24 decorating ideas for stairs and hallways: how to upgrade the highway of your home

Don’t neglect decorating ideas for stairs and hallways. This is the main artery of your home, from stepping through the front door, up the staircase, and onto the landing.

And while these corridors of the home serve a functional purpose, they are a great opportunity to inject an extra layer of style.

When you think about it, the hallway, stairs and landing are amongst the most well-used zones of your property. But do we give them enough design attention?

Decorating ideas for stairs and hallways

Halls are the first place visitors view – it’s the calling card to your home so we understand the need to create a statement entrance.

Landings can often take a backseat to hallway ideas in terms of decorating. Perhaps it’s because guests don’t generally see the upstairs of your home – especially if you have a downstairs toilet.

Decorating a hall, stairs and landing can transform your home though. Consider carefully how you want to decorate yours – it’s often a time-consuming and tricky job, so you want to get it right.

If it sounds like a lot of work, get in touch with a local painter and decorator who can use their expertise on your tired spaces.

Pop your postcode into our search bar and get in touch with decorating professionals.

Decorating a hall, stairs and landing

Do you want to treat the hall, stairs and landing as a separate design zone to your main interior? Or link up for a seamless mood?

From painted walls and a cool stair runner to a bold banister or wow-factor wallpaper, we have something to whet your creative appetite.

We’ve done all the hard work for you by putting together a range of fabulous decorating ideas for stairs and hallways.

Read on to be inspired by our hall, stairs and landing decorating ideas.

1. Embrace an elegant mood when decorating a hall, stairs and landing

Tall ceilings and white walls are a match made in interior design heaven. White paint is a foolproof design trick that will enhance a light and airy ambience throughout your home.

In fact, halls and landings painted in clean white tones will set the scene for the rest of your home beautifully, especially for restful bedroom decor upstairs.

Don’t forget, it might be a good idea to use wipeable paint on walls so you can easily clean off fingerprints and dirty marks.

Choosing white paint also means less time poring over piles of paint cards and swatches. Plus, touching up white walls is oh-so-simple (who doesn’t have a pot of white paint lurking in the shed?)

Finish with smart herringbone floors, sheer window treatments and glass light shades for a serene look that will capture your design heart.

2. Give halls and landings their own identity

Wide hallways and landings are luxurious – but you want them to feel homely and have a purpose beyond being aisles to other rooms.

Yes, with the right decoration and furnishings, these oft-neglected spaces can be transformed into an extra sitting area or reading corner.

If you’re sticking to neutral grey carpets you can afford to make a statement by hanging up a bold piece of wall art. And don’t forget to seek out an edit of cohesive furniture: a long sideboard for storage, a comfortable chair for reading, and low-level lighting to create mood.

Stick to the same colour palette as the rest of your home to help achieve a sophisticated look worthy of an interior designer.

3. Fit in freestanding storage upstairs and down

We’re used to seeking out sideboards and console tables for hallway storage.  But long landings can benefit from extra storage too, especially if some of the bedrooms are on the compact side. 

Boost storage in the hallway with a console and a tall skinny locker for stashing sports gear, shoes and pet kit. And for the landing, a low-slung cupboard for bedding and towels is perfect.

Remember to make sure doors can open easily without bashing the opposite walls or banisters.

4. Consider spotlights when decorating a hall, stairs and landing

Enhance the look of your hall, stairs and landing with built-in spotlights – especially for lower ceilings where pendants can create a fussy look and get in the way.

Flush-fitted downlights are streamlined and clutter-free, perfect for this pared-back Scandi-style scheme. Downlights can also be put on dimmer switches so you can adjust the lighting intensity and overall mood depending on the time of day.

We’ve put together a guide on staircase lighting ideas so you can work out what will match up with your hallway and landing lights.

Always get a professional to help with your lighting needs – you’ll need a qualified electrician for this job. The result will transform your hall, stairs and landing!

5. Go for unexpected decorating ideas for stairs and hallways

A built-in fish tank won’t fail to inject all the decorative drama you’ll need in a simple hallway or landing space.

Like a moving piece of art, this fabulous fish tank offers an ever-changing slice of colour and pattern as you walk from one end to the other.

Remember, though, installing a wall aquarium is a specialist job. Always get a professional to help with your project.

6. Feature wallpaper ideas for a hall, landing and stairs

Add a feature wall in the entrance hall or upstairs landing with graphic print wallpaper.

As you walk up from the plain white stairwell, this navy, geo print wallpaper injects an unexpected pop of pattern.

The effortless blend of modern print with a vintage sideboard and chandelier adds an extra layer of personality to the landing.

Read our hallway wallpaper ideas and get tons of inspiration for your hall, stairs and landing.

7. Be bold with a statement stair runner

Make a feature of your staircase with bold stair carpet ideas.

Investing in a stair runner can protect your wooden staircase from scratches and stains. Not only that, but it will cut back on the clatter of noisy footsteps running up and down from one floor to another.

Stair runners are also a great decorating tool. You can continue the same colour palette from the hallway up to the landing. But why not add a contrasting border on the stair runner to create an extra feature?

Wondering how much exactly a stair runner costs? Read our stair runner cost guide where we break down the average prices for materials and installation.

8. Luxe up decorating ideas for stairs and hallways

The beauty of decorating a hall, stairs and landing in neutral tones is that you can slightly adjust each area but still retain a harmonious mood.

For instance, you can extend the boudoir vibe into an upstairs landing with a mix of plush fabrics, pastel hues and pretty wall panelling, like in this image. It’s a look that’s high on comfort and sophistication, especially with the extra built-in storage.

Meanwhile, downstairs, you can accessorise with colours and furniture that reflect the living room and kitchen decor.

9. Go for sheer glass decorating ideas for stairs and hallways

This gorgeous, glass staircase and landing is unavoidably contemporary. The sleek panes of glass create a modern vibe that fits seamlessly with this modern white interior.

You’ll need to hire a professional for this sort of job. Read our dedicated guide for everything you need to know about glass staircases.

Discover the pros, the cons and how much elbow grease will be required to keep all that glass spotlessly clean!

Sheer joy!

10. Build in a long line of cupboards

As well as decoration, your hall, stairs and landing can offer added functionality.

Building in a row of sliding cupboards downstairs can create space for wet weather gear and out-of-season garments. Treat it as a sort of integrated boot room for pet paraphernalia, boots and sports kit.

Upstairs, if you don’t have bedroom space for large fitted wardrobes, maximise a landing for storing an overspill of clothes.

You can also utilise the cupboards for hiding away cleaning products (no more lugging the vacuum cleaner up the stairs!) and piles of laundry.

11. Mix and match flooring ideas

You don’t need to stick to the same flooring when decorating a hall, stairs and landing.

In fact, laying carpet on the stairs and landing and a hardwearing tile or laminate on the hallway floor makes perfect sense.

Tough, wipeable floors are a great idea for a busy hallway that needs to withstand a daily onslaught of mucky footprints, heavy traffic, piles of shoes and perhaps a wet dog or two.

Then, switch it up for staircase and landings where the soft, comfortable and sound-reducing properties of carpet are spot on.

One tip: for a harmonious look, use similar colours even if you are mixing up soft and hard floors.

Decorating ideas for a small hall, stairs and landing

Even in a small hall, stairs and landing, you can make a big impact.

Incorporate a few clever design solutions for narrow spaces and mini hallways to help maximise functionality and aesthetic appeal.

12. Earn your stripes

Opt for vertical striped wallpaper or chunky painted stripes to create an illusion of height and make your narrow hallway appear larger. Even better, choose a bright and daring colour for some extra wow factor.

13. Utilise a radiator cover

Radiator covers do more than disguise ugly radiators. In a small hall or landing area, they can provide a ledge to display a few decorative items, along with some essentials.

If you can’t find off-the-shelf radiator cover ideas that you like, you’ll need to get in touch with a carpenter who can help out with a bespoke design.

Find out too if radiator covers block heat with our handy blog (hint: a well-designed one won’t).

14. Maximise storage

Utilise wall-mounted hooks, racks, narrow floating shelves, and console tables to maximise space in a small hallway.

This might include storing coats, keys, hats, or other small items. The trick is to avoid cluttering the area to allow an inviting welcome for all.

15. Opt for seamless flooring

Lay a continuous flooring through your hallway and into adjoining rooms. Visually, this will fool the eye into thinking your narrow hallway is wider than it is, with no interruptions or joins.

Polished concrete floors will create a seamless flow and a super contemporary look.

Then, pair with simple white walls and modern accessories to max out your small hallway, hall stairs and landing decorating ideas

16. Reflect light and space with mirrored panels

Install mirrored panels on one or both sides of your hallway to visually expand the space and create a brighter, more open aesthetic.

It’s a brilliant feature wall idea that you can use upstairs on the landing too.

17. Be confident with patterned wallpaper

Don’t be afraid to hang bold, patterned wallpaper in small hallways and landings.

While you might be tempted to go for top-to-toe neutrals, look how transformative busy wallpaper and colourful woodwork can be.

Narrow, unloved hallways and landings just got seriously epic.

Decorating ideas for stairs and hallways – how to use paint

Refresh your hall, stairs and landing with a fresh lick of paint. It’s surprising what a new colour or a bold contrasting hue can do to upgrade the main thoroughfare of your home.

• Decide whether you want to run the same colour through your hall, stairs and landing – or whether you want to create subtle differences for each area
• Think about your railings, banisters and stair treads as well as your walls – these decorative details can all be refreshed with new paint job
• If you’re considering doing a DIY job, be aware that the newel posts, balustrades, hand rails and spindles of your staircase can be intricate woodwork to paint
• We would recommend hiring the expertise of a painter and decorator who can create a stunning makeover using the right paint, finishes and equipment.

18. Colour block stair treads

Use a bold paint shade to make a feature out of your stair treads. Cool, colourful and oh-so-contemporary!

19. Freshen up with white paint

Crisp white walls and banisters offer an airy contrast to a rustic timber staircase. A design classic we’ll never tire of.

20. Time to go green

Make a feature out of a large hall or landing with deep olive green paint. Kit out with simple storage to create clutter-free corridors.

21. Paint a rainbow

Have fun with stair spindles by painting in bold hues. Stick to the same family of shades for an upmarket look that will bring you joy every day.

22. Paint it black

Dark-painted banisters are a popular design trend – and it’s easy to see why. Smart, sophisticated and they won’t show up the mucky fingerprints!

23. Make it monochrome

If all-over black paint is too dark for your design tempo, try a mix of black and white. These fresh white stair risers create a floating effect against the timber treads while the skinny black spindles add a modern, sculptural silhouette.

Check out our staircase lighting ideas here.

24. Decorate stair risers

If you’re feeling creative, paint the risers and decorate them with a transfer – or even a handpainted motif. It’s a great way to add unexpected design flair to this underused part of the staircase.

Make first impressions count with hallway entrance ideas

Your hallway entrance sets the tone for what lies beyond its welcoming floors.

As a result, it’s an opportunity to make a grand statement and welcome guests with open arms.

Explore ideas like a bold and eye-catching front door, a stylish entry table, and practical shoe storage solutions that will leave a lasting impression.

Statement doors

Paint your front door a bold colour or choose a unique design to make a striking first impression. Your goal is for passers-by to ask themselves ‘I wonder who lives there?’

Console tables

Place a stylish console table near your statement front door for decorative accents like a vase of fresh flowers, a key bowl, or a post tray.

Shoe storage

Incorporate a sleek shoe rack or a storage bench with compartments for shoes near your home’s entrance to keep your hallway tidy and organised.

Natural materials

Bring the outdoors in with natural, organic elements like jute baskets, bamboo furniture and macrame hanging frames.

Indoor plants

Add life and freshness to your hallway by placing potted plants or hanging planters along windowsills, shelves, or in corners.

Final thoughts

• Your hall, stairs and landing are important decorating zones
• They are more than just a route from one floor to another – and more than just blank corridors with doors leading off to a kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms
• Use our decorating ideas for stairs and hallways to transform these oft-neglected spaces into stunning areas of the home
• Create a warm welcome with a clutter-free and inviting hallway entrance
• Experiment with paint, wallpaper and great lighting tips to overhaul your hall, stairs and landing
• Accessorise with plants, mirrors and artwork to create a simple impact
• Don’t forget storage – a mix of freestanding and built-in cupboards will create neat, stylish spaces

How to turn your ideas for decorating a hall, stairs and landing into a reality

Hiring a reliable painter and decorator is the best way to ensure your vision is brought seamlessly to life to a professional standard.

Finding reliable, local experts is easy with Checkatrade.

Pop your postcode in below to see which experts come approved by us and recommended by your local community.