It’s the middle of the night and you've relaxed into a deep  night’s sleep. Then, annoyingly, the unthinkable happens. You have to go to the restroom. Not wanting to disturb the restful ambiance of your bedroom, you opt to skip the switch and head for the facilities in the dark. Halfway there you bump your foot in the dark hallway. Finally reaching the restroom, your toe is throbbing.  You've officially moved past annoyed and directly into quiet rage. So much for going back to sleep. Often an overlooked aspect in homes, there are several ways to use lighting to see, decorate, or open up the narrow space of your hallways. Let’s take a look at a few of your options.

Lighting Controls 

One way to avoid that annoying toe bump of the evening is by adding lighting controls to your hallway. Consider trying an occupancy sensor, a type of motion sensor equipped with PIR technology.  This technology requires a direct line of sight between the sensor and occupants within the space to activate properly. A major advantage to using sensors with PIR in your hallway is you can control the designation of the lighting sensors exposure.   Another lighting control option to consider is a dimmer switch. Dimmer switches work great in areas where a lower level of light may be needed, like the hallway. When choosing your dimmer, be sure to check that it works with your lights and that the bulbs are listed as dimmable.

Wall Sconces 

Creating a more balanced and well-lit hallway is easily achieved through the use of wall sconces. They come in a variety of shapes and styles; however, for lighting your hallway you should consider using sconces that cast light up onto the ceiling. Uplighting is great for opening up narrow spaces, which is ideal for most hallways. To further elongate your walls, try a sconce that creates both up and down lighting effects. These sconces distribute even amounts of light both up and down the wall, giving your hallway space a more balanced look.

Track Lighting

If your home is filled with long hallways, consider using a track lighting system. Using multiple lights on a track that is parallel to your walls is a great way to meet the lighting needs of your hallway. Track lights are especially helpful in hallways where light is needed to illuminate artwork or precious family photos.  Another great thing about track lighting systems is that they are also very flexible and create an even amount of illumination. Each fixture on a track swivels, allowing you to change the direction of your lighting to face the areas where you may have decorations placed in your hallway.

Recessed Lights

Recessed lights seem to work in a variety of places around the home. From the kitchen to the bedroom, to the living room, these lights provide spaces with the perfect amount of illumination. Recessed lights are a type of can or downlight that are installed into ceilings.  Similar to track lighting, recessed eyeball lights can be moved in numerous directions and can easily wash your hallway walls with light. These lights are also a good investment because they don’t take up a large amount of space and make ceilings appear higher and less cramped than other overhead lighting fixtures.

Christmas Lights 

Hallways aren’t the first place people think of when decorating. However, during your next event, consider sprucing up your hallway with Christmas light strings. Dangle bright white lights from the ceiling to create a fun and festive look for guests to enjoy. You could also use LED tape lights as accent lighting around mirrors and artwork in the hallway.

So, next time you’re tiptoeing through your home in the middle of the night, just remember you have the option not to bump your toe in a dark hallway if you have a little light. Have any tips on lighting up your hallway? You know the drill, write a comment bellow, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest or Instagram!