5 Hallway Panelling Ideas Designers Are Using Right Now

Hallways can be funny places in a home. They’re part transitional, getting you from A to B, and part functional, acting as a place for entering or exiting your home and storing everyday essentials. 

Because of this, they aren’t always given the most design attention. 

They can be awkward to furnish, and many people assume they are difficult to decorate, but we’re here to tell you differently. 

There are plenty of design tricks to making your hallway feel cohesive with the rest of your house, and something you even want to show off – the secret is panelling!

1) Maximalism with panelling combinations

Hallways don’t have to be an afterthought, make them an extension of your home’s style. 

Many home decorators reserve design maximalism for rooms like a bedroom, but if you’re someone who enjoys pushing the creative boat out, you can make a big impact even in the smallest spaces.

What’s the best way to do this? Try pairing two styles of panelling in your hallway. 

Wainscotting or shaker panels are great to use as a ‘base’ because of their light and classic aesthetic. Equally, because the panels are so customisable, you can work around architectural features in your home (like the entry-way pillar in the image above). 

For a bolder second panel, you could try fluted or ribbed, which gives lots of texture and provides more of a focal point.

Keep this look cohesive by choosing panel styles in the same colour. 

2) Functional and stylish 

Hallways are often the first space we enter when walking into our homes, which means they need to be very practical. 

They need to accommodate things like dirty shoes being kicked off, wet coats hung up, packages dropped off, and guests greeted. 

But that doesn’t have to come at the expense of style, they can’t also feel warm, impactful, and fun!

The trick is to incorporate the practicalities in smart ways. Here are a couple of clever ways to do that: 

1. Add hooks or pegs onto the panelling to hang coats and bags.
   
2. Build in narrow shelves or cubbies for keys, letters, or decorative objects.
   
3. Consider a bench with panelled sides, which provides seating while blending into the hallway’s design.

3) Small hallways made larger than life 

Decorating your hallway becomes even more of a challenge when you’re working with a narrow space. 

Too many details can feel overwhelming, and clutter can make the space feel cramped and even a physical hindrance. But panelling can help make even the tiniest corridors feel airy and spacious.

You can do this in a few ways: 

• Wide wall panelling: Wide panelling adds a decorative element to the space without saturating your eyeline with too many focal points or lines.
• White panels: You can choose a colour that makes the space feel wider, such as white or neutral panelling, which will also keep the hallway feeling bright and fresh. 
• Panels ceiling height: Try introducing the panelling all the way to your ceilings, creating one seamless look. 
• Wood effect: If you want to add texture without too much drama, you could choose oak veneer panelling for extra depth. 

4) Low wall panelling

You’ve heard of full wall panelling and half-way panelling, but have you ever considered third or even quarter-wall heights?

This low wall panelling creates a subtle decorative effect without overpowering the room. 

Custom square or rectangular designs, like wainscotting, are particularly popular, as they make the smaller space feel complete. They can be spaced evenly along the lower part of the wall to add subtle rhythm to your hallway. 

5) Colour match your panels and door frames

Want your hallway to feel truly cohesive with the other elements on show? 

One cool, modern trick you can easily do is colour-matching your panels with door frames and trimming. 

Not only does this make the space feel more cohesive, as it drags the colour fully across the room, but it can also make a small space feel bigger. There’s no doubt that this look feels polished and quite high-end, you may have even seen it on design shows or on your social media feed. 

The best part is that it’s super easy and simple to do!

Other things to consider with hallway panelling

Once you’ve chosen your panelling style, there are a few extra design details worth thinking about to ensure your hallway feels suited to your style. 

Lighting

Pairing your panels with the right lighting can create a beautiful atmosphere and add depth in a room, including a hallway! It’s worth considering what type of lighting you’ll use, whether that’s wall sconces for more atmosphere, uplighters with natural textures to soften the space, or another option. 

Colour continuity 

Think about where your hallway sits in your home. Is it connected to your front door? Is it upstairs and attached to a bigger landing space? This allows you to think about how the style of your panels and colours used, flows from one space to another. 

A consistent palette might feel more harmonious, while a bold contrast can create specific ‘moments’ as you move through the house. It really depends on what effect you want to achieve. 

Practicality

 As mentioned above, Hallways are high-traffic areas, so durability is key. You’ll want to select high-quality panels that can handle scuffs, cleaning, and everyday wear. For example, if your hallway often comes into contact with a wet dog, who likes to shake after a walk, consider choosing water-resistant panelling for long-term care. 

However you choose to decorate this space, with the right hallway panelling, even the narrowest corridor can feel stylish and fun.