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What Color Should I Paint My Hallway?

Painting advice and color ideas for hallways

What Color Should I Paint My Hallway?

What Color Should I Paint My Hallway?

Q: What Color Should I Paint My Hallway?

A: Want step-by-step instructions on how to paint a hallway? First, browse these color collections for hallways. Then, use the painting advice to get great results that will make your hallway or entryway look sensational.

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1. Choose Your Hallway Colors

What Color Should I Paint My Hallway?

Painting Advice

1. Choose Your Hallway Colors

An important area, hallways are the connection between all of the other spaces in your home.

You may wish to use neutral paint colors to tie the rooms together.

Hallway areas may be darker there aren't windows to add light. So consider using lighter paint colors to reflect light and keep your hallways brighter.

The paint colors used in your hallway can set the mood for your home. Here are some color combinations to consider.

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Cool and Relaxing Hallway Colors

What Color Should I Paint My Hallway?

Color Painting Advice

Cool and Relaxing Hallway Colors

Create a relaxing neutral hallway with a gray-blue like Blue Beard as your main wall color with a light gray like Gray Marble for accents.

Use Blue Fjord for furniture to bring more depth into the hallway. For any wood use a red-brown like Warm Mahogany.

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Warm And Inviting Hallway Colors

What Color Should I Paint My Hallway?

Color Painting Advice

Warm And Inviting Hallway Colors

Choose Swirling Smoke for your hallway color, to add light to your hallway and still tie rooms together with a neutral paint color.

Add warm neutral décor in paint colors like Prairie Dust and Bronze Statue. Use Afternoon Tea for furniture and drapes.

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Classic Off-White Hallway Colors

What Color Should I Paint My Hallway?

Color Painting Advice

Classic Off-White Hallway Colors

You can’t go wrong with using an off-white paint color like Toasted Almond in a hallway space for your main wall color.

Not all white is cold. Use Delicate White for trim and Cool Slate for furniture and décor. Use Chocolate Ripple for floors or any wood, to bring warmth to the hallway.

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2. Choose The Right Product

What Color Should I Paint My Hallway?

Painting Advice

2. Choose The Right Product

Select from our premium PPG Interior Paints for a fresh look that will last, especially in high traffic areas like hallways that require a durable finish.

Ceilings can be painted with a good-quality flat paint.

For the walls, choose paints in an eggshell or satin sheen to provide some shine, as well as protection from scuffing and cleaning.

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3. Choose The Right Supplies

What Color Should I Paint My Hallway?

Painting Advice

3. Choose The Right Supplies

Select the right paint supplies to achieve a more professional result and finish your projects more quickly with little hassle. Our PPG dealers offer a wide variety of painting supplies to complete any project.

The Basics:

  • Paint brushes

  • Paint roller tray

  • Paint roller


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Other Items You May Need

What Color Should I Paint My Hallway?

Painting Advice

Other Items You May Need

  • Caulking and caulking gun

  • Sandpaper

  • Drop cloths

  • Poles

  • Putty Knife

  • Painter's tape

  • Step ladder 

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4. Prep The Room

What Color Should I Paint My Hallway?

Painting Advice

4. Prep The Room

Remove draperies, pictures, nightlights and switch and outlet cover plates.

Tape off any woodwork, window frames, and door trim with masking tape or painter's tape. Remember to gently remove painter's tape before the paint dries to prevent damage to the new paint.

Arrange drop cloths to protect carpeting, furniture and any areas not being painted.

Fill holes, imperfections and cracks with caulk or spackle.

Use a damp cloth to remove any dirt or dust on walls and baseboards. Use a mild detergent to remove contaminants, and crayon, marker and finger paint stains.

Prime any new or bare surfaces and caulked areas. If you are using a color that is substantially lighter, you may also need to prime. 

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5. Paint the Ceiling

What Color Should I Paint My Hallway?

Painting Advice

5. Paint the Ceiling

If your project including painting the ceiling, do that first.

Using a brush, paint a 2-inch-wide strip on the ceiling where it meets the wall. Then, start in a corner and begin rolling across the short length of the ceiling, continuing to where it ends.

Oil paint v. Latex - Oil paints take longer to dry and allow you to brush across the surface several times for a smooth, even finish. Latex paints dry faster and only one or two strokes are needed.

Let the ceiling completely dry before painting the walls. 

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Please refer to the Product Label, TDS or MSDS for safety and detailed application instructions.

6. Painting The Walls

What Color Should I Paint My Hallway?

Painting Advice

6. Painting The Walls

Paint each wall from the top down, working from unpainted areas into wet, painted areas.

Do one wall at a time, in 2 to 3 foot sections. Use a brush to paint a 2-inch-wide strip along the areas where they meet the ceiling, and near trim. Then, using a roller, create the letter “W” or "M" on your wall. Fill in the area, rolling from left to right until the area is completely painted. Roll on the paint using even strokes to ensure a uniform look and coverage.

Brush Tip: For best results, dip half the length of the bristles into your paint. Tap the brush gently against the side of the can, but do not wipe it across the lip. Hold the handle near the base, applying light pressure with your fingertips to make the bristles flex slightly.

Roller Tip: Slowly roll it back and forth in the lower end of your roller tray until it is well covered. Then use the ridges in the upper portion of the tray to remove excess paint.

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