The In-Between Room: Why Hallways, Mudrooms, And Stairwells Deserve A Little Paint Love
Photo by emre varışlı
You won’t find them on Pinterest.
No one brags about their stairwell on Instagram. And when was the last time you saw a mood board dedicated to a mudroom?
Exactly.
But here’s the thing: these in-between spaces—the hallways, the entry nooks, the landings and mudrooms—are where the real rhythm of your home lives. And in 2025, they’re finally getting their moment.
We’re not saying your hallway needs to go viral. But it should feel considered. Maybe even a little special. Because these are the spaces that carry you from one moment to the next. And the right paint choices? They make those moments feel intentional.
Hallways: The Emotional Hall Pass
Think of a hallway like a visual exhale. You leave the kitchen and head toward the bedroom—and what happens in between either soothes the senses or jars them. When done well, a hallway sets the emotional pace of your home.
Color drenching (one of 2025’s big moves) works perfectly here: painting the walls, trim, and ceiling in the same hue creates a cocooning effect that softens the transition. Or, go bold. Deep olive, plum, or slate blue? Unexpected in a hall—and kind of perfect.
Trend watch: Designers are now turning hallways into personal galleries, using curated paint palettes as a backdrop for collected art, vintage mirrors, or minimalist floating shelves. It’s less about corridor, more about character.
Psychological bonus: Hallways done right act as subtle mental resets. You breathe. You pause. You shift.
Stairwells: The Vertical Vibe Check
Too often treated like leftover space, stairwells are actually design gold. They’re dynamic, vertical, and full of natural movement.
Want drama? This is where to go moody. Think rich eggplant or chocolate brown in a matte finish. Add subtle lighting and your stairs become less a connector and more an experience.
Trend watch: 2025 stairwells are getting the boutique treatment—picture contrast-painted risers, bold runner rugs, and two-tone walls that add visual movement without clutter.
Psychological bonus: The stairwell is your home’s narrative spine—an often-repeated path where memory and motion meet. A thoughtful color story elevates the emotional continuity.
Mudrooms: The First and Last Impression
In 2025, mudrooms are getting glamorous. Think marble accents, built-in benches, maybe even a dog-washing station. But even if yours is more utility closet than curated nook, a smart paint scheme changes everything.
Painted beadboard. A pop of gloss on the trim. A durable but dreamy neutral on the walls (try Benjamin Moore’s Natural Cream or Farrow & Ball’s Drop Cloth). Suddenly, the space that catches muddy boots and rogue backpacks feels worthy of a deep breath.
Trend watch: Look for layered neutrals, checkerboard flooring with painted stencils, and integrated cubbies with tonal contrasts—all designed to blend function with mood-boosting beauty.
Psychological bonus: The mudroom is a decompression chamber—from outer world to inner calm. Painting it with intention makes the return home a small daily luxury.
Trend Meets Intuition
Yes, there are design trends that elevate these forgotten spaces. But it’s not just about being stylish. It’s about being aware. Because the flow of a house is a psychological thing, too. Transitional spaces guide our mood, our energy, and even our habits.
And in 2025, these rooms are getting promoted from afterthought to aesthetic anchor.
Treating them with the same care as your living room or kitchen? That’s how you create a home that feels effortless—everywhere.
Ready to Rethink the In-Between?
Stanwich Painting specializes in the spaces that shape how you live.
Whether it’s a narrow hallway or a multi-story stairwell, we know how to bring design, durability, and emotion together.
Call for a consultation. Because even your mudroom deserves a moment.
Citations & ReferencesBetter Homes & Gardens – “Double Drenching: The Paint Trend That’s About to Be Everywhere” https://www.bhg.com/double-drenching-color-trend-8750607The Spruce – “Color Drenching Is the Go-To Design Style for 2025” https://www.thespruce.com/color-drenching-is-the-go-to-design-style-for-2025-8723213Architectural Digest – “Interior Designers Forecast the Biggest Trends for 2025” https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/2025-interior-design-forecastHomes & Gardens – “These Mudroom Ideas Are Practical AND Beautiful” https://www.homesandgardens.com/interior-design/mudroom-trendsSleek Chic – “Entryway Trends You’ll See Everywhere in 2025” https://www.sleek-chic.co.uk/2024/11/entryway-trends-2025.htmlPsychology Today – “Psychological Responses to Architectural Interiors” https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brain-behavior-and-beauty/202109/psychological-responses-to-architectural-interiorsKentucky Counseling Center – “The Psychology of Space: How Interior Design Influences Mental Health” https://kentuckycounselingcenter.com/the-psychology-of-space-how-interior-design-influences-mental-health/