8 Hallway Colours That Aren’t White or Grey

Let these colour-confident schemes inspire you to shift your hallway out of neutral

Kate Burt 14 September 2019

Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and various magazines. I'm now excited to part of the editorial team at Houzz UK & Ireland, bringing the best of British and Irish design, interiors and architecture to Houzz.com.

Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and... More

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According to the Houzz photo search function, white and grey are some of our favourite hallway colours, but they’re not the only hues in town. Take a look at these colourful examples and see if they inspire you to be bold.

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1. Go green
This rich pine-tree green conjures up images of forest walks – what a soothing environment to greet you as you arrive home. Perhaps it’s the reference to nature that helps the green hue evoke feelings of calm (green isn’t used in healthcare settings for nothing).

Here, mixing it with white woodwork gives this entrance a classic finish, perfect for a period property wanting to nod to its historical credentials.

Alternative Flooring

2. Perk up with pink
While ‘cool’ green soothes the senses, ‘warm’ colours, such as pinks, reds and oranges, are said to be energising. Here, the classic clash of pink and red has been employed to give the mid-tone walls even more impact. (By the way, it’s a myth that pink and red shouldn’t be paired up – and here’s the proof.)

Stripped timber floorboards and classic white paintwork keep the effect of combining these vibrant colours elegant rather than quirky.

Find an interior designer or decorator near you on Houzz for professional advice on combining colours

House of Sui Sui Interiors

3. Dabble with dark blue
Hallways are often rather light-starved, and we tend to shy away from dark colours, worrying that these hues will make the space dingier still. However, choose a vibrant deep shade and you could enhance your hall.

Here, the rich blue has a luminous quality and the brightness makes it a colourful wall rather than a dark one. In spaces with little natural light, brights can be better than whites, which can take on a dull, grimy appearance rather than opening up the area.

David Giles Photography

4. Embrace black
Where you really don’t have much hope of lightening up your hall, however, try going really dark. This almost-black scheme celebrates the intimate space a dark hallway can be. Hanging a large mirror will reflect the light you do have available and add a feeling of spaciousness.

7 Moody Colour Alternatives to Black

A New Day - Interior Design Studio

5. Make it sunny-side up
Research by the University of Manchester has put yellow at the top of the happy tree, so for a feel-good homecoming, this cheery colour is worth considering.

Before you look at the beautifully bright space pictured here and despair that you could never recreate the look in your dark hallway, remember your new mantra: gloomy spaces don’t have to be painted in pale colours! Counterintuitive as it may seem, they can really be lifted and warmed by bright hues.

This Colour, There: Where to Use Colour to Enhance Mood

Eclectic Hall 1930s Semi Detached Refurbishment

6. Tie in with teal
Interior designers will often talk of a home having a palette. You may have a house full of different colours, but in a well-designed interior, they will all have a connection to one another.

The colour of your hallway or landing is perhaps one of the trickiest spaces to get right, as there are numerous doors opening into other rooms, meaning the various colours will be viewed together.

A colourful hallway could be the perfect complement to neutral main rooms. Let this gorgeous soft teal and pale grey combination inspire you – the colours complement rather than fight each other.

Of course, the success of any paint colour depends on the light, and in a hallway, that can vary hugely as you move through the space and up to the landing, so it pays to test a variety of shades first.

Maitland & Poate Ltd

7. Take it easy with lilac
A soft lilac is a gentle way to bring colour into your hallway, especially in a velvety matt version like this lime paint.

You can enhance the colour on your hallway walls with similarly colourful furniture. Painting pieces, like this freestanding cupboard, in a complementary colour is an interesting way to build a palette in a space.

The lilac and minty sage green colours here work well together because they’re equal in tone – a little design rule that’s the secret behind many successful colour pairings.

Amanda Neilson Interiors

8. Colour with wallpaper
Paint isn’t the only way to brighten your hall walls – wallpaper can work equally well, especially if you prefer a mix of colours, or can’t settle on a single shade.

Here, a peacock-feather wallpaper combines deep greens and blues. Again, the space is not bathed in sunlight and the use of these rich, jewel-like tones illustrates just how well deep colours can work to cosy up a space.

Your turn
What colour is your hallway – and do any of these homes inspire you to redecorate? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.

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Need more advice on contemporary colour combinations? Don’t miss Colour Makes a Comeback! New Trends From Maison & Objet