Hallways set the scene for the rest of your home, but when they’re narrow or lacking in natural light, they can feel more gloomy than welcoming. If yours is on the dark side, don’t worry, there are plenty of clever hallway ideas that can lift the space instantly.
Whether it’s layered lighting and reflective surfaces or structural changes like adding glazing or skylights, there are solutions to suit every home and budget. Even small touches, like choosing the right shade of white paint or swapping out heavy furniture, can make a huge difference to how bright and open your space feels.
We asked interiors experts to share their favourite techniques for brightening a dark hallway. From quick weekend updates to major renovation ideas, their clever fixes will show you how to make a dingy corridor feel lighter and more inviting.
Use lighting to brighten a dark hallway
"Hallways often get overlooked, yet they’re the first space you step into at home," says Vanessa Macedo, associate lighting designer at John Cullen. "Narrow hallway layouts and a lack of natural light can make them feel gloomy, but with the right lighting, even the darkest corridor can be transformed."
Vanessa has been working in lighting design for almost eight years and offers consultation through her own brand AFAIR design.
Layer your hallway lighting
One pendant ceiling light on its own will rarely do your hallway any favours. Instead, think about combining different hallway lighting ideas so the space feels warmer and more balanced.
“Hallways benefit from the same layered approach used in living rooms or kitchens,” explains Vanessa Macedo. “I suggest combining overhead lighting with wall sconces, picture lights, or even subtle uplighters to soften the space. Low-level options, such as LED strips along skirting or under shelves, can also add depth and a gentle glow.”
Choose the right temperature bulbs and fittings
The temperature of bulbs you choose can have just as much impact on the mood of a hallway as the light fittings themselves. Go too cool or too bright and the effect can be clinical, making the space feel uninviting.
“To create a warm and welcoming feel throughout your hallway use warm white LED light bulbs that are 2700K to 3000K,” says Sam Garbutt, lighting expert at LED & Power. “These lights create a soft and warm glow that perfectly illuminates your hallway to create a cosy atmosphere.”
LED & Power specialise in providing commercial and residential LED lighting products to the trade and wholesale market. They work with leading brands and manufacturers across the UK and Europe.
Once you’ve chosen the right bulb, think about how fittings can enhance the look. Jamie Moxey, lighting specialist at Dusk Lighting, points out that flush or semi-flush designs work particularly well in narrow hallways or where ceilings are low, as they spread light evenly without overwhelming the space.
Wall sconces are another smart choice, helping to break up long hallways while adding both character and lateral light. As Sue Jones, co-founder and creative director at OKA, explains: “Wall lights are often overlooked, but they're perfect for creating a warm and glowy ambience and adding an extra layer to your lighting scheme. Choosing a style that allows you to switch up lampshades whenever you like can also be a really lovely way to nod to the seasons.”
If your hallway lacks sockets or wiring, portable lighting is a simple fix. “If you love the idea of a wall light, but don't want to go to the effort of wiring one in, look to wireless designs like our OKA Mini Grisewood Wall Lamp,” adds Sue.
Sue Jones, along with her friends Annabel Astor and Lucinda Waterhouse, founded OKA in 1999, a British brand known for its distinctive furniture and lighting. Sue’s global travels have shaped her unique style, which continues to influence every aspect of the brand, reflecting her passion for timeless, eclectic design.
Shop hallway wall sconces
This rechargeable wall sconce requires no wiring or electrician. Plus, with a swappable shade, you can change its look from season to season.
This marble wall light highlights the natural veining of Calacatta Viola and works beautifully as an ambient up-and-down washer to brighten a hallway.
Illuminate your space with a mid-century inspired wall light. A ribbed glass shade with frosted inner is elegantly finished with brushed brass detailing.
Bring borrowed light into your hallway with glazing
If your hallway feels starved of daylight, the best fix is often to borrow light from elsewhere. Internal glazing is an effective way of doing this, allowing natural light to filter through, while adding a stylish architectural detail to your hallway design.
If you’re not sure where to start, swapping a solid door for a glazed design can make a surprising difference. Crittall-style doors are a popular choice, with slim black frames that add definition without blocking views. They work especially well between a hallway and kitchen or living space, offering separation without sacrificing brightness. For something softer, glazed panels or internal windows can achieve the same effect with a lighter touch.
Ceiling glazing is another option worth considering if you're in the midst of a home renovation. If your hallway sits beneath a roof space, a skylight or rooflight can flood the area with daylight and make ceilings feel higher in the process. Even a compact sun tunnel can make a real impact, channelling light into a space that would otherwise rely entirely on artificial sources.
The beauty of glazing is that it’s a permanent solution. Unlike lamps or mirrors, which are most effective in the evenings, glazed doors or overhead windows ensure your hallway feels brighter and more open from morning until night.
Consider structural changes
If your hallway still feels enclosed after you have tackled lighting and glazing, it may be worth looking at the layout itself. Hallways in older homes especially can be narrow and boxy, trapping light and creating a gloomy feel.
One solution is to open up the space into adjoining rooms. Removing part of a dividing wall or widening an existing doorway allows natural light to flow further, instantly lifting a corridor that might otherwise feel cut off. For those embarking on a larger renovation, it may even be possible to reconfigure circulation spaces entirely, for example by relocating a staircase or shifting partition walls to change how your hallway connects with the rest of the home.
Adding vertical space can also make a dramatic difference. Raising ceiling heights, opening up to a pitched roof or incorporating a double-height void above a hallway all create a sense of volume and allow light to travel further. While these are bigger interventions, they can completely alter the character of a dark corridor, making it feel taller, brighter and far less enclosed.
Think about your choice of paint
Painting a hallway is one of the quickest and most affordable ways to lift a dark space. White paint has an instant brightening quality, but warmer off-whites and soft pastels can also keep the look fresh while adding a hint of colour.
Emily Butterill, founder of Glow Lighting, explains: “If additional light fixtures aren’t an option, clever paint finishes will work hard for you. Lighter tones on walls and ceilings will open up the space, and when combined with reflective surfaces such as mirrors, polished metals or glass accents, will bounce light around beautifully.”
According to Emily, woodwork is another area where hallway paint choices can make a difference. A coat of gloss paint on skirting or trim introduces a subtle reflective quality, helping light travel further through the space.
Emily Butterill is the founder of Glow Lighting, a British brand known for its handcrafted, customisable lighting designs that bring warmth, personality and timeless style into homes of every size.
Don't overlook the power of decorative touches
Once you've tackled the bigger changes, it's often the small design details that make the most difference to how your hallway feels. Mirrors are an obvious but effective choice. Sue Jones, creative director at OKA, describes them as “a decorator’s secret weapon”:
"Placing a mirror near or opposite a window will increase the amount of light that's cast around the space, and the bigger the mirror, the brighter and larger the space will feel," says Sue. "It's not just natural light that can be manipulated in this way either. Try placing a mirror near a table lamp; it will harness any available light and make the room feel larger."
Furniture also plays an important role in opening up a hallway. In narrow rooms, slimline console tables or floating shelves prevent the area from feeling crowded. “Keeping furniture slim and in pale finishes also enhances a brighter, more seamless feel,” adds Emily Butterill, founder of Glow Lighting.
Your choice of hallway flooring shouldn't be overlooked either. Pale woods, painted boards or lighter floor tiles prevent these spaces from feeling too dark, while a continuous finish between rooms creates a sense of flow and helps a narrow corridor appear longer and wider.
This round wall mirror pairs light and dark materials for a subtle industrial edge. Its reflective surface helps brighten and visually enlarge the space.
This painted console table with scallop detailing and tapered legs is perfect for a hallway, as it offers two drawers and surface space for decorative accents.
This slim metal-edged wall mirror features high-definition, safety-backed glass and hangs easily with built-in keyhole fittings.
Keen to take your plans up a notch? Explore our guide to hallway renovation ideas for every budget – it covers everything from simple weekend updates to larger projects that can completely transform your home.
