Hallway mini-makeover

It occurred to me that I never posted photos of our hallway mini-makeover. I say “mini” because a hallway just doesn’t have that much to make over, but almost every inch of it has been re-done.

Before from before we moved in

This hallway needed an overhaul. It was dark, the carpet was that ubiquitous beige stuff, and we hadn’t gotten around to painting the walls. So when we renovated the bathroom, I decided to re-do this space too.

We installed a new ceiling light where there was not one before. So much brighter now! The vintage sconce on the wall before was so dim and just wasn’t adequate for the space. Because it was original to the house, I hesitated to remove it. But then it shorted out and I was sort of happy we got to get rid of it.

Before

It was a little pretty, but don’t be fooled. Someone had painted it with gold spray paint. Don’t do this kind of stuff, people! Seriously!

I patched over this hole, but it was impossible to match the texture of the old plaster.

And believe me, I tried.

In the end, I fixed the problem by hanging a picture over the patch job.

Before, the walls were kind of a dull, green-tinted beige (what my mom would call “dead bug brown”), so I repainted them a lighter, warmer creamy color. I used the same shade as in the living room and dining room, but in a semi-gloss version because it’s a high-traffic area.

I still can’t get over the $18 price tag for this new carpet! It’s commercial grade, but the vintage-looking floral pattern gives it a homey feel.

Ever since we moved in a little more than two years ago, I wanted to hang artwork in the hallway, but was waiting on the paint. After the paint was up, I got right to it!

I love how our hallway no longer looks like an afterthought. And even though it’s a skinny, transitional space, it still has some character.