Discover simple methods to brighten and enhance a small area with this farmhouse hallway update.
My husband and I spent several weeks completing a renovation project, and I am thrilled to share the final stages today.
Farmhouse Hallway Transformation
Note: This content was sponsored by Schlage Canada. All views presented are personal. Affiliate links are included for your convenience on Bildirimlerim.
The Challenges
1. Color and Illumination
Before viewing the lovely "after" photos, please join me for a look at this area before.
While you have seen our main floor living and dining rooms, I have never shown you the rest of the house upstairs. Today, that changes :)
The stairwell was painted in the builder beige hue from when we first moved in, which combined with a poor "boob light" resulted in a very dim and dull area.
As you proceed around the stairwell corner, you will see the central point for all the upstairs bedrooms, bathroom, and linen closet.
(Observe the inadequate light, completely lacking any shade!!
2. Lacking Personality
Frankly, the space wasn't in dire need of help, but it felt dated and uninspired. I hadn't focused on it since we moved in three years ago.
I placed an older storage dresser at the hall's end and mounted a mirror on the existing wall nail…
The trim, doors, knobs, and (damaged) light contributed to the space's "blah" quality; while not severe, it lacked vibrancy.
The Inspiration
This entire redesign began with a single small element: a doorknob!
I adored the Georgian Knob with Collins Trim Hall-Closet and Bed-Bathroom Lock in Aged Bronze from Schlage. This piece initiated the modern farmhouse style for this area.
This is precisely how the transformation unfolded, bit by bit!
The Renovation Steps
Phase 1: Painting.
The initial task was to eliminate that dark beige paint.
I used my preferred painting materials to paint the hallway, though my husband took on the high stairwell walls since heights are not my forte…
All paint used here was Simply White by Benjamin Moore (blended with Behr paint). The walls feature a flatter satin sheen, contrasting with the semi-gloss doors and trim. This sheen difference makes the trim appear slightly distinct from the walls, achieving the bright and light look we desired!
In fact, the paint makes it so much brighter in the stairwell, it feels like we’ve installed a skylight!;)
Step 2: Install new trim and baseboards
We took down the old, narrow trim and baseboards and replaced it with a wider style. To give it more interest, we added in a craftsman style detail to the tops of the doors. I can’t tell you what an amazing difference those few extra pieces of wood make!
Step 3: Add farmhouse decor
As this project was coming to a close, we made a quick trip down to Hobby Lobby. (Hobby Lobby isn’t here in Canada.) Of course I prayed for weeks that they would have wall decor on for half price when we were there ~ and it was! Hurray!!
The mix of the black chalkboard finish, soft woven basket, shelf with metal accents, and greenery added just the pop of color and interest that this space needed.
Decorating on a budget sometimes means waiting to purchase items you really want. Thus, the stairwell light is still the old one. I have a new one picked out, but would rather wait for it to go on sale than to choose something I don’t like as well. #helloannoyingbudget
The door handles from Schlage make a bold farmhouse statement and dress up the Simply White painted doors.
They’re the decor equivalent of the perfect earrings for an outfit!;)
A black semi-mount light replaced the broken previous light and was a great farmhouse style option.
Although we didn’t change the bi-fold doors of the linen closet to be french doors this time, adding modern handles made it appear that they are french doors ~ and updated the look immensely.
One of my favorite additions to this space is the craftsman door trim.
Remember how it looked before?
Here it is now:
We are so thrilled with this new light, bright cheery space with farmhouse charm.
Oh, and one more thing!
After living here 3 years, we finally got art hung in the stairwell! (That family picture is a super affordable project. You can find the details here.)
(Please note: I was unable to link the actual decor items I purchased at Hobby Lobby, but included similar items in the links below. Also, the exact size of the door handles for the closet that I purchased is about 7 1/2 ” from center to center. That size was unavailable online.)
