In the absence of natural light, I don't really understand how this hallway could be any lighter, at least based on your photo.

none of the stuff in the foyer is staying. I just plopped it there for because I am going to sell it (hopefully) I am starting with a blank slate

Here is a beautiful, much brighter idea from Houzz:

I love the bright, white paint, the door color, and the rug. They would definitely help brighten the area.

Change out to a glass door and add a big mirror.

Is it possible this is an entrance you never use because you come in through the garage? Where do you put the mail, your gloves, the car keys, coats?

We're using a "unused" hallway as the family picture wall. You would need matching frames or some background decal to tie it together.

So you're looking to stage to sell?

In that case, a larger rug, console table with 2 benches underneath...artwork and a few doo-dads on top...generic stuff that you see here ;) Oh and make sure you have some gray...

You might consider a chandelier...

I think the OP meant she is selling the items in the hallway, not selling the house.

Ah...okay.

How about a fabulous door color? Still would love to see an amazing light fixture in the middle...

I kind of like the vases as they give some height down there....A can of spray paint works wonders...gold maybe? Silver?

I am only selling the stuff. We just moved in a few months ago. I love the picture of the example but I won't be able to add the side windows it would have to be just a new door or insert. I'm having a hard time deciding on size of chandelier mainly and size of rug

This is a picture that shows how dark it is. We don't use the entrance much since we use the garage but it is a very visible are since it is an open concept. This isn't a great picture but I just found one I cropped from Christmas

I think that given your only lighting in ceiling light is one problem. I would add a console that is open on the bottom and maybe with a glass top. I would add two lamps and a mirror over it to reflect in the mirror. That will bounce light around.

I think lamps will make a huge difference in dispersing light. You already have the ceiling light fixtures which kind of on their own make it look cold. Lamps will warm up the space.

A door with lights in it will get some natural light in there. I think it's mostly missing color and life. Looking a little dead. Choose and light, bright color as an accent and use it throughout the space. A nice console table with two stools underneath is all you need. A mirror above it. A nice plant will add a little life. Wood, leather, knit, or textural elements will also help add a bit more life. A long runner would look great.

It is dark...I would get a dimmer for the chandelier you'll be getting...leave it on low all the time.

Your door is narrower than a standard entry door. If you could see a way to enlarge it and add glass, it would help. I installed a new door and cleared out the hall, but I'm having trouble finding a rug that looks good with that floor. Maybe someone else can find something better than this black and white and Photoshop it in.

My favourite thing to do for a long hallway is to do two rugs instead of one. They can either match or coordinate. You might do a round or octagon shaped rug in front of the door and then a rectangular runner down the rest of the hall. But groveraxle is right, that's a hard colour of floor to find a rug for.

What about a light blue like this? Maybe something with a little more green in it.

this is a better picture of the floor coloring. It actually is lighter than this picture too. It just photographs dark and looks much darker in the entry way. I also think I need to take a better picture of the room with it empty the door is a standard 36 inches wide and I think this picture I posted makes it look more narrow. I am so far using blue and gray as an accent but really haven't even begun to decorate. I have also considered using a mirrored console table to help with reflecting light. I appreciate everyone's comments. I have never had a room that was so dark before and I thought since everything was neutral it would be easy but it has been a challenge

Here's what a friend's daughter did in her NYC apt with a dark entrance hall. Nothing dark about it now!