Decorating Ideas for an Upstairs Hallway

Homeowners often spend lots of time decorating a downstairs hallway, but leave the upstairs hallway bare. This is because most guests only use the downstairs hallway. In a downstairs hallway, homeowners may hang family pictures on the walls, paint them a classic neutral shade or set up a pretty foyer table on the end wall. Upstairs hallways, however, rarely get the same treatment. This is a shame, because upper hallways offer a unique opportunity to get creative with your decorating. Does this Spark an idea?

Paint

Typically, a hallway should be painted with the two walls a lighter color than the ceiling and facing (end) wall. The color should be an extension of the room from which the hallway is leaving. Upstairs hallways usually go between bedrooms. If you have a hallway that is the pathway to children's bedrooms, use the opportunity to paint it in a child-friendly way. Paint a fun mural on it, such as a road with signs that say: This way to Emily's Room! Use stencils to create shapes or painter's tape to paint horizontal stripes of color. Paint is an inexpensive way to really brighten up an upper hallway, and it has the added effect of making your children smile every time they go to their rooms.

Display

Upstairs hallways can also serve as a display space. Think about hanging a bulletin board or chalkboard on the wall, where you can write a list of chores or reminders for the children, or even for your spouse. Frame original artwork created by your children, and hang it above a chair rail or from a ceiling molding in your upstairs hallway instead of on your fridge. Rotate the artwork as needed. If your child has a collection, consider installing shelves in the hallway and displaying the collection there, such as a long shelf that holds collectible baseballs or a doll collection.

Furniture

If your hallway is wide, you can add furniture against the walls. For example, a narrow table against the wall makes a great place for a lamp and perhaps a goldfish bowl or other fun decoration. This allows the hall to be softly lit in the evening, making it safer for children to travel to the bathroom. You can also use the hallway to create space. For example, if you have a small upstairs bathroom, consider hanging hooks for robes in the hallway outside the bathroom to save space inside.