Hallways

The colors you should never paint your hallway – and what really works

These are the colors you should never paint a hallway, a psychologist warns

A modern hallway idea with yellow walls, white woodwork and a wooden mid-century modern sideboard
(Image credit: Future)

An entryway or hallway is often the first room that guests see in your home – meaning it is imperative to make the right design choices and curate a memorable scheme. However, your desire to experiment with certain paints may be impacting your wellbeing – and creating a memorable first impression for all the wrong reasons. 

If you are rethinking your hallway ideas, take heed: psychologist and wellbeing consultant Lee Chambers explains that there are some shades that should be avoided. And despite our vibrant entryway daydreams, we can’t argue with science. 

These are the colors you should never paint your hallway – and the shade you should embrace instead.

The colors you should never paint your hallway – according to color psychology 

Hallway with orange and white color scheme

(Image credit: Davide Lovatti / Future)

While pink is one of the most beautiful colors to play with in your scheme, Lee suggests you might want to have a rethink when it comes to hallway paint ideas for your entryway. 

‘Pink takes the vibrancy of red and tones it down to create mellow energy. A vibrant pink hallway is quite a statement and could potentially be unsettling for guests of a quiet nature,’ he explains. 

Plus, red poses a similar risk – as while it is certainly bold, it can also be over-stimulating and feel like a warning sign to some people. However, Lee is not exclusive in his warning against some of the season’s most popular tones. 

Blue hallway with white ceiling and stone floor

(Image credit: Future)

Color consultant and therapist Suzy Chiazzari also doesn't recommend using ‘dark shades of green, blue, grey and purple’ as a ‘hallway should be a friendly welcoming place,’ and these have ‘a negative effect on your mood and energy levels.’ 

The best color hallways 

So, what color should you try instead, according to Lee? Perhaps the polar opposite to these moody hues – Lee suggests choosing a warm yellow that will ‘stimulate creativity.’

‘Entering a yellow hallway is likely to make you feel happy and vibrant,’ he says. ‘While as a color that can fatigue your eyes quickly, yellow is perfect in a hallway for creating a sunny welcome – and a creative burst as you leave.’

Yellow painted room with black accessorises

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Has psychology just changed your entryway plans? This effortlessly easy paint idea could make all the difference to the first room in your house – and leave you and your guests feeling happy while passing through the space.  

Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.