11 Beautiful Hallway Decor Ideas That Don't Waste an Inch
Elevate in-between spaces with these stylish ideas.
When we're designing our homes, we pay so much attention to the major players—the kitchen, the living room, the primary bedroom—that it's easy to forget the smallest spaces can be the most fun to design. One such space? The hallways. Put a little thought into hallway decor ideas, and they can be much more than a simple transition from room to room. In fact, hallways are prime opportunities to add a touch of personality or bespoke details that reinforce your home's overall vibe. They're also spots where you can eke out extra functionality, whether in the form of a hidden wet bar or sneaky WFH zone. Simply put, hallways are full of untapped potential.
To ensure your hallway decor gives it a special presence, think carefully about how you want it to function and feel. The location of said hallway is a major factor here—it might totally dictate the direction you take with the design. The lead-up to a playroom might call for colorful wallpaper and funky art, while the pathway to your primary suite begs for a treatment that's more understated and tranquil.
The good news? Whatever kind of design you're leaning toward, we have inspiration to help you achieve it. Below, we've rounded up 11 hallway decor ideas that will help you upgrade your in-between space from forgotten square footage to a true moment. Your hallways work hard for you—they deserve a little TLC, don't you think?
Continue a Color
When transitioning from one room to the next, it's nice to have a bit of continuity to carry the eye through. In this space, designer Elizabeth Cooper relied on lacquered blue doors and complementary wallpaper to build visual anticipation for the other blue room at the end of the hallway.
Create a Work Zone
If your hallway is big enough, it can be a bonus room that functions in whatever way you see fit. Here, designer Corey Damen Jenkins transformed a landing into a petite place to work, take calls, or indulge in a few chapters.
Experiment With Color
Any small space in your home (a laundry room, powder room, or mud room) is a great place to have a bit more fun with your design. This space by designer Joy Williams takes this playful ethos to heart, incorporating fabulous wallpaper, decorative molding, one-of-a-kind artwork, and two very bold paint hues.
Add a Pit Stop
You'd be surprised at just how useful a hallway bench can be. From pulling on your shoes to writing a quick e-mail, a comfy perch—like this inviting scene by designer Maggie Cruz—will go a long way toward making your hallway more functional for you.
Mix Up the Flooring
Just because your hallway is bookended by hardwood floors on both sides doesn't mean you have to stick with it in between. Instead, use the expanse as an opportunity to experiment with a playful pattern, new material, or unique installation. Here, designer Annie Anderson brought glamour to a gallery hallway with a one-of-a-kind combination of reclaimed hardwood and Jerusalem limestone tiles.
Hang a Gallery Wall
Hallways are a common place to display family pictures, but this isn't your average application. Instead of a few shots here and there, designer Lathem Gordon blanketed the walls from floor to ceiling in family snapshots. To achieve a similar look, print all your photos in black-and-white and use vintage frames in complementary finishes, like the gold-tinged ones seen here.
Build in a Bar
Your new favorite watering hole might be…in your hallway? This genius idea designed by Dressing Room Interiors Studio founder Ariene Bethea for our 2022 Whole Home makes entertaining a breeze, thanks to a hidden wet bar tucked in a passageway. Outfitted with just enough storage, open shelves, and a counter perfect for muddling and mixing, it's an ideal spot to belly up to once you clock out for the evening.
Show Off Antiques
If you have a few precious antiques in need of a home, try them out in a hallway. Not only will they be beautiful accents in the space, but they'll likely experience less touching and manhandling there than they would in a living room or dining room. Here, Jayson Home's Devin Kirk shows off a vintage chair and side table in the hallway of his Chicago apartment.
Hang Playful Wallpaper
Caution, fun ahead! This cheeky hallway by Courtney McLeod of Right Meets Left Interior Design lets you know exactly where you're headed (to a pair of kids' rooms) with scratch-and-sniff banana print wallpaper. While you don't have to go this funky, you can use your hallway as a place to experiment with a print you wouldn't usually spec for a larger space.
Install a Custom Runner
Just like other rooms in your home, your hallway can benefit from a bit of softness underfoot. Think of a custom hallway runner like a (very chic) Yellow Brick Road, leading you from one part of your home to the next. In our 2022 Whole Home, designers Mark Williams and Niki Papadopoulos chose a plaid wool carpet to line the hallway connecting the owners' sitting room, bedroom, closets, and bathroom.
Decorate the "Fifth Wall"
For a dreamy upgrade to your hallway, don't be afraid to look up. The ceiling in your space (also commonly referred to as "the fifth wall") can be an unexpected and high-impact place to bring a designer touch. In this Upper East Side apartment, designer Garrow Kedigian commissioned a custom ceiling treatment that's a replica of the astrological map seen in New York City's Grand Central Terminal, complete with illuminated LED stars.
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