Help! What exactly isn't working with this decor? (Pics attached)

[Acey68]

I'm in the middle of decorating my new flat and I've just had my hallway done and I used a pic I saw online for inspo (attached along with mine) but I don't love it and I can't quite work out why or what I need to change.
My thoughts are...
Is the dark grey dado just too dark in a real life setting? Should I paint it back to white?
The blue carpet will be changed to a neutral hard floor- could this be why I'm being thrown off?
Are the walls too cream? I used Dulux timeless which lots of people rave about on here and describe as a not creamy white but to me it looks very cream! Should I paint the top PBW to match the woodwork?

Any feedback appreciated :)

carpet. Carpet is wrong shade of blue, sucks the life out of the other colours.

The carpet and the lighting I think. The first photo is very light where as your hall isn't. Also first has the panelling effect for texture. Think it needs that.

I think it will be hard to tell until you've got your neutral flooring down and you've "dressed" the hallway - the plant and the mirror are what sets of the overall look of the example pic.

Stick with the Timeless. Definitely don't go pbw with that lovely soft colour below the dado!

I was hoping it would be the carpet as this will soon be changed, but part of me is still thinking the top wall isn't quite right? Maybe I'm going mad and overthinking it so wanted fresh eyes!

I'd say it's the carpet making it look all wrong. Don't do anything with the paint until the new floor is in. Also I think you need something on the top half of the wall to stop it looking so plain.

Once the wood is in I think it would look ok; especially if you get the mirror, shelving and greenery in. I’m not a huge fan of the colors but if you like them, keep them. Consider a radiation cover for a more polished look?

It'll look 100% better when you lose the blue carpet and lampshade. (🙏 that's not already been replaced.)
Framed pictures too.

Also you've no accessories, you need a mirror and a plant at the very least to replicate this look I think.

Yep, the carpet makes it look a bit mismatched. Your radiator is huge so detracts from the walls. You need a mirror like on the picture and perhaps some wire shelves to add interesting things to look at
Something like this
jysk.co.uk/storage/shelves/wall-shelf-hejlsminde-black-natural

Tbh at first glance it reminded me of a corridor in nursing and care homes with the dark-paint on the dado rail looking like handrails for people with mobility problems. Sorry Op.

The lightshade will be replaced as that was here already (I've only just bought so have no accessories yet). Should I cover the radiator or paint it pink?

Obviously the carpet but that's being changed anyway - I think it's the dado rail. At first glance, it reminded me of a corridor of an old people's home (sorry), I think if that was white it would look lovely

It’s the carpet and lack of accessories. The inspo picture has a whole aesthetic thing going on with the mirror and the plant whereas you’ve done nowt to dress your hall yet. Once you had some wooden frames or mirror and a shelf or plant yours will look as good.

Dark carpet and dated light shade

The dado rail should be white imo. So it goes with the white door frames. Would make a big difference.

Yes I'm definitely considering changing the dado back to white, wanted something a bit different but not sure how I feel about it now!

Your pic is very angular. The accessories in the Pinterest pic are rounded edges, no corners. You need to soften yours

Carpet is a total clash.
Walls too bare.
I'm sure it'll look very nice when you've updated the flooring and dressed the walls.

@Acey68 definately will look much better once flooring is changed. You need a bit radiator cover with a big mirror hung above it

The dark dado looks very old fashioned imo. It would be an easy change.

I think with a new floor and something on the wall on the left of the pic it will look quite different. I wouldn’t go repainting until the floor was done

You can make your own panelling with thin strips of ply wood from Wickes or wherever, just cut to size and use glue and nails, then paint over. You need mirror, shelf and plant and different carpet/laminate/wood flooring.

The floor will make a huge difference and I would definitely get a radiator cover, it also gives you a little “shelf” which is surprisingly handy. Once you have the floor, a radiator cover, a mirror and a new lampshade it will look lovely.