Paint Your Hallway In A Weekend

Your hallway is the first impression of your home and one of the easiest spaces to transform in just a weekend. Often narrow, busy and short on natural light, it’s a space that works hard but rarely gets the attention it deserves.

This Weekend Project shows how to refresh a dark, north-facing hallway in just two days using carefully chosen colour, proper preparation and durable paint finishes designed for everyday life. Everything used in this project is readily available from your local Fleetwood stockist, making it an achievable and rewarding weekend update.

Watch: A Hallway Transformation in One Weekend

Follow the full step-by-step process in our how-to video, from choosing the right colours for a low-light space through to preparation, painting and the final reveal. This practical guide is designed to give you the confidence to tackle your own hallway project from start to finish.

Why the Hallway?

Hallways are high-traffic areas that see constant use, yet they’re often the most challenging spaces to decorate. Limited natural light, frequent scuffs and everyday wear mean both colour choice and finish are crucial.

This project focuses on:

• Brightening a north-facing hallway with very little natural light
• Choosing colours that feel warm and welcoming, even in darker spaces
• Using durable, washable finishes that stand up to daily wear

Choosing the right colours

For this space, we chose Anne’s Grove in Easyclean Washable Matt and Incas Dawn Advanced Satinwood from the Fleetwood ready mix range, available in all Fleetwood stockists, perfect for a weekend project;

This hallway is north-facing and as such, cooler tones can dominate and make the space feel flat. The colours selected for this project are designed to lift and brighten darker areas, reflect available light and still feel warm and welcoming from the moment you walk through the door.

If you’re unsure which tones will work best in your home, Fleetwood Paints offer free colour consultations nationwide, helping you choose shades that suit your space and lighting.

Step-by-step: How to paint your hallway

Step 1: Gather everything you need

Before you start, make sure you have all your painting accessories and products ready to go. Using premium-quality brushes and rollers will help achieve a smoother, more even finish and make the job easier over the weekend. For a full list of recommended products, view our checklist at the bottom of this page.

Step 2: Prepare the space

Preparation is key to a long-lasting, professional-looking result.

Clean all walls and woodwork with Fleetwood Sugar Soap to remove dust, grease and marks. Protect floors, skirting boards and surfaces using Fleetwood Taped Masking Film and Fleetwood Washi Tape.

Fill any holes or imperfections in the walls with Fleetwood Readymix Filler and allow them to dry fully before lightly sanding to create a smooth surface. Lightly sand all woodwork to aid adhesion.

Step 3: Paint the walls

Once opened, give your paint a really good stir to ensure an even colour and consistency.

Start by cutting in around edges, corners and woodwork using a 2” Fleetwood Short Grip brush or a 2” Glide Pro Angled Sash brush. Then use a Fleetwood 9” Microfibre roller to apply the paint evenly across the walls. Allow the first coat to dry fully before applying the second.

Choosing a quick-drying, low-odour paint makes it easy to apply two full coats within a weekend, even in a busy household.

Step 4: Paint the woodwork

After sanding, prime the woodwork where needed with Fleetwood Bloxx It Primer. If the previous paint was water-based, you can paint directly over it. Leave to dry overnight before applying your Fleetwood Advanced Satinwood topcoat to your woodwork such as doors, trims and skirting.

Step 5: Finishing touches

Once the paint is fully dry, carefully remove the Taped Masking film and Washit Tape and tidy up any edges if needed with a small lining brush. Simple additions such as a fitted radiator cover or a slim hall table help complete the space and bring the overall look together.

The Result

Just two days later, the hallway is completely transformed into a brighter, more welcoming entrance. The two complementary colours Anne’s Grove in Easyclean Washable Matt and Incas Dawn Advanced Satinwood work together to lift the space, while durable finishes ensure it stays looking good for longer even in a busy home.

After Painting

This project shows just how much you can achieve with the right preparation, colour choice and products, all in one weekend.

Start your own weekend project

Visit your local Fleetwood stockist to get everything you need to complete your own hallway transformation.

Easyclean Washable Matt

Easyclean Washable Matt is used on the hallway walls to provide a durable, everyday finish. It is up to 50 times more hard-wearing than standard matt paint and is both stain-repellent and fully scrubbable, making it ideal for high-traffic areas like hallways.

Advanced Satinwood

Advanced Satinwood is used on doors, trims and skirting to create a smooth, hard-wearing finish. It is designed specifically for woodwork in busy areas, offering durability that stands up to everyday wear while maintaining a clean, refined look.

Bloxx It Primer

Bloxx It Primer is used to prime woodwork where required before painting. It improves adhesion and helps create a stable base for your topcoat, ensuring a longer-lasting, more professional finish on doors, trims and skirting.

Fleetwood Accessories

• 2 inch short grip brush or 2 inch Glide Pro Angled Sash brush
• 9 inch Roller and tray or scuttle
• 4 inch roller and tray or paint pot
• Taped masking film
• Washi tape
• Sandpaper
• Wall filler (if needed)
• Sugar soap