How to Design Long Hallways

Paint the hallway in a light or warm tone, such as white, cream or sunny yellow. These colors reflect light, making a long hallway feel more open and airy.

Highlight the end of a long hallway to make it seem shorter. If there isn't a doorway at the end of the hallway, display a hutch or hang a large piece of art on the wall at the end of the hallway. If there is a doorway at the end of the hall, paint the wall around it and perhaps the door itself a different color than the rest of the walls and doors in the space.

Lay a floor runner along the floor. Choose a light, solid-colored runner or opt for a runner that features a horizontal pattern to create the illusion of a wider space. Avoid using a runner that features a vertical design, as this will make the hallway appear even longer.

Illuminate the hallway. Hang a decorative chandelier or a ceiling-mounted fixture from the ceiling of the hallway. Hang decorative sconces on the walls or the ceiling, either across from one another or offset from one another. Choose lighting elements that work with the style of your home or the hallway; stained glass or wrought iron pieces for a craftsman-style home or cut crystal pieces in a Regency-style space. Lighting will help to make a long hallway feel more open and will add visual interest to the space.

Hang pictures along the walls. Choose paintings or pictures that speak to your style, such as personal photographs or landscapes. Spread the pictures out along the length of the hallway instead of clumping them together in one spot. Spreading the pictures out will give a long hallway a cohesive appearance and will give you something to look at as you proceed from one end of the space to the other.