*I* would put as high lumen bulb in the fixture as I could find, and paint the walls a color. Probably green. Possibly blue.

First some much better lighting then hang all those frames much lower the center of the group at eye level. I have no idea of the rest of the home so post some pics here of the spaces near this hall. Post in a comment in jpeg format. Here . DO NOT start another post

Good lighting, light-colored paint, and move on. You don't have a wall at the end to showcase art, and most people are just passing through, so you don't want to overload the walls. If you really want a little character, and a runner is impractical, maybe a light with a little personality could work.

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(not to imply that there's any problem with your lights or space -- just trying to help you visualize some options!)

Thank you! The hallway goes down to the bathroom and bedrooms from the main living / dining / kitchen area that has an L shape.

The living room is lighter / cozy. We also have a green velvet couch and darker wood coffee table & plants.

omg, the thought of rehanging all those frames might send me to hang myself. what is in them? Do they remain aligned?

Dog looks perfect on the chaise.

Wainscoting seems like a random addition to this hallway. It doesn't appear to relate to anything else in your home. And, it could look just as gloomy.

I'd get a semi-flush fixture with bright bulbs. Thin chrome frames on your gallery pictures will help reflect light around. You could also paint the ceiling a nice glossy color, even if it is just a neutral.

I had similar situation in a home that we once owned. A bedroom was at the end of it and the hall always appeared cold and gloomy. Back then, the entire interior of the house was painted an off white. One day, I felt emboldened, and I painted the bottom half in a sage green and the top in a lighter green. I was thrilled with how warm and inviting it looked. So much so, that I continued it into the living room.

Persoanlly, I like your minimal hallway . If anything just a pop of color somewhere or some gentle lighting. I would never illuminate it with bright light. Bright overhead light is so awful. Sometimes for safey reasons it is needed, but there are no obstacles in this hallway. Some gentle light seems like a good idea..

What ever is in those frames looks as if it has no color. It rather looks like framed pages from a document or something like that. If they are pages of text that is probably not a good space to interact with them.

I’d add a cheery washable rug - the color + texture will go a long way - cute pup!

To fight gloom, use light: light fixture(s), appropriate light bulbs/tubes/etc, and light and bright wall and ceiling paint.

IMO, very pale warm colors are best because gray is the epitome of gloom.

I’d paint lighter and since you like green, coordinate with a runner and pendant and hang 3 large prints and it will feel much more inviting! Both of these are on Amazon.

Thank you so much for these suggestions!

It sounds like a lighter colour (non grey), fewer but larger artwork with colour, a pendant light, and a runner will do the trick :)

Good lighting, white walls, a nice runner...

I'd use larger framed black & white prints.

Matte or eggshell finish paint.

Not just larger frames but notice the amount of white space around the photos and/or a very large matboard. More open feeling. And consider pale b/w or softer color for photos with such close up viewing.

I would try to keep the bathroom door closed. If it's that dark get a dimmer switch leave the light on low. They make dimmable LEDs so no energy wasted.