A narrow sideboard with a leaning mirror or art piece ,that way you can reach behind it...that's what we did

That's a great idea, thank you.

a gallery wall of photo's or art, maybe add a small mirror in the grouping ???

I agree with the first comment. A nice thin console table with an awesome leaning mirror! Get a nice large mirror to really make a statement. Best of luck!

Another option is a leather scroll type of art work. It's hung on a rod and sticks out a bit from the wall. I'm not a fan of tapestry type art, but I've seen beautiful leather ones.

A canvas type print will hide the doorbell and moving the thermostat is a great idea.

How about picture ledges? Use several staggered. You would still be able to reach the thermostat easily yet it would be concealed.

I think we have the same thermostat...

This is what happens when men install thermostats. I have same issue at the top of my stairs...sigh. I collected three antique mirrors and clustered them around thermostat. The intricate gilded detail of frames and reflection of mirrors seem to distract the eye! Plus most people end up looking at their own reflection and not the thermostat! Ha!

You could also place a thin buffet as seen in many English kitchens. They have open shelving on top. You could cut out holes for thermostat. Then place dishes or what not to confuse the eye.

I would have the thermostat moved as it's not ideal to have anything covering it, nor would it be a good idea to have a mirror just leaning against the wall in a high traffic hallway.

You could get a large canvas that is thick enough to go over the top of it!??!
I heard of a friend that is doing that.

It's really not a good idea to cover the thermostat as it won't be able to accurately read the temperature, defeating the purpose of the thing.

Moving the thermostat and the doorbell is an easy (and probably not that expensive) job for an electrician. Yes, you'd have to paint afterwards (or put up a large bit of art, like a quilt), but why live with a stupid arrangement?

Thank you for all the great ideas! I am going to look into moving the thermostat and doorbell as my first option.

Forgot to mention, this wall used to be arranged with some family photos and I had to move them. Every week or so, someone would back into one of them and push a frame off balance or brush past with a backpack and knock into the frames. Either the hall is just too narrow, or, more likely, my family is just rough on things like furniture, corners and walls. With a table and art/mirror, the family is less likely to hit into the wall so it should work :)

Drives me batty, alarm panel installers, doorbell installers, and Hvac guys think their piece of technology is the feature of the room. In my master I stacked the thermostat, alarm panel, and switches tight to the moulding to allow room for a painting. I told the Hvac guy to 'stack the ugly'. He was so offended!

Possibly easier is to recess the doorbell in the wall, that's my go to anyway. Small 6/6 grill can be painted wall color... Thermostat should move if possible.

You can also paint them the wall color to make them less obvious.

Glad you decided on trying to move the thermostat first, covering the thermostat is not a good idea as it will not receive any air movement and would not get a proper reading. Lining up the thermostat with the light switch should not be a problem.

You could add a narrow shelving unit and place accessories around them. Don't add anything breakable, as you mentioned this was a high traffic area.
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I agree Ellsworth- Hallett, these ugly electronics should be stacked. Ironically, the people we purchased our house from told us the home builder purposely placed the light switches low to accommodate artwork. Well then somewhere in the building process that idea was lost since the thermostat and doorbell have obviously overtaken this wall. Ugh!

Paint a simple mural on the wall, such as a tree, that would draw the eye away from the thermostat. And it would not interfere with movement in the space. Otherwise, have them moved.

How about a hanging unit with a couple small drawers, a shelf, and hooks to hang coats on? You could cut out a space for the thermostat.

Easy to move the thermostats snd door bell

I'm with the other people who have suggested moving the thermostat. We recently moved ours because it was also in a bad spot. It will give you many options for art or a large decorative mirror. Since the hallway is not quite 4' wide it really doesn't allow for a narrow piece of furniture from what I can see in the pictures.

Yes, one of those WTF? moments in home ownership. Move them.

I was going to suggest hanging a quilt over it, which is very easy to reach behind and falls far enough away from the wall to accommodate its width. A quilt can be hand washed if all the walking traffic gets it dirty. But it is a good point to be sure this would not affect the thermostat's function.

I would add shelving over a narrow and long table. You don't want to block the air around any of those things and you want to be able to access them if needed. Then place photos, knick knacks or art or any combination on the selves so that the view is at least partially blocked if not entirely blocked without interrupting the functionality of all those things.