Hallways are one of our favourite places to use wallpaper. It's a chance to make a real impression, to give visitors a hint of the rooms they're about to explore, and to put a personal stamp on what could easily be an unimpressive, run-of-the-mill space. Of course, hallways can sometimes be shadowy and narrow and a little tricky to work with, this is where colour and pattern come in. 

CommonRoom Founder Kate Hawkins used our Love Leaves ~ Cameleopard & Prussian Blue wallpaper in the entranceway of her Victorian house. She paired this archival design - found in a book of watercolours by William Kilburn, with vivid blue paintwork (Paper & Paint Library's Blue Gum) and a Sophie Cooney stair runner. The pattern, texture and colour of this scheme has brightened up what was once a very dark hallway, and added a modern sensibility to this period home. Shop Love Leaves ~ Cameleopard & Prussian Blue here.

Since hallways are high-traffic areas, we recommend adding a varnish over the top of the wallpaper in order to maintain its finish and prevent sticky fingers and dirty scuff marks. This is our go-to varnish, we prefer the matt finish but it also comes in gloss and satin too. The brilliant thing, though, is that a patterned wallpaper can hide scuffs more effectively than paint. Plus, if you have high ceilings the finished effect will be both spectacular and homely.

All of our papers could work in a hallway, for some more inspiration check out our Pinterest board. Shop wallpaper here.

Further reading

Kate's house in House & Garden

Our preferred Decorator's Varnish

Hallway ideas on Pinterest