Innovative Hallway Lighting Ideas to Explore

Posted on September 20, 2023

Few spaces depend on beautiful lighting quite as much as hallways. Often left as something of an afterthought when we decorate our homes, hallways are deserving of far more attention than they usually get. 


After all, the entrance hall is where guests get their first impression of a home, so it should be as inviting as possible. 


Space is at a premium in the vast majority of hallways, which means it can be challenging to set the scene properly with furnishings and other decor. 


However, carefully curated mood lighting has the potential to transform smaller spaces like these, turning what may have been a dark and gloomy space into one that shines at the flick of a switch. 


Best Hallway Lighting Ideas

If you’re looking for inspiration on how to transform your hallway into one that sets the tone of your property, start by thinking about your lighting. 


We can’t overstate the difference that lighting can make in small spaces. In hallways, the effects of brilliant lighting really are transformative. 


Narrow Hallway Lighting Ideas

Narrow spaces have the tendency to feel small, which can make the hallway less inviting to visitors. However, carefully chosen lighting will illuminate even the narrowest of hallways, making it appear larger and more welcoming. 


If you have room for a console table in your hallway, this can be used as a focal point to draw the eye away from the width of the space. Position a space-saving oval lampshade in the center of your console table, and you’ll be able to create mood lighting that doubles as a distraction from the dimensions of your hallway, making it seem far more spacious than it really is. 


Don’t be discouraged from adding extra lighting to a narrow hallway. Carefully chosen lighting will never make the space feel more cluttered. If you pick a shade that complements your space, it’ll immediately feel more extensive and more luxurious.

 

Lamp and lampshade sitting on top of a glass table in a hallway inside a home.

Modern Hallway Lighting Ideas

The clean lines and muted color schemes of modern spaces create a serene feel, which can be complemented by certain types of lighting. 


Take lamps, for example. There are so many stunning modern styles to choose from at the moment, all of which can be set off by bold statement lampshades in a range of neutral hues. 


If you’re looking for a more modern option for your hallway, we’d recommend a drum lamp shade. These contemporary shades are available in a range of sizes and work well with cylinder lamps with wide or round bases. 


We love the subtle sophistication that modern shapes like drum shades offer. They work brilliantly in entrance hallways, and they’re flexible enough to be moved to other rooms when it’s time for a new style.

 

Elegant lamp and lampshade sitting on top of a wood dresser in the hallway inside a home.

 

Entrance Hallway Lighting Ideas 

Larger entrance hallways give you more space to play with, opening up plenty more options when it comes to choosing your lighting. 

 

If there’s room, then a standing lamp is always a good idea in the entrance hall. Choose from traditional or more modern designs to create a beautiful focal point as you welcome guests into the home. 

 

Pair your standing lamp with a shade of your choice. You could opt for an empire lampshade, immediately recognizable by its timeless, gradually flared shape, or go for something more modern like a square or rectangular lamp shade

 

The amount of space you have in your hallway will determine the best shade for your standing lamp, so start by thinking about where the lamp will go and how much room you have to play with. 



Long Hallway Lighting Ideas 

Long hallways can be difficult to decorate, as a lack of light in the middle of a long hallway can easily make it appear smaller and more cramped than it really is. But lighting can really save spaces like these, turning a drab and dull hallway into one that’s far more appealing. 

 

For instance, a rectangle lampshade gives off a good amount of light, so it can be positioned in the middle of a long hallway. Opt for a shade that complements your chosen decor, bearing in mind that both the weight of the fabric and the shape of the shade will affect the way in which it distributes light around the room.  

 

Small Hallway Lighting Ideas 

The smallest hallways typically don’t allow for furnishings or much interior decor, but you’ll usually find room for a space-saving lamp somewhere in the space. Choose a compact shade, such as a rectangular or oval shape, and pair it with an angular base that fits neatly into the chosen corner. 

 

If space is at a premium, it’s often worth opting for a smaller shade in a lighter fabric, as this will allow for plenty of light distribution even if the lamp itself isn’t particularly large. 

 

Cotton or linen shades are ideal for small hallways, as they are often more translucent and can, therefore, provide more light even when working with smaller shades.

 

Two lamps and matching lampshades sitting on top of a book shelf in the hallway inside a home.

 

The color of the fabric is also worth thinking about. Lighter colors will, of course, allow for more light than their darker counterparts, so if your hallway is small, we’d advise choosing a lighter option. 

 

Get Advice on Finding the Perfect Lampshade

Choosing the perfect lampshade or lighting fixtures for your hallway can be a tricky task. After all, there are endless options available, but only a handful of these will perfect a space quite like you’ve imagined. 

 

Thankfully, our team of lighting experts is on hand to answer any questions you might have. Whether you’re stuck between two different styles, you’re unsure of the best lighting options for your hallway, or you simply have no idea where to start, we’re here to help. 


Get in touch with our team for all the tips and tricks you need to create the ultimate hallway lighting setup.