Hallway Colours - Can I beat the grey?

[Rahgh]

We recently moved into a “very grey” second hand new build. I love the airy (east facing) hallway and would like to decorate it more colourfully at some point but not got the budget now. We are having built in cupboards on either side of the front door for shoes / school bags / general detritus. The one on the right will be a full height mirror door and on the left it will be half height with open shelves for shoes. The carpenter has said he can spray the cupboards any colour we like - and this is my problem! White feels so clinical and stark, grey is just so “grey” and given the floor colour and we can’t afford to decorate the hall in full I think will make it feel really cold and uninviting? It’s too late to get them finished in wood, so I’m stick with paint.
I’ve hurt my head thinking about it. I know I’ll want a bright feature wallpaper on the right - do I need to decide on the wallpaper now and pick a complementary colour?

Yes. Choose the paper first. You can't choose a colour for the cupboards without it.

Yes, I’d choose the paper first

Thank you both, deep down I think I knew this was the answer but was in denial (because clearly then I’d want it decorated NOW!)

A warm pinky tone or an ochre would lift the grey nicely.
I have turquoise and teal accents in my conservatory with a similar floor to yours but it’s very bright and sunny.

@GenderApostate19

A warm pinky tone or an ochre would lift the grey nicely. I have turquoise and teal accents in my conservatory with a similar floor to yours but it’s very bright and sunny.

Oh yes...that sounds lovely. A warm pinky tone would be nice as the light changes...

Thank you so much! That’s something to consider, I love the idea of both the colours!