Red Themes for Hallways

Red Carpet Look

• Create a glamorous hallway with a red carpet look. Begin by laying plush red carpet, or use a throw carpet if you don't wish to commit to anything permanent. A hallway is an ideal place to experiment with graphic prints of wallpaper. Choose a modern pattern such as damask in tones of gold or black and gray. Finish the look with a collection of ornate mirrors spaced evenly along the length of the hall. If the walls are dark, paint all the frames cherry red. If the walls are light, paint them black.

Horizontal Stripes

• To create the illusion of a lengthy hallway, paint horizontal stripes on the walls. Choose your favorite shade of red -- oxblood, cherry, wine -- and add stripes. One idea is to glaze portions of the wall to create stripes that will be visible as different levels of light hit them. Balance the red walls with art and lighting in lighter shades. For instance, choose artwork with watery blue and green tones and pops of red. Look for ornate metallic sconces to brighten the hall.

Gallery

• Choose a completely different color to paint the walls and create a gallery of all red frames. Colors such as dove gray, turquoise, lemon and cerulean are ideal choices. Gather a collection of images, including family photographs, artwork, postcards, vintage pictures and other items you wish to frame. Browse flea markets and secondhand stores to find ornate frames in differing sizes, shapes and patterns. Include new frames for an eclectic balance of shapes. Unify the look by painting the frames red. Hang a red chandelier in the middle of the hall, and place other red accessories such as hooks on doors wherever possible.

Wall Treatments

• Makeover the hallway with wall treatments to house pops of red. For instance, create a series of shadow boxes on both sides of the hallway and add red inside the boxes. One idea is to wallpaper the inside of the boxes with an oversize red floral or damask print. Or, reverse the scheme and wallpaper the room, leaving the shadow boxes without paper. You can paint the inside of the boxes red and use them to hang art and mirrors. Alternatively, you can add wainscoting to elongate the hall and paint either the wainscoting or the walls red.