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Beautiful Paint Ideas for Your Hallway or Entryway
Transitional spaces like hallways and entryways are full of opportunities to create a welcoming and pleasing environment in your home that you’ll enjoy every day. If it’s time to give your hallway a DIY makeover, we want you to start your project with a color that inspires you and the right paint product to bring your vision to life. Read on for paint color inspiration and tips for designing two of the most important spaces in your home!
Paint Color Ideas for Hallways and Entryways
The best color to paint a hallway depends on a number of factors, including the presence of natural light, the size of the passageway, and the overall aesthetic of your home’s interior design. Homeowners often opt for classic neutral colors that create a soft, welcoming space, while others incorporate bold colors for dramatic effect. If your goal is to make your small hallway feel bigger, then choosing bright, airy colors can work wonders in tight spaces. Whatever purpose you have in mind, there are endless color options to choose from. Here are some of our favorite hallway paint ideas.
Classic Neutrals for a Timeless Look
Neutral colors such as whites, grays, browns, beiges, soft pinks, or soft greens are popular choices for hallways and entryways. These muted colors create friendly spaces that also help draw attention to other focal points, such as home decor, intricate wood flooring, or an accent door. The neutral color palette in this entryway creates a warm and inviting space that highlights the unique front door and wood floors:
Pale pink is a charming neutral color that pairs well with white fixtures and other neutral colors, as in the hallway pictured below. Benjamin Moore Soft Satin offers the perfect combination of pink and beige, for a neutral hallway that adds personality:
White paint colors are a classic choice for hallways and entryways, offering a beautiful simplicity that complements any home. They’re also easy to pair with other colors to add depth and character. Combining neutrals is a clever way to incorporate contrasting colors without overwhelming a small space, like the earth-toned hallway featured below:
Incorporating a soft green is a great way to add warmth to a hallway or entryway, especially if the space has regular exposure to natural light. This airy hallway features a creative split between Benjamin Moore October Mist and Benjamin Moore Steam, tied together with window trim in Benjamin Moore Natural Linen:
Bold Accents that Add Character
Transitional places like entryways and hallways make for creative accent spaces, particularly in homes that already feature predominantly neutral colors. Bold colors add depth and character, and even dark hallways featuring deep greens or navy blues have a pleasing, dramatic effect both in the presence and absence of natural light. This hallway is painted in historic colors that complement the authentic wood flooring and furniture, uniting modern and contemporary character:
This stairwell pairs a white and wood staircase with Benjamin Moore Plum Martini. The rich purple walls create an elegant space that functions as the perfect backdrop for a gallery wall, while the bright white risers and balusters ensure the space isn’t too dark:
The stair landing in this home features Benjamin Moore Smokestack Gray as a sophisticated accent color that stands out against white walls. The green-gray feature wall pairs beautifully with the dark wood stair treads, and its color is amplified by a large window that lets in bright light:
Test Paint Samples the Interior Designer’s Way
You’ll need to test your hallway paint in a variety of lighting to make sure the color is the perfect fit during all times of the day.
Check out our guide to learn how interior designers test paint samples for the most accurate results (and avoid painting samples on your wall).
Benjamin Moore Caldwell Green walls paired with Ballet White trim creates the perfect blend of warmth and sophistication in the entry to this historic home. The entryway windows provide plenty of natural light to keep the space bright during the day, while rich colors maintain a sense of authenticity and old-fashioned charm for a beautiful first impression:
Bright Colors that Amplify Light
The presence of natural light is a major factor in choosing the right entryway and hallway paint color. Many homeowners desire to amplify natural light as much as possible, making the most of limited window options or calling attention to expansive light sources as an integral part of their home’s design. Bright colors can liven tight spaces that experience minimal natural light, or further enhance the natural feel of your home. Just be sure to test your favorite paint colors in a variety of lighting, so you can choose a palette that complements your home during every phase of the day.
Benjamin Moore Pale Oak is a beautiful warm white that amplifies light in this open-concept entryway and stairwell. This soft white keeps the room from feeling too cold while maintaining enough brightness to maximize the effect of the many windows that let sunlight pour through:
Benjamin Moore Chestertown Buff HC-9 featured in this home’s stairwell creates a bright, cheery space when exposed to sunlight. The earthy yellow warms to a deep, pleasing hue in the shade, resulting in a friendly atmosphere in any type of lighting:
A light gray with noticeable blue undertones, Benjamin Moore Horizon OC-53 establishes a clean, bright environment in this well-lit hall. The pale blue-gray wall color provides a pleasing contrast with white windows and shutters and is warmed by the presence of natural wood features:
Benjamin Moore’s Breath of Fresh Air is a beautiful bright blue featured in this entry hallway, paired with Benjamin Moore White Dove trim and brought to life with abundant natural lighting. Carefully placed windows and a bright paint choice turn the narrow hallway into a beautiful passageway that draws the eye to the outdoors:
Best Type of Paint for Hallways or Entryways
Once you discover the perfect color scheme for your hallway or entryway makeover, you will need a paint product you can trust to accomplish your vision that will last for years to come. Hallways require quality interior paint like any interior wall, but are unique as high-traffic places prone to dirt and damage over time. The paint experts at Ring’s End recommend Benjamin Moore Aura and Benjamin Moore SCUFF-X for their premium performance, washability, and long-lasting color retention. All Benjamin Moore interior paints come in over 3,500 colors – an unrivaled color selection that is sure to offer the exact aesthetic you’re looking for.
Premium Interior Paint with Color Retention
Premium wall paint will feature excellent color retention and precision, because the work you’ve done choosing the perfect interior home palette should stand the test of time. The team at Ring’s End highly recommends Benjamin Moore AURA interior paint, a top-tier product from Benjamin Moore that creates a rich, long-lasting finish unlike any other.
Benjamin Moore AURA
Benjamin Moore AURA is an ultra-premium paint product that boasts excellent coverage and high durability. AURA interior creates a smooth finish with unrivaled depth of color and color-retention. A washable formula, AURA performs well in high-traffic areas like hallways and entryways.
Durable Finish for High-Traffic Areas
The amount of foot traffic your hallway or entryway experiences will depend on its placement within your home, but it’s safe to assume these spaces endure more scuffing and damage than most interior walls. Be sure to choose a durable finish that stands up to scrubbing and resists marks, particularly if you’re planning for a white hallway. Benjamin Moore SCUFF-X is the best choice for spaces like mudrooms, entryways, or hallways that are frequently used – especially by pets and children. SCUFF-X pairs a beautiful finish with scuff-resistant qualities for long-lasting results.
Benjamin Moore SCUFF-X
SCUFF-X by Benjamin Moore is an excellent choice for high-traffic areas such as entryways, hallways, and stairwells. With damage-resistant qualities and a washable finish, SCUFF-X provides outstanding performance and protection from everyday wear and tear.
Eggshell, Satin, or Pearl Finish
Eggshell, satin, or pearl finishes are ideal for hallway and entryway walls, as each creates a washable coating with varying levels of shine. Eggshell is closer to a matte finish, for minimal gloss and high coverage that is still able to be wiped down. A pearl finish requires careful application, as glossier finishes show blemishes more easily, but the result is a pleasing level of shine that adds elegance and depth to interior walls. For trim, paneling, or other woodwork, homeowners should opt for satin, semi-gloss, or high-gloss finishes that highlight architectural details.
Find the Best Products for Your Hallway Makeover at Ring’s End
If it’s time to give your entryway or hallway a new coat of paint, we’re confident you’ll find exactly what you need among Benjamin Moore’s extensive paint options available through Ring’s End. Interior designers and homeowners love Benjamin Moore for their vast color collection and the stunning quality of the end result.
Order a sample of your favorite color options today – or get pro tips from paint experts by chatting with the Ring’s End online or by texting (203) PRO-HELP.