Kids spend more time in school hallways than you might think. These awesome ideas give them something motivating and fun to look at while they’re changing classes or rooting around in their lockers. Pro tip? Give students a sense of ownership by inviting them to participate in the painting or decorating!
1. Turn lockers into books
A student proposed this idea, then teachers and students submitted ideas for the titles they’d like to see. What an amazing collaborative project!
Source: Lincoln K-8 School/Twitter
2. Color-blocking is so effective
The sheer simplicity of this design is what makes it so powerful. Any school can pull this one off.
Source: Pentagram
3. Don’t forget the ceiling
Students painted each of these ceiling tiles with their own design. This idea ensures your school hallways will completely unique!
Source: Lake Forest High School/Flickr
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4. Highlight student leaders
Help kids see themselves as leaders with this clever idea. You could choose other words to spell out too.
Source: Filling the Frame With Learning
5. Set up a sensory path
When kids need to work out the wiggles, sensory paths are a cool solution. You can buy pre-made decals or design your own.
Source: Fit & Fun Playscapes
6. Change the world
Not only is this Matilda quote terrific, we like the idea of hanging murals painted on big sheets so you can change them out regularly.
Source: Skating Through Literacy/Instagram
7. Hang character banners
Hang banners like these in your school hallways to remind students of the behaviors expected of them. (We love that these are bilingual!)
Source: ProSignDesign
8. Believe you can
Collaborative projects are fantastic for school hallways. This one invites students to share all the things they believe they can do.
Source: Paint Love
9. Create spectacular stairs
Stair risers are a great place to add motivational messages! Print shops can create these for you, or you can paint them instead.
Source: Omar Kettlewell/Pinterest
10. Send the right message
This message says it all, don’t you think? Paint it where students can see it every time they enter the building.
Source: Kindergarten and Mooneyisms
11. Try a word cloud
Ask kids to help generate a word cloud of character terms, then add them to a large wall for daily inspiration.
Source: The Corner on Character
12. Design class flags
Need a team-building activity? Ask classes to design their own flags, then festoon the school hallways!
Source: Gypsy Cinderella/Instagram
13. Display the 7 Habits
Many schools teach students the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. If yours is one of them, paint a mural in the hallway to reinforce the habits.
Source: Pleasantview Elementary/C&G Newspapers
14. Take a walk through history
History teachers, this one’s for you! Paint a mural of world history, or focus on local events instead.
Source: Custom Murals/Twitter
15. Transform school hallways into streets
This amazing hallway is the work of a professional design company, but you can create something similar in your own halls. Bonus? The line down the middle helps keeps kids on their own side of the hallway when they pass.
Source: Imagination Atmospheres
16. Learn the multiplication tables
If you see it every day, you’ll be more likely to remember. This idea is especially easy if you have cement block walls since all the lines are already in place!
Source: Robin Brown Orndorff/Pinterest
17. Lay out a river of rocks
If your school has outdoor hallways, consider a collaborative project like this river of rocks. Each student paints one to contribute to the colorful whole.
Source: Scary Mommy
18. Post cool room signs
Signs that project out into the hallways make it easier for parents and visitors to find their way around. These smart signs are magnetic so they can easily be changed from year to year.
Source: AnnDee Nimmer/Pinterest
19. Sprinkle kindness
Choose kind: it’s a message schools everywhere are embracing. Spread the word in your school hallways with lots of cheery color.
Source: Jessica Vela/Twitter
20. Plant a school family tree
The tree and black background are permanent, but the “leaves” change from year to year to reflect the student population. So cool!
Source: Creation Station
21. Line school halls with mirrors
Raid local thrift shops for mirrors, then paint the frames in vibrant colors. Each one carries a message like “I see a learner” or “I see a leader.”
Source: Teach Outside the Box/Facebook
22. Make it musical
Dress up the hall outside a music room or auditorium with a staff full of music notes representing the students.
Source: Musical Musings and Creative Thoughts
23. Dress up the pillars
Turn pillars into pencils! You can paint them or wrap them in butcher paper. (Try aluminum foil for the metal strip.)
Source: Mrs. Leban’s Art Blog
24. Show your school some love
Inspire school pride by asking students to share why they love their alma mater. Then hang the answers in the hallway for all to see.
Learn more: Lucky Little Learners
25. Fold and hang origami cranes
Fill your hallway with a senbazuru, or collection of 1000 origami cranes. This beautiful project creates a sense of peace and unity among students and staff.
Source: poetshouse/Flickr
Looking for more ways to perk up your school? Check out these 25 School Bathroom Makeovers That Prove Any Space Can Be Inspiring.
Plus, These 35 School Mural Ideas Will Make You Want to Grab a Paintbrush.
