What are the best hall lights for a hallway?
Transitional spaces, such as hallways, entrances and landings, in our homes can sometimes be excluded from the care and attention that we lavish on other rooms in the home. As we spend time in our favourite rooms, our minds will wander to considering how we want these rooms to look. When we come to revamping theses rooms, we therefore have a head start and have a clear vision of how we want these rooms to look. In transitional spaces, we don’t gravitate to them to relax – they are just a space connecting our destinations and consequently we do not have such a strong image in our minds’ eye, this is where beautiful Hall Lights come in to play.
The hallway is a space that we don’t generally tend to spend a lot of time in. Whilst they are hugely useful for housing additional storage, they can all too easily become cluttered where coats and shoes are deposited with reckless abandon. Back in the 80’s, telephone seats were popular as your phone was tethered to a wall for the duration of the call, yet even this limited time in our hallways has been curtailed in recent years due to technological advances.
It’s clear to see how this space can become overlooked, but it’s importance must not be underrated. Very often, this is the ONLY space that people see when they knock on your door and will (however well intentioned) judge you and your home on that split second view.
Time for a makeover?
You don’t need to go mad – just have a good declutter! Is your shoe cupboard or coat rack taking up too much space? Why not store your out of season items in your loft or wardrobe!
Now you need to address your lighting and it’s time to be honest. Do you have an old plastic suspension hanging here?! In a recent survey, 87% of homeowners still had plastic suspensions lurking in their homes. The hallway was the second most likely place to have one, only thwarted to the top spot by bedrooms. Of course, these do serve a purpose, but with age they can become yellow, making them appear dirty even with the most attentive of cleaning.
What type of light should I choose?
The hallway is one of the most important areas for lighting, after all, they light your stairs and welcome you home! Hall Lights, therefore needs to have a good spread of illumination. If you are lucky enough to have a spacious entranceway, wall lights and table lamps are a great way to stretch the light into darker areas.
If you have a continuous theme flowing from the rooms off the hallway, keeping the style the same will really help to tie the spaces together. If you have more eclectic tastes and have a theme for each room, then treat the hallway the same and treat it to an identity all of it’s own. Whatever your style, you can really go the extra mile in this space! When you think of a stylish restaurant or hotel, chances are that you will picture a sumptuous foyer in your mind that sets the scene of what you can expect to see – your home is exactly the same for your guests and for you.
Oversized Lighting and Long Drop Lights
If you have a high ceiling, or could house a light on a long drop from the landing, you can make a spectacular impression with some long drop lights:
The ETERNITY ceiling pendant is a large, contemporary design gyroscope light in chrome and crystal glass. The adjustable chrome hoops orbit a central chrome sphere and each hoop is filled with faceted crystal glass squares. A great feature light that always attracts attention.
The stunning ORB 8 light ceiling pendant is large and impressive, with a gyroscope design in a black finish. Especially suitable for use in any rustic setting and ideal for high ceilings and barn conversions. This would make a great feature light in a long drop stairwell or above a dining room table. This light can be used with a dimmer switch. It also comes in a cream finish.
The PIGALLE is a large and impressive 21 light chandelier complete with linen silk shades. The metalwork is an elegant, curved design from a central column and is finished in black which contrasts beautifully with the linen coloured shades. The contrast of the colours ensures that it would compliment both modern and traditional settings as glamorous focal interest.
Suspended from a matching ceiling rose, the suspension is cable and chain which can be shortened at the point of installation for those with lower ceilings. Longer lengths of chain can be provided for those requiring a longer drop for high or vaulted ceilings, or perhaps over a stairwell. Please contact the team here at Lighting and Lights who will be happy to help.
We love this light in hallways, sitting rooms or over a dining table. It would also make a great impact to use in large hospitality settings as a focal point and to add authenticity to vintage bars, cafes and restaurants.
Lanterns
Lantern Lights are a traditional option for an entrance or hallway. Typically found in Edwardian or Victorian homes, these would also look great in any transitional contemporary house.
The Harrington 5 Light Pendant by Laura Ashley is an elegant option and would be a wonderful welcome home. The clean lines and polished nickel finish would suit a contemporary or traditional décor.
The Gentry from Lincoln American Lighting is a smaller lantern with a big impact. Suited to both high and low ceiling heights, the chain can be shortened at point of installation. The name befits the gentrified elegance of the old world charms this light offers.
Flush and Semi-Flush Ceiling Lights
If you don’t have a high ceiling, you can still have lights that make an impact! Some of our best lights for hallways with standard or low ceilings still manage to add a ‘wow’ factor.
The ZEKE semi-flush ceiling light in chrome is a striking and modern semi-flush ceiling light with six glass shades with a spun glass inner which sparkles in the light. Great for homes with lower or standard ceilings, this light is also double insulated, ensuring that it is safe to use in all homes, including those without an earth cable.
The Penn semi flush ceiling light is ideal for lower ceiling heights. The glass clear bowl is supported by engineered bronzed straps held by heavy brass detail screws. Penn Station takes inspiration from the historic New York train station, reproducing the halcyon days of train travel. This golden age took pride in the architecture and design of the interior paying special attention to details such as lighting. We suggest using vintage style bulbs as pictured (optional extra) to complete the vintage industrial look. Use this light in hallways, entrance hall, kitchen, study, for an up dated vintage vibe.
The CAPRICE ceiling light is a stunning modern design flush fitting using the latest LED technology. Shown here in a Chrome finish. With a low protrusion, this is ideal for homes with standard and low ceilings. Ideal for any room within the home, we love this in living rooms, hallways and dining rooms.
Wall Lights
Wall lights are a great choice for a hallway too. Picture lights are also a great idea if you have some artwork that you want to illuminate too. Just be careful that you measure the protrusion to ensure that you won’t be knocking into it! Wall washers are worth considering too as they give a lovely ambient glow up and down the wall.
The ASCOTT is a simple yet elegant curved wall light from David Hunt Lighting. Available in a choice of coloured 100% silk shades and shown here in the neutral coloured taupe silk. Suitable for traditional and modern settings alike and great for lighting in hotels and guest houses as well as for home lighting. The fitting is double insulated.
The OVAL is a modern wall washer light in a minimalist design. The middle is open for an airy feel, which the LEDs light up and allow the light to wash down the wall. Complete with 4.8 watt LED, offering 488 lumens of light in a warm white colour.
Perfect in bedrooms and living rooms, this would also be ideal in hallways as the curved design ensure that you will not catch your clothes.
Table Lamps
Table lamps look great on sideboards to light up a hallway. A great tip is to add a timer switch so that your light comes on in the darker months to welcome you home!
The Filip from The Lighting Book has a modern green palm leaf print and would add a quality statement in a hallway, living room or bedroom. You can choose a shade to match your décor.
We hope that this has whetted your appetite for your hallway transformation! If you’re inspired to keep searching for the perfect lighting for your hallway, have a look at our full range!