Choosing paint colours for hallways and stairs

You may consider staircases and hallways to be purely practical spaces. However, these transitional areas of the home offer plenty of scope when it comes to interior design. Choosing the correct paint colours can transform this space into a visually striking setting that sets the tone for the rooms that follow.

Explore colour and paint ideas for hallways and stairs to create an inspiring design using shades from the Paint & Paper Library palette. These carefully chosen colours can enhance existing architectural features or add personality to a simple, contemporary staircase.

Things to consider when choosing paint colours for stairs

Elegant hallway and stair bannister in soft grey tones featuring Protea Trail-Monument wallpaper, Cotton I ceiling, and Monument door & panelling.

Consider the existing hallway and landing schemes

While you can certainly make your staircase a focal point, it should feel part of your overall hallway and landing scheme. Whether you are thinking of painting the treads, spindles or walls of your staircase, choose shades that will complement the surrounding paint colours.

Combining paint and wallpaper is a simple way to elevate your hallway and achieve a cohesive look. Coordinate your chosen wallpaper colourway with shades from within the design on the surrounding woodwork and trim. Protea Trail - Monument combines seamlessly with Monument on the woodwork to give this scheme a sophisticated, curated feel.

Wallpaper: Protea Trail – Monument

Ceiling & Cornice: Cotton I

Door & Panelling: Monument

Monochromatic hallway and staircase featuring Raw Chalk ceiling and wall, Ilex door and balustrades and Sobek stripes on the upper and lower wall

Consider where in the hallway you want to make a statement

Your staircase is a great place to introduce statement paint colours that will create impact as soon as you enter your home. However, it is important to be judicious with how and where you use bold colour palettes. For example, paint your staircase treads in a striking off black hue like Ilex. Or consider pairing with soft white walls in Raw Chalk for a balanced scheme.

This high contrast, monochromatic combination creates impact whilst providing an elegant, versatile backdrop for your hallway.

Ceiling and Wall: Raw Chalk

Door and Balustrades: Ilex

Highlight Stripes: Sobek

Grand upper landing and stairs with deep purple Soumak walls and neutral Salt III panelling.

Consider the atmosphere you want to create in this transitional space

The paint colours for your hall, stairs and landing are instrumental in defining the mood of your scheme. Think carefully about the atmosphere you want to create and select colours that will help to achieve this. Your hallway is a great place to take a maximalist approach with bold, rich and sumptuous hues that make a strong statement.

Consider a sensuous deep purple like Soumak to create a captivating setting. Embrace this luxurious hue on the walls of your staircase for a scheme that lures you in and envelops you with warmth.

Walls: Soumak

Woodwork: Salt III

Ceiling: Salt I

4 paint colour ideas for stairs & staircases

Stylish hallway, stairs and desk area featuring Blue Vein panelling & balustrades, Flat Light walls &ceiling, and Beyond Blue highlight shapes.

Add personality to an otherwise neutral hallway with painted stairs

Neutral colours are a classic and versatile choice for hallways. These shades effortlessly coordinate with the colour schemes in adjoining rooms. If the walls and woodwork in your hallway are in neutral shades, your staircase is an excellent place to introduce a colour highlight. This approach will add personality to your scheme, without disrupting the sense of seamless flow.

Consider a light and welcoming blue like Bluebird, inspired by the timeless Wedgwood blue. This gentle hue will add beautiful softness to contemporary white walls. Bluebird harmoniously complements shades like Steel, Stone, Cotton and Flat Light. Embrace Bluebird on the woodwork, treads and spindles of your staircase for an encompassing finish.

The timeless appeal of blue paint shades makes this colour choice ideal if you are seeking a scheme with real longevity.

Explore our guide to Choosing Complementary Colours to learn more

Panelling & Balustrades: Blue Vein

Ceiling & Main Wall: Flat Light

Highlight Shapes: Beyond Blue

Explore neutrals to pair with Bluebird

Entrance hallway and stairs in a green colour palette, featuring Fynbos walls, Slate II ceiling, Sobek trim, Slate III spindles, and Chelsea Green II mirror.

Combine natural green shades with wood finishes on your staircase

There is an ever-growing desire to design schemes that evoke the sense of positivity and wellbeing we associate with the natural world. Tranquil and soothing, green paint shades work especially well in spaces where you want to create connection with the outdoors. Introduce a calming palette of greens in your hallway and incorporate your staircase into the scheme. Uniting these areas will achieve a sophisticated, all-over colour scheme.

Fynbos is a muted deep green that coordinates with natural wood finishes. It’s the perfect wall colour to accompany dark wood features. For a touch of contrast, paint the spindles in a complementary neutral like Slate III. And use Slate II on the ceiling for a cohesive look.

Explore the Paint and Paper Library palette of green shades to connect indoor and outdoor spaces.

Walls: Fynbos

Ceiling: Slate II

Trim: Sobek

Spindles: Slate III

Mirror: Chelsea Green II

Natural green shades for a hallway scheme

Elegant staircase with Constantia Blue walls and Masque cornice, paired with an intricate bannister blending metal and wood.

Create a sense of welcome using bright blues on your staircase

Blue is a colour associated with calm, peace and serenity – an excellent shade to welcome guests inside your home. Consider a bright shade of blue-green like Constantia Blue to add character and elegance to the walls of your staircase.

Constantia Blue will provide a beautiful blue backdrop to complement architectural features and detailing. This uplifting hue subtly evokes coastal settings, infusing the space with the same soothing, restful atmosphere. For a coordinating neutral, paint the woodwork and trim in an understated pale grey such as Masque.

Learn more about using blues and greens to create a tranquil atmosphere

Wall: Constantia Blue

Cornice: Masque

Shades of blue to create a welcoming staircase

Sophisticated hallway with Blue Blood walls, door, and trims, paired with a light marble staircase and antique furniture.

Transform your staircase with rich, all-over colour

Colour drenching is one of the best ways to create design impact in a hallway. This technique uses one shade to paint every element of your space. Choose one of the more vibrant shades in the Paint & Paper Library palette and immerse the entire space, including the hallway, stairs, and landing. This approach will exaggerate the size of your hallway and create a striking effect of luxurious, enveloping colour.

Blue Blood is a deep, moody blue that creates a statement feel when used all over. For a scheme that confidently blends classic and contemporary style, consider pairing Blue Blood with a light marble staircase and antique furniture.

Wall, Door & Trims: Blue Blood

Colour drench your staircase with bold blues

Essential hallway colour considerations

Many hallways are habitually painted in white or pale neutral shades. This colour palette can certainly provide a clean, versatile backdrop that transitions easily into adjacent rooms. But incorporating colour into a hallway scheme can instantly create a more inviting interior that provides a beautiful entrance to the home.

When selecting colours for your hallway, consider the look and atmosphere you are aiming to achieve. It is also important to analyse the amount and direction of natural light in the space and choose complementary colours.

Embracing colour all over can deliver a bold, encompassing scheme. Or simply introduce a colour highlight on the woodwork or on panelling on the lower walls. Instead of bright white, combine with a coordinating warm neutral to create a scheme that feels calming and easy on the eye when you step inside.

Explore the complete Paint & Paper Library palette and discover the perfect paint colour to transform your staircase.

Or discover more inspiration with paint colour ideas for stairs, landings and hallways.