Accent Lighting
Accent lights are designed to illuminate the middle and lower sections of space, and in a hallway, that includes the walls and the floor. Wall sconces are a great choice for hallways, provided the space is wide enough to accommodate them. If you have a long, narrow hall, you might not be able to add sconces, since they’ll protrude too far into the corridor. There are some flush-mount wall light options that we’d be glad to show you, if you’re interested.
If your hallway has the room for sconces, it’s good to follow the same design ideas as your ambient lighting — repetition and symmetry. You can add the sconces in the spaces between where the overhead fixtures are installed, adding more light where it’s needed most. Depending on the length of the corridor, you can have three, four, or five sconces on either side — just make sure everything is balanced. You can install sconces on both sides of the wall, unless there are windows on one side, which in that case, you’ll only need lights on the opposite wall.
Hallways are also where families often display photographs and other artwork. If you’re going to hang your new family portraits or your kids’ school pictures in the hallway, then you might consider adding some track lighting. These track lights can also act as accent fixtures, highlighting any photos or paintings you have on display.
Table and floor lamps can also work as accent lights in a hallway, provided there is room for them. You can place a floor lamp at one end of the hallway, such as where the front entry meets the hall. As for table lamps, a small fixture can be placed on a table or piece of furniture in the middle of the hallway.