How to Decorate a Hallway

Hallways. We pass through them every day, yet they’re one of the most neglected areas of the home. It’s time to change that.

In 2025, the hallway isn’t just a corridor. It’s a canvas. A mood-setter. A chance to express your story from the moment someone steps inside. Whether yours is long and narrow, small and square, or leads straight to open-plan living, your hallway deserves to shine.

Here’s your complete guide on how to decorate a hallway, full of practical ideas, fresh trends, and timeless design moves that work for Australian homes right now.

Start with a feeling

Before you reach for paint swatches or gallery wall layouts, pause. Ask yourself:How do I want people to feel when they step into my home?

Do you want calm and quiet? Warmth and welcome? Energy and edge?

When you define the mood, every design choice becomes more meaningful. A hallway painted in soft sage with framed black-and-white family portraits might feel serene and rooted. One decked in deep navy with brass accents and bold artwork might speak of drama and sophistication.

So instead of thinking “What should I put here?”, ask “What story do I want this space to tell?” That’s where great hallway decor begins.

Frame what matters

Hallways are transitional, yes, but they’re also personal. They’re where stories unfold. The baby photo. The graduation snap. That beach print from your favourite holiday spot.

Framing those moments can turn a hallway into a living, breathing scrapbook. If an interior designer were styling your space, they’d say: start with memories, and build the look from there.

Custom framing isn’t just about neatness. It’s about respect. It’s saying, this matters. It elevates a photo from “nice pic” to “gallery-worthy.” And when placed thoughtfully, these pieces become little pauses in your day, glimpses of joy as you pass by.

Every frame, a story

Whatever you choose to hang, art, photos, memories, or mementos, it deserves more than a standard frame. It deserves thought. Purpose. Care. Custom picture framing tailored to your space, style, and story creates a hallway that reflects your life, not just your walls. Each one becomes its own little piece of art.

Bring your photos out of hiding

Some of the most meaningful hallway stories begin as phone snaps or forgotten USB files. Photo printing on quality paper with rich, lasting colour is ideal for that perfect beach photo, the candid shot of the kids, or a sequence of everyday joys. Frame them, and let them live where you’ll see them every day as part of your evolving hallway decoration.

Frame the big day

Your wedding photos deserve more than a dusty album. A beautifully framed hero show, or a small gallery that tells the story, is perfect for a space as intimate as a hallway. Wedding photo framing offers elegant finishes that complement both the joy of the moment and the everyday style of your home.

Put your wins on display

Maybe your hallway is where guests pass on their way to your home office, or maybe it’s just the perfect spot to celebrate how far you’ve come. Framing degrees, awards, or accreditations with care gives them a sense of pride and permanence. Certificate framing pairs clean lines with archival quality, turning your milestones into part of your home’s story and adding another layer to your hallway decor.

Light with intention

Hallways often lack natural light, which can make them feel closed in. The solution isn’t always brightness, it’s intention.

Consider adding layered lighting: a pendant light overhead, wall sconces flanking a hero artwork, even under-shelf LEDs casting a gentle glow.

It’s not just decorative. The right lighting guides you through the space and draws attention to the art or objects you want to highlight. And don’t forget mirrors, particularly custom-framed ones that suit your aesthetic. They bounce light beautifully and visually double your space, especially helpful in a narrow space.

A well-placed table lamp on a hall table can add warmth, while an overhead light helps define the room’s overall ambience.

Give it a purpose

Especially near entrances, hallways need to do things. They catch shoes, bags, umbrellas, and mail. But that doesn’t mean they can’t look good doing it.

The trick is choosing furniture and storage that blends with your style: a slim hall table with drawers in timber that matches your frames, or a peg rail with decorative hooks and a framed quote above.

Even the most functional corners deserve thoughtful styling. Add a vase, a small print, or a candle tray. It’s about visual rhythm, high and low, soft and structured.

And don’t forget your front door. Framing it visually with symmetrical décor or statement art can provide a strong sense of arrival.

Add texture

Have you ever walked through a space and felt instantly comforted, but couldn’t put your finger on why? Often, it’s texture.

A hallway rug underfoot. Linen matting in a frame. A timber shelf or a sculptural ceramic on display. These tactile elements are subtle but powerful, adding layers of warmth and interest without taking up space.

And here’s a great tip: pair a soft-textured runner with bold, contemporary artwork in minimalist frames. It creates contrast and invites you to look—and feel—twice.

For the canvas rolled up in the cupboard

That artwork you picked up on holiday. The canvas your friend painted. The rolled-up piece that  is gathering dust because you’ve never quite known what to do with it. Stretch it. Frame it. Hang it.Canvas stretching gives life and structure to loose artworks—perfect for adding texture, scale, and depth to an otherwise flat hallway wall. A strong focal point in even the smallest space.

Curate, don’t just decorate.

The most compelling hallways feel curated, not cluttered. That doesn’t mean bare walls or strict minimalism; it means thoughtful editing. What’s on display should mean something to you and should connect in colour, shape, or story.

Instead of a wall crammed with mismatched frames, try a grid layout using custom frames with matching borders. Or, create a looser collage anchored by a central hero piece.

This isn’t a once-and-done space. Rotate in seasonal artwork, travel photos, or your kids’ latest creations. Make the hallway a place that evolves with you.

A tribute to the game

If footy runs through your veins or you’ve got a family full of club legends, let your hallway reflect that passion. From jerseys to match tickets to signed boots, sports memorabilia framing turns your keepsakes into conversation starters. Designed to protect. Built to impress. Hung where it matters.

Let the art speak

Displaying artwork in a hallway is a quiet way of saying: “This matters.” Whether it’s a bold abstract, a soft watercolour, or a limited-edition print, art framing enhances every piece without overwhelming it. It helps you create a visual rhythm down the hall that feels considered and feels like you.

One last look

The hallway may be your home’s first impression, but it can also be its final touch. That last glance in the mirror. That framed quote reminding you to breathe. That photo that makes you smile before a long day.

It’s more than a passage. It’s a pause.

And with custom-framed pieces, clever lighting, curated textures and personal meaning, it becomes one of the most powerful spaces in your home.

Let’s frame the feeling

At Portfolio Picture Framers, we don’t just build frames, we help you tell your story. Whether it’s a hallway refresh, a full gallery wall, or a one-of-a-kind memorabilia display, we’ll guide you through materials, sizes, styles, and placement to ensure the result feels like you.

Come visit our Perth studio, or get in touch online. Let’s turn your hallway into something worth slowing down for.