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Desperately scrolling decorating ideas for small hallways and stairs? We’ve been there. So, we’ve rounded up all the best designs we came across on our search!
Don’t get us wrong… we love matchbox-sized spaces for their homey, cosy, and super inviting feel. But nailing the decor is much more of a love-hate kinda deal.
Feeling the same? To save you the stress of finding stunning decorating ideas for small hallways and stairs, we’ve rounded up some of the most innovative ideas in this post!
Decorating Ideas for Small Hallways and Stairs
Make Use of Inconvenient Corners
Why do hallways have an awkward corner that seems impossible to spruce up – especially when you want to combine functionality with aesthetic appeal?
The best thing to do is consider how exactly you’ll use that particular space. For example, a small bench or stool is perfect for your hallway, making it simpler to put your shoes on.
Go Big on Streamline Storage
Just because your hallway is small, it doesn’t mean you have to compromise on storage. By investing in the right pieces, you can create a genius hideaway for all your grab-and-go essentials, such as shoes, keys, or shopping bags.
IKEA has nailed it with their super affordable wall-mounted shoe storage. And it wouldn’t be a proper homeware haul if you didn’t bag a bargain from Amazon – check out their nifty expandable coat rack!
Add a Bold Pop of Colour
This one might be a little like marmite, as we know the majority of people would probably rather adorn their walls – rather than their stairs – with a lick of paint.
But here us out. It doesn’t need to be as daring as this royal blue pop. You can go for warm, earthy, and inviting nudes or inject a little burst of happiness with a soft pastel.
Brighten the Walls with a Mirror
Time and time again we’ve preached the need for mirrors in small, restricted spaces. Don’t ask us about the science behind it, but they bounce light into the dingiest of rooms – no matter their size.
Decorate Open Shelves
If you’re a sucker for that lived-in vibe, then adorning a dinky open shelf unit is one of the best decorating ideas for small hallways and stairs. See how it totally diverts the eyes away from that delightfully curved yet somewhat cramped staircase?
Create Warmth with String Lights
We know, string lights aren’t exactly one of the most avant-garde design concepts to bring into your home. But we don’t care, because we’ll always love them.
They add warmth to your space. They create a soft burst of light in places that often feel dark and dismal. Plus, they’re a super cheap way to inject personality into your home – a must for renters.
Opt for Spaced Out Balusters
Wanna trick the eyes into thinking you have a bigger space than you do? Select a banister with a simple baluster design.
Whether you opt for carefully sculpted wood or striking metal spindles, it’s clear you can still add bundles of character and limitless visual intrigue despite such a minimal structure.
Put Your Banisters in the Limelight
Yes, we’re fully aware this bold design choice totally contradicts what we’ve just said about favouring simple, unobstructive banisters. But not everyone is into that.
If your interior design style leans more into maximalist concepts, such as introducing plenty of pattern, textures, and forms, then choosing a “dramatic” stairway might be a little more up your street.
Guide the Way with Strip Lights
Super small or narrow hallways and stairs can be dim and drab depending on where they’re positioned in your home. So, adding lights above and below can help to brighten the entire area, making it easier to get from A to B – especially at night.
Forget calling your local electrician. These strip lights are the ultimate zero-hassle DIY solution.
Keep It Light, Bright & White
Boring? Never. We absolutely adore all-white interiors – see some of our fave white living room decor ideas!
When paired with quality hardwood or laminate flooring, the starkness of white walls and stairs doesn’t appear as harsh, instead creating a beautifully minimalistic, glowing interior.
Get Savvy with Floor-to-Ceiling Mirrors
Got an ugly blank wall at the end of your hallway? Adding floor-to-ceiling mirrors is one of the most genius decorating ideas for small hallways and stairs.
Trust us, this literally doubles the appearance of your compact space, making it feel like you’ve got way more room to breathe (even if you haven’t!). Bonus points if you also have the square footage to squeeze a little storage behind the mirrors – go for sliding doors to maximise floor space when in use.
Add a Natural Touch
It’s so simple but often so overlooked – adding fresh greenery to your space.
Not only do real plants breathe life into your home, but the right one also appears much like a decorative ornament – one that flourishes so uniquely, nobody else will have the same.
Introduce a Thoughtfully Positioned Skylight
We know, this is one of few decorating ideas for small hallways and stairs that not everyone can recreate in their home. But for those that can, we’d say it’s a must.
Introducing a flood of light into your stairwell, a skylight instantly makes the space feel bright and welcoming. Add some warm wood accents and a little greenery to master that beautifully fresh, timeless look.
Forego the Banister
Feeling like your staircase is particularly tight on space? Break the rules and throw out the bannister.
Yes, it’ll take a little while to get used to (especially if any kind of height turns your legs to jelly…). But a simple handrail on your wall provides somewhere to hold onto, and prevents mucky hands from touching your pristinely painted walls.
Lean Into “Awkward” Spaces
The worst thing you can do with an awkward space in your home? Leave it completely blank.
Whether you go for small shelves for extra storage, introduce a custom-built coat rack, or adorn your walls with funky prints, anything is better than the starkness of a plain, unembellished space.
Adding a little pzazz to your entryway? Here are 9 pretty and practical small home decor items destined to add personality to the space!
Play with a Light and Dark Colour Palette
LOVE bold decor? There are so many ways to create drama and visual intrigue in your home without going OTT with statement accessories. And one of those is to play with light and dark tones!
Whether you stick to neutrals or add a soft splash of colour, this certainly draws the attention away from how compact your space is, and puts your decorative style in the limelight.
Create a Modern Aesthetic with a Sleek Wall Partition
A stylish design choice for homes stretched across multiple floors, wooden floor-to-ceiling slats divide spaces without “blocking in” your hallway.
Choose Interior Doors with Windows
Many small homes feature a staircase in the centre of the property, saving bundles of space with a curved and compact design. The only flaw? Natural light is often in short supply.
So, one of the most clever decorating ideas for small hallways and stairs is to focus on where you can maximise light. And opting for doors with a clear or even frosted glass panel brings light in from other rooms in your home – clever, ey?
Utilise Cubby Holes
Whether you’ve already got a wall niche or you create one yourself, a cubby hole is a great way to increase storage without taking up too much space.
We love the idea of adding coat pegs like above, but it’s also a brilliantly compact and unobstructive space to adorn with shelves, offering a chance to enhance decorative appeal.
Maximise Space with Half Walls
Another trick that works brilliantly for staircases with no natural light source is to add a half wall feature. Or, create a divider wall with large windows to let light flow through.
These unique design statements will instantly make your hallway and stairs feel bigger, even though they’re not. Plus, they introduce limitless visual intrigue, meaning you don’t need to go OTT with decorative pieces just to give your hallway and stairs an ounce of personality.
This post was all about the best decorating ideas for small hallways and stairs!