Giving you some tips for decorating a small hallway : these narrow hallway ideas will help maximize the space you have and maximize style, visual impact and personality in a small space.
This hallway has has quite a few looks in the 3 years we’ve lived in this house! After our latest (budget friendly) makeover, here’s what it looks like today:
But to fully appreciate how it looks today, we must remember where it started:
That was an old linen closet at the end of the hallway. We didn’t need the space, and I was desperate to take those doors off and open up the space!
Tip 1: Add a wall treatment to your hallway
Then once 2020 hit, we actually tackled this space and it was our first quarantine project that we did using only what we had on hand. I really love how we added character to this hallway with board + batten. It makes the hallway seem larger and more intentional – less of a “pass through space” and more of an intentional moment.
While it looks really nice in that picture, the plant died because there is ZERO light in that space, that not even a snake plant can survive it. So it looked really unbalanced in the space under the shelf, and it’s bothered me for over a year now.
Tip 2: Add built in elements
We found a free cabinet on Facebook marketplace, and made it look like it was built in to the nook at the end of the hallway here.
And I just LOVE how much character (and function) it adds to the space! It makes it feel more like our last (old) house did – with built in elements that were included in the house over time.
Tip 3: Add art that is meaningful to you and your family
I have been collecting art prints from Lore Pemberton for while now and finally found a place to hang them all. I just adore how she depicts family life, and her art is so beautiful!
And on the other side, I put silhouettes that I made of my kids (can’t believe I did these more than 2 years ago now!). I had them displayed on some ledges in our family room, but moved them out here and love how it brings the focus to them here now!
Tip 4: Choose a color that brings you joy
If you have a small hallway, then you can afford to make a statement with the color! Of course, if you don’t love decorating with lots of color, then you can do what feels best in your home. But if you have wanted to try a new color, this is the space to do it! You can take more of a color risk in a narrow hallway.
While I know covering up the green was controversial … the green was something I loved and now something I was tired of. There was nothing wrong with it! BUT every single room off of that hallway was green haha.
- My son’s room: bright green
- The girls room: Minty green
- Our master bedroom: Dark green (see it here)
- Kids bathroom: Earthy Green (see it here)
I was craving something to break up the green.
LET ME TELL YOU.
This color is interesting. For sure. It’s like a chameleon color and it is impossible to take pictures of! If it seems like it looks like it’s so many different colors in these pictures, please know that it does the exact same thing in person. It’s beige, pink, taupe and brown all in the same minute depending on the light and the time of the day.
This space has truly transformed thanks to all of those tips above! I hope that it helps you if you’re looking to transform a small or narrow hallway.
Sources + Details for this space:
Many items in this hallway are thrifted or DIY’ed! I painted the mats of the brown frames, and painted the frames of the silhouette art. I found the candleholders secondhand (painted them too).
Then I have a few items from the hallway in my home decor shop here! If you haven’t shopped there, I’d love to send you something from my home to yours. It’s truly one of my favorite things!
Paint colors:
- Bottom: SW Hushed Auburn
- Top: SW White Cotton
To shop other sources, click each of these pictures to be brought to the affiliate links:
Kerri Ivey says
I swear I’m not only copying you if I paint my stairwell wall hushed auburn. I was thinking about it since CLJ painted their friend’s dining room that color 🤣🤣 but you’ve renewed my inspiration!!!!! This looks so beautiful!!!!!
Christina says
ah haha no you’re not copying me!! But dang it I didn’t see they used this paint color – I thought I was using a paint color no one else had used 😂 ah well.
Muriel says
This is GORGEOUS, Christina!!!! Seriously in awe of how you pull all these single elements together so meaningfully. It’s bright. It’s crisp. But it also feels dynamic and cozy.
Well done! 🧡🧡🧡
Muriel 🌼
Christina says
You are just the sweetest, Muriel. thank you so much for always being so kind!!
Maddy says
Awesome idea for a small hallway! Beautiful transformation!
Lorinda says
This is so well thought out! I searched narrow hallway decor for inspiration and fell head over for this look you created. I especially appreciate the before photos you added. Would you have a blog on how you made that funky cabinet come to new life as a faux built in? I would love to create something similar.