Dark Entryways & Witchy Welcomes

How to make your hallway feel like stepping into a spell

✦ Home & Interiors · ✦ 8 min read · ✦ Contains affiliate links

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I just moved into a new flat.

And I love it. I really do. It has good bones, decent light, and my cat has already claimed three different spots as her territory, which I think means she approves. I am still decorating it. Everywhere. My living room has some soul because that is where I spent my days. I read and work here (if I am not at the office), but it is far from finished. Still, it feels like I belong here.

But the hallway. Oh, the hallway.

It is white. It is blank. There is one sad ceiling light that makes everything look like a GP waiting room. And every single time I walk past it I feel a little piece of my soul leave my body. I am a person who owns approximately forty-seven candles, a genuine crystal collection, and a black velvet jacket I wear to the supermarket. I cannot live like this. So instead of just suffering in silence (which is not really my style), I’m taking you with me. This is the plan. This is the vision board in blog form. And over the next few weeks I’m actually going to do it — piece by piece. Because moving is expensive as it is. Make something homey from a blank canvas? An entire different thing. This is my vision board in blog form. And I ordered some pieces which will help me get there. I want to share those with you.

The vision: what I actually want it to feel like

Not a haunted house. Not Halloween-in-October. I want it to feel like… you knocked on the door of someone cool and slightly mysterious and when they opened it you immediately understood everything about them without them saying a word.

Dark walls. Layers of warm light. A mirror that looks like it has a past. Some dried botanicals that are definitely not cursed. That’s the goal.

Here’s how I’m planning to get there.

Step one: something has to happen to these walls

The white has to go, at least partly. I will keep 2 of the 4 walls white. This is a rental and I can only do so much. If this was my home? I would get rid of every single white wall. Though I am enjoying how bright it is for a change. Still in the hallway, we will switch it up. I’m not even debating this. The only question is what comes next.

I’m currently obsessed with a really deep matte charcoal — almost black but with just enough warmth that it doesn’t feel cold. Or a dark forest green, but I have that in my living- and bedroom already. I also love a deep burgundy or a spicy dark orange, but it would not fit with the rest and I have glass walls. I keep going back and forth at 11pm which is probably not the best time to make decisions about paint.

Since I’m renting (of course I’m renting, we’re all renting forever, it’s fine. But also not so tax the rich.) I need something that will not give me and my security deposit a headache. Removable wallpaper is absolutely going up. Either a simple color or… patterns! There are some genuinely stunning dark botanical ones now that peel off cleanly, and I am not above it.

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Update coming once I’ve actually done this. Pray for me and my landlord’s patience.

Step two: that ceiling light needs friends

Right now there is one light. One. It is doing its best but its best is not good enough.

The plan is wall sconces — I’ve been eyeing some antique brass ones that have this gothic arm design that I love. Plus a small lamp on whatever console table I end up with, and a cluster of flameless candles because I rent and also I would 100% forget about real ones and burn something.

The flameless ones with a remote are honestly life changing. You press one button and suddenly your hallway looks like a Victorian novel. Worth every cent.

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Step three: I need a surface for The Stuff

Every witch needs a surface. Keys, yes. But also: the crystals that didn’t fit anywhere else. A candle. A little dish for rings. The skull that my mum thinks is “a phase” (it’s not a phase, mum, I’m 34).

I want something narrow — the hallway isn’t huge — in dark wood or black metal. Nothing fancy, just something that doesn’t look like it came free with a student flat.

I’ve been looking at this one slim black console table that ticks every box and is actually affordable which feels like a miracle.

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VASAGLE has been such a game changer for me recently. I used to be big on Ikea (I know… but we are all on a budget these days.) but i find that VASAGLE get’s the job done equally nice. But I am of course not above some cheeky, old DYI Ikea.

Step four: a mirror (this one I’m hunting for in person)

I refuse to buy a mirror without seeing it first. Mirrors are personal. You have to stand in front of them and feel something.

So this one I’m saving for the flea market. There’s a good one near me that runs on the first Sunday of every month and I have high hopes. I’m looking for something arched, ornate, dark frame — the kind that looks like it might show you a slightly different version of yourself if you look long enough.

I recommend you also check out your resident Secondhand Stores or Flea markets out for the perfect mirror!

Step five: plants and dried things and general botanical chaos

Fresh flowers are beautiful but they die and then you have sad Hallway Energy for a week while you feel guilty about not throwing them out yet. Dried botanicals just exist forever and ask nothing of you, which honestly is a personality trait I aspire to.

Black or burgundy pampas grass. Some dried lavender. Seed pods. Moss. Things that look like you gathered them on a very aesthetic walk through a forest.

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I will eventually add plants. Probably not real ones, but big ones. I have not jet decided on a shoe rack and which plants will end up in my hallway heavily depends on that. But I will keep you updated, once it is done!

The bit about budget (important)

I have a moving budget that is not large. I just paid a deposit and first month’s rent and my bank account is looking at me with genuine concern.

So this is happening slowly. One thing at a time. Charity shops first, flea markets second, Amazon for the things I can’t find secondhand. I’m not spending a lot and I don’t think you have to either — the most expensive thing in my planned hallway is probably the console table at under €80, everything else I’m hoping to find for next to nothing.

Gothic decor actually rewards this approach. It’s supposed to look collected and lived-in, not like you ordered a “witchy hallway” kit from a catalogue. The imperfection is the point. So I can only suggest that you do not stress about this. Even if your freshly moved-in apartment is not perfect yet. It will be. With time. We need to stop giving so much energy to things we see on Instagram!

Follow along?

I’ll be documenting this properly — before photos (terrifying), progress, the inevitable thing that goes wrong, and hopefully an after that makes it all worth it.

If you’re doing something similar to your own space, I’d genuinely love to know. Drop it in the comments. We can suffer through boring white walls together until we don’t have to anymore. 🖤

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