Hallway lighting ideas and recommendations

Lighting requirements for hallways

Lighting in the corridor (or hallway) is a standalone topic that needs to be studied in detail, because the hallway is the "face" of any house or apartment.

This part of the house should be as illuminated as possible, since window openings are rarely present in there. Additionally, when choosing and installing artificial light sources, a number of rules must be followed:

The brightness of the lighting should be identical to the rooms adjacent to the corridor. This approach will create the illusion of a single space.
With sufficient light, a person should clearly see themselves in the mirror, without squinting. The mirror should be additionally illuminated if there is not enough light from the major light sources.
The previous point also applies to a separate dressing room, if space is provided for it. It should also have an additional lighting as well as the hallway.
It is advisable to choose high power bulbs. This approach will save space on additional installation of devices and, at the same time, will illuminate the entire area of the corridor.
Lamps have a specific spectrum. Optimal for lighting is a warm (yellow) color, which creates a cozy atmosphere, which cannot be said about cold colors. However, the choice is due to the style of the hallway.
For comfort and safety, two switches should usually be installed in long corridors. A switch is installed at the end of one part, and a switch on the other.

Types of lighting in a hallway

Despite the wide selection of lighting fixtures, you need to choose them wisely, taking into account the accompanying factors, like: - Premises layout; Total area; Width, length of the hallway; Ceiling height and surface quality.

Lighting can be local or general. More often these two types are combined. You can install luminaires with a classic principle of operation or equipped with motion sensors, which are practical and economical.

The best suited lamps for hallways are:

Ceiling mounted chandeliers or pendants. In a small hallway, the ornate shapes of the chandelier look ridiculous, therefore the optimal shape is square, rectangular, round;
An alternative the one can install several sconces, at a height of no more than two meters. Often, such lamps have a decorative function as well.
Overhead lamps installed just below the ceiling and separated by a platform. Their advantage is in the wide angle of light scattering;
Spot lighting can be installed directly into the ceiling in the hallway. For low ceilings, LED strips are applicable, whose light can be directed to the chandelier. The tapes can also be installed along the skirting boards, giving the interior a zest;
A modern design approach in the form of a cut window above the front door creates natural light. It is applicable only in private homes. In apartments, you can install a fragment of the ceiling with the image of the sky, which is illuminated by an original lantern.

Mounting options

Lighting fixtures can emit light differently depending the way they are mounted. They are installed on hallway ceilings, walls, floors and recessed into furniture. Experts offer several solutions to help you optimize your space.

Stretch or false ceilings with built-in luminaires around the perimeter will visually increase the space.
For narrow hallways with high ceilings, unusual lamps in the Art Nouveau, loft or high-tech style are applicable. They are installed one at a time along the entire length of the ceiling.

When choosing a hallway lighting, one should be guided by practicality, aesthetics, safety and functionality.

Lighting zoning in hallways

Corridor lighting can be zonal, which is important for non-standard layouts. The primary areas are the places near doors, where basically all daily routes are laid. This area should be well lit.

The hallway mirror should be located in secondary zones. Modern mirrors are already available with built-in spotlights. If an antique mirror is installed in your hallway, which you do not want to part with, then you can attach small battery-powered lamps right to it or move it closer to the lighting source.

The next zone is furniture (cabinets, shelves, hangers). Here the luminaires can stand on or be built into the furniture.

In spacious hallways, there might be a place to relax in the form of an original pouf, a high chair and even an armchair. A floor lamp will help to create coziness.

And the final zone is the corridor itself, which can be decorated with decorative lamps located in any projection.

Colors and styles

An important aspect in the improvement of a hallway is the combination of the color of the lighting and the interior. In small hallways, light colors should prevail. In addition to light furniture, interior doors painted in bright colors will help to divert attention and visually increase the area.

In the corridor in the style of minimalism, you can install classic chandeliers, sconces without additional decorations. The main thing is that they should have simple, clear forms. It is dominated by classic black, white and beige colors. Natural materials are encouraged.

Metal and glass belong to a high-tech style, which work great with bright decorative elements. However, this case does not apply to luminaires, which should be monochromatic.

Chandelier à la disco or consisting of various multi-colored shards of glass - pop art. An ambiguous style in which it is very difficult not to overdo it. Fans of everything bright should take into account that such lighting equipment is suitable only for large hallways.

Ceiling lighting with the maximum coverage area helps to expand the narrow corridor. Luminaires are arranged along a line or can be staggered. It all depends on the geometry of the corridor.

Light as a means of corridor visual corrections

Lighting can do wonders. It will fix any flaws in the renovation or the original layout.

If the ceilings are high, then spots will help to distract attention from them, the light from which should be turned on the walls. Another, more expensive option is to install suspended ceilings. The luminaires will diffuse the light, creating the illusion of space.

LED strips or lamps installed in a row will help to add zest to dark corridors. Lamps of different shapes, but designed in the same style, will be able to zone the space of the L-shaped corridor. In a large corridor, you can hang a chandelier that will draw attention to yourself and distract you from the square.

How to choose proper lighting for a hallway

Among the variety, the choice of lamps should be based on several things. Products must match the style of the hallway. In this case, the main thing is the idea of the atmosphere that the owners want to give to the corridor.

Observe the scale. Even in a small hallway, the lamps should not get lost among the interior. Lighting devices are installed so that they do not interfere with movement. When choosing them, attention should be paid to the material from which they are made. And the main thing is not to forget that light is always divided into decorative and technical even for hallways.