I think the space is too narrow, unfortunately, for anything that impedes traffic flow. How about some art on the walls instead?

I agree. As is I wouldn’t want anything coming off the walls very much. Unless you need storage and can use part of another room for a closet or something I’d leave it and add some art. Or family pics...

Art and maybe a the 9” deep shelf where is this hallway? If an entry then the shelf for keys or whatever is nice to have as for storage what do you need to store there .