When it comes to renovating your home, you’re confronted with decision after decision, with paint bearing a huge conundrum.
What colours work best? Do all rooms need to be the same colour? Is it bright enough? And should the hallway be the same colour as the living room?
Choosing the right paint colour in your hallway is arguably one of the most important decisions to make. It is the first place that will greet guests, and welcome you back after a long day at work.
It needs to be comforting, welcoming, but most of all, create the correct flow to the other rooms in your home.
Whether your taste is classic neutrals, or dark and more statement colours, it’s time to explore the best types of paint for your hallway, and whether your hallway should be the same colour as your living room.
What Type of Paint Is Best For Hallways?
Hallways are high traffic areas so they receive a lot of wear and tear. Paintwork can end up looking scuffed and marked after very little use. To counteract this, you need to use the right paint. Hallway walls are best painted in a washable paint, they are usually the most premium type of option of paint,
Washable paint is worth every penny as they can easily be washed down without removing any colour, or paint. If you don’t mind a sheen on the paint, then an emulsion paint is even more durable.
I can vouch for this after painting, finishing the renovation and having a dog run round. We now already need to carry out a second coat!
What Colour Is Best To Paint A Hallway?
It’s best to avoid white in a hallway because it is incredibly unforgiving and shows every little mark. Instead go for other neutral colours like paler grey and pastel colours which will help to reflect light around and make the space feel welcoming.
Neutral colours don’t have to be flat, or boring. Especially if you introduce texture and pattern, such as throughout patterned floor tiling. Choose a colour with tones that complement the wall to add a compelling layer of depth to your design.
Of course, if you don’t want to play it safe, your hallway is one of the best places to make a striking statement every time you, or your guests step through your front door.
Darker shades show scuffs and marks less easily. They can be striking, and daring in the right setting, but be careful in small, narrow hallways as it can make the space feel, and look even smaller than it actually us. Just know that the darker you go, the smaller the space becomes.
If you don’t want to go all out on colour paint an end wall in a contrast paint but in doing so, it will make the corridor appear shorter and pull the wall in towards you.
In addition to your wall colour, the colour trim you choose can also open up your space and create interest, black is bold and very grounding in this instance.
Best Paint Colour For Hallway Doors?
I would always suggest internal hallway doors be a dark colour, never opt for white. A dark contrast draws your eye to the door, and adds depth.
You could also add a door moulding to give the hallway some height, and create a touch of sophistication and luxury to the space. Door mouldings are incredibly affordable and can affixed to your existing door.
Should Hallway Be The Same Colour As A Living Room?
The hallway does not need to be the same colour as a living room. However, to create an interior that flows and pulls you from room to room, you’ll want to feature similar undertones throughout the hallway and living room to pull them together. Opting for the same colour can make your home feel flat, look for the undertones in your colour choices and use those throughout to create cohesion.
For example, you might choose to paint your hallway a dusty pink colour for an incredibly warming and welcoming feel, you could compliment your living room with a white that features undertones of pink. This will tie the two rooms together perfectly without restricting you to using the same colour throughout.
In Summary
You don’t have to play it safe when decorating your living room and hallway, just remember to always try and stick to the basic guidelines that the paint features the same undertones. In doing so, you’ll always end up with rooms that work in harmony rather than creating a clash of colours fighting for attention. You might also want to explore these other three ways to freshen up your hallway.
The beauty of paint is that you can always switch it up, so don’t spend too long stressing over what might or might not be the right colour. Pick it, own it and just know you can change it with a lick and coat whenever you want.
