Hallways can often be gloomy spaces in our homes. However, there are many ways to brighten up these rooms and make them more welcoming. Below are just a few different ways to add more light to your hallway.
SIDELIGHT WINDOWS
Adding a window next to your front door could help to let more natural light into your hallway. Such windows are typically known as sidelights. They often consist of a long thin vertical window running from the floor to the ceiling, however, they can take the form of other shapes too. Companies like Renewal by Andersen can help you explore different styles. Sidelights are sometimes frosted or stained to provide privacy.
TRANSOM WINDOWS
Transom windows are windows installed above doors. They can be placed above a front exterior door to let light into a hallway or placed above interior doors to let light in from other rooms. Some transom windows are able to be opened to allow ventilation, while others can be opened. Transom windows above front doors are often highly decorative features and may contain stained glass or frosted glass for privacy.
GLASS FRONT DOOR
Rather than choosing an opaque front door, it’s possible to choose a glass door to help let more light in. This could be a small window in a door, or a large panel taking up most of the frame. Glass doors are typically made from reinforced glass that cannot be easily broken. Frosted glass or stained glass can be used to let light in while distorting the view inside, although some people may prefer a fully transparent front door so that they can see who is outside.
GLASS INTERIOR DOORS
Glass interior doors can allow light to pour into your hallway from other rooms. They can also help to create a flowing open plan feel while still allowing you to shut the door to limit heat loss and noise. Glass interior doors are typically not built with security in mind and you may be able to explore a greater range of styles as a result.
SKYLIGHTS
In some homes, adding a skylight in the roof may be possible to allow sunlight to pour into the hallway from above. The best place for this will likely be the ceiling above the stairs unless you have a two-story foyer. There are many different skylight designs to consider from pyramid roof lanterns to circular skylights.
RECESSED CEILING LIGHTS
If letting in more natural light isn’t an option, there’s still the solution of installing extra artificial lighting. Rather than letting a single overhead light illuminate your hallway, an effective option could be to add multiple spotlights across the ceiling. These could be placed in key areas where you may need extra task lighting such as above a mirror or above a shoe rack. Recessed ceiling lights can work well on low-ceiling hallways – because they don’t hang down, they won’t become an obstacle for taller people.
TRACK LIGHTING
Track lighting can be cheaper to install than multiple recessed lights because it requires less electrical work. Instead, multiple lights are hung from a single track on the ceiling. Each light can be pointed in a different direction in order to illuminate all the corners of your hallway. There are various different styles that you can explore – check out this guide to track lighting at Worst Room.
SCONE LIGHTS
Lighting can alternatively be installed on walls to help light up your hallway. This is sometimes known as sconce lighting. Such lights are often not designed to fully illuminate a room but to add an extra low-level light instead. This could be useful at night for helping you see what you’re doing without having to put on bright overhead lights.
MIRRORS
Adding mirrors to your hallway can help to reflect light. Mirrors in a hallway can also have a practical benefit, allowing you to check that you’re presentable before you leave the house. Such a mirror could be a small wall-mounted mirror or a full-length mirror depending on how much space you have.
WHITE PAINT
The paint color scheme in your hallway can also have an impact on the overall brightness. White paint is the best reflector of light and is ideal for brightening up a gloomy hallway. Other colors like yellow or cream can also add radiance to your hallway. For an added reflective quality, consider choosing gloss paint. This post at Homes And Gardens delves more into different paints to use in your hallway.
We hope you’ve found these tips helpful in imagining various ways to illuminate and brighten your entrance hallway!
