Hallway Decorating Before & After | A 1990’s Home Refresh

Share away friends!

I’m constantly on a mission to brighten my home. Built in 1991, it was constructed in the height of red/orange wood tones and beige walls phase. Can I share an observation with you? Why do hallways always see to get the darkest, gloomiest treatments? Well no more! I’m doing bright, happy hallway decorating and changing the norm!

Hallway decorating is often overlooked and undervalued.

A well done hallway is a great transitional space to prime your guests for the next room they walk into. It’s also an area than can usually be done very budget friendly! You’re not adding large furniture pieces or other items that can raise the cost of the project. A little paint and a few nice decor touches can do a lot in these narrow spots.

The hallway leading to our downstairs basement, which is the kids playroom/our homeschool room, was drab, dark, and as the kids put it: “Scary mom!”

Before: Our scary stairs

And now:

How do you think we did? Still scary?

A bright and cherry descent

I let out a physical sigh of relief every time I walk down those stairs now. My main goals for this project was to make the space bright, happy, and a tad whimsical. I’m breaking the scary basement stigma by using a lot of white and warm, inviting decor.

Adding wallpaper

What started as, “I’ll paint the walls, trim, and doors to freshen this space up,” turned into, “I really want some wallpaper on that wall, and if I do that I need a new sconce.” 

And that’s how my projects tend to go. I just keep adding to them. But let’s be honest, the wallpaper made this space!

This pattern is from NuWallpaper and I purchased it from Target

It was my first time using peel and stick paper. When I updated the hallway leading to our top floor, I used pre-pasted wallpaper that you activated in water. I would literally cut it to size, immerse it in a tub filled with water, then bring it out into the hallway and secure it to the wall. That wallpaper has been up for two solid years now with no issues though. So I’d call that a success! You can read all about that wallpaper journey and how I removed the old paper in this post.

New Sconce

I’ve shared about this company before when I did my Christmas decor. They had the most beautiful eucalyptus garland and Juniper Glass Light up trees. And ever since then I’ve fallen head over heels for Lights.com.

This sconceis from their new Carlisle Collection.

Since we were doing wallpaper, it only seemed logical that we also needed a new light. I could have spray painted the old one, but when I was looking around this sconce just stole my heart. It’s beautiful in matte black, brushed brass, and clear glass. It was just made for my hallway.

Other Decor Items

Mostly I shopped my home for this little project. I had purchased the Velveteen Rabbit quote off Amazon last spring, and it sat in its shipping envelope since then. I pulled it out, found a frame from my stash downstairs, and put them together. It added to the whimsy I was after for this project.

I also framed a few pictures my kids drew, since it is the hallway to their schoolroom after all. I love all their little art projects.

I also added a small glass mirror. Mirrors just make spaces look larger to me. The dimension and openness they add should not be taken for granted.

Shop my hallway decorating items:

Do you do hallway decorating? What would you change from what I did to personalize your space? Make sure we’re friends on Instagram as it’s my favorite place to share projects in real time!

Share away friends!