The best hallway lighting should be warm, welcoming and practical. Whether you're working to a budget or have some cash to splash, here's where to buy some of our favourite lights
An integral part of your hallway ideas, the best hallway lighting serves a number of purposes. As well as providing enough practical illumination for activities such as putting on coats and shoes, harnessing pets safely or dropping off your shopping, it also needs to set the tone for what visitors can expect from the rest of your home.
It can be all to easy to dismiss your hallway as simply a passageway, when it is in fact the welcoming arms into your home. Ensuring you choose and install the best hallway lighting will help add to the overall ambience, as well as keeping you safe.
With that in mind, we've compiled some expert advice on the best hallway lighting and rounded up some of our favourite places to shop.
What is the best hallway lighting scheme?
When choosing your hallway lighting ideas, experts suggest following some key rules in order to ensure your hallway design has both function and form. Lighting is not an area you should forget – especially when you can be working with a space that is small and devoid of any natural light.
"In your hallway design, positioning of your lights is key," says Jo Plant, head of design at Pooky. "Too many lights and it could overwhelm, too little lighting and it may be too dark. It all really depends on the length, proportions and use of the space.
"If you do have areas in your hallway that are functional," says Jo Plant, "always make sure the light source is more concentrated so the space is seen as a focal point and can be used."
That said, Jo Plant advises steering clear of too much overhead lighting, and instead consider the same layering approach as you do with other areas of the home such as kitchen lighting ideas – another area where task and mood need to be combined in the right measure.
“Rather than using strong overhead lights which tend to have a pool effect, we suggest opting for wall and table lamp combinations to layer light levels," says Jo. "This only works if you have the space for table lamp options in your hallway.
"If not, wall lights are a great option as an added layer," she adds, "and combined with ceiling lighting with dimmers fitted, will set you up for a balanced, layered lighting scheme."
The best hallway lighting involves a clever combination of different types of lights(Image credit: Pooky)
Jo Plant
Jo Plant is Head of Design at Pooky, a lighting company known for their stylish and innovative products.
Where to buy the best hallway lighting
The best hallway lighting for you and your home will come down to personal taste and available budget. With that in mind, we've included a range of styles of lighting and pricing options in our guide to the best hallway lighting. So whether you're working to a strict budget, or looking for that key investment piece, we've got you covered.
Pendant ceiling lighting can be an impactful addition to hallways with high ceilings(Image credit: Annie Sloan)
Pendant lights
Ideal for hallways with high ceilings, pendant lights can add a wow factor and come in a variety of styles. Renovating a house that's got a grand entrance? Jo Plant says it's a great opportunity to add opulence.
“If we are talking large high ceiling hallways within stately style homes, chandeliers are ideal in terms of scale both decoratively but also functionally," says Jo Plant. "Chandeliers tend to be larger therefore throw light more effectively in big spaces, they also add much-needed statement and grandeur a large hallway often needs."
John Lewis Shiminista Large Chandelier Pendant Ceiling Light
A contemporary take on a chandelier featuring clear acrylic rods and a matte brass finish
Turco 12-Light Wagon Wheel Chandelier
A rustic style black chandelier with exposed bulbs, perfect for a barn conversion entrance
Francesco Chandelier in Pink Glass
A stunning pink chandelier guaranteed to add a wow factor to your hallway
Flush or semi-flush lights
Perfect for hallways with low ceilings, flush or semi-flush ceiling lighting ideas can add character to your ceiling, without encroaching on head space in the same way as pendant lighting can.
Vogue Hadley Ribbed Flush Ceiling Light
A classic timeless design with ribbed glass and antique brass plated metalwork
Porsa - 6 Light Brushed Brass and Warm White Porcelain Flush
A six shaded light perfect for spreading light in a larger hallway
Aua Modern Led Ceiling Lights
A contemporary white LED ceiling light that can be mounted in either direction
Wall lights
Wall lights can be used to provide task lighting in a hallway(Image credit: Direct Tile Warehouse)
"Wall lights in hallways are an excellent option," says Maya Rypacek-Miller, founder of Industville, "as they can be installed at varying heights to create visual interest whilst ensuring even lighting throughout the hallway."
It's also important to think about the wall lighting in your lighting design, if your hall has no windows, says Jo Plant. "Staggering multiple wall lights along the hallway alternating on opposite sides (if it’s windowless) can create a natural, welcoming feel while diffusing the light nicely. Using coloured glass can create a softer, muted look if you don’t need bright lighting for tasks in your hallway.”
Boston Round Metal Diffuser Wall Light Flush Mount - 13 Inch - Brass
This stylish wall light provides a glow that radiates around the seams and can also be used with a dimmer switch
A rechargeable wall light, perfect for updating your hallway without changing the electrics
Astro 1196003 Pienza 165 Square Modern Wall Bracket in White
A simple up and down wall lighter, ideal for placing at staggered positions in a long hallway
Mara Rypacek-Miller
Mara is the industrious founder of Industville, the place for handcrafted lighting, interiors and art. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to eco-conscious craftsmanship, Mara focuses on designs which tell a story of timeless elegance and environmental responsibility.
Table lamps
Table lamps bring a glow to your hallway, especially during the evenings(Image credit: Pooky)
Often associated with living room lighting ideas or bedroom lighting ideas, table lamps are a valuable addition to the best hallway lighting schemes. Adding a soft, warm glow in the morning or evening, Mara Rypacek-Miller recommends you also make sure they are in proportion to your overall hallway space. "For particularly narrow hallways," she says, "opt for slim-profile table lamps on cabinets."
Elsie Tall Scalloped Table Lamp
A simple but elegant scalloped table lamp with fabric shade
Lipsy Gold Odette Table Lamp
Inject some fun into your hallway with this ostrich themed table lamp with feathered shade
Snobyar Table Lamp - Grey-Turquoise Ceramic
A stylish ceramic based table lamp with fabric shade, perfect for console tables in hallways
Keen to know what colours to use in your hallway to help make it feel even lighter and brighter? "If you’re looking to bring warmth and brightness to what can often be a narrow space with little natural light, yellow is an effective option," says Helen Shaw, director of marketing (international) at Benjamin Moore.
"It’s an uplifting shade synonymous with happiness. It will create a burst of enthusiasm which will set the scene for the rest of your home, whilst also offering a soothing warmth for a sense of cosiness. It’s also a colour that feels particularly cosseting in smaller spaces such as an entryway to create mood and interest, whilst working with what light is available.
"You can use bright shades to add impact or if you prefer a more subtle scheme," says Helen, "or opt for earthier tones to produce a more muted finish. This can be applied to other colours, such as a warm grey or pink as they exude a glow without being the main focus.”
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Sarah is Homebuilding & Renovating’s Assistant Editor and joined the team in 2024. An established homes and interiors writer, Sarah has renovated and extended a number of properties, including a listing building and renovation project that featured on Grand Designs. Although she said she would never buy a listed property again, she has recently purchased a Grade II listed apartment. As it had already been professionally renovated, she has instead set her sights on tackling some changes to improve the building’s energy efficiency, as well as adding some personal touches to the interior.
