This is a problem so many homes in Ireland are faced with. For a long time it was all about keeping things nice and neutral which lets face it can be quite boring. Hallways are so important in a home as they form a visitor’s first impression so let’s add a little colour and create “wow” factor as people pass through.

 

First things first, it’s time to tear down the dado rail running along your hallway; I always recommend that you keep the walls all the one colour. Your chosen colour should ideally run from the hallway up the staircase and onto the landing to give a nice flow to the entrance of your home and maximise the sense of space.

 

You don’t mention whether this area gets good natural light which is always an important consideration when choosing how deep you can go with a shade. If light is not a problem, I think a sophisticated grey shade would work fantastically in your hallway such as Modern Urban from the Crown Classic Collection. If you feel these shades are a little too deep for your hallway then why not try a fabulous duck egg blue such as Elegant Scent or Elegant Gown from the Classic Collection.

 

Also, have a look at my Designer Fresh range from Crown’s Designer Collection which is a collection of fresh tones that will create a stylish look and work beautifully with your hallway particularly Pistachio Fresh. Paint the ceilings and skirting boards Pure Brilliant White as this really helps to lift the height of the rooms and brighten up the space.

 

Even though staircase is one of the highest traffic areas in a home it should still get just as much attention as every other part of the room. If you have a good quality wood staircase, why not give consider giving it a real update with a coat of paint! As it is a continuation of the walls on the first floor you should pick a shade that stands out rather than blends in. White is always a great option against any wall colour and will complement many designs.

 

Crown offer many variations of white shades that are specific for wood surfaces including Stone White, Beige White and Cream White that you might like to try. The first step is to sand down the rough areas until they are smooth and ready to paint.

You may want to varnish your wood stairs so they look natural or paint them a colour to blend in with your decoration. Make sure to do a patch test to ensure you like the dried colour before starting. If you can close off your upstairs floor for the day then start from the top and work your way to the bottom applying a first coat. Leave it for six hours before applying a second coat. If you cannot close off your second floor then do alternate steps. This will mean that you will have to paint the other half the following day.

 

Lighting is very important element that needs to be considered. The more light you have in a room means the room will appear larger and more spacious than it actually is. Glass furniture is also a good choice as it allows light to reflect through it. If you have a dark console table it might be worth replacing it for glass option or consider repainting wood furniture in a classic cream or off white shade.

 

Stair treads are modern alternatives to stair runners and can be a great way to introduce colour in your hallway making your staircase a fabulous focal point in your home. You can follow the chosen carpet design onto your landing and hallway upstairs to give it a finished look.

 

Try accents of aubergine or pearl pink when choosing colours for your accessories to give your newly decorated hallway a stylish finish. You might also like to invest in some artwork for the open wall space in your hallway or along your staircase to add personality to your home. You should try non framed designs as this will ensure that the frame does not take away from your colour or the picture. It also gives the room a more sophisticated finish to it.

 

Happy decorating!

Neville