17 clever hallway, stairs and landing ideas you need to see

Hallway @SIMS-HILDITCH

Bespoke fitted hallway idea - Image: @SIMSHILDITCH

Hallways, stairs and landings are key places in any home. We run up them and through them, down them and out of them but they tend to go under appreciated in daily life.

They’re a crucial part of how we live in our homes and yet we rarely give thought to them as a style-able space. So we think it’s about time they got the attention they deserve and chance to inspire your next project to transform small spaces with huge potential.

We’ve rounded up a whopping twenty style ideas to fit hallways, staircases and landings of any size and with any budget. Read on at risk of inspiring an immediate makeover 😂 …and if you’re stuck on where to start when it comes to home design, then be sure to check out Home Design Lab to learn exactly how to transform every room of your home with cohesion in mind. 

Wallpaper in a Hallway  - Credit: Mindfully Grey

Printed and plain Wallpaper idea in Hallway - Credit: @MindfullyGray

1. It’s all about the wall

With zero floor space to spare, there’s an awful lot you can do with jazzing up a wall. Take your cue from Jamie at Mindfully Grey and go in with contrasting wallpapers, an industrial hook rail and some coordinating prints across the breadth of the wall. This project is practical, simple and easy on the budget. We reckon you could easily DIY this. Give it a try!


Monochrome Landing idea Credit: @ericadavies

idea for Styled monochrome decor on a landing - image: @erica_davies

2. Maximise your landing like Erica

If you’re lucky enough to have space on your side, follow @erica_davies’ lead and open the space up with select furnishings. Monochrome and sepia tones keep an airy feel and the practical storage and seating make great use of spare space. It’s feels like a whole new room!


colourful patterned staircase idea

Colourful decorating idea for a staircase and landing- image: @the_idle_hands

3. Pack your staircase with colour and pattern

We really love seeing a clash of patterns, colours and styles work as well as it does in this vibrant landing. You have to be really careful with your selection of paint shades and wallpaper patterns to make this work, but when it does, it adds unique personality by the tonne. This makes for a seriously memorable impression on guests and it makes an ordinary staircase the hub of a home.


decorating ideas for stairs - Credit: @seasidevictorianhome

A mirror wall iea for stairs - image: @seasidevictorianhome

4. Make a mirror mosaic 

Who doesn’t love a mirror arrangement. Fiona and Greg @seasidevictorianhome have used these vintage pieces to bounce light from the skylight around the staircase landing, but still in keeping with the chic monochrome vibes. 


Gallery wall decorating idea for stairs - Credit: @baliol.house

Idea for a Gallery wall on stairs - image: @baliol.house

5. Create a staircase gallery wall

Try clustering your precious family photos, memos and motivation words together on a gallery wall just like @balion.house.  It’ll brighten your day each time you dash up or down the stairs. This is also a really handy idea if you’re working to tight budget as you can use any old frames or spare plaques without the need for too much coordination. 


Two tone hallway idea - Credit: @ourhomeupthehill

Two tone hallway decor idea - image: @ourhomeupthehill

6. Opt for on trend hallway tiles and two-tone walls

Lucy and Josh of @ourhomeupthehill have kept it simple with a contrasting colour scheme but added pattern tiles for extra energy and style in a plain space. Tiles in a hallway are also super practical for those with children or four-legged friends running in and out of the door. A clean, two-tone colour scheme on the walls give the illusion of detail like panelling at a fraction of the cost.


OFFICE Landing idea - Credit: @ciaraelliot

OFFICE idea in a spare space on a Landing - image: @ciaraelliot

7. Turn your landing into an office space

With more and more of us working from home, having a quiet sanctuary to work in can be invaluable. But not all of us have a room to spare for a home office. @ciaraelliot has set her desk up on her landing, with a beautiful garden view to boot. Find a dreamier work space, we challenge you!


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Grand staircase idea

Double handrail idea for a grand staircase - image: @hipandhumblestyle

8. Fit a double handrail where possible

If there’s one sure-fire way to make a staircase feel grand and fancy, it’s with a double handrail. Although this won’t be possible with all staircase layouts, if you can, it absolutely pays off to try this idea if you can. The key to really elevating the whole design is using the curve of the handrail to open out into the room, adding another layer of grandeur visually and really completing the idea.


Cosy nook idea for a staircase landing

Idea for a cosy nook on a staircase landing - image: @overton_ renovation_

9. Make a cosy nook out of unused space

Staircase landings can present a tricky bit of space which tends to go to waste when it’s hard to fill with any big furniture or a lack of ceiling height. This makes for the perfect opportunity to use small furniture to create something cosy and atmospheric. Perfectly styled and a beautiful place to curl up with a book under a blanket, this warm little nook adds both aesthetic beauty and creates a feeling for the whole staircase.


MONOCHROME Hallway - Credit: @samanthajonesathome

MONOCHROME idea in both a Hallway and stairs - image: @samanthajonesathome

10. Mix monochrome with timeless furniture

Even the most chic of staircases can be made a personal part of the home with coordinating prints. @samanthajonesathome irresistibly chic house is reflected in simple monochrome prints and a character-filled antique chair for a softer touch. 


Hallway STORAGE idea - Credit: @simshilditch

Idea for a Bespoke built-in storage unit in a Hallway - image: @simshilditch

11. Create the ultimate organisational space

Where space permits, creating an area to not only organise the usual hallway clutter (boots, coats, umbrellas, dog leads) but also to organise yourself as you go in or out of your house. We absolutely adore how @simshilditch has thought of everything in this hallway space, with hooks, baskets, shelves, a boot rack and even a bench seat all together in quite a slim, built-in structure. Plus, it looks divine!


Landing ART - Credit: From My Living Room

simple ART idea for a landing- image: From My Living Room

12. Minimal touches for maximum effect

Making even the simplest of additions to a staircase wall can make a huge change in the overall feels. Andrea at From My Living Room has gone for a single statement piece of art in shades that coordinating with her surround colour choices. Pair that with the clean lines of a pendant light and you’ve got yourself a new an improved space without losing any of the airy feel. 


Storage idea for a hallway

Storage idea for a hallway - image: @thesewalkerwalls

13. Use key furniture for storage and practicality

Hallways tend not to have masses of extra space to work with but, if you’re smart about your choice of furniture, you can really maximise how the room is used. A design like this incorporates key storage as well as a nice place to perch while you tie your laces. Not only that, it’s an added styling opportunity so you can hone in on the feeling you want to spread through the whole home.



Storage idea in hallway -Credit: Lavender Julep

shoe Storage idea for a hallway - image: Lavender Julep

14. Store your shoes

This hallway idea to store shoes and all those bits that come in handy near the front door is very clever and great for slim hallways. Julie of Lavender Julep has taken simple Ikea furniture to the next level with a little DIY-ing. Even though her hallway is quite narrow, she’s transformed a small section of wallspace into something super useful. 



hallway FOLIAGE  - Credit: A Beautiful Mess

staircase idea incorporating natural plants - image: A Beautiful Mess

15. Adorn your steps with greenery

We’re all for the surge in popularity of foliage in the home. Say hello to Kacey Musgrave’s delightfully simple plant basket styling as featured on A Beautiful Mess. Full points for keeping it simple and focusing on just a few key shades to contrast with the bright white surroundings.


Colour scheme in a hallway

Colour scheme and decor idea for a hallway - image: @mo_morshuis

16. Use your furniture choice to amplify the colour scheme

Sure, hallways are usually quite small when it comes to floor square feet. We like to see this as an opportunity to concentrate your style by being super selective in how you fill the space. This stunning hallway uses key pieces like the armchair, wall hanging and William Morris runner to great effect, amplifying the colour scheme and not making the room feel too busy.


hallway RADIATOR COVER - Credit: Design Soda

hallway idea with a painted RADIATOR COVER - image: Design Soda

17. Celebrate hallway radiators

Finally, we’re going back to basics and celebrating the wonderful things you can do with a simple radiator cover. With a lick of coordinating paint, the ledge will give you the perfect height to frame wall hangings with shelved decorations and plants, just like Ruthie from Design Soda.

What can you do with your hallway, staircase or landing? We love seeing your DIY before and afters so please do share! Even if you’re in the planning stages, send us your ideas. 

If you’re thinking or redoing your hallway, stairs or landing, learning from Fi & Neils house renovation can provide a crucial insight, too.


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