15 small hallway ideas
By Ellie Reeves | 13th March 2025 | 7 min read
Suffering from a cramped hallway? Brighten the entrance to your home with these decorating ideas for a small hallway. From lighting tricks to clever design techniques - we'll have your guests saying "wow" the second they step through the door.
1. Brighten a dull hallway with light colours
We all know hallways don't exactly flood with natural light, but that doesn't mean it has to feel like a gloomy cave. One of the quickest ways to brighten things up is to embrace light and airy colours. Think sunshine yellows, crisp whites, or calming sky blues. A fresh coat of paint or some light and bright wallpaper can work wonders.
2. Use a mirror to reflect light and make your hallway appear larger
A foolproof trick for making your small hallway feel larger is the use of mirrors! Strategically place a full length mirror at the end of your hallway to elongate your entrance. Mirrors will bounce light around your space, making everything appear bigger and brighter.
3. Create the illusion of height with vertical stripes
Decorate your hallway with vertical stripes to create the illusion of extra height. You could paint your walls with vertical stripes, embrace a striped wallpaper, or even lay down a long, striped runner rug. There are so many different colours and patterns to choose from. Personalise the look and add some serious style points to your hallway décor.
4. Make use of artificial lighting
No natural light? No problem! Turn that dark and dingy hallway into a welcoming oasis with some clever lighting tricks. Wall lights and pendant ceiling lights are your space-saving heroes. They add light without taking up precious floor space, making them the perfect choice for narrow hallways.
5. Invest in effective multi-functional furniture
In a small hallway that is short on storage space, what you need is an effective all-in-one solution that does it all. We’re talking a hallway unit with hooks, shelves, and shoe storage – that also doubles up as a bench, so you’ve got somewhere to sit and tie up your laces. We’ve got a range of freestanding options to choose from, or you could design your own hallway storage unit using our Atomia modular storage system.
6. Draw the eye upwards by painting or wallpapering the ceiling
Believe it or not, decorating your ceiling is actually a clever trick for making the space appear bigger. A bold, patterned ceiling will draw the eye upwards – making your hallway appear taller and larger than it is. Paint your ceiling in a bold colour, or choose a patterned wallpaper. This is your chance to add a pop of personality and show off your unique style!
7. Add some personality with a gallery wall
Design your own gallery wall that takes up a large portion of one wall. This creates a focal point that draws attention away from the size of the hallway. Choose art with light colours, landscapes, or open scenes to evoke a feeling of spaciousness. Think calming coastal scenes, meadow fields, or cityscapes with clear skies.
8. Attach hooks to the wall
Free up valuable floor space by attaching hooks to the wall instead of using a freestanding coat rack. Not only will this open up more space, but it’s a chance to add more personality to your home. Choose stylish wall hooks and get creative with their placement to create a statement piece. Think sleek chrome hooks for a modern vibe, rustic iron hooks for a touch of industrial charm, or even animal-shaped hooks for a playful addition to your hallway décor.
9. Use wall mounted shelves
Mount shelves on the walls to reclaim precious floor space and create a clutter-free hallway. Shelves offer endless possibilities. Display your favourite books, add some decorative trinkets, or even create a mini gallery wall. Finally, your hallway can breathe again!
10. Install a statement light fixture to draw the eye upwards
Transform your dull hallway into a grand entrance with a statement light fitting, such as a chandelier. Not only will it make your hallway look more luxurious – but it will draw the eye upwards, creating the illusion of a taller and more spacious hallway.
11. Use a long runner rug to visually elongate the hallway
One of the easiest ways to make your short hallway feel longer is with a runner rug. We suggest choosing a runner with light, horizontal stripes. The lights stripes will act like an arrow, leading your eye down the hallway and creating the illusion of extra length. Plus, light colours always help open up a space. So, ditch the dark rugs and embrace a lighter, striped runner.
12. Choose glass or minimalist furniture that isn’t too bulky
Bulky furniture can make your hallway appear smaller than it is. To help make your hallway feel more spacious, choose lightweight furniture. Think sleek console tables with slim legs, narrow benches, and minimalist coat racks. They'll offer all the functionality you need without overwhelming the space. Plus, glass furniture is ideal for a small hallway – the transparency lets light flow through, making your space feel more open.
13. Bring life to the space with some houseplants
Feeling a little "green" with envy over those gorgeous houseplants on Pinterest, but worried your hallway is too small? Your hallway may be short on square footage but doesn't mean it can't be a botanical paradise! To save floor space, pop plants on shelves or hang them from your ceiling. Mix and match different heights and pot sizes for a fun, layered effect.
14. Use the same flooring material throughout the home
Create a seamless flow between the different rooms in your home by using the same flooring material throughout. The uninterrupted flow tricks the eye, making your space feel more open. From porcelain tiles to luxury vinyl click flooring, we’ve got a range of flooring options that are ideal for high traffic areas such as hallways.
15. Maximise natural daylight
If you’re lucky enough to have windows in your hallway – make use of the natural daylight! Avoid using thick curtains or blinds and instead opt for a lighter option, such as sheer voiles. Let the natural light flood into your hallway throughout the day to create a cheerful, light-filled entrance.
