Stepping into your hallway isn't just about what you see ahead of you. Your hallway design covers the whole space, from top to bottom, including your hallway flooring ideas.
And, while lighting, colours and furniture all matter in this space, as a surface that needs to handle both indoor and outdoor traffic, your hallway flooring ideas need to not only be robust and practical, but also indicative of your home's style and design.
To help you in your search to find the perfect surface for your floor, we've rounded up 18 hallway flooring ideas and expert advice to set you on your way.
1. Tile with terrazzo in a modern hallway scheme
For a bright and welcoming modern hallway idea, try combining fun terrazzo tiles with contemporary wooden wall panelling, wicker lighting and glass internal doors. It's an immediate mood lifter as you step through your front door into a space that feels light and airy, but also practical.
Using glazed internal doors also gives a sneak peak into the areas beyond, while the full height wall to the side of the staircase provides the perfect spot for seating, or even some extra hallway storage.
For a similar finish, try these Frammento Multi Terrazzo Effect Porcelain Tiles from Hyperion Tiles.
2. Use black and white tiles for a future proof finish
If you're struggling to pick a hallway flooring idea, choosing a classic, timeless finish is a great way of future proofing your hallway.
Black and white chequerboard tiles may not be anything new, but it's for good reason. They've lasted the test of time – and will continue to do so. Using such a classic colour way and format makes it easy to change other parts of your hallway when you fancy an upgrade, without having to go to the expense of new flooring.
Pairing with most hallway paint ideas, styles and designs from traditional through to more modern, it's a great hallway flooring idea that will never go away.
3. Use your hallway flooring to guide the way
If you're dealing with narrow hallway ideas, you can use your hallway flooring ideas not just to add interest, but also to help create a sense of movement and flow in your entrance.
Here, tiles are used to draw the eye from the front door, towards the staircase and then around the corner into the rest of the home. Your eye is naturally drawn into the home's interior, distracting from the lack of width by enhancing the sense of length.
It's a clever design trick that when combined with the best hallway lighting and a light and airy colour scheme will turn a small space into something far grander.
4. Pink chequerboard tiles are a feature finish
If darker colours aren't for you, but you're keen to make your hallway flooring ideas stand out in a traditional property, simple patterns with fresh, modern colours could be the solution.
“A chequerboard floor is a perfect example of how classic design can be refreshed for modern homes," says Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca'Pietra.
"When set on the diagonal, it brings energy and direction to the space, while still nodding to traditional Victorian or Edwardian entrances. Or, pairing this layout with uplifting colours, such as soft green, blush, or deep blue, gives a period property a contemporary lift without losing its character."
To re-create this look using pink and off-white, try pairing the Aventuras Rose Field Porcelain with the Aventuras Ecru Field Porcelain tiles from Ca'Pietra.
Grazzie Wilson is head of creative at tile company Ca'Pietra and is known for her creative and stylish approach. Offering consistently stylish and innovative solutions to tile and bathroom design has made her one of the most well-known and admired names in the industry.
5. Paint wooden floors for a dopamine decor hit
For a burst of instant joy every time you arrive home, be bold with your colour choice when it comes to renovating older wooden floors.
Take inspiration from this dopamine decor induced scheme from Annie Sloan which contrasts sunshine yellow walls with bright green painted wooden floors. Extend the colour to the lower half of the wall leading to the next room and ensure the colours are subtly referenced in the next room through cushions or decorative items. It's a trick interior designers always use to great effect as it helps provide a natural visual flow throughout the space.
If you're new to painting wood floors, remember that preparation is always essential for the best end result.
6. Or, opt for a rustic wood finish in a period property
When it comes to wood flooring ideas, there's certainly plenty to choose from. Whether you're weighing up laminate flooring vs engineered wood or considering sanding hardwood floors, the wealth of advice and options is vast.
But if you're installing a new hallway floor from scratch, even in a more traditionally designed hallway, "engineered wood flooring is an ideal choice, due to its timeless look and hardwearing properties," says Natalie Mudd, co-founder of Knot & Grain.
"The natural grain and warm tones of wood provide an authentic look and help to create an inviting feel."
Natalie's top tip? "Hallways come in a range of shapes and sizes, so it’s always advisable to order plank samples, to gauge the best size and colour, plus, you can look at how the wood appears under different lighting conditions."
Natalie Mudd is the co-founder of Knot & Grain and is an expert on high-quality flooring products having worked in the industry for over 20 years.
8. Herringbone flooring will add extra design points
When choosing to run flooring through multiple rooms off your hallway, it can be tricky to know which way to orient your layout. If you're using rectangular tiles or timber planks what may suit one room best, may not be best for another.
In hallways this can certainly be an issue, as flooring is largely laid in the direction of the longest wall in the room, which means that hallways usually always are laid the same way.
However, choosing a style such as a short herringbone style timber is a great way to mitigate this, as the shorter planks and less dominant horizontal and vertical lines make it easier to break this design rule without the space looking odd.
Shop wooden style hallway flooring
An engineered wooden floor with a 3mm-deep layer of real-oak covering a 14mm-deep plank
A luxury vinyl flooring that's up to the traffic of a busy hallway
Add some depth to your hallway design with these dark laminate planks
9. Luxury vinyl flooring is a practical but creative alternative
Luxury vinyl flooring delivers good looks and practicality in abundance. Durable and super easy to clean, it will hold up better than wooden flooring in a hallway, and when continuing floor from the hallway into an area such as a kitchen, you'll find it's perfectly suited for both spaces.
From timber replicates through to parquet and concrete, patterned tiles and plain colours, there are a range of different types of vinyl flooring to provide a clever solution, whatever your hallway flooring idea.
For a more in-depth look at luxury vinyl flooring, take a look at what is Karndean flooring.
10. Match a sweeping staircase with statement flooring
When choosing your hallway flooring ideas, it's important to make sure that in large hallways in particular, they are capable of demanding as much attention as the rest of the furniture and finishes.
In this sumptuous hallway, while it's impossible for the sweeping staircase idea not to catch your eye, the large scale marble tiles with black border inlays ensure the flooring has equal stature and presence too.
11. Bring the outdoors in with green and white floor tiles
Bring the outdoors in with a bright and fresh green and white colour combination in your hallway. After all, there's nothing like a touch of nature's natural colour scheme to help you start and end your day with a smile.
When it comes to the finished look, if you like to keep one foot in tradition while also dipping your toe in more contemporary waters, pick a botanical inspired tiling design and add a modern twist with simple painted hallway panelling on the lower half of your walls.
For a similar tyle that's a little less floral in nature, try this Green Basco Tile from Hyperion Tiles.
12. Add some softness to your hallway with a large textured rug
When it comes to types of flooring, if you prefer to keep carpets in the bedroom, try using rugs to add texture and softness to your hallway instead.
“While runners are a popular choice for hallways due to their size and shape perfectly complementing the narrow, long space, rugs are an alternative worth considering," says Mara Rypacek Miller, managing director and founder of Industville.
"For more expansive or open-plan hallways, a large rectangular rug can create a distinguished area, drawing attention and adding a layer of sophistication," she explains. "Such rugs can anchor the space, defining it more clearly and adding an element of comfort and warmth that extends beyond the purely functional.”
Just be sure to size your rugs correctly, says Mara.
"For standard hallways, runners with widths between 60 to 90 cm (24 to 35 inches) work well, but always measure the specific dimensions of your hallway to choose the most harmonious size.
"This careful sizing not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the space but also ensures practicality by protecting the flooring in this high-traffic area.”
Mara is the founder of Industville, the place for handcrafted lighting, interiors, and art. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to eco-conscious craftsmanship, Mara is keen to offer customers products where each design tells a story of timeless elegance and environmental responsibility.
13. Create cohesion from the minute you walk inside
“Above all, a hallway needs to feel connected to the rest of the home," says Grazzie Wilson.
"Tying tile tones into paintwork, skirting and even door and window frames creates a cohesive palette from the moment you step inside. Whether that’s matching the warmth of a terracotta floor with natural timber joinery, or echoing pale stone hues in your wall colour, these small details and your hallway decor ideas will make the space feel harmonious.”
14. Use natural stone flooring in a rural location
Naturally tough and durable, stone flooring is a great idea for hallway flooring, but nowhere more than in a rustic, rural home.
Look for styles such as limestone, travertine and slate and consider the size for your home. Large format tiles work well in a larger hallway space, and consider layout designs that incorporate different sizes for a varied and interesting look.
These Graphite Black Natural Slate tiles from Hyperion Tiles are a great starting point for a stone inspired scheme.
15. Add stripes for a fun hallway flooring finish
If you're seeking a hallway flooring idea that's bang on trend, take the lead from this fun filled entrance and embrace not one, but two decor trends with a pink and white striped tiled floor.
Pink is still a colour that's captivating us in interiors, and stripes are another feature we're seeing more and more of. And where better to try something new than in a hallway where you simply pass by, rather than spending hours of your time.
It's colourful, fun and you'll never have a guest enter or leave without passing a comment or two. Find these Zebra pink and white matt striped floor tiles from Walls and Floors.
16. Create a luxe look with high-gloss hallway flooring
Hallways are often small and lack light, but your choice of flooring can play as much a part of improving this as your lighting design.
Consider a glossy flooring style to help to reflect light, while also creating a high-end, luxe look that suits certain interior styles. Just be sure to choose flooring tiles that can easily be cleaned if you opt for white.
While it will add maximum light to your hallway, keeping them clean may make them more suited to a home where a boot room is used as the main family entrance.
17. Use mosaic tile flooring for a bespoke idea
Mosaic tiles can be used in a hallway as it's a small space where this size of tile can work well. One small hallway idea that will add a unique, personalised touch to your home is using mosaic tile sheets, either square or circular 'penny' tiles, and cutting out a custom message in a contrast colour.
Alternatively, consider using painted stair ideas instead and adding decorative tiled risers for an equally eye-catching look.
18. Indulge in carpet for a cosy hallway flooring idea
If you're all about cosy, warm flooring with an instant sense of softness underfoot, then don't dimiss carpet in your hallway flooring ideas.
Although it's sometimes considered a less practical option, pick the best carpet for stairs and use it throughout the space.
Incorporate some clever storage so that you can make sure there's somewhere for everyone to store their shoes as they walk through the door, and enjoy the sense of instant relaxation as you sink your feet into a soft and warm carpeted floor.
Still debating about the right hallway flooring idea? Take a look at these stunning hall, stairs and landing ideas for more inspiration. And, if you've chosen tiles as your covering and fancy giving it a go yourself, follow the advice from our DIY expert on tiling a hallway floor.
