The best paint for a hallway is a washable, scuff-resistant matt on the walls, such as Little Greene's Intelligent Matt Emulsion, Farrow & Ball's Modern Emulsion or Paint & Paper Library's Architects' Matt, with a tough eggshell or satin on the woodwork. For colour, choose something welcoming with a little depth: a warm neutral, a soft blue or a confident green will hide everyday marks far better than brilliant white.
The hallway is the first room anyone sees and the one that works hardest. Coats, bags, bikes, pushchairs and muddy boots all pass through it, often in a narrow space with little natural light. It also sets the tone for the whole house, because you glimpse it from almost every other room.
Here is how to choose a finish that lasts and a colour that welcomes.
Photo Credit: Little Greene; Colour Used: Livid (263)
Durable finishes for walls
A hallway needs walls you can wipe clean without leaving a shiny patch. Each brand we stock makes a hard-wearing finish that keeps a flat, considered look.
- Little Greene Intelligent Matt Emulsion (2% sheen). Little Greene describe it as completely washable and perfect for high traffic areas. It is rated Class 1 for wet scrub resistance.
- Farrow & Ball Modern Emulsion (7% sheen). Washable and scuff-resistant, and recommended by Farrow & Ball for hallways.
- Farrow & Ball Dead Flat (2% sheen). Washable and suitable for walls, woodwork and metal, so one finish can cover the walls, skirting and banisters.
- Paint & Paper Library Architects' Matt. Self-priming and washable, with what the brand call excellent scuff and stain resistance.
The softest chalky finishes, such as Estate Emulsion and Absolute Matt Emulsion, are better kept for the ceiling and the upper landing, where little touches the walls.
Woodwork, stairs and banisters
Skirting boards, spindles, handrails and doors are knocked and handled constantly, so they need a tougher finish than the walls.
- Little Greene Intelligent Eggshell or Intelligent Satin, self-priming and very hard-wearing.
- Farrow & Ball Flat Eggshell (20% sheen), rated Class 1 scrubbable, or Modern Eggshell (40%).
- Paint & Paper Library Architects' Eggshell or Architects' Satin.
Painting the woodwork the same colour as the walls, in a tougher finish, makes a narrow hallway feel wider and calmer. The inside of the front door can join in too, and Little Greene's self-priming Intelligent finishes work on most surfaces, as our guide to painting IKEA furniture shows.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: Inchyra Blue (289)
Colours that welcome
Hallways rarely get much daylight, so colours with warmth or depth tend to work better than pale, cool ones.
- Dimity (2008). A pale taupe with a subtle red base, which Farrow & Ball describe as making for instantly welcoming hallways.
- French Grey (113). A classic grey with a subtle, balanced warmth that Little Greene recommend for hallways among other rooms.
- Juniper Ash (115). A warm, approachable blue that Little Greene say brings warmth without feeling overpowering.
- Inchyra Blue (289). A deep blue-grey inspired by stormy Scottish skies, which can read as more blue, grey or even green as the light changes.
- Livid (263). A deep, moody blue tempered with black, which gives a restful, enveloping hallway, as above.
- Pleat (280). A strong, vibrant green for a hallway with real personality.
- Raw Chalk (559). A soft green with a natural aqua undertone, shown below with Sobek (587) and Ilex (558), an enchanting black-green.
Photo Credit: Paint & Paper Library; Colours Used: Raw Chalk (559), Sobek (587), Ilex (558)
Ideas that hide wear
- Go darker below. A deeper colour on the lower part of the wall, below a dado rail or a painted line, takes the brunt of bags and shoes, with a lighter shade above.
- Paint the banisters dark. Handrails and spindles in a deep colour, as in the Paint & Paper Library hallway above, show fewer marks than white.
- Think about the view. The hallway is seen from every room, so choose a colour that sits happily with the rooms that open off it.
Photo Credit: Little Greene; Colour Used: Juniper Ash (115)
Questions we are often asked
Should a hallway be light or dark?
Either can work. A dark hallway feels cosy and makes the rooms beyond seem brighter by contrast; a warm, light colour keeps a narrow space open. Avoid cool, bright whites, which can look grey without much daylight.
How do I choose for a north-facing hall?
Warm-based colours hold up best in cool light. Browse our colours for north-facing rooms, and read our guide to why a colour looks different at home.
Can I sample in a hallway?
Yes, and it matters more here than anywhere. Paint two coats from a sample pot on large boards and look at them by daylight and by the hall lights in the evening.
