You may not consider the hallways in your homes to be “rooms,” and rightfully so, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need the proper lighting. At Hacienda in Scottsdale, we love helping people discover new hallway lighting, giving them the opportunity to update their light fixtures and create bright and inviting corridors and passageways that lead from one part of the house to another.

When looking at new hallway lights, your main focus should be ambient and accent lighting. These two types of lighting can provide the illumination you need for any size, shape, and length of the hallway. After everything is installed, you’ll have beautiful, well-lit spaces!

Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting refers to the overhead lights in any space, and in a hallway, it can come in the form of several different fixture types. You can choose pendant lights, recessed lights, or semi-flush lights for your hall, and the type of fixtures you pick will depend on a few things, including the height of the hallway ceiling and how much natural light the space gets.

If your hallway ceiling is above 9 feet, you should be able to add hanging fixtures such as pendants along the length of the corridor. Anything lower than 9 feet, and you risk the hanging light being in the way as people pass through the hall. If the ceiling is standard height, then flush or semi-flush lights can be the way to go. You can also install recessed lights between the regular fixtures for more illumination and better lighting balance.

Speaking of balance, repetition and symmetry can be your best friends when it comes to hallway lighting. You’ll likely want to install multiple ambient lights on the ceiling, and having three or four of the same fixture style can make the space feel complete. You’ll also want to make sure the lights are spaced evenly so that the entire length of the hallway is illuminated.

If the hallway has windows on one side, you might not need as many ambient lights, since the space will get a certain amount of natural light each day. We can help you decide just how many lights will be necessary or ideal for your hallway based on what time of day you’re usually at home and how much lighting you feel is best for the space.

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.

Hallway Mirrors and Decor

Mirrors can be a great choice for any space you want to make feel bigger than it actually is. In a hallway, a mirror can be both functional and decorative, providing you with a spot that you can check your hair or makeup before you head out the door, while also bouncing light around the hall and making it feel like a larger space. A mirror can be ideal as long as the hallway is wide enough for it — you don’t want to be standing in the hallway looking in the mirror and impeding others who are trying to walk through the space! If you simply want the mirrors to reflect your hallway lighting, we can help you find the right choices.

Decorating a hallway might not be your top priority, but adding some personal touches can make the space feel more complete. If you have a small table with a lamp on it, think about what type of seasonal decor you could also add to the table, such as fall or winter holiday decorations. Any artwork or photographs you have on display will also act as decor.

Hallways and Stairs

In many homes, the hallway is adjacent or leads to a set of stairs. When it comes to lighting design, you can have these two spaces complement each other in terms of the fixture styles you choose. For example, the wall sconces you use in the hallway can also be used on the stairs, carrying your lighting design from the first floor to the second floor. If you’re not sure how to transition your lighting choices from your hallways to your stairs, our team will be more than happy to help.

Smart Lighting Controls

For any homeowner who’s interested in home automation and smart lighting controls, the hallway can be a great place to start. You can add control panels that turn the lights on with a voice command or as you walk by a sensor, keeping your hands free as you carry groceries to the kitchen or come in the house with your arms full of holiday gifts. You can also control your hallway lights with your smartphone or tablet, so if you forget to turn the lights off when you leave, you won’t have to turn around and go back in the house!