How to decorate corridor walls

We spend so much time and effort planning our décor designs for rooms that we often forget those all-important connecting spaces – corridors. From entrance hallways to upstairs corridors, these amazingly versatile spaces often get overlooked and end up with just a lick of paint and a few random pictures. 

However, imaginative and clever corridor decoration can take your home to a whole new level. Here we come up with a few corridor decoration ideas, including advice on how to decorate a long corridor, making the most of the space you have, and how the use of mirrors can make narrow corridors seem wider.

Smart space – go up, not out!

A hallway is effectively a link between two larger spaces, so the most important thing is to keep clutter and obstacles down to a minimum. However, just because you don’t have the room for a cabinet doesn’t mean you can’t use clever storage and shelving to make the most of the space you have. You just have to think in a different direction and go up, not out!

Floating bookshelves are a great addition and allow you to bring more unusual features into your corridor, such as plants and ornaments, or even books! Ditch the coat stand for hooks and look at wall-mounted organisers for shoes, rather than a footlocker by the door. 

Create your own art gallery

If you’re looking for ideas on how to decorate a long corridor then the most obvious is to create your very own ‘art gallery’ by filling the walls with beautiful paintings, photographs, and 3D wall sculpture. Long corridor ideas should also take into account lighting (both artificial and natural), as well as the height of the walls and the space available. If you’re using wall art to bring a little interest into your corridors then make sure you look at how each piece is lit both during the day and in the evening.

Balance larger pieces with groups of smaller pictures, or go for one single focal piece that’s dramatic and a real statement, and then work your gallery design around that item. If your corridor ends with a blank wall, why not add a plinth and a single, striking piece of sculpture to draw the visitor’s eye? Position a mirror behind it to give the illusion that the corridor continues beyond that point!

Mirrors – the miracle workers in small spaces

To create the illusion of space and to increase the amount of light reflected into those dark corners, carefully-positioned wall mirrors can work miracles. If you want to give the illusion of two wall-art pieces opposite each other then position a mirror directly across from your feature piece. The optical illusion of length can be created by positioning a large wall mirror at the end of a corridor, while a single oblong mirror just by the door gives you the chance to check you’re looking your best in naturally reflected daylight before you leave the house.

Colours for corridor décor

Lighter colours are great for giving your corridors a sense of space, but don’t be afraid to use bold designs such as vertical stripes. If your corridor is very high, use a picture rail half-way up the wall to break it into two halves and give the impression of a shorter, less vaulted space. This also helps to draw the eye to any artwork you have displayed.

There’s plenty you can do to make corridor decoration a key part of your interior design. Remember to use them as connecting spaces, so the colour and design should flow naturally and complement rather than clash with your other décor. Most of all, have fun with your corridors, and check out the great range of products at Crate & Barrel, where we have lots of different wall art, mirrors, and shelving to help you make the most of your home.