I would add headboard to the area below the chair rail. Brick would add to the lack of light. Then add some beefy crown moulding. Once you place furniture, you may find it's not boring at all. One other thing, you might consider replacing the blinds with curtain panels.

I'd remove the chair rail. I would not add brick veneer anywhere.

Put a runner in the hall and use art for interest.

I probably wouldn't go too crazy in that space because it is so narrow. I would not do brick because that is not a place where that would naturally be (brick would be found on a large, flat exterior wall only). I would probably put up some crown molding in large squares/rectangles and hang art work inside, upgrade the light fixture, and call it a day.

Kathryn Schofield, did you mean beadboard? You're right, brick would absorb the light.. Didn't think of that.

Emmarlene, thanks! Until you mentioned removing the chair rail I didn't notice that it does make the room look choppy.

Cpaul1, I love the idea of larger molding! Do you think it would bring more attention to the low 8' popcorn ceiling?

Maybe a very narrow console table with a matching mirror (to hide your breaker box), and add candle holders, plus some greenery and a pretty hall runner for starters. Or a small free-standing drop-zone/hall tree with coat rack and a bench that could be moved when you need to access the breaker box.