Tips to brighten up this hallway

[Houserenoqueen]

So, I painted the stripe in a moment of (hormone induced, had just given birth) madness last year. The carpet is being replaced on the stairs (sample at the bottom) and the skirting boards and banister are being painted white. Photo taken early evening so it looks even more gloomy than normal. The rest of the house is very bright and airy which I think makes me hate this even more.

But I’m worried even with the new carpet/ freshly painted woodwork it will still look drab/ a bit gloomy so considering repainting the walls (rather than just touching up the chips) with a warm pinky white.

Any suggestions? Despite the username, this is the first house we are doing up to live in!

Think you're right - it's the carpet making it dark.

Could you have the stairs white and a runner instead of the whole carpet?

Otherwise I think just changing the carpet and repainting will give you the outcome you are looking for

@Woooooman thank you! Runner and white stairs was the original plan, but I’m worried that will be stripe overload (stripe of carpet up the stairs and stripe on the wall)...

I think your stripe is much too low, it looks odd. Can you raise it to the level of the bottom of the window cill?

Love runner and white stairs. I think the wall colour, though lovely, makes the hallway drab. What about something bright and modern (see images)?

I'd do the decorating and see if you feel the same.

What's outside the window. Anything blocking the light? - A tree or bush you could trim or take down?

Put a mirror up to bounce the natural light around.

Trying to brighten up a dark hallway here so can relate.
Don't think your dado rail height is so bad - the markings on the plaster indicates that ours is similar (1930s).
It's just the colour of Lower wall and carpet that needs a bit of a rethink

The white is nice and bright so I'd consider painting the whole wall white. I'd choose a more exciting runner for the stairs.

Ooh thanks everyone for the ideas!

@242Mummy very interesting ideas. I actually always wanted a pink/ green/ red runner like in the second photo. Worry it would be a bit marmite for when we sell though...

@waltzingparrot thanks! There is a huge 80cm diameter round mirror on the wall opposite the window (just out of shot). There are roses out side the window, will check tomorrow if they are blocking light, but it’s an original stained glass window so that doesn’t help with the light.

Any suggestions for wall paint colour?

I think the warm pink you're suggesting would be good or a plaster colour. I'm also a huge lover of Little Greene's Mr David if you fancy a nice yellow!

Some artwork on the walls as you go upstairs would warm it up too.

The only concern I'd have about a stair runner is cleaning. Doesn't dust get trapped in between the stair and runner?
Personally with a baby/toddler I'd carpet the whole stair. Will be quieter , safer and easier to vacuum.

I'd paint the whole wall white and invest in some nice wall art to add interest and colour.

Something like these decals.

Then you could put a light window treatment that matches - something like a pale coloured voile.

Wajade Wall Stickers Blue Flowers Wall Murals Removable Self-Adhesive Decals Wall Art Stickers for Living Room Bedroom Wardrobe Hallway Window DIY Background https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08LSCLJKB/ref=cmswwrcppapiglttfabcTVB18TSNEMRD3F7YDTKB

@TiddleTaddleTat

The only concern I'd have about a stair runner is cleaning. Doesn't dust get trapped in between the stair and runner? Personally with a baby/toddler I'd carpet the whole stair. Will be quieter , safer and easier to vacuum.

Agree wholeheartedly....

Damn that might throw the plans for a runner. Twin toddlers...

Makes no difference I've found (runner vs full carpet) (even with a hairy dog and 6 kids!)

Sand the bannisters and stairs and put on a lovely runner.

I’m in a similar dilemma. I like that pink - but I wouldn’t use it. White woodwork is apparently a bit passé now and looks dated. Though it’s fine if you do use it - I still might. Coloured skirting boards are the way to go - same colour as the wall, or a bit darker.

Not sure if you have a budget but we found having glass staircase panels made a massive difference to the lighting in the hallway.

I think your stripe is much too low, it looks odd. Can you raise it to the level of the bottom of the windowsill?
Agree on this. I’d paint it something much bolder too: mustard yellow or a (posh, not insipid) pink – match it to the roses outside the window?

Definitely do white or sanded stairs and a runner, sod the dirt. You can get the edges of the runner whipped or taped with something bright and colourful if you don’t want to choose something Marmite/too bold.

That bottom curved stair covered in caroet is such adated look, a runner will be a million times better. The stripe of colour on the wall is OK, it's not awful but neither is it fabulous. What is your window treatment, blinds or curtains? I'd have a patterned runner in a more decisive colour than beige, get rid of the wall stripe and either paint the whole wall white or another colour (inspired by the runner), have a gallery wall up the stairs and a nice roman blind at the window