Apart from being a lovely verse from John Mayer's song “Gravity”, this phrase is heavy with a design truth bomb. To make your small hallway as bright and inviting as possible, you need to paint your walls in bright colours – if they aren't painted in bright colour already. If you want to change things up, but not necessarily with white, just go with off-whites, blues and greys. And if you're feeling particularly playful, opt for a wallpaper with a fun geometric pattern.
In addition to the aforementioned, mirrors are also great for adding light and space into a hallway. They are also convenient for a quick check myself out before I go go when you are leaving the house. Statement mirrors can not only open up a space, but also add a focal point of interest to it and since small hallways generally lack windows, mirrors can save the day (every day) by being your classic light-enhancing solution.
“Just because I'm narrow, it doesn't mean I got no soul!” is what your hallway would say if it could talk. By amping up the snug factor, you'll be able to combine creating more storage options with creating an intimate scheme. In order to achieve a rustic edge, invest in white hallway furniture pieces and paint the walls in soft blue. You can furthermore soften the atmosphere with often textured cushions and traditional hooks where you can hang all of your coats and hats. Also, make sure you use the space under the bench or console table or whatever white hallway furniture piece you've chosen for displaying some authentic accessories.
If there's no way you can house large pieces of statement furniture in your hallway, perhaps a simple, narrow console will do. There you can place some potted plants and arrange them, for instance, according to their sculptural shape and size and introduce a colour element through the pots.