-45%   SALE

Dark hallways. How to brighten up such interiors and make them more appealing?

Hallways and corridors are thoroughfares that provide access to other interiors. They are not places where you usually hang out, so many people tend to forget about them. However, hallway décor matters more than you may think. It’s the first space you see when you enter your home, so it should give you a taste of the beautiful décor in the other rooms. If it doesn’t look very appealing, it may be time to do something about it.

How to brighten up a dark corridor? There are a few options here and depending on your tastes, you can achieve different results. In some cases, one simple decorative trick is enough to completely change the feel of a space. In others, you need to combine a few ideas to make the transformation appealing. Here are our ideas to brighten up a dark hallway!

Dark leaves wall mural
Floral motifs are a great way to fill an interior with unique character, while also making it brighter – myloview.com

Best ideas on how to improve the look of a dark hallway

How big of an issue is a dark hallway? The solutions we’ve collected in this article demonstrate that there are many ways to quickly and effectively deal with this challenge. Thanks to the wide choice of available decorations, you won’t have to search far to find something suitable for your specific interior. It’s important to mention that a dreary, poorly lit hallway can have a very negative effect on one’s wellbeing.

Luckily, we have some simple solutions that will completely transform the look of this space. We assure you that decorating a dark hallway is a worthwhile endeavour. The example décors we’ve prepared speak for themselves – this effect is worth the investment of time and money!

We also recommend: Decorating a staircase wall – 5 ideas that you need to try out!

Dark hallway ideas and available solutions

Light paint, mirrors or a wallpaper – what’s the best way to brighten up a dark hallway? Perhaps there are other solutions as well… Here are our four ideas for a spectacular interior metamorphosis.

Light hallway accessories
To brighten up a hallway that doesn’t get much sunlight, go for decorations in light, natural colours

Lighting is key

What’s the simplest way to brighten up a dark hallway? Well, you can literally make it brighter by ensuring it has several light sources. In addition to installing powerful light bulbs, you should also see to it that the space is evenly lit. A single lamp on the ceiling may not be enough, which is why we prepared three different lighting options that can be used in conjunction with each other.

  • Let’s begin with a set of flush mount lights. In contrast to chandeliers and pendant lights, these fixtures adhere to the ceiling, which makes them perfect for smaller interiors. Even the tallest members of your family won’t have to worry about hitting the lights when putting on a jacket.

  • Another interesting solution that admittedly requires a bit more work is installing a false ceiling with recessed LED lights. Place them strategically around the hallway and make sure they are equally spaced apart. We guarantee that you’ll see the interior in a new light.

  • The third and final source of light can be introduced in the form of wall sconces. It’s a great choice if you only have a single ceiling lamp in the hallway and you don’t want to install flush mounts or a false ceiling. We recommend lamps that closely adhere to the wall, similar to flush mounts.

Mirror is a clever solution

If you don’t have a mirror in your hallway, it may be a good idea to buy it, even if you already have a large one in your bedroom or wardrobe. The mirror will reflect light and help you brighten up the hallway. Installing a large mirror on a wall is one of the most common decorative solutions in badly lit spaces. You can either go for an egg-shaped mirror over the chest of drawers or a full-length one on an empty wall.

If you have enough space in the hallway and you need more storage, a sliding wardrobe with a mirror will have the same effect. It’s definitely one of the simplest and fastest ways to transform the look of a hallway and brighten it up.

Light colours are the key to success

There are a few ways to introduce light colours into your hallway décor. Naturally, you can simply go for light furniture. However, if you already have a set of furniture that you don’t want to replace, focus on the walls instead. If they’re painted in a dark colour, it’s high time to change that. You don’t have to go straight for snow white, though. One of the latest fashion trends of the year is the total beige look – the warm cream shades are perfect for brightening up interiors.

You also can’t go wrong with pastel colours. If you want to make your hallway interesting and unique, we recommend sky blue, sage green or even powder pink.

And if you don’t feel like painting walls, a good alternative will be a wallpaper for a dark hallway. A beautiful pattern on light background will brighten up the space and capture the attention of anyone who comes to visit. As far as designs are concerned, floral motifs are a tried and tested choice that looks amazing regardless of the current trends.

Spring flowers wall mural
A light wall mural with a floral motif can easily brighten up a dark hallway. Combined with the right type of lighting, it will result in truly stunning décor – myloview.com

A new take on the dado

Many people associate dado with old-fashion school décor, where the lower half of walls was painted with oil paint. However, the modern takes on dado have a much different feel and provide a perfect solution for decorating dark hallways. Painting the walls in two colours will make your interior more dynamic. Instead of oil-based paint, we recommend using the kind that’s resistant to staining and abrasion.

Alternatively, you can also use paint with metallic sheen or sparkling glitter. Your wall will then become partially reflective and brighten up the entire hallway. Stores often sell glitter separately, so you can mix it with paint in any colour. This solution gives you a lot of decorative freedom.

Dark hallway – ideas for brightening up interiors

So far we’ve presented a handful of interesting ideas for brightening up dark hallways. But how to combine them in order to conjure up a truly stunning décor? We’ve prepared two hallways for you to get inspired. Check them out!

  • Marble charm

We’ve mentioned before that a wallpaper can help with brightening up dark spaces. In this case, instead of a floral pattern, we will use a faux marble design. Marble is one of the most beautiful, elegant and timeless materials. Use it to decorate your walls and you can be sure that the décor never goes out of fashion. The light colour scheme will help you brighten up the corridor and the characteristic veins will ensure that the wall doesn’t look plain or boring.

Light marble wall mural
A wall mural with a marble design will brighten up a dark hallway and make it more stylish and elegant - myloview.com

The high-quality wallpaper looks absolutely gorgeous. It’s also very eye-catching, so you’ll quickly forget about any minor flaws in your dark hallway. As far as lighting is concerned, marble designs go well with flush mount lights as well as recessed LEDs in a false ceiling.

  • Absolute minimalism

Scandinavian minimalism serves as the perfect weapon to counter the dreariness of a dark hallway. How to brighten up spaces using decorations inspired by this aesthetic? Go for a light colour scheme. A combination of white and grey will be a safe choice. One interesting option is painting walls grey and introducing lighter colours on floors and ceilings. This can be a great opportunity to repaint your floor if the natural wooden colour doesn’t look as great as it used to when it was new. A new coat of paint can really change a lot.

White and grey as the colour scheme in hallway décor
Whites and greys, the staple colours of the Scandinavian style, provide an easy solution for dealing with dark hallways that could use a bit more charm and style

Complete the hallway décor with white furniture and a mirror in a simple frame on one of the walls. Combining all of these strategies will ensure that even a corridor with a single light source will become much brighter. Since we’re dealing with minimalism, avoid cluttering the space with knick-knacks and unnecessary wall decorations. The Scandinavian style is the perfect choice for small, dark interiors.

You may also like: Decorations for shelves and more – how to quickly achieve stunning decorative effects?

Dark hallway ideas – They really make a difference

Light interiors have a positive impact on our well-being, as opposite to dark, badly-lit ones. A well-decorated hallway can become a beautiful invitation to the rest of your home. We’ve collected a handful of decorative tricks and tips which you can use to make your hallway more welcoming and appealing.

If you’re looking for a perfect light wallpaper to decorate your hallway, make sure to visit our store – we guarantee you’ll find everything you need there!


Our online store uses cookies and related technologies. We use cookies to ensure the highest quality of our services and smoother loading of web pages. With your consent, cookies will be also used to create analytics and track your activity on the website. This will allow us to customise the website according to your preferences and present you with personalised content and advertisements.
The administrator of your personal data is Fairbox Sp. z o. o. and, in some cases, its business partners. Detailed information on the use of cookies and processing of your personal data can be found in our Privacy Policy and Cookies sections.
Cookie files settings
Below you will find descriptions of individual categories of cookies and the possibility of customizing them to your preferences:
Essential cookies
These cookies are used to ensure proper functioning of the website. They allow you to browse our store without interruptions and assure the safety of transactions.
Functionality cookies
These cookies remember the choices you make while using the website to enhance your experience and customise the website according to your preferences.
Analytical cookies
Analytical cookies record the number of visits to our website and collect information about traffic. They help us understand how visitors interact with the website, improve the website’s performance and adjust the offer of our store to better meet our Customers’ expectations.
Marketing cookies
Marketing cookies allow us and our partner to show you personalised advertisements that correspond to your interests. They are also used to display advertisements on other websites.