How to Makeover a Hallway

Declutter the hallway. Remove everything on the floor, walls and windows that aren't permanent fixtures, giving you a "clean slate" to begin your makeover.

Paint the walls of your hallway. A light beige or soft-white color works well with most color schemes and will brighten your hallway and make it appear larger. Use a darker beige or taupe color for large passageways that you want to visually shrink. Make a long hallway look shorter by painting the wall at the end of the hallway two or three shades darker than the wall color. New paint provides a fresh, clean backdrop for the rest of your makeover.

Hang a decorative chandelier or pendant lights in a larger hallway with high ceilings to provide light and visual interest. Illuminate low ceiling, smaller passageways with ceiling-hugging, recessed lighting. Wall sconces are ideal for hallways that aren't too narrow, providing decorative lighting.

Apply window film, replace clear glass with frosted or etched window panes, or hang sheer curtains to provide privacy to hallway windows. If privacy isn't necessary, leave hall windows uncovered, allowing continual, natural illumination of bright sunshine during the day and soft moonlight by night.

Place a floor runner down a wood or tile hallway to add color, texture and warmth. The runner will add instant coziness to the hallway and feel good on your feet on a cool day. It will also soften the noise of clicking heels.

Hang a large mirror at the end of a hallway, making the space look larger. A small console table placed under the mirror with a vase of flowers or potted greenery and a decorative lamp gives energy and life to the space, while adding a focal point. Place a storage bench in lieu of the console table for added storage space.

Create a gallery wall of framed black and white photographs or a collection of similar prints on one hallway wall. This enhances the journey down the hall with visual interest.