The One Space in Your Home You're Forgetting to Make Colorful

If the past few years have shown us anything in interior design, it’s that color is back in a big way. From bold and vibrant hues to more earthy and subdued shades, homeowners everywhere are swapping out their gray and white color palettes for something a bit more cheery using paint, decor, and accessories. However, interior designers agree there’s one space in the home that is often overlooked when it comes to color: the hallway. 

As a transitional space in the home, hallways are almost always forgotten when it comes to embellishment, says Stephen Robinson, founder of Only Oak Furniture. People tend to assume that guests won’t pay attention to the hallway, and it’s easy to prioritize the larger spaces in your home first such as the kitchen, living room, and dining rooms.

"Adding color and warmth to a transition room is the perfect way to instill a feeling of homeliness as soon as you enter the door,” Robinson says.

Whether your hallway is long and narrow, small and blocky, or winding and oddly shaped, you don’t need to settle for a bland and colorless space. Here are a few expert-recommended ways to infuse color into your hallway.

Paint the Walls

Sometimes painting can feel intimidating, but when it’s a relatively small space such as a hallway the job is pretty quick and easy. If you’re not up for repainting all of the walls, doing an accent wall, half wall, or even a mural can be a great way to add a pop of color in just a couple of hours. 

"Painting one wall, usually the one at the end of the hallway, in a bold color can draw the eye and create depth, making the space appear larger and more inviting,” says Roman Smolevskiy, general contractor and owner of A+ Construction & Remodeling in Sacramento, California.

When choosing a new color for your hallway, consider the color schemes of the surrounding rooms so you can be sure the spaces complement one another.

Paint the Ceiling or Trim

If you’re looking for something a bit more unique, consider painting the ceiling or trim in your hallway. You can go for a monochromatic look and paint them the same color as your walls, or opt for something bolder and go high contrast. This is a great way to carry colors from other areas of the home throughout the space without color-drenching.  

Add Wallpaper

Just like color, wallpaper is currently enjoying the comeback of the century. Gone are the days when a wallpaper project was time-consuming and messy—today wallpaper is available in convenient peel-and-stick options that aren’t just easy, they’re also low-commitment.

Grab some wallpaper in a fun and funky pattern and turn your hallway into a cheery oasis of color. If you’re feeling hesitant to wallpaper the whole space, go for an accent wall (or even the ceiling) to create a dramatic focal point.

Bring in Rugs and Runners

Adding an area rug is always a good idea. Not only is it a great opportunity to add some color, but it brings texture and warmth to a room as well. The hallway is no exception. Even if you have a narrow hallway you can dress up the flooring with a runner to introduce a new color palette to the space—no renovation required. 

Hang a Mirror

Mirrors are great for making a space feel brighter and bigger (something that most hallways can benefit from), but they can also present an opportunity to infuse some color and personality into a room. Look for mirrors with colorful or patterned frames to make a real impact. If you want something a bit more unique, tinted mirrors are a great way to incorporate color in a fun and unexpected way.

Add Artwork and Accessories

Regardless of the size of your hallway, you can always add some artwork and decor. Think paintings, prints, shelves, framed photos, or even a colorful lamp.

“Adding artwork, wall decor, and other embellishments can be a fantastic way to keep a color scheme going throughout the home—even if you haven’t been able to change the color of your walls or ceiling,” Robinson says.

You can stick to one or two pieces of decor, or go all-out with a gallery wall. The options are truly endless.

Decorate With Plants

Plants are a great way to literally breathe some life into any indoor living area. They not only add color with their foliage and flowers, but they also bring texture and warmth to a space as well. Plus, you can place them in pots, baskets, and hanging planters that match your existing decor. 

Growing houseplants in hallways can be tricky because most hallways are low on natural light, but that doesn’t mean you need to give up on the idea altogether. Simply opt for plants that do well in low-light conditions (such as cast iron plants, snake plants, ZZ plants, and more) or install a stylish grow light to support bright-light plants.

Add Colorful Furniture

If you have space in your hallway, furniture is a great opportunity to add a pop of color. Opt for small pieces like ottomans, console tables, bookshelves, and more. Adding furniture to a hallway can also make the space feel more functional and usable rather than just a forgotten corridor between living areas. Consider pieces with storage to make the most out of your space.