Dark hallway

[RLHLW]

Hi,

Can anyone share ideas on how can I brighten up a hallway that gets almost no natural light? Already have magnolia walls (shiny) and light wood colour laminate floors. Cream carpet stairs, white skirting and pine balustrade (which won't be easy to paint, I'm told)

I have a hall console table which has a small mirror that came with the house which is dark wood - so am hoping to get rid of it, although it is extremely useful! Replace with a large mirror? Any other hints/tips?

TIA

Keep the console table but put a large mirror above it, as large as possible and put a table lamp in front of if and keep it switched on as much as possible.

I might be tempted to play up its darkness - go for a charcoal or navy paint, it can look very stylish.

I agree lala but I woudl still add a large mirror and lamp in front.
Am going for a dark painted hall when we get round to painting it, a bit like the first pic here
www.houzz.com/hallway-paint-colors/ls=4

Though not sure how dark paint would look with laminate floor.
How old is your house OP?

ooh, that looks great. You could always put a runner over the laminate to make it less obvious. Yes to a mirror and lots of framed pictures to break up the darkness but not try to pretend it's not there (iyswim).

1930s house. Not a period/character :-( no high ceilings/dado/picture rail...

Not really keen on painting it a dark colour and electricity socket is awkwardly on other side of staircase so to run a table lamp would mean exposing the cable (trip hazard), unless I run a long cable I guess and tuck in the cable.

I am thinking of maybe a light oak console table with a large mirror. Maybe a bright funky runner in the hall bit? I haven't put any photos/pictures up, fear it may cramp the hall? stick in a green (fake as no sunlight) plant maybe?

I actually find magnolia a fairly drab and flat colour which absorbs light - I think it's the slight orangey tone to it. I've just painted over the magnolia left by the previous owners of my house in similar creamy-neutral but fresher shades and it's made a huge difference (I've used both Pointing and White Tie by F&B and they look SO much better). Might be worth considering.

Also, I know the mirror thing is supposed to work, but I also have a dark hallway and the large mirror I've put up hasn't really improved things. I'm thinking of replacing it with a bright and colourful painting to create a bit of interest to detract from the dullness.