Neutral Hallway Colors

Warm Neutral Colors

• Neutral colors are split into two groups: warm and cool. Warm colors are stimulating -- think greens, yellows and oranges. These hues are only neutral if they're not used in their pure form, but rather to tint a white or beige paint base. Different paint manufacturers will have a plethora of names for warm neutral colors. Look for clues that indicate the paint color is muted but includes warm tones. Names such as "pale rose," "dusted sienna" or "light daisy" are likely neutral warm tones, for example. Warm neutral colors work well with light-colored wood floors or carpeting, as they will provide a contrast but not a jarring one. Warm neutrals also work well in hallways decorated with dark picture frames. The color of the wall versus the frames contrasts, drawing your attention to the artwork.

Cool Neutral Colors

• Cool neutral colors are on the opposite side of the color wheel than warm tones and include blues and greens. Cool colors are said to promote calmness and concentration. As with warm neutrals, cool neutrals have just a tinge of blue or green instead of full color saturation. Keywords to look for include "pale blue," "light sage" and "dusted lime." Cool neutral hallways will highlight dark-colored floors. They also work well with light-colored or even white picture frames. In addition, cool neutral colors can help a small hallway look larger, opening up the space.

Benefits of Neutral-Colored Hallways

• Neutral-colored hallways can help your home sell faster because they "help a property look best in photographs online, which is where potential buyers first make the decision to look at a house or condo in person," according to real estate agent Deb Gorham in a piece for "The Washington Post." Instead of buyers rejecting your home because they don't agree with your love of pumpkin walls, muted neutrals allow prospective buyers to picture themselves in your home. Neutrals also provide benefits if you're not selling your home. Hallways are usually enclosed spaces, so neutrals make the hallway seem more open than bold colors. Plus, neutral colors allow your hallway furniture or decor, such as picture frames or antiques, to take center stage.

Tips on Matching Neutral Colors

• Bold, non-neutral colors often are easier to decorate with because you know exactly what you're getting with the paint color. Neutral tones, however, have subtle color shades that can change based on the amount of light your hallway receives. Avoid becoming too "matchy-matchy" with the paint color and floor by, for example, looking for an exact beige paint to match the beige carpet. It's very difficult to get an exact match, and mismatches will draw negative attention. Instead, opt for a slightly contrasting neutral palette, such as beige carpet with pale rose or blue wall paint in your hallway. These pairings keep your hallway neutral without the stress of mismatched tones. If you are set on matching the colors exactly, paint 1-foot-square areas of different samples to find the best match, as the larger area provides better comparison than a small paper paint chip.