hallway decorating ideas begin, and for good reason. Hallways take more knocks than any other room: bags, bikes, buggies and wet coats. Use a tough, wipeable paint, and consider a darker colour on the lower half of the wall, below a dado rail or a painted line. It hides scuffs and adds character, while a lighter colour above keeps the space bright.
If you love wallpaper, the hallway is a great place for it. You pass through rather than sit in it, so a bolder pattern won’t feel overwhelming. Wallpaper above a painted lower half is a nice way to try a pattern without committing the whole hallway.
Bring in some greenery
Plants make a hallway feel lived in and cared for. The trouble is that many hallways are dark and draughty, which isn’t ideal for real houseplants, so good artificial plants are a sensible choice here.
A tall plant in a corner, such as the Leaf tropical artificial dracaena in its pot, fills a dead spot by the door. For a console or windowsill, the Leaf set of three mini ceramic planters brings in a bit of green without taking up much space.
Storage that keeps clutter at the door
Most of these hallway ideas only work if the clutter has somewhere to go. Give every person a hook, put a tray or bowl near the door for keys, and keep only the shoes you wear this week in the hallway. Everything else can live upstairs or in the cupboard.
If you’ve got a staircase, the space underneath can hold far more than you’d think. Our guide to under-stairs storage ideas has plenty of ways to make it work.
Here’s a quick summary of where to start, depending on how much time you’ve got.
| Hallway idea | Effort | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| New doormat | Five minutes | Every hallway |
| Warmer bulbs and a lamp | An evening | Dark or north-facing hallways |
| Hallway mirror | An afternoon | Narrow or windowless hallways |
| Hooks and a key tray | An afternoon | Busy family homes |
| Runner rug | Five minutes | Long hallways and hard floors |
| New ceiling light | Half a day (electrician) | Bare bulbs and dated fittings |
| Two-tone paint | A weekend | Hallways that take a lot of knocks |
Our picks for hallway decorating
These are the pieces we’d start with to put these hallway decorating ideas into practice, picked because each one tackles a common hallway problem: dirt at the door, poor light or a narrow space.
- Biscpro indoor washable door mat: a 50 x 80cm dirt trapper with a non-slip back, and it’s washable.
- Warmiehomy arched full-length mirror: 165 x 60cm, and it can hang or lean, so it’s easy to fit around a radiator or switch.
- Vikaey black crystal semi-flush light: a bit of sparkle for a low hallway ceiling.
- Goeco black LED ceiling light: a slim, modern fitting for compact hallways.
- Leaf tropical artificial dracaena: no watering and no light needed, ideal for a dark corner.
Hallway decorating ideas: your questions answered
How can you light a hallway to create a warmer atmosphere?
Swap cool white bulbs for warm white ones, and add a second light source at a lower level, like a table lamp on a console. Layering light from more than one place feels far cosier than a single ceiling fitting.
Which accessories should be used in the hallway?
A good doormat, a mirror, a few hooks and somewhere to drop keys are the essentials. After that, add one or two things you love, such as a plant, a piece of art or a nice lamp.
What colour makes a narrow hallway look bigger?
Light, warm colours such as soft white, pale greige or warm cream reflect the most light. Painting the ceiling a shade lighter than the walls also helps the space feel taller and less boxed in.
Where should a mirror go in a hallway?
On the long wall in a narrow hallway, to make it feel wider, or near the front door so you can check yourself before heading out. Try to position it where it reflects light rather than a blank wall.
How can I make my hallway look good on a budget?
Clear the clutter first, then spend on the things that make the biggest difference: warmer bulbs, a mirror and a fresh coat of paint. A doormat and a runner are low-cost finishing touches.
Make the first impression count
The best hallway decorating ideas are often the simplest, and your hallway doesn’t need to be big to be welcoming. Get the light right, add a mirror, keep the floor clear and finish with a couple of things you love. Browse our full hallway range, or start with our hallway mirrors and hallway ceiling lights.
