Help for brightening up my narrow dark hall.

13 years ago

Hi, I have an Arts & Crafts house circa 1921. All the woodwork has been untouched and is still dark, apart from the bedrooms and the kitchen, which have been painted white. We also have just reno'ed our bathroom and added 6ft tall wainscotting which is painted off white. Our hallway is long and narrow and all dark wood, currently ugly blue wallaper which adds to the darkness. I am scared to paint the original wood but feel like it would make my hallway a lot bigger looking...HELP! Should I paint the woodwork white, off white or cream? And what about the wall colour? The original floor was covered with horrid vinyl tiles stuck down with black tar...I will likely have to cover it up or definitely get them redone. The wall at the bottom of the hall is cream because I went mad one day and ripped off a strip of wallpaper! There are a total of 10 doors in this small space!!!!

Featured Answer

PRO

Lotus Construction Group

13 years ago

Please please do not paint the doors and trim That wood is impossible to find and even harder to strip and restore when painted. Having the wall colors light will help and re-finishing the floors will brighten up the hall as well. I am not opposed to using sconces to add some light as well as recessed art lights in the ceiling.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (13)

elcieg
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Hallway & Art Niche · More Info

Like your ceiling light and like the doors. I can't tell the condition of them from the pix. I think this photo is a good example of what you could do with a light wall and a light tile mimicking a rug. A lighted focal point at the end of the hall would really help. Should you decide to paint the doors, here is a good inspiration picture.
Atherton Estate · More Info
anitajoyce
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Before painting the doors, yoiu could paint the walls first in white or beige and see how you like it. If you still don't like what you see, then you can paint the trim , doors and walls in the white or beige. use door and trim paint for doors and trim. This will make the doors blend in with the walls making them less noticable but still beautiful. For the floor for now, you can cover itwith a light color floor runner. Something with tan and beige in it. This will surely brighten and lighten up the space.
Related Professionals
Dalton Interior Designers & Decorators · Somerset Interior Designers & Decorators · Chambersburg Interior Designers & Decorators · Lafayette Interior Designers & Decorators · Altoona Interior Designers & Decorators · Erie Interior Designers & Decorators · Lewiston Interior Designers & Decorators · Frederick Architects & Building Designers · Frisco Architects & Building Designers · Newport News Architects & Building Designers · Brunswick Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · College Station Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Grand Rapids Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Brattleboro Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Santa Fe Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
PRO
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
13 years ago
In a house that is almost 100 years old, I'd avoid painting the trim. But I would not hesitate to tear out that ugly blue wallpaper and paint the walls a light color. I love judyg's suggestion of a sconce at end or corridor.
PRO
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
13 years ago
In a house that is almost 100 years old, I'd avoid painting the trim. But I would not hesitate to tear out that ugly blue wallpaper and paint the walls a light color. I love judyg's suggestion of a sconce at end or corridor.
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
alvic
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the replies. The doors are in quite good condtion, the trim not so good around the bottoms. I actually have two lights the same one at each end of the hall. Like Carolyn said...I am nervous about painting wood which is so old. Perhapstrying the walls a light colour first would work. If I do paint them is an antique white softer, and perhaps tie in more with the age of the house, than bright white?
anitajoyce
13 years ago
Yes, you have your answer.
PRO
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
13 years ago
Yes, antique white would be better than bright white.
Robin Michetti
11 years ago
I'm sure this is now a fait accompli, but for people who consult this page with the same type of issue, I would paint out all that dark, depressing wood...as the designers all seem to suggest in all the home reno shows. I would even consider knocking out a wall between what must be very pokey rooms. You would then eliminate one door!... ;-)

I had a narrow upstairs hallway and I had one wall pushed back almost 4 feet encroaching on two bedrooms and a deep, useless hall closet. (My house is old.) In one bedroom I lost a little, narrow 'entrance' space to the room. And in the other bedroom, I lost just a 4' x 3.5' space; the space a door takes when it opens. And the bonus was a hall closet that was less deep and more efficient. My vacuum hose even fits in there.

The impression of the wider hallway is wonderful and open. The floor is a lovely, reddish brown Jatoba. And the walls are off-white. The cupboard doors are mirrored squares with small, crystal knobs. That hallway also serves as an unencumbered space to do morning stretches and light exercise.

Good luck to all!

Robin
cparfc438
11 years ago
I'd be all for a little more space in bedrooms, if needed, but would never, ever paint over wood of your home's vintage if it has never before been painted. All In the eye of the beholder, of course, but I'd encourage you to preserve the wood stain. Btw, if a creamy white doesn't float your boat, how about a vintage look wallpaper for your arts and crafts hallway? Ginkgo leaves, perhaps?
alvic
Original Author
11 years ago
Hi everyone. Unfortunately I no longer live in this wonderful home. The hall could not be widened in either direction and surprisingly the bedrooms were spacious. I never did paint the wood but rather the walls a lovely light colour and it was so pretty.
PRO
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
11 years ago
It's
Good to hear from you. Best wishes in your new home.
cparfc438
11 years ago
Rofl. I only just now realized the "maturity" of the post. ; ). Wonder what the new owners have done!