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!

I’d lose the cabinet, coat stand and curtain I’m afraid, they are all just too dark. A pale sage green or greens blue on the walls and the same colour on the door would look so nice.

Sorry, that should say greeny blue.

Paint the coat stand, the picture frames and the door, don't paint the cabinet it is too nice.

Zinsser BIN 123 primer/stain block then a water based paint for wood. Change the curtain, paint or change the curtain rail, change the light shade. There is too much brown at the moment.

A colourful runner would help brighten it up too rather than wooden floor being on show.

Walls wise, we have Jasmine White by Dulux in a north facing room. Feels more cream than white.

Yeah I'd paint the door. And lose the cabinet but that's because it's not my taste anyway

We have a similar issue but are South facing. The solution is a door with more glass in it but I had one like that in my last house which I hated because door to door botherers could always see I was in. So instead the inside is as bright as I can make it and I often leave the loo door open as it's next to front door and has a big window (I close it when it's in use of course!)

We also have a dark hallway. The previous owners painted it white but that makes it actually look dingy as well as being totally impractical! We are going to have it papered in a modern yellow and grey print to warm and freshen it up, I can’t wait!

The cabinet is lovely so I'm sorry but it's far too bulky and dominant in the space. If you need to store shoes in the hall you'd be better with something lower level like a monks bench or ottoman in a lighter wood.

I'd also lose the curtain completely. It can always be added back in winter!

Take away the pictures in the dark frames

Hat stand to go (sorry!)

BIG mirror 🤩🤩

If that doesn't help then I'd look to paint the door.

It would be interesting to know what the other angle (FROM the front door into the hall) is like too.

Your wish is my command - here is the view from from door looking in. Another curtain I had wanted to keep that quiet

You will see that if I paint or paper the entrance part in a very different colour, then it will have to be taken through into the main hall area, and then all the way up the stairs (because there is no cut off, the walls just continue with no break).

I'm considering moving the cabinet to another room, and yes, the coat stand should be lighter. Glad to know that painting the inside of the front door isn't a non-starter. If I paint it white or cream it might look dingy though.

@drowninginpaint

Have a look at The Frenchic Forum on Facebook. Loads and I mean loads of furniture revamps just by painting.

If you can move the cabinet I'd also get a lighter, less intrusive thin shoe storage unit and a lighter front door. X

Thank you all, I'm formulating a plan. Paint front door lighter. Replace cabinet with one of those monk bench type thingies. There's another room the dark cabinet can go to. Rethink coat stand - I could paint it lighter although that is a mission. I will check out that link to furniture painting ....
and it is easy to remove the pictures with the dark frames.

Any links to suitable light fittings ? Chandaliery type things have been mentioned but I'm slightly wary.

Regarding view from other direction - my thoughts are to remove that oak bureau and put a radiator cover along the whole wall. Is that a good idea?

If you can, get rid of the curtain. Don’t replace it, get rid (it’s July...) You can always reinstate it when it gets more into winter if you miss it.
Change the light fitting to something less apologetic. I don’t think a chandelier type would suit, maybe a pressed-glass done would be a compromise?
Get a fresher doormat.
Definitely paint the door.
Can you replace coat stand with hooks on the wall instead? Nearer the door, between beautiful shoe cabinet and door. Or at least move it there.
Don’t paint the shoe cabinet! It’s lovely and practical and most people want somewhere to put shoes at the door.

Do you have anywhere to hang coats that’s concealed? Maybe you could put pegs on the side of the cabinet if you keep it? I have a dingy hall. I have one wall painted in inchyra blue and the woodwork in antique white eggshell, it looks lovely and warm. Prior to that it was F&B cornforth white which looks lovely in northern light.
Personally I would paint the door a bright happy colour (pink or yellow!) and swap out the curtain for a lighter one. Be interested to see what you do :)

We painted a really dark and dingy room in Dulux light and space paint and kept thinking we had left s light on for about the first 6 months. So I would consider using that to repaint, you might be able to find one the same colour? It has more light reflective particles in it, I believe, and it made a real difference for us.

If it was mine, I’d leave the cupboard as is, paint the inside of the door and the curtain rail gloss white and buy a new round or oval white lightshade. Then paint the walls pale to warm grey with white skirtings and ceiling.

I love the pooled velvet curtain but would consider replacing it with white, cream or the same grey as the walls.

Good plan op and for the light fitting go for something glass, or maybe copper or rose gold.

For the monks bench go for pale painted or pale oak.

Regarding the curtains I think it was a case of loving the curtains and wanting to put them up, without really thinking about an overall plan. They really are gorgeous. They are proper silk velvet, not pretend velvet, and were from an old Manor House or something. Anyway, they will be taken down and saved for somewhere that suits them.

I think that is my problem. Same thing with the chest (which seems to be like marmite to most posters). It was an eBay purchase and I don't know much about it except that it is proper wood and quite old. I do like things with history and unfortunately that can mean I end up with a mish mash of stuff that doesn't work in this house.

Anyway, I thought I would provide a bit of background info, since you've all been so helpful!

The cabinet is lovely but you’ll be amazed at how much space you free up with it out the way. Agree on removing the curtains completely. I’d be tempted to go for a cosy, warm colour rather than bright. Something from the crown timeless range maybe.

A quick simple fix would be to push the (gorgeous) cabinet right down so it’s touching the wall where the curtain is, and then instead of the coat stand, have hooks on the wall. That will make a huge difference immediately.

There is no colour there is there?
Agree paint the front door white, I used bedec multi surface paint which is fab.
You could add colour to the door by putting transparent coloured dc - fix
on to the glass panel, as in stained glass effect.

Paint the back of the front door white or a lighter colour and perhaps replace the curtain with a lighter colour?

Cabinets beautiful. I'd change the curtain, lamp and paint the doors and walls

And a new door mat, maybe something colourful like a rag rug

Love your hallway!! You’ve made a great start. If it was mine I would-

Raise the photos on the wall a lot higer
Put a lovely green house plant with no flowers on top
Paint the coat rack white
Paint the door

Omg this is our hallway. Very similar heirloom piece of mahogany furniture useful for shoes parked in same place! Our front door is white on inside black on outside, done that way by the builders as its a new build, all houses in our cul de sac are the same. Not weird at all. I would paint the inside of the door white for sure.

I think adding some coving would look nice aswell