This One Change Could Brighten Up a Gloomy Passageway
Light-starved entryways are a common bugbear among Houzz users, but this simple idea could work wonders
Our first instinct when tackling a dark or busy part of the house, such as a hallway, is often to paint it white, or at least a pale neutral. However, dingy spaces will often benefit from warmth to brighten them up, and one colour that’s firmly in the arsenal of designer tricks for this purpose is yellow. Browse these inviting entrances to see why.
Mix colour with functionality
Paint isn’t the only way to add a splash of sunshine to your hallway. Here, it comes in the form of bespoke upholstery. Even in a large, enviably light entrance like this one, careful design is the best way to make the space practical as well as beautiful.
Design company Furnished by Anna has created streamlined storage that doubles as a seat and given it a luxurious finish with vibrant yellow cushioning.
Paint isn’t the only way to add a splash of sunshine to your hallway. Here, it comes in the form of bespoke upholstery. Even in a large, enviably light entrance like this one, careful design is the best way to make the space practical as well as beautiful.
Design company Furnished by Anna has created streamlined storage that doubles as a seat and given it a luxurious finish with vibrant yellow cushioning.
Pair with pegboard
In this hallway by Shape London, less space is available and upholstery would reduce the area for hanging, so it’s the storage itself – pegboard – that’s been given a warm, ochre glow.
Grey is almost always a good foil for yellow, but the wild card here – the teal front door – adds further warmth and depth to the small space.
When embarking on this sort of joinery project, consider all the practicalities. For example if, as here, you want to combine coat hooks with a feature wall, talk to your professional about how many hooks you’re likely to need. He or she should be able to adapt the design to ensure your outerwear doesn’t end up concealing a key colour in your scheme.
Find interior designers in your area
In this hallway by Shape London, less space is available and upholstery would reduce the area for hanging, so it’s the storage itself – pegboard – that’s been given a warm, ochre glow.
Grey is almost always a good foil for yellow, but the wild card here – the teal front door – adds further warmth and depth to the small space.
When embarking on this sort of joinery project, consider all the practicalities. For example if, as here, you want to combine coat hooks with a feature wall, talk to your professional about how many hooks you’re likely to need. He or she should be able to adapt the design to ensure your outerwear doesn’t end up concealing a key colour in your scheme.
Find interior designers in your area
Add with artwork
Adding a strong colour such as yellow needn’t involve the commitment of paint or fitted upholstery – artwork is a quick way to try out a new shade.
In this scheme by Robert Angell Design International, the yellow is more of an acid tone than the typical egg yolk shades used in the previous examples, but it still adds a vibrant note thanks to the elegant pale grey backdrop. Imagine this scheme without the artwork and see how much the yellow lifts the mood.
Adding a strong colour such as yellow needn’t involve the commitment of paint or fitted upholstery – artwork is a quick way to try out a new shade.
In this scheme by Robert Angell Design International, the yellow is more of an acid tone than the typical egg yolk shades used in the previous examples, but it still adds a vibrant note thanks to the elegant pale grey backdrop. Imagine this scheme without the artwork and see how much the yellow lifts the mood.
Let it shine
Going large with a bright artwork against a dark, dramatic backdrop is also an approach that can work well in zones with little natural light. The rich yellow piece in this hallway by My Bespoke Room brings both warmth and energy to the space.
If you can’t stretch to an artwork of this scale, consider choosing a piece of yellow fabric or a vintage silk scarf and having it stretched over a canvas frame.
Take a look at this Delhi home that shines because of the art
Going large with a bright artwork against a dark, dramatic backdrop is also an approach that can work well in zones with little natural light. The rich yellow piece in this hallway by My Bespoke Room brings both warmth and energy to the space.
If you can’t stretch to an artwork of this scale, consider choosing a piece of yellow fabric or a vintage silk scarf and having it stretched over a canvas frame.
Take a look at this Delhi home that shines because of the art
Divert attention from bulky storage
Adding a cupboard into a hallway will almost always prove useful, but it won’t necessarily be beautiful to look at, especially if it risks dominating a small space.
Take inspiration from this cheery example by Shape Architecture. The otherwise uninteresting end of a built-in cupboard has been given the sunshine treatment and, along with the chair, flowers and paintings, has become the focal point of the room.
Adding a cupboard into a hallway will almost always prove useful, but it won’t necessarily be beautiful to look at, especially if it risks dominating a small space.
Take inspiration from this cheery example by Shape Architecture. The otherwise uninteresting end of a built-in cupboard has been given the sunshine treatment and, along with the chair, flowers and paintings, has become the focal point of the room.
Saturate your space
In a studio apartment, or in any hallway that’s technically just a corner of the room into which the front door opens, this is an interesting approach. Designer Emmanuelle Lego has zoned the entrance area by painting it in a sassy, strong yellow.
The whole look is strengthened by the fact the ceiling and woodwork are painted yellow, too. This also prevents the area from looking bitty and visually ‘chopped up’, which can be a peril when decorating very small spaces.
Read more:
49 Gorgeous Passageways From Across the World
Tell us:
Which colours feature in your hallway and what impact do they have on the space? Share your tips and photos in the Comments section.
In a studio apartment, or in any hallway that’s technically just a corner of the room into which the front door opens, this is an interesting approach. Designer Emmanuelle Lego has zoned the entrance area by painting it in a sassy, strong yellow.
The whole look is strengthened by the fact the ceiling and woodwork are painted yellow, too. This also prevents the area from looking bitty and visually ‘chopped up’, which can be a peril when decorating very small spaces.
Read more:
49 Gorgeous Passageways From Across the World
Tell us:
Which colours feature in your hallway and what impact do they have on the space? Share your tips and photos in the Comments section.
Sometimes, a simple paint job can transform an entire space. Try combining a warm, yolky yellow with white for a fresh morning feel.
In this cheerful hallway, the team at Andrew Jonathan Design have chosen to paint two walls and leave the rest white, but you could try all over for an extra sunny feel.