Many people do not consider hallways as rooms. They regard them as a “waste of space” and would eliminate them from their floor plan while maintaining practical access to all areas of the house. Other households convert hallways into more functional rooms.

But for other people, hallways are an integral part of their homes. If you are home painting in Alamo, you should not ignore your hallway. You can treat it as if it were another room in your house because it is another room or at least a room-like space. Your hallway should have style, just like the rest of your home. A hallway can be formal, bold, or warm and welcoming.

The first thing to do is look at the size and shape of your hallway. Is it:

• Long and narrow?
• Short and wide?
• Oddly shaped?

You can use paint colors, application methods, and accessories to adjust the apparent size and shape of the space.

Choosing colors for your hallway

Colors create illusions. When you know how you want the hallway to feel, you can choose your colors and apply them to achieve the desired effect.

When it comes to choosing colors, it helps to take into account the adjoining rooms before deciding on a shade.

Light colors: Lighter colors will help “expand” the space. That’s the general rule of thumb. Using a different color on each long wall, you can make a narrow hall appear wider. Use light and neutral options like white, beige, or lighter shades of gray to make the space appear larger. Most hallways are dark and gloomy because they receive little natural light. Playing it safe with neutrals also helps brighten your hallway, especially for those without windows. It also ensures that your hallway coordinates with color schemes in adjacent rooms.

Darker colors: If you prefer to make it feel cozy instead of trying to make it seem more spacious, a darker, warmer color will do this.

A color that can be reused in curtains (if there is a window), frames, or other accessories is a good choice, but don’t be afraid to use color.

White can be a good choice in some situations, but many other possibilities exist. Even if you want light colors, you can use brown, green, pink, blue, or yellow in many different light shades to get the feel you want. The cooler colors encourage trust and cheeriness, while the warmer colors are cozy and welcoming. You can enhance most hallways with a pattern or texture. If the area is wide, try horizontal stripes to lengthen it. If the hallway is narrow, vertical stripes may help it seem taller.

Another way to create the illusion of more (or less) volume in your hallway is to paint architectural details like moldings, trim, door, and window frames. For example, in a closed-in hallway, you can paint all these details in lighter colors to create the effect of height and space. It will also create a seamless look in your hallway. This is good if you plan to fill the walls with photographs or artwork, like making your hallway a mini-gallery. It offers a modern or soothing feel.

More often, people choose a contrasting color. The contrast can be subtle – just a shade or two different – or bold. You can use an opposite color (like plum with yellow) or a complementary color (like hunter green with mint green). It makes most rooms seem warmer and calmer to have darker trim instead of lighter. When available, leaving your trim a natural wood can also be quite pleasant.

Painting the hallway ceiling

Please don’t ignore the ceiling, either, as its color will also affect the feel of the size of the hall.

Here’s a tip for painting your hallway’s ceiling that you’ve probably never thought of before painting it with a darker color. It may sound counterintuitive, but some interior designers recommend this trick, especially for narrow hallways. Painting the ceiling with very dark colors will make your narrow hallway look larger, creating the illusion of the light-colored walls being higher.

Good lighting will also help; track lighting, recessed lighting, or a simple but elegant chandelier will add character, and daylight bulbs will brighten a hallway with no windows.

Should you paint the hallway the same color as your living room – yes or no?

Most hallways are adjacent to other rooms, usually living rooms. If your hallway has a fixed opening to the other rooms, use paint colors to create harmony throughout the area and give the space a visual flow.

There are also rooms off the hallway with doors that can be closed. If your home has such a hallway, you can choose any color you prefer.

Other hallway painting and decor tips

When decorating your hallway, it’s best to start with the basics and treat it like any other room’s decor. You can even make your hallway more functional by considering any of the following painting and decor tips:

1) Create a gallery wall – If your hallway is spacious enough and looks bare, fill the walls with framed family photos or artwork. For a more personal touch, you may want to hang other framed items such as your children’s artwork, collectibles (like cards or stamps), seashells and dried flowers, family heirlooms, or souvenirs from your travels.

2) Incorporate storage – Does your hallway need storage? If it’s by the front door, you can put a small bench (with storage), shelves, and hooks for hats and coats.

3) Fill your hallway with dark colors – “Drenching” your hallway with dark colors may sound illogical because it can make the space look and feel claustrophobic. However, dark colors can have magical effects in your hallway if you go “all-in” with them – meaning covering the entire hallway, from the ceiling down to the floor, with dark colors. The visual effect blends all the walls and corners so you feel like you’re in a deep, endless space. Dark colors can also create a dramatic impact. Be forewarned, though; it’s not for the faint of heart!

4) Add statement lighting – If your ceiling is substantial, go big with statement lighting. This will add much-needed light to your hallway (especially if it has no windows) and bring a focal point to the space.

5) Add a mirror to the end wall — The end wall can have a lovely mirror. It can brighten the area, give it a focal point, and make the hallway seem larger or longer.

6) Add an accent color to the end wall – You can decorate your hallway’s end wall with a large framed artwork or a family photo. Or you may want to place a small end table and put anything on it that you like – a large vase, framed photographs, etc.

7) Create two-tone walls – Using two contrasting colors to divide hallway walls – usually lighter colors for the upper and darker shades for the lower half – can create the illusion of a bigger space.

No matter how you choose to do home painting in Alamo, remember to give the hallway the attention it deserves by treating it the same way you do any other room in your home.