In most homes, entryway color is often overlooked. These functional spaces don’t usually need fancy wallpaper or elaborate wall coverings. However, paying a little attention to entryway color can help bring cohesion to your home’s overall style. The perfect entryway colors complement the room’s design, creating a unique atmosphere. Whether you choose a crisp white or a rich Barbie pink, the right entryway color will blend in perfectly and add personality without overshadowing other key design elements.
Like stairwells, utility rooms, or entryways, hallways can be challenging to decorate because of their transitional nature. A bold color for a hallway may seem harsh in high-traffic areas like bedrooms or kitchens, but it can be the perfect tonal balance for a hallway. Choosing the right color for a hallway depends on the mood you want to create. For a calming transition between rooms, light or warm whites can have a calming effect. If you want to emphasize the vibrant atmosphere of your home, consider eye-catching hues like duck egg or salmon pink that complement the tones of other areas of the home.
Serena Dugan’s New York vacation home is a fairy tale, and even the entryway is full of fun. A glossy salmon pink paint covers the walls and doorway, adding a pop of color to this windowless space.
Barbie-style colors are a trend that will remain in fashion and interior design for a long time, and for good reason. For a bright accent, choose solid-color partitions in the hallway. These colors are sure to liven up even the darkest space.
Gray walls are timeless, chic, and stylish, as they work like a chameleon in both modern and traditional interiors. In this Hamptons home, the cool gray-blue palette reflects the ocean view.
Calming and almost neutral, cool sage green is the perfect color for an entryway. This shade won’t distract from the rest of the room and will give it a unique character. Avoid a dull or monotonous effect by pairing it with crisp white trim, as interior designer Alicia Hassan of Brooklinteriors did.
Interior designer Corey Damen Jenkins chose a light blue-gray color for this historic home, which contrasts nicely with the rich wood tones and warm accents. A playful accent on the wallpaper adds a pop of color to the flooring.
Emerald green embodies the essence of blue and green. It combines the calming feeling of blue with the energy of green. Pair it with a variety of neutrals, such as black, as shown, and rich wood tones for a timeless look.
“I’ve always found it a mistake to use white to brighten a space,” says interior designer Tom Stringer. “I prefer to use a darker color to make it more interesting.” His favorite dark color is Benjamin Moore Van Buren Brown HC-70, which resembles semisweet chocolate chips. “It doesn’t feel gloomy to me, it just feels cozy and inclusive,” he says.
Designer Darren Eno posed a thought-provoking question to the world: “Why do people perceive hallways as lonely, dull passageways?” His solution was to add seating, “even if no one will actually sit there.” It makes the space feel cozy and welcoming. In this space designed by Arent & Pyke, baby blue walls soften the decor, while striped bucket chairs add a contemporary touch.
“Hallways don’t usually get a lot of sunlight, so I love yellow, a color that radiates warmth and light,” says designer Marshall Watson. “It doesn’t look ashy and pale like white, beige, or brown without windows.” Consider hanging a series of black-and-white photographs; they look great in a hallway, he suggests.
“I love using black in small entryways. Clients might think it’s crazy at first, but it’s actually very romantic,” says designer Elizabeth Brauer. “It’s best to use wall sconces or chandeliers with dimmers, as this will prevent bright light from reflecting onto the walls.” In this hallway by Arent & Pyke, a deep navy shade creates a lively atmosphere.
Kim Alexandruik’s motto is “Go for the visual.” She suggests turning your entryway into a space for statement pieces, like chic chairs and bold artwork that would be hard to fit into other rooms. Her favorite colors are “taupe with hints of pink and lavender. Not too light, so it doesn’t look boring,” says Alexandruik. Check out this entryway designed by Mally Skok.
“An entryway should contrast with its surroundings,” says designer Birch Coffey. In this home designed by Arent & Pyke, the front door was painted a vibrant salmon, so the entryway softens the mood with a soft pewter hue. Coffey likes Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter HC-172: “This gull gray shade is subtle but makes a strong statement. It’s light but dark enough to stand out against contrasting decor,” he says.
Rich, bold and adventurous – we love the neon pink walls of this townhouse designed by Jonathan Berger. Use them in the entryway to create a warm, cozy and memorable atmosphere, or add a pop of color to a modest hallway.
“Remember those boutique hotels where the hallways were so dim they looked like moles? I think the drama should come from your artwork, and the colors should be fresh and bright,” says designer Betsy Brown. A neutral palette that falls somewhere in the middle can be a great backdrop for sculptural mirrors and unique lighting, like in this hallway designed by Arent & Pyke.
Light pink brings energy and works surprisingly well with more modern geometric elements. It can also work well in some unique spaces, like this bathroom designed by 2LG Studio. The pink creates a sense of space and light, while the rich blue rug creates a sense of stability.
“A windowless hallway can and should create a sense of mystery,” says designer Susan
Zizes Green. She suggests trying a deep blue with plenty of wet, lazy green, like the glossy accents in this transitional space designed by Studio DB. Extend the glossy accents to the ceiling to create a cocoon-like feel.
Sometimes white really is the best choice. “I love using white in spaces where there’s no natural light,” says designer Lisa Jackson. Her favorite is All White 2005 by Farrow & Ball because “it’s not too blue, not too pink, not too yellow.” She adds: “There needs to be a focal point at the end of a hallway — a console table, a beautiful chair…” In this piece by Jess Bunge of Emily Henderson Design, it’s the minimalist mirror that catches our eye.
People are often afraid of dark colors. But at the end of the day, it’s just paint. “Try it, you’ll love it,” says designer Sue Burgess. Her favorite dark color is the rich chocolate brown Benjamin Moore Taupe 2110-10. A moody gray, like the one Arent & Pyke shows here, would also work well. It’s dark and serious, yet fresh, and pairs beautifully with so many other colors.
“White creates a clean, fresh feel without clashing with the rooms beyond,” says designer Alex Papachristidis. He typically chooses Benjamin Moore 967 Cloud White and uses a variety of wall trims and moldings to create subtle contrast. In this hallway designed by Hecker Guthrie, the soft white allows the bright blue rug in the room ahead to draw attention.
Post time: Jul-29-2025