The hallway is often an overlooked and dreary area of the home. Yet, it’s a space that should still reflect the style and personality of the rest of your decor choices.
Thankfully, there are a few clever ways to lighten a dark hallway with no natural light. From savvy colour options to optical illusions that will make the corridor feel twice as large, these easy ideas can transform a gloomy passageway into a bright and welcoming entrance.
Mirrors
The hallway is the perfect place to introduce a touch of eye-catching decor. The right pieces can make your corridors feel bright, interesting and fun, distracting from the fact that they are often dark. Adding unique and attention-grabbing decor elements such as a unique console table, an unusual lamp or even an eye-catching wallpaper will transform the mood of your hallways. Opt for light colours that amplify the natural light and complement your overall design scheme.
Mirrors are the most foolproof way to bring light into a hallway, but they must be positioned correctly in order to maximise their potential. A large, full-length mirror positioned against a wall offers maximum light reflection, instantly making the space feel bigger and brighter. However, size isn’t everything, and smaller mirrors positioned in groups can have just as much impact. Using an assortment of different-sized mirrors and positioning them together on the wall creates a visually engaging focal point and also helps to reflect light in more directions.
Another great idea is to hang a mirror directly opposite an existing window or other light source in the hallway. Placing a mirror in this position will amplify the light from your window and disperse it throughout the entire room. Just be careful that the mirror isn’t placed higher than the light source, as this will create a shadowy effect.
In addition to doubling the amount of natural light in your home, mirrors also help to visually open up rooms. Choosing a mirror with a reflective frame that is the same colour as your walls will help to harmonise the space and make it appear larger.
Adding an internal door with glass panels can be another great way to introduce natural light into a hallway without the need for a contractor to bust open a wall. Whether the doors are clear or painted, they will help to flood your hallways with light and will make them feel spacious and airy. For a bolder look, you could even consider installing decorative or patterned glazed doors.
Walls
A hallway is one of the key spaces for creating a first impression in your home, which is why it’s so important to make sure it feels bright, welcoming, and sun-infused. However, this isn’t always easy to achieve when your entryway has no natural light to speak of. Thankfully, there are many ways that you can use your walls to create a light-filled hallway that will be the envy of everyone who steps foot inside your home.
The most obvious way to add more light to a dark hallway is by adding multiple sources of lighting. This includes sconces, which are a perfect solution for adding light to hallways that can be hard to reach, as well as wall lamps that can be placed on a console table or other decorative accent pieces. Having multiple lighting sources in your hallway will ensure that the space is never left in darkness, and it will also help to illuminate your decor for a more inviting look.
Another great option for adding more light to a dark hallway is by installing recessed ceiling lights. This ceiling lighting style offers a subtle, sleek, and sophisticated illumination that can effortlessly elevate your hallway design. Recessed ceiling lights are available in a wide range of styles, so it’s easy to find the ideal fit for any hallway. You can also find dimmable recessed ceiling lights in our collection, which are a great way to control the amount of light that is used in your hallway at any time of day.
If you’re looking for a more dramatic way to lighten your dark hallway, you could try installing rise-and-fall pendant lights. This elegant lighting style is the perfect choice for contemporary hallways, as it will help to bring a stylish and modern vibe to any interior space. Plus, rise and fall pendants are available in a wide range of designs, so you can easily find the right fit for your home décor.
Lastly, you can also add more light to your hallway by introducing bursts of greenery into the space. This is a simple and effective way to brighten up any hallway, as plants and flowers reflect sunlight and can instantly elevate your décor. What’s more, many indoor house plants are incredibly easy to care for and can add a touch of nature to your hallway without taking up too much space.
Floors
A dark hallway with no natural light can feel like a black hole in your home that pulls the mood down. Even if the rest of your living space feels bright and cheerful, it can create a negative impression on visitors who have to walk through that gloomy corridor. However, you can use creative design ideas to turn your windowless hall into a light and welcoming space. Adding bright wallpaper and lighting options, for example, will ensure the area doesn’t just feel unfinished but also shows off your unique personality.
One of the most important aspects of any room to consider when it comes to brightening a dark hallway is the flooring. Choosing a lighter hardwood or even a light tile will make the space feel open and bright from the ground up, especially when compared to heavier carpeting. Light hardwood floors can work with a wide range of interior styles, from Scandinavian-inspired to modern and traditional.
If you don’t want to change the floors in your hallway, painting them white or a similar light shade will instantly create an airy and bright atmosphere. If you do have carpet in the space, a light-coloured or neutral-toned runner along the length of the hallway is another great way to draw attention away from the darkness and add interest to your hallway.
Wall sconces are a real winner for illuminating a dark hallway, as they’re easy to install, take up minimal wall space, and aren’t as intrusive as larger light fixtures. A row of bright and colourful framed art will look amazing in a narrow hallway too, helping to lighten the area and give it some personality.
Adding an interior door with a glass pane can also allow natural light from the adjoining room to flood your hallway with warmth and brightness. Alternatively, you can replace solid doors with frosted or stained glass options that offer the same effect without compromising privacy and security.
Adding an accent wall with a bright colour will help to lighten the space too, and if you’re feeling particularly brave, try a statement wallpaper! If you’re a renter, Peel and Stick wallpaper is an easy and quick way to brighten up a hallway and can be easily removed when it’s time to move.
Lighting
The lighting that is installed in your hallway will play a huge role in how bright or dark it is, and it’s also one of the easiest ways to change its look and feel. A stylish ceiling light can instantly elevate a hallway into a welcoming and bright space, while a simple lamp on a console table can add a cosy finishing touch.
There are a wide range of lighting options that you can use to lighten a dark hallway, with flush mounts and recessed lighting being particularly effective. These lighting styles will help to keep a hallway feeling airy and open, and they won’t take up too much room on the ceiling, allowing you to maximise the amount of light that is visible in the space.
Wall sconces are another hallway-friendly lighting option, as they won’t take up too much space on the wall and can be positioned in multiple places throughout a corridor for maximum impact. Alternatively, picture lights can be used to highlight decorative features such as art and ornaments in a hallway, adding a sense of personality and character to the space.
If you want to include a feature wall in your hallway, then opting for a darker shade will make it appear brighter, as the colour will bounce light around and make it feel more spacious. However, it’s important to remember that a hallway should still feel airy and open, so try not to overwhelm the space with too many dark colours.
An alternative way to introduce more light into your hallway is by adding glass-panelled internal doors to the front door and adjacent rooms. This will allow natural light to flow through the ground floor of your home and naturally brighten the entire hallway.
While you can’t add a window to your hallway (unless you have serious construction skills!), there are plenty of other things you can do to turn your hallway into a bright, inviting space. Opting for a neutral palette and lots of light fabrics will make your hallways feel airy, while bold decor elements such as patterned wallpaper can offer an on-trend aesthetic that will immediately brighten the space.
What is the best color for a hallway without natural light?
A fresh coat of paint can make any entryway feel more welcoming, and it's especially important if you have a dark hallway that needs a boost in brightness. Thankfully, there are plenty of colourful hallway paint options that provide the brightness and personality you need to transform a space.
Bright whites aren't the best option for hallways that lack natural light since they can leave rooms feeling cold and sterile. Instead, opt for soft greys like Sherwin-Williams Pure White or lighter neutral shades like Sherwin-Williams Alabaster OC-32, which offer enough warmth and depth to work well in dim hallways.
If you prefer a little more drama, consider a rich navy blue hue like Sherwin-Williams Blackmoor OB-025. This classic shade will give your hallway a modern boost and add an alluring touch of character to the space.
Warm browns can also work well in hallways, particularly those that connect to rooms with a lot of natural light. Try Sherwin-Williams Edgecomb Grey HC-167 or Sherwin-Williams Sparrow AF-487 to create a rich, inviting entryway.
If you're not ready to commit to a bold shade, try a subtle purple hue like Magnolia Vintage Collection Lavender VM-605 or Sherwin-Williams Muse G385. These cool shades will give your hallway a hint of warmth and complement many styles of decor, from rustic to contemporary.
Should hallway be darker or lighter than living room?
Lighter tones are recommended for hallways, as they can open up a space and make it appear bigger. Lighter hues are also easy to clean, which is especially important in hallways that receive a lot of foot traffic. Lighter shades also allow you to pair the walls with trim in a different shade for added contrast.
If you're looking to create a more dramatic effect, try darker colours like deep jewel tones and rich blues. Pair them with opulent design touches like a luxurious runner and opulent wall sconces for an elegant look. If you're worried about dark colours feeling cold, try adding a touch of warmth to the design with a hint of red or orange.
