Dark hall - picture attached

[DrowningInPaint]

Following all the helpful advice on my thread about curtains I am seeking help again!

In the attached photo the hall does not look as dark as it actually is..... trick of the camera. How can I brighten it up?

My thoughts are to paint the cabinet but is that a no no? It is a very dark piece of furniture but incredibly useful for shoes. Might be better in a cream colour or would that be just awful??

I know the curtain could go but it makes it cosy in the winter. Will probably get it down once house is up for sale.

I would like to paint the front door lighter, but then it wouldn't match the outside. Do people have front doors different colours on either side, or is that just weird?

Please let me have your thoughts on any of the above points!

What temperature is the light coming through? IME a dark hall painted all the light colours can just look dingy instead.

The cabinet thing is lovely, and might be spoilt with paint. Instead of trying to lighten everything, why not lean in and paint the walls red to warm it up instead? It'll also make a nicer backdrop for coats and so on - makes it feel less cluttered.

And yes, lots of doors are different colours each side, don't let that stop you.

Oh and a big mirror in a metallic frame on the wall not filled with furniture?

Whats in the cupboard? That's a big lump of brown - is it needed?

Auntie Dolly see my OP - it is for shoes!

DameFanny how funny, there is a big mirror in a metallic frame on the other wall
The light coming through is Northern - not exactly sure of the temperature, it varies. Does that matter? Oh dear I'm not sure about painting it red. I'm wary about painting everything light and getting a dingy result though

Your cabinet is gorgeous!

Could you try a new curtain that is a bit more modern and in a lighter colour. The current one takes me back to my days working in theatre and makes me want rubs of ice cream.

Also, could the cost stand go somewhere else? I think the cabinet and cost stand make it look crowded. I would also move the pictures.

Still envious of the cabinet.

@SierraOscar

Your cabinet is gorgeous!

Could you try a new curtain that is a bit more modern and in a lighter colour. The current one takes me back to my days working in theatre and makes me want rubs of ice cream.

Also, could the cost stand go somewhere else? I think the cabinet and cost stand make it look crowded. I would also move the pictures.

Still envious of the cabinet.

Not rubs - tubs 😳

Agree a different curtain that's the right length would be better. And no coat stand - wall hooks maybe? And definitely paint the inside of the door.

I like it looks cosy esp the brown cabinet

The current one takes me back to my days working in theatre and makes me want rubs of ice cream

Kinky!

Op I’d paint the door yes plenty of folks have different colours either side. I’d also change the curtain. I don’t think you should paint the cabinet but it’s too big for that space. Is there no where else you can store shoes.

I’d also remove the coat stand, it’s also dark, and get a nice mirror and runner,

North light tends to blue, so a white would look cold and a cream would look dirty. You could probably get away with a bright yellow, but it would have to be the right kind. And the burgundy curtain would have to go.

What's your favourite colour?

White or door to match walls - bright Persian style runner in front of cupboard.

Might be a stupid question but do you need the curtain at all? It would look so much bigger and brighter without. If it’s for heat could you just get a draft excluder?

Definitely paint the inside of the door, it really doesn’t matter!

The cabinet is lovely. Could maybe do with something to ‘dress’ it? A vase, some pictures with glass or metallic frames to catch and cast the light?

I would also change the curtain, and paint the walls a ‘colour’ - I think white/off-white tends to look dreary unless it’s in a crisp/open space. Maybe a pale sage green, pale duck egg blue?

LOVE the cabinet! Do you know its history?

A large mirror opposite the cabinet is a good idea as is a lighter coloured curtain. X

I have a north facing front door too, change the door if you can, more glass, less wood, etched or stained glass.
Change the light fitting to one with more width, ie. a shallow in-depth but wide spreading crystal chandelier.
Could the wood cupboard live elsewhere in the sort therm ? and you put in a low lighter wood shoe cupboard instead.

Paint the wall and door white, get rid of the curtain and pole..i would understand it in a house with a huge glass frobt door but your glass semi circle on the door is tiny, it looks odd with the grandness of the red velvet and dramatic dark furniture. I would put that cabinet in storage its just too bully.

I personally if i viewed your house i would see beyond whats there.. so dont over spend as you will never appeal to everyone. Most important is very clean and very decluttered/depersonalised.

Bulky not bully

I actually prefer dark hallways, mine are both navy blue and it's amazing how big they feel when you lose the edges

My front door is navy and inside door white. Never occurred to me that they should match!

Easy, cheap fixes would be to get a new light fitting as a previous poster said - something chandelier like with more open light bulbs will make a big difference. Also, a bright coloured runner to lighten up the floor and then new curtain that picks out one of the colours from the rug. I think a light red would look nice. Keep the cabinet but change the pictures to something brighter and bigger too and get rid of the coat stand. I would do those things before I painted the door. painting things white doesn't necessarily make a space look bigger, painting it a dark colour can make the walls recede and give the illusion of space and warmth.

Yes paint one side of the door. Ours is one colour outside and then white in doors. Hooks I agree and white curtain pole.

Make sure anything else ties in, but not everything has to match. White picture frames would be better more modern and will off set your lovely cabinet nicely. I can live with the curtain.

Lots of different ideas and different opinions - thank you! Will carry on pondering over the responses and report back....

I'd paint the door as it's not as nice as the cabinet.
Maybe refresh the walls white paint and a big mirror.

Don't paint the cabinet, it's too nice. Paint the inside of the front door, and change the curtains to something brighter and lighter. You could also paint the coat rack a lighter colour and swap the curtain rail for a metal one.