Hallway lighting ideas have the power to offer guests a warm welcome, dazzle them with style or turn the moment you arrive home after a long day into even greater joy.
Thinking carefully about lighting your hallway ideas is important to make the space work – whether it’s an entrance foyer or a thoroughfare elsewhere in the home, these spaces can be dark, narrow and devoid of natural light. Bringing light into them in a way that makes this potentially awkward nook look and feels its best will totally transform your scheme.
The hallway is often overlooked when decorating, but it is crucial to get it just right as it is the first thing that your guests will see when they come into your home,’ says Kerry Laird, an interior designer at Fishpools. ‘Introducing the perfect lighting will not only brighten up the space but also elevates the atmosphere by creating an eye-catching and ambient mood.’
HALLWAY LIGHTING IDEAS
From statement chandeliers that add wow-factor to tall atriums, to petite wall sconces that brighten up the smallest corridors, there is a solution for every home. We asked the experts to share their favorite hallway lighting ideas and found some dazzling examples of where the light really makes an entrance.
1. ILLUMINATE SMALL SPACES WITH SCONCES
‘As much as we love finding the perfect console and table-scaping with an oversized lamp and candles galore, if space is at a premium, it makes more sense to opt for sconces,’ explains Lara Hadad, Design Ambassador for Arteriors. Wall-mounted sconces work well among small hallway ideas, distributing light from top to bottom in the space, without limiting head height or taking up room on the floor.
‘Discrete and atmospheric, wall lights take precious little space and can provide a decorative flourish. We have seen lovely examples of customers using wall lights in pairs or trios along the length of the hallway, which looks particularly stylish and creates a welcoming, warm glow.’
2. THINK MULTI-DIRECTIONAL FOR NARROW HALLWAYS
Lighting a long thin room requires some lateral thinking – especially if you’re looking for narrow hallway ideas that make the space feel bigger.
‘Up-lighting is a tried and tested method when it comes to creating space, by illuminating the ceiling and making a narrow hallway feel larger,’ says Niki Wright, Founder of Lightsandlamps.com. ‘Try to use lighting that really works hard for the space. A ceiling fitting that shines light in more than one direction will work well.’
In this hallway by Yellow London, a sputnik chandelier with orbs that point in all directions across the space not only creates a focal point, but ensures the light is spread across the room.
3. MAKE A STATEMENT WITH OVERSIZED LIGHTING
If you’re lucky enough to have a big entrance hall to hand, embrace full-on grandeur with an oversized pendant or chandelier.
‘We are seeing a trend for large statement lighting in hallways,’ says Hadad. ‘It lends personality and makes a statement as soon as guests enter the home. Entrance halls offer a great opportunity to employ an oversized chandelier especially over a staircase.’
In this entrance hall designed by Claudia Afshar, a spectacular modern chandelier descends from the center of the room above a seating area, dripping light beams through the double height space.
4. STAY SUBTLE WITH TABLE LAMPS
‘If statement hallway lighting seems too much, try a subtle approach, and create a more inviting ambience with a table lamp,’ suggests Laird. The mid-level lighting of a table lamp will create a soothing glow – pick one that you really love, and it’ll double up as a sculptural piece like the ones in this hallway.
‘A muted lampshade that can be adapted to any interior vibe is a great alternative. Position on an entryway table and add some accessories such as a standing picture frame or house plants to complete the look.’
5. PUT THE SPOTLIGHT ON ORNAMENTS
If the hallway is where you’ve chosen to display a much-loved painting or antique, don’t let it get lost in the dark. ‘Highlighting a favourite picture on the wall or ornament on a side table can also enhance the space and help introduce more light into the room,’ says Wright.
‘Choose a slim light for smaller hallways as a sleek addition to a minimalist space or to work effectively as a spotlight style to draw attention to hanging pictures and ornaments,’ says Laird. In this example, barely-there spotlights have been installed over the paintings in the hallway to ensure they are the centre of attention night and day.
As well as using spotlighting for prettier pieces, think about teaming it with your hallway storage ideas to make life a little easier. ‘On a practical note, wall lighting is great for illuminating a specific area like a coat hanging space or accessory table,’ Laird adds.
