Hallway interior design by Decorilla

Did you know your home entry can affect your mood? Plus, a hallway is the first glimpse guests have of a home’s interior, so it has to be nothing less than gorgeous! Get it right from the start with our checklist of essential hallway interior design ideas to perfect your space.

1. Keep It Minimal But Purposeful

Hallway interior design with wood and mirrors, by Decorilla
Hallway interior design with wood and mirrors, by Decorilla

It’s essential to eliminate unnecessary items. Hallways rarely benefit from excess, so curate what stays: pieces that contribute to structure, aesthetic, or function (ideally, all in one). For instance, a well-placed console can anchor the entryway interior design while providing storage or display surfaces. Additionally, keeping the embelishments minimal allows architectural features to stand out.

contemporary hallway interior design
Elegant hallway by Decorilla interior designer, Mladen C.

Pro Tip: Choose a focal entryway décor piece, like a framed artwork or sculptural table.

Not sure what kind of hallway interior design is your cup of tea? Try our Free Interior Design Style Quiz to discover your ideal style today!

2. Use Color to Define & Intensify

colorful eclectic traditional hallway interior design
Colorful hallway by Decorilla designer, Peti L.

A dark color will make adjacent rooms next to the hall seem bigger. Similarly, a light pearlescent color in your hallway decor ideas renders the hall more spacious while also reflecting light. Another trick is to paint the walls and ceiling in different colors. Stick to a lighter hue on the ceiling to add height, or add a fun feature like a colorful stripe to celebrate the room regardless of its size!

Entryway interior design with a floral wallpaper, by Decorilla designer, Berkeley H.
Entryway interior design with a floral wallpaper, by Decorilla designer, Berkeley H.

Pro Tip: Choose matte finishes to control reflection—gloss can feel overly sharp in entryway interior design.

3. Extend the Look Beyond the Entryway

Elegant, timeless hallway interior design by Decorilla
Elegant, timeless hallway design by Decorilla

Hallways work best when they relate to the rooms around them. What’s crucial here is that continuity matters more than decoration when tying entryway interior design to the rest of the home. Draw clues from nearby rooms to build a sense of coherence—repeating wood, metal, or paint. Use similar materials or finishes to maintain consistency without forcing a match.

Hallway interior design by Decorilla designers, Joao A. & Renata P.
Hallway interiors by Decorilla designers, Joao A. & Renata P.

Pro Tip: Use runners or area rugs to pull together disjointed room aesthetics.

4) Directing Movement With Flooring

colorful hallway interior design
Custom hallway by Decorilla interior designer, Susan W.

Hallway interior design needs to account for heavy traffic, so invest in sturdy flooring. Align flooring patterns with the hallway’s length to guide movement naturally. Continuous materials like wood planks or polished concrete are a good, durable choice. Keep tiles subtle and structured if you use them—overly intricate patterns may break coherence.

Entryway-hallway interior design by Decorilla
Entryway-hallway interior design by Decorilla

Pro Tip: A non-slip floor finish is ideal, but if you have a single floor finish throughout your home and wish to maintain continuity, get a non-slip mat or hallway runner.

5. Amplify Light and Space With Mirrors

Hallway interior design with mirrors, by Decorilla
Hallway interior design with mirrors, by Decorilla

Use mirrors to expand light and enhance spatial perception—even a single mirror can change how a hallway feels by creating an optical illusion. Place it to reflect architectural features or natural light, adding depth where it’s needed. The shape is free to experiment with, but frames at least should feel consistent with the hallway interior design style.

Bold mirror choices in a hallway interior design by Decorilla designer, Jeff D.
Bold mirror choices in a hallway by Decorilla designer, Jeff D.

Pro Tip: Avoid reflecting blank walls or cluttered areas.

6. Storage Built to Disappear

Entryway-mudroom interior design with abundant storage, by Decorilla
Entryway/mudroom interior design with abundant storage, by Decorilla

Rely on built-in storage to keep the hallway clean and functional. Recessed shelves or narrow cabinets are typically better than freestanding pieces, especially in narrow spaces. Place hooks or rails where they serve their purpose best—and not just to fill gaps. Also, keep storage visually quiet to maintain flow.

Floating cabinets in hallway interior design by Decorilla designer, Sergio M.
Floating cabinets in a hallway by Decorilla designer, Sergio M.

Pro Tip: Use tall, slim cabinets to take advantage of vertical hallway space.

7. Doors Shaping Transitions

Cohesive and stylish hallway interior design by Decorilla
Cohesive and stylish hallway by Decorilla

Doors in a hallway interior design should contribute to the structure rather than interrupt it. Flush or paneled doors work best when their design feels cohesive. Align door frames with trim or wall color to establish visual continuity, especially in narrow spaces. Consistency in hardware also matters—try to match finishes between door handles, light fixtures, and storage elements to tie everything together.

Black-and-white entryway interior design by Decorilla
Black-and-white entryway design by Decorilla

Pro Tip: Use concealed hinges to eliminate visual noise.

8. Light That Works Like Structure

Layered lighting in entryway interior design by Decorilla designer, Anahit M.
Layered lighting in a hallway by Decorilla designer, Anahit M.

Use layered lighting to guide the eye and define the hallway. The fixtures should be minimal, aligned with the structure to enhance flow. Start with recessed lighting along the sightlines. Next, place sconces along the walls to enhance the atmosphere, positioning them at eye level for clarity. A table lamp on a console will complete the setup with a decorative flair.

Entryway interior design with discreet sconces, by Decorilla
Entryway interior with discreet sconces, by Decorilla

Pro Tip: Use directional lighting to highlight architectural features or artwork.

Ready for your new hallway interior design?

Bring your vision to life with expert entryway interior designers and their creative solutions. Book your Free Online Interior Design Consultation to get started today!

online interior design