How to paint the walls in the hallway yourself

Painting the walls in your hallway can be a fulfilling and life-changing undertaking. It’s actually quite simple to repair scuffs and marks on your walls or update the color of your room on your own. Without hiring a contractor, you can achieve a professional-looking finish with a little planning and the right tools.

It is crucial to plan out your project before you begin. Selecting the ideal paint color is crucial because it defines the mood of your hallway and influences how it feels. Brighter hues tend to elongate a hallway, whereas darker tones provide coziness and warmth. Think about the overall aesthetic you want and how it will work with the other elements in your house.

The basis of a successful painting project is preparation. Painting will go more smoothly and produce a better finish if you take the time to clean the walls, fix any flaws, and properly tape off areas you don’t want to paint. It’ll also be more productive if you prepare ahead of time and have paint, brushes, rollers, trays, and drop cloths ready.

After completing the necessary preparations, it’s time to paint. Start by using a brush to cut in around the edges, and then cover the larger areas with a roller. You can achieve the best finish by applying even coats and allowing enough time for them to dry in between. You can have a hallway that appears pristine, hospitable, and clean with a little perseverance and attention to detail.

Choosing a color for the hallway

The first thing to do when choosing a paint color for an apartment hallway is to determine the decor style.

The following general guidance is provided by designers for the hallway:

Light shades In domestic apartments, you can often find oblong small hallways, which usually lack a natural light source. This forces us to use only neutral and light tones, as they make the room noticeably lighter and visually expand the space. It is for this reason that preference should be given to the pastel spectrum: milky, beige, sand, golden, coffee, etc.
Gloss There is another law of designers, which says that reflective surfaces are necessary to expand the space.

Therefore, be mindful of glossy structures when selecting paint. Reflective paints greatly enlarge the room’s perimeter, giving it more volume, and they also magnify the light from the lamps, which together will produce a stunning effect on the walls’ surface.

This is particularly helpful when it comes to the ceiling, which is typically fairly low in homes.

By adhering to these guidelines, you can maximize the space that is available while concealing all of the room’s shortcomings. However, we also intend to highlight the benefits of the space while concealing the builders’ errors.

  • With the help of paint, it is possible to highlight not only the openings, but also to focus attention on other interior details – for example, on furniture or mirrors;
  • If you want the walls to have an additional texture, it is better to stock up on paintable wallpaper – they will make the surface pleasant to the touch;
  • To create a more original finish, use a stencil. They can be bought in specialized stores or made on your own, it all depends on the person’s desire. Any motifs are suitable as patterns: butterflies, flowers, sketches and abstract figures. The main thing is to do all the work carefully and thoughtfully;
  • If you want the hallway to be exclusive, you can contact artists who, based on your needs, will paint the room;
  • A fairly budget-friendly, but no less advantageous option is to paint the entire room, including the baseboards and floor. By maintaining one tone, you can refresh old furniture, give the hallway an Italian atmosphere – and all this can be done only with a few liters of paint;
  • If you have not decided what color to paint the walls in the corridor, look at its dimensions: when the room is narrow, it can be expanded with horizontal patterns and stripes;
  • Dark shades, combinations of different colors for structuring and zoning the room are suitable for spacious hallways.

Note: It is important to make sure the color selection complements the interior of the entire house.

If we take a holistic approach to the hallway’s design, a lot will depend on the room’s dimensions, including its width, form, level of lighting, and number of openings. However, there is a concept that will look good in any circumstance. We are discussing a straightforward yet highly creative solution, similar to a combined finish.

Properties of hallway paint

You need to consider the conditions in which the finish will be used if you want it to last a long time and protect the walls effectively.

The following is a list of characteristics of hallways and corridors:

  • The proximity of the street, constant drafts, and frequently opening doors lead to constant temperature changes in the room. Because of this, the material must be elastic in order to adequately respond to such differences and cope with expansions;
  • High loads on the finishing are associated with the fact that people will constantly change clothes in this room, outerwear will come into contact with the walls, dirtying and moistening them, and splashes from shoes can get on the lower area of ​​the walls. That is why the finishing layer must be wear-resistant;
  • All items in the apartment get there through the corridor (construction materials, furniture, sleds, various equipment, etc.). When transporting such items, friction, impacts and other mechanical impacts on the walls often occur. This means that the finishing layer must be strong enough;
  • The hallway is part of the apartment, so it can also be classified as a residential area. Based on this, finishing materials should not contain poisons and toxins, as well as other substances that can harm human health. In addition, the finish should allow the walls to breathe and release steam.

It is evident that the paint chosen for the hallway needs to be resilient to wear, elastic, and moisture. It should also permit steam to pass through and be safe.

What to paint the walls of the corridor

Additionally, paint for the corridor is chosen based on specifications. Waterproof dye is typically used. However, how can one specifically determine which paint to use on the hallway walls? Water-dispersion paint is the only class that most precisely and completely satisfies all the requirements.

This category contains a variety of materials with varying prices and compositions:

Polyvinyl acetate dispersions Such paints are distinguished by a weak level of protection of walls from wear and mechanical damage, as well as low water resistance. Therefore, they are not so often taken for finishing hallways;
Butadiene-building mixtures Characterized by high moisture resistance and good wear resistance, excellent decorative properties. The only downside is photophobia, but in our case it is not so critical;
Acrylic Here we are talking about acrylic compounds, which are characterized by high moisture resistance, protection from damage, durability, elasticity and a large selection of colors. They are considered the highest quality paints from the group under consideration, but they are also much more expensive than the other two types.

Attention: We can confidently state that styrene or acrylic paints are appropriate for resolving the issue based on the listed qualities. In case you’re searching for reasonably priced, standard quality interior work, opt for butadiene-styrene dispersion.

Features of enamel with alkyd:

  • Alkyd enamel is also quite suitable for work in the hallway, but do not forget that it contains harmful components that emit a pungent odor when dry.
  • Work with open doors and windows, wear a respirator and actively ventilate the room for three days from the moment the composition is applied to the surface;
  • Among modern companies there are alkyd paints with polyurethane, which do not have a strong smell, however, their cost is quite high.

Use conductive paint to coat metal components and prevent corrosion; fire-retardant compounds work well when painting heating elements (see Types of paints for metal: which one to choose).

Step Description
1. Prepare the Surface Clean the walls, fill in any holes or cracks, and apply a primer if needed.
2. Choose the Right Paint Select a paint type suitable for high-traffic areas like the hallway, usually a washable and durable finish.
3. Protect the Area Cover the floor, trim, and any fixtures with tape and drop cloths to avoid splashes.
4. Start with the Edges Use a brush to carefully paint the corners and edges where rollers can"t reach.
5. Paint the Walls Use a roller for the larger areas, applying paint in even, overlapping strokes.
6. Let it Dry Allow the first coat to dry completely before deciding if a second coat is necessary.
7. Apply a Second Coat If needed, apply a second coat for a more uniform finish, and let it dry fully.
8. Clean Up Remove all coverings, wash brushes and rollers, and replace any furniture or decor.

Adding a personal touch to your home while also saving money can be achieved by painting the hallway walls yourself. It can be a satisfying project. With the correct planning, supplies, and methods, even novices can accomplish a polished appearance.

Start by selecting paint and color that work well with the lighting and design of your hallway. Avoid skipping the preparatory steps—cleaning, priming, and patching are necessary to guarantee a smooth finish and good paint adhesion. Take your time applying the paint, applying multiple coats for an even finish and using painter’s tape for clean edges.

After the paint dries, carefully take off any tape and tidy up your workspace. Take a moment to appreciate your work; your hallway has been updated to showcase your creativity and hard work. You’ve created a fresh, inviting atmosphere in a small area of your house by following these easy steps.

Doing your own hallway wall painting can be a simple, easy, and satisfying project that gives your house a new look. You can make your hallway feel more inviting by using the appropriate equipment, doing some prep work, and applying a few basic decorating ideas. Choosing the appropriate paint color and applying it smoothly are just two of the steps this guide will walk you through to ensure a polished finish without the need for professional assistance.

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Veronica Gerasimova

Interior designer, author of books on the design of residential premises. I will help you make your home not only functional, but also beautiful.

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