OK, so you saw this one coming! The first thing most of the experts and designers we spoke to agreed on was to pick paint that helps reflect light. “When painting a dark hallway, light walls and ceilings are key to capturing and reflecting as much natural light as possible,” says DC-based designer Tracy Morris. “In these spaces, the soft, neutral paint tones bounce light through the corridor, making it feel taller, wider, and far more inviting. Adding darker elements close to the ground, such as flooring or runners, adds contrast without weighing the space down.

She suggests doubling down on the light walls and ceiling by adding strategic lighting, like lantern-style fixtures or well-placed overhead lights, to brighten the hallway and draw the eye forward. “The result is a passageway that feels airy, elegant, and thoughtfully layered rather than dark or transitional,” she says.

Excerpt from These Simple Paint Tricks Can Make Even the Darkest Hallway Feel Bright published by Real Simple.