15 Inspiring hallway colour and paint ideas to elevate your home design

1. Create a Striking Accent Wall with Paint for Hallways

When thinking of hallway paint colour ideas, it might feel overwhelming to paint the entire area a bright colour. To inject vibrancy into the space, consider incorporating a feature wall with paint as part of your hallway design. This striking accent wall can be used to hang decorative wall décor and art, creating a focal point to the otherwise neutral space. You could paint a sunken alcove or corner or the wall at the end of the passageway.

Design tip: While accent walls usually feature a bold or vibrant colour, you can also create one with pastels or softer shades. The idea here is to introduce pockets of colour to the space to uplift the neutral background. Check out our feature on pastels colours that can uplift any space in the home. 

2. A Hall Wall Paint Design that Basks in Neutrals

Sometimes the best colours for hallways are muted or neutral shades, especially if it is a small area or a dimly lit one. A neutral colour palette creates a clam or relaxed feel to the space. Shades of cool or warm toned greys, beige and whites with different undertones are a great starting point but you don’t only have to stick to these.

Design tip: Keep in mind that there are cool and warm toned neutrals as well as those with different colour undertones. For example, beige can have undertones of pink, grey, tan or even yellow. Check out our list of 10 versatile neutral paint colours for Indian homes.

3. Pick a Pale or Blush Pink for Wall Paint for Hallways

An unexpectedly versatile colour for hall walls is pink. Pale pink or a delicate blush can lend a dreamy vintage vibe to your hallways or when complemented by metallic accents and marble can add a touch of glamour to the space. Other shades like salmon or dusty pink pair beautifully with modern, streamlined black accessories and geometric accents. You can also complement a brick wall with shades of pink to create a softer version of industrial chic.

Design tip: If you are looking for small hallway wall paint ideas and find an all-white palette a little drab, break the monotony with a half-and-half palette of white on top and dusty pink on the bottom to the create a soft contrast without overpowering the small space.

4. Add Colours for Hallways by Painting the Door

If you are not big on painting the entire hallway a bold or dark colour, we suggest trying it out on the front door. By keeping the rest of the colours for hall walls a neutral palette, the door then becomes the focal point. Here, you can get creative by painting the door to bring in a pop of colour and infuse visual interest to the space.

Design tip: You could add another layer to the visual by painting the door frame in a darker shade of the door or even another complementary shade. Or use paint to frame the entire opening or door. For example, you could paint an arch above the door or use several shades to create a three-dimensional panelling effect above and along the sides of the opening.

5. For Cheery Hallway Paint Ideas, Try Warm Yellow or Soft Lemon

Shades of yellow are said to help release serotonin in the brain. The chemical is essential to put one in a good mood and for feelings of happiness. It can also give your brain a wake-up call and enhance concentration. Shades of yellow can be the perfect wall paint for hallways that small or don’t get enough natural light. If bright yellow feels too jarring, consider a softer lemon yellow to infuse the space with a happy vibe.

Design tip: While the colour has beneficial effects on the brain, too much of it or too bright a yellow can also cause visual fatigue. The key is to choose the right shade that is mellow of the eyes but adds a cheery vibe or try to break the yellow up with white or grey. 

6. Carefully Pick your Hallway Colour Ideas to Create a Harmonious Colour Scheme

Hallways connect different zones in your home and usually there is a clear view into the next zone or room. Use your hall wall colour design to create a seamless visual that travels from one space to the other without being jarring. One way to create harmony in the colour scheme is to pick similar colours that help you eye travel from one room to the next. You could also pick a base or complementary colour that works well with the colour schemes of the other rooms.

Design tip: A great way to visually link spaces that are connected by hallways is through the flooring as seen in this image or even using the hallway ceiling as your colour canvas. Different shades of blue have also been used in various areas to create a visual connect.

7. Paint Hall Colour in a Single Palette

A great way to enhance small hallways is too create a single colour palette. By creating a monochromatic scheme of hallway paint colors where the wall, flooring, ceiling and entrances all blend together can work well to open up a space and can create quite a dramatic look.

8. Be Brave When it Comes to Hall Wall Painting Colours

Sometimes a bold or vibrant colour might be just what your hallway needs. Think fiery red, burnt orange, bright yellow, deep ocean blue, emerald green, dramatic wine to create a visual that steals the show. Have fun with your wall paint for hallway and choose a colour that uplifts your mood.

Design tip: Colour can change appearance in different light – from natural light that changes throughout the day to the kind of artificial light you have in your home. Sample your hall wall painting colours for at least 24 hours to see how they appears throughout the day before choosing. 

9. Try Out an All-Grey Hall Wall Paint Design

You might think an all-grey palette is boring but it can create a powerful visual. Grey is also a very versatile colour that can be used in a variety of décor styles. Other than light and dark shades, keep in mind that greys can be warm or cool toned and the undertone can completely change the look of your hall wall colour design. Paler shades are a great neutral alternative to white while darker shades add a lot of drama to a space.

10. Don’t Forget Architectural Features to Enhance your Hallway Colour Designs

You can up the ante by bringing out any interesting architectural features in your hallway with colour. Use colour to enhance features like doors and door frames, wall or ceiling panelling, arches, small alcoves, ceiling moulding, rails, etc.

Design tip: Rather than using colour on the entire wall, use complementary shades on a neutral or muted background to bring out these features.

11. Reach for Green Paint Hall Colour

Shades of green, especially the deeper ones like hunter and forest green, create a mental association with nature which in turn bring a sense of calm and balance. Just like grey, green is another incredibly versatile colour and comes in a host of undertones and shades. Green also works well with different materials like concrete, metal, marble, wood and stone so it can be the ideal colour for your hallway.

12. Modern Hallway Paint Ideas – Use Colour on your Wall Panelling

Bring out your wall panelling in the hallway design by painting it another colour than the walls. This is a great way to bring visual contrast to the area or add colour to the space.

Design tip: If you are not sure of painting the entire height of the wall a bold shade, adding a coloured wall panelling on the lower half might be just what you need.

13. Hallway Paint Ideas to Open Up the Space – An All White Palette

Using white on the hall walls, flooring and/or ceiling is a great way to make the hallway look bigger and airy. Keep in mind you want to add a few natural materials, textures and soft lighting to the space to avoid it looking stark.

Design tip: If you have ever looked at paint samples, you know that choosing a shade of white can be a very difficult ask. There are so many and the difference in the end result is a lot starker than you imagine. Take a look at our list of favourite shades of white from different designers to help you get started. 

14. Colours for Hall Walls - Blue to the Rescue

There isn’t just one best colour for hallway design but you can’t really go wrong with shades of blue. Navy and dark blues add power and drama while softer or duskier shades make a space feel calm and tranquil – think spa blues. Blue-greens like Peacock blue can uplift a space without being overwhelming.

15. Embrace a Bold Scheme for Hallway Colour Designs

It’s not just about choosing a bold colour, your hallways can take on patterns, striking contrasts, layering materials, etc. From black and white with metallic highlights to pairing different patterns to combining wallpaper and paint – there is a lot you can do here. Consider stripes, abstract designs or floral-patterned wallpaper, paint patterns on the floor or murals on the ceiling, use an ombre effect on the walls or try a high gloss finish – it’s time to unleash your creative side.