Simple Ideas for Small Hallway Decor


I pass through our little hallway about 100 times a day, and I never give it a second thought. It is as plain as plain can be, and it could use some love!

So, I started working lately on this small, narrow hallway full of doors. Here it was, circa 1960’s.

We removed the 1960’s wallpaper and painted the walls and trim. Now, it is looking a little better, just… boring.

A hallway is an area that is easy to overlook. Plus, it can just seem awkward to decorate. It is the perfect space to get creative with decor, or bold with color!

I have been searching out inspiration to add some decor and make this hallway more interesting. I found some unique and beautiful ideas!

Happily, even tiny hallways can make a beautiful statement with these fun ideas for small hallway decor! Here are a round up of gorgeous design ideas to add some interest to your small hallway.

Ideas for Small Hallway Decor

1. Make a statement on the hallway walls.

There are options galore to add some wow to your hallway walls. It is just a matter of finding the best ideas to complement the layout of your hallway.

Go Bold With Color and Pattern

Go bold with paint or a fun wallpaper design. Little House of Four added the perfect amount of drama with this gorgeously dark accent wall. A blank wall right at the end of the hall is an ideal spot to use a bold color or pattern!

Add Molding or Board and Batten

Board and batten or wainscoting will make a big impact for a small cost in a hallway. Compared to a dining room or living area, a hallway will require fewer linear feet of supplies, making it a budget friendly project. I think board and batten would look great for our little hallway makeover!

This long, narrow hallway over at Young House Love looks absolutely elegant with board and batten and crown molding. I can’t get over the transformation.

board and batten wall hallway

Where the Smiles Have Been created a board and batten wall in her downstairs hallway. Then, she turned it into a mini mudroom with personalized coat hooks for the family. What a beautiful and practical solution!

Add Wall Decor

Perhaps the easiest way to decorate a small hallway, hang some fun art on the walls! Use a free set of printable art or quote designs to give your hallway a personal touch on a budget.

Or consider adding family photos, some wall art, a clock, or signs.

Depending on how much wall space your hallway has, you can really get creative! This farmhouse hallway makeover from Making it in the Mountains really made the most of her blank hallway walls.

Her hallway became a special focal point with a chalkboard and picture wall. What a beautiful way to hang family photos and kids artwork, and change them out as often as you like!

2. Switch out the light fixture, and add a runner.

Most of the gorgeous hallway inspiration I have found include these two fun details. Change your hallway light fixture to something eye catching, and add a runner. These two simple changes give a hallway space an instant upgrade.

I love that Worthing Court Blog has not one, but TWO gorgeous light fixtures in her hallway makeover. In her post, she offers the quote artwork as a free printable if you want to recreate the look!

The beautiful runner is my favorite part of this hallway makeover at Blesser House. It looks amazing with her dark navy doors. Plus, the black and gold accents look amazing against the light grey walls.

3. Add some interest to the doors.

If your hallway is anything like mine, it is about 80 percent doors. Simply adding some color or decor to the doors will make a big impact!

Paint the Doors and Hardware

One great update idea to banish the builder grade look is painting the doors a color other than white to add personality and interest.

Southern Hospitality updated her hallway by painting the doors a beautiful color and changing out the door hardwate to oil rubbed bronze. I love the contrast!

Decorate the Doors

Not much wall space? Decorate the doors! Add a wreath. Or, make life easy for your guests, and add some beautiful signs to let them know which door leads to the bathroom!

Use a door signs and a wreath to add some decor to your doors in a small hallway

Recently, I found these farmhouse door signs, and I think they are perfect! Tacking these little signs on the doors already makes the hallway a bit more interesting.

For a truly creative hall doorway idea, check out this tutorial from In My Own Style.

She creates the look of a transom window on a budget with mirrors in this incredible DIY! This is such a fun way to help brighten a dark hallway.

4. Add a Table or Potted Plant.

If you have a corner nook or wall in your hallway, add another layer of decor with furniture. Consider a tall potted plant tucked in a corner, or a small, yet beautifully decorated table.

This table and mirror complements the beautiful accent wall perfectly in this farmhouse hallway makeover.

Here is another small table tucked into a hallway nook. The orchid and beautiful table decor looks perfect along with her fun wall treatment!

I can’t wait to incorporate a few of these inspiring ideas for hallway decor into our narrow little hallway space.

To see some of the transformations behind our hallway doors, check out this Dollar Tree pantry makeover, and our $100 powder room makeover!

We recently started sprucing up the laundry room, and I can’t wait to share a few projects we are working on!

Do you have any hallway decorating ideas to share? I’d love to hear about them below!


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