Kendall Jenner's homes are full of rustic charm, mixed materials and earthy palettes, which is why I was a little taken aback to see the bold choice of wall art in her narrow hall. The bright turquoise and orange oversized prints are the first thing to catch the eye. However, instead of being jarring, they are in fact a clever way of re-adjusting the eye between rooms – a palate cleanser of sorts, and an opportunity to have fun in a space that's purely for passing through, rather than lingering in. Choosing art for your home is, of course, very subjective, and the choice of these two colorful Good and Evil prints by artist Barbara Kruger (from Guy Hepner), make an unexpected statement in Kendall Jenner's LA home. It's proof that you can be a little brave in the lesser-used spaces of your home. I've asked the experts about how to create maximum impact with art in a hall and rounded up some equally bold pieces below, from a typographic California print (Perigold) to an affordable IKEA picture that creates the illusion of space in a narrow hall.
Recreate Kendall Jenner's Look at Home: The Hall Decor Edit
Hanging a piece like this at the end of a corridor will give the impression that the hall is longer than it is, thanks to the clever perspective, whilst the bright colors feel fresh and cheerful.
Opt for a typographic print with a message or word that means something to you. This retro-inspired print, would work perfectly in Kendall's LA home and taps into her green and orange theme.
An oversized print like this adds instant drama, whilst the colors and layers of print bring depth of interest. For maximum impact hang it alone with a simple console or stool for a gallery feel.
Kendall Jenner's farmhouse-style wooden bench creates a wonderful contrast to her contemporary artworks whilst keeping the rustic thread from the rest of her home going through the hall.
A long runner picking out subtle shades in an artwork can really anchor a hall space. Kendall Jenner opts for a vintage piece in a pared-back color palette to blend, rather than compete with the art.
Kendall's black wooden flooring creates a beautiful gallery-style look against the white walls and allows the colorful artwork to shine. A dark floor is a confident way to add drama to a hall.
Contrary to what you might think, being a small, narrow space, a hall is a perfect place for being experimental with art. Louie Drehmer, Founder of Art & See explains: 'Hallways are a smart place to be braver than you might be in a living room, precisely because the space is transitional and bold choices register quickly and add character, without overwhelming a main living area.' Kathryn Nelson, Founder and Principal Designer at Kathryn Nelson Design agrees: 'A long hallway is a wonderful opportunity to create a curated visual journey through the home. We often encourage clients to be a bit bolder here, especially if the walls are neutral, because larger-scale artwork or a series with a strong color theme can bring energy and movement to what might otherwise feel like a pass-through space.' As hallway decor ideas go, hanging art really is one of the quickest and simplest ways to make an impact, but just because it's a narrow space, doesn't mean you have to go small. Look at the size of Kendall Jenner's pieces for inspiration. They might be beautifully framed by those architectural arches, but you don't need a mansion-sized home to go big with art. 'Scale tends to need more confidence in a corridor,' says Louie. 'Small frames can look busy when repeated along a long wall. As a guide, aim for artwork that’s around 60–75% of a bare wall area, or about 3/4 the width of the furniture beneath if you’re hanging over a console.' For maximum impact, you might decide to keep the rest of your decor neutral for a gallery-style effect. Ayhan Erdogan, Co-Founder of mural and wall art retailer, XWALLX explains: 'big, bold art absolutely works on white or neutral walls, because the negative space becomes a gallery backdrop. Go larger with fewer pieces rather than opting for many small ones; it looks more curated and less cluttered.' The same applies, with Kendall Jenner's dark wood-panelled flooring. And when it comes to color, there are really no holds barred in terms of how bright you want to go, but it's always better to stick to a consistent palette of two or three key colors, like Kendall Jenner's turquoise-and-orange combination. Louie adds: 'With color, it helps to limit the artwork’s punchy palette to one or two saturated hues, then anchor those with small echoes elsewhere, like a cushion on a bench, a ceramic piece on a console, or a runner detail, repeated twice so it feels intentional.' Artist and designer, based in South Carolina, Jordan Connelly agrees. 'A bold piece or vibrant palette can completely transform a simple hallway and turn it into something memorable,' and this also goes for mixing styles of art and architecture. 'An unexpected contrast can be really beautiful. A modern piece in a traditional home, or a bold contemporary artwork in a classic hallway, can create a memorable design moment.' So, enjoy this chance to be brave and experimental, as the usual rules go out of the window when it comes to hanging art in a hall – just be sure to let your personality shine through by picking pieces that you love.
Once you've chosen the pieces for your hall, knowing how to hang art without damaging your walls is crucial. Read our tips and go big and bold as you dare. If you enjoy our celebrity news and interior design advice, why not sign up to our newsletter so you never miss the latest features?
