18 Hallway Paint Colors That Bring This Space to Life

Give your corridors an intentional makeover with these foolproof shades.

It's easy for hallway paint colors to be an afterthought, with many homeowners defaulting to a bland neutral. But the shades you choose for these transitional spaces are just as important as the ones you choose for your living areas and bedrooms. The right neutrals add warmth and highlight architectural details; the best brights add a burst of personality to an otherwise forgettable corridor; and the deepest darks overpower a lack of natural light.

We asked paint color experts to recommend their favorite hues—ahead, see their picks for colors that will bring a little extra happiness to your hallways.

Related: 18 Bedroom Paint Colors That Will Turn Your Space Into a Haven

Yeabridge Green by Farrow & Ball

A fresh, fun green—like Yeabridge Green from Farrow & Ball—is an invigorating shade for foyers and hallways. "There is nothing more generous than a great dollop of verdant green to greet you and your guests in your hall, and Yeabridge Green delivers this in spades!" says Patrick O’Donnell, global brand ambassador for Farrow & Ball. "It’s a joyful, optimistic green which, surprisingly, acts as a great foil to pictures and brown furniture. For those looking for a more traditional approach with a little added zest, then this is your color."

Oval Room Blue by Farrow & Ball

The rich turquoise and green undertones of Farrow & Ball's 18th-century-inspired Oval Room Blue are a foolproof complement to natural woods, colorful textiles, and graphic patterns. "It is a timeless blue with a wonderful softness that makes it remarkably versatile, whether your taste errs towards modern or traditional," says O'Donnell.

Cotton Balls + Peale Green by Benjamin Moore

A clean off-white with warm undertones, like Benjamin Moore's Cotton Balls, allows woodworking detail and wall decor to become the focus. "When selecting color for a hallway, give thought to making a connector space an opportunity to highlight architectural detail," says Andrea Magno, director of color marketing and design at Benjamin Moore. "Also consider bringing in some unexpected interest by using a deeper color on trim, doors, and even stair risers, as seen here with Peale Green."

Basque Green by Sherwin-Williams

Reminiscent of juicy olives, walks in the woods, and calm bays, Basque Green brings a pop of organic vibrancy to hallways. "If homeowners are looking to add some color into their hallways, I recommend going for an effortless yet bold shade like this deep green," says Emily Kantz, color marketing manager at Sherwin-Williams.

Related: 20 Nature-Inspired Paint Colors That Bring the Outside In

Lookout Point by Benjamin Moore

Nearly neutral blues, like Lookout Point by Benjamin Moore, add subtle color to transitional spaces. "Lookout Point is a soft blue that feels crisp and modern and remains light and bright, which is often a consideration when natural light is limited," says Magno. "These colors work well in spaces with modern architecture, as well as hallways with traditional styling."

Related: 18 of the Best Blue Paint Colors for Any Room in Your Home, According to Color Experts and Interior Designers

Renew Blue by Valspar

A soothing blue with gray and green undertones turns your hallway into a haven. "The blue color family is timeless, and lighter shades like Renew Blue bring a relaxed approach to high-traffic areas like a hallway," says Kim. "Instead of a hallway being a place you simply pass through, bring it to the forefront through thoughtful placement of color in this relaxing hue."

Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams

Move out of your comfort zone by trying bold shades in small doses. "For homeowners looking to experiment with dark colors, hallways are a great space to start small!" says Kantz, who recommends Iron Ore as an accessible option for first-timers. "For a touch of drama in a hallway, go for this cool, deep, and mysterious charcoal that lends an air of sophistication when used sparingly."

Rustic Oak by Valspar

Painting your hallway with contrasting tones is a low-investment project that can provide a major style payoff. Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Valspar, recommends pairing a warm cinnamon shade, like Rustic Oak, with a crisp white (like Halogen, shown here).

Copley Gray by Benjamin Moore

A light, mid-tone neutral, like Benjamin Moore's Copley Gray, connects transitional spaces in homes with modern or traditional aesthetics. "Often, hallways become a central point in the home with adjacent rooms in different colors, making a neutral color a solid choice," says Magno.

Related: 11 Blue-Gray Paint Colors That Are Versatile, but Never Boring

Tranquil Gray by Behr

A light gray with taupe undertones creates a "soft and serene hallway transition," says Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr. Here, natural elements—seascapes, potted plants, a rattan pendant—complement a hallway in Tranquil Gray.

Down Pipe by Farrow & Ball

In spaces short on sunlight, darker colors, like Farrow & Ball's "urbane and moody" Down Pipe, absorb and eliminate shadows. "Whilst this may seem counter-intuitive, it will work a treat in a poorly lit space. Leaning into the limitations of light is often the best solution," says O'Donnell. "Dark and dramatic, this deep grey is softened by a gentle green accent, which stops it ever feeling too chilly."

London Stone by Farrow & Ball

Understated hues let you highlight detailed molding, wainscoting, or trim—without overwhelming a narrow space. "If too much color feels intimidating in your hall, seeking out the earth tones of something like London Stone will deliver neutrality without appearing bland," says O'Donnell. "This warm mid-neutral will be your friend, whether you err towards limestone flooring or wood."

Blank Canvas by Behr

As a complement to bold rooms and abstract artwork, Woelfel recommends a white with warm undertones, like Blank Canvas (shown here with caramel-colored Cider Spice). "Blank Canvas is a great choice for a clean and crisp hallway setting," she says. "This color is inviting without being overwhelming and provides the perfect backdrop for adorning the hallway walls with décor, artwork, or photo frames."

Related: 18 Warm Paint Colors for a Cozy and Inviting Space

Drift of Mist by Sherwin-Williams

Modern shapes, sculptural plants, and natural materials complement an earthy gray, like Sherwin-Williams's Drifts of Mist. "This airy, inviting gray is the ideal color for a hallway, especially for homeowners who want to play it safe and keep the space neutral," says Kantz. "This is one of my personal favorite shades for hallways since it doesn’t appear too dark in areas lacking natural light."

Even Better Beige by Behr

Glossy wood tones are a traditional pairing for classic beige shades that are adaptable (not boring). "Even Better Beige is versatile neutral that wraps walls in warmth, and is ideal for use within open floor plans to connect one area to another, such as a long hallway," says Woelfel.

Holmes Cream by Valspar

A "welcoming and comfortable" shade with hints of warm peach and tan, like Valspar's Holmes Cream, allows woodwork and decor to stand out. "Warm colors add an element of sophistication and help ground you as you move from one room to the next," says Kim.

Gilded Linen by Valspar

Using the same warm neutral throughout your hallway, entryway, and foyer brings balance and unity to distinct spaces. "A soothing and comfortable color like Gilded Linen provides a versatile backdrop to lead you from the textures, colors, and design styles of one room seamlessly to the next," says Kim. "You can give a hallway a dose of its own personality by painting doors in a complementary warm charcoal, like Crucible."

Decorator's White by Benjamin Moore

Highlight wainscoting, woodwork, and other architectural details with bold colors against flawless white, like Decorator's White from Benjamin Moore. "A tried and true favorite, Decorator’s White is a reliable choice for a crisp white that provides a high level of light reflectance, which is often beneficial in hallways," says Magno. "This color provides a perfect gallery-like canvas for other colors in adjoining rooms, or with an accent (in Downpour Blue) calling attention to the staircase."

Related: 13 White Paint Colors Interior Designers Reach for Time and Again

Read the original article on Martha Stewart.