22 Small Hallway Ideas That Elevate These Narrow Spaces

Hook It Up

Something as simple as Command strips and hooks can make all the difference when it comes to organizing day-to-day clutter.

"Install a few hooks along your hallway walls in a neat row to keep things off the floor and within easy reach," says interior designer Mikel Welch. "Choose hooks with sleek finishes, such as brushed metal or matte black, to blend seamlessly with your hallway’s aesthetic."

Skirt Your Storage

You can never go wrong with extra storage. However, instead of a console that's out in the open, try something a bit more elegant and nuanced.

"Use a skinny skirted console table to soften the space and display collections, while also having concealed storage underneath," says interior designer J.P. Horton. "Add another layer by hanging a painting or mirror above."

Go for a Gallery Wall

You can map out a gallery wall with all kinds of different pictures and prints, or you can keep things more uniform, like in this project.

"I displayed my collection of hand-painted botanicals from the 1800s in my own hallway this way," says Horton. "It adds interest to an otherwise boring space and reflects a little bit of light off of the glass in the frames."

Add Doors on Doors

Doors can do wonders—and we don't just mean the one at the end of the hallway.

"Install unique doors," says Andrea Fisk, principal designer of Shapeless Studio. "Many hallways are full of them, and they can really inject a lot of personality into the space. In this project, we created some custom oak ones that have fluted glass and caning."

Make It Moody

Sometimes, it's a good idea to lean into the fact that a hallway doesn't get much light.

"Dark, rich colors with proper lighting can create enveloping, cozy, and romantic spaces that reflect your home’s personality," says Jennifer Laouari, principal of Morgan Madison Design.

Also, try to avoid harsh overhead lighting. Instead, opt for a more layered, nuanced setup with dimmers. "Nothing creates drama and mood like lower-level lighting," Laouari adds. "Consider a narrow, sculptural floor lamp tucked in a corner with an interesting chair, or sconces fit snug to the wall."

Tack on the Textures

Don't be afraid to mix and match color and pattern. "In my personal home in Atlanta, I used the beautiful Pierre Frey La Pannonie wallcovering in Saphir in my back hallway," says interior designer Suzanne Kasler.

This is proof that patterns are perfect for small areas. The size allows the eye to focus and not bounce around too much. "The play on a consistent pattern elevates this small space into something truly special," says Kasler. "The hallway is not only stylish but functional, with the bench acting as the perfect landing spot for coming in and out."

Emphasize Function

Like all well-designed spaces, make sure that your small hallway looks great and works well.

"Wallpaper, art, and lighting help to achieve high style with limited space," says interior designer CeCe Barfield Thompson. "But function is also essential in an entryway, so make sure there's a spot to throw your keys and handbag."

Roll Out a Runner

Don't forget about the floor! "The best way to make a small hallway shine is to make it appear longer than it is," says Morgan Olsen, an interior design expert at Thumbtack. "Try putting a runner in the space to provide texture and accentuate long lines, and combine that with a focal point at the end, such as a table with a mirror above it."

Experiment With Color

Small hallways are a great place to let your imagination run wild and experiment with different patterns and colors.

"Don't be scared to go bold, like we did in this hallway," says interior designer Erika Bonnell. "By using a striking scenic wallpaper, we turned what was a basic, boring hallway into an experience, and then made it 'extra' by adding an unexpected wine niche."

Go Big and Bold

Make up for what your hallway lacks in square footage with major design moves.

"People will be wowed by color and decoration, which distracts from the size," says interior designer Lucinda Sanford. "This small hallway was very dark, as it had no windows—so we elevated it by adding a strong color, wallpaper, and wonderful bobbin trim."

Sit Pretty

Stumped on how to make your hallway more useful? It can be an additional sitting area too. "Built-in seating is a great way to maximize a hallway and make it functional," says Sallie Lord, founder of GreyHunt Interiors. "It adds texture, interest, and sound absorption."

Repeat, Repeat, Repeat

Establish a cohesive look and flow with repetition. Here, interior designer Amanda Jacobs did just that with some stylish tableware.

"To soften the transition into the kitchen, we adorned the hallway with a collection of antique plates, thoughtfully gathered and gifted over time," she says.

Build a Bar

A small hallway can be transformed into a bar area too, making it even more functional.

"We added built-in glass-front cabinetry to display glassware, bar tools, and spirits, and installed a two-drawer refrigerator below—perfect for the kids to grab their favorite drinks," says Jacobs. "Then, to give the small area a bold personality, we finished it in a striking eggplant gloss paint."

Fashion a Focal Point

If your hallway is on the very small side, then don't overcrowd it with too much decoration. The end game is what's most important.

"Consider the terminating vista of your small hallway, where the eye naturally travels," says Kelsey McGregor, founder and principal of Kelsey Leigh Design Co. "Create a focal point at the end, such as with a piece of art, a unique chair arrangement, or a distinctive light fixture."

Create Built-Ins

Built-in storage should be a high-priority design element in a small hallway. It's a game-changing upgrade—one you can never really go wrong with.

"Incorporate a built-in console to amplify storage in this niche of your home," says McGregor. "Be sure to consider spatial dimensions and your doorways when planning for this."

Style With Purpose

Since you don't have much space, be as considerate as possible with everything you put in a small hallway.

"Every element should serve a purpose," says interior designer Jae Joo. "I like using vintage, one-of-a-kind pieces, especially in spaces where you’re only bringing in a few things. When you’re keeping the layout minimal, each object has to carry its weight."

Focus on a Feature Wall

Where a hallway ends is a huge part of the design process. One way to make this viewpoint pop is to make it an accent wall.

"We find small hallways to be a great opportunity for us to add a splash of color to the walls," says Dara Huang, founder of Design Haus Liberty.

Keep Clutter Out

Don't let your hallway become a spillover area for loose items. This space used to be full of sports equipment, backpacks, and shoes—until interior design firm Gordon Dunning added more storage and style.

"We used a calming color palette, designed custom cabinetry to suit the client's specific needs, specified durable floors, and incorporated new lighting and reflective acrylic frames for artwork," says co-principal Cate Dunning.

Work It Out

Think about what you need more of in a small hallway—and make it happen.

"Incorporating a workstation—in this case a mudroom sink and prep space—helps it become a place of utility and not just a passageway," says interior designer Wendy Labrum. "Of course, adding in the right amount of architectural details and thoughtful materials helps make it stylish."

Set Up Shelves

Open shelving with hooks is a great way to keep a small hallway organized.

"We frequently recommend this kind of storage," says Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL Kitchens. "It allows you to make full use of alcoves and long hallways."

Create Connections

A hallway should tie different rooms together, ultimately enhancing these disparate spaces and making them feel more connected.

"In this project, I transformed a small hallway between a home office and a meeting room into a stylish and practical breakfast bar, creating a cohesive work-from-home suite," says Ariene Bethea, founder of Dressing Rooms Interior Design Studio. "I pulled the color palette from both adjoining rooms to maintain visual flow."

Make a Stylish Entrance

Finally, don't miss your chance to outfit arguably the most important hallway of all: the entryway.

"It can set the tone for the rest of your home," says interior designer Nick Cryer of Berkeley Place. "Make a strong first impression. While light colors can make a small hallway feel larger, don’t be afraid of going dark and dramatic. Deep hues can create a cozy, elegant feel—especially when balanced with good lighting."