More than just a phase: Why moody hallways are here to stay

Dramatic, charismatic and oh-so-sophisticated, it’s easy to see why we’ve come to love decorating our homes with darker tones. Thanks to the influence of interior designers like Abigail Ahern, the use of moody hues has risen hugely in recent years as we’ve eagerly embraced the cosseting effect of deeper, more intense colours.

And where better to incorporate such a comforting-yet-chic look than in your hallway? By pairing an elegant staircase in a darker tone with a balanced moody scheme and considered accessories, you can create a space which offers an elegant and stylish welcome every time you enter your home.

This timeless interiors trend is here to stay, so we’ve collected our very best dark staircase ideas that are guaranteed to inspire your next hallway transformation.

Dark staircase transformations to inspire

One of the keys to getting a dark scheme right is the introduction of contrast in both tone and texture, something which our stunning dark riser staircase achieves with ease.

Here, the soft, glinting metallic of our glamorous Opus steel design is the perfect foil to the richness of the dark oak finish, while risers finished in our exclusive Toro Bronze add further depth to this timeless transformation – guaranteed to be the grand centrepiece in any home.

Contemporary flair with Jacobean Oak

Whether you’re looking to dive in with a fully dark scheme of black stair banisters, spindles & railings, or contrast a deep-toned staircase with a softer wall hue, our Jacobean Oak finish is the ideal choice to add modern flair and sophistication to your hallway. Timeless yet with a contemporary twist, its stylish looks work equally well in both old and new homes.

Here, our expert designer has paired the finish with our Truro spindle and newel design, combining smooth, concave curves with minimalist square cut grooves for a delicately detailed and distinctive statement.

Alternatively, for the ultimate style statement, you could take a tip from Abigail Ahern and decorate the whole space, from walls to woodwork, in the same deep colour. “My mantra for decorating a room is simple,” Ahern told LivingEtc.

“Everything gets painted the same colour: the floorboards, skirting boards, ceiling, windows and doors. This instantly makes the space look more sophisticated because there’s nothing to distract the eye.” Ahern then balances the scheme by adding pieces in different colours and textures for visual interest and contrast.

Smokey and sophisticated

Moody schemes aren’t limited to blacks, blues and greys – earthy, smoky tones that sit on the warmer side of the colour wheel create a softer, cocooning feel that’s the ultimate in on-trend comfort.

The ultimate neutral, our tempered smoked oak finish is a beautiful pairing with any natural, earthy scheme. In fact, it works equally well with muted and vibrant shades alike, providing balance to colours ranging from the tonal – think gentle whites, plaster pinks and burnt toffees – to the adventurous – dynamic reds, vital oranges, sunny yellows and livelier greens.

Gorgeous greys

Grey is a wonderfully versatile choice for your hallway, providing the perfect backdrop for statement accessories – and statement staircases! For a cool, classic look that oozes luxury, the deep dove shade used on this wall panelling works beautifully against a paler neutral wall and the warmth of our natural oak finish. Meanwhile, our unique Barcelona spindles bring emphasis and drama to the space with their intricate, curvaceous design.

Alternatively, a deeper shade of grey makes for a beautiful feature, as seen in this stunning space where a gallery wall in a bold off-black teams perfectly with our contemporary glass and oak staircase design.

The use of reflective surfaces comes into its own in this hallway, with the glass balustrade working alongside the faceted glass chandelier and lights and the large wall mirror to maximise light throughout.

Inspired to create your own beautiful moody hallway transformation? Request your free brochure today and explore more of our stylish staircase designs.