Not sure what your idea of MODERNIZE is. Before I replaced doors, etc., I would change out those handles. While I HATE the word dated, those handles just scream the word. I'd try knobs with a back plate. Your house looks traditional, update the hardware, add a rug to the hallway. The hall doesn't look dark to me, it looks cold. What about a warmer paint color?

I would not go to the expense of replacing the doors in a hallway, it's a utilitarian space and the expense is pretty hefty. Jaysmom is right, change out the hardware, add some happy color to the walls and the space will have a completely different feel. I'd go with a nice fresh citrus green or soft teal or aqua blue.

If you're really wanting to add some fun to the space, you could add molding to all the doors, then paint the four doors on the left and closest to the camera with chalkboard paint. Let the bottom two be for the kids and use the top two to make notes for yourselves regarding appointments, or what not.

Sample pics of doors with chalk paint:
https://www.google.com/search?q=cabinet+doors+with+chalk+paint&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=oqS&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=W7DCT6TeHsfi2QWaiJHzBA&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CGAQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=632

Here is a link that might be useful: Sample pics molding on older cabinets

I think I would embrace the era of your house. We also have a ranch (1960) and I would love to have those cabinets in my hallway. I don't even mind the hardware!

Warm up the paint first and see if that works for you. I would definitely not add molding or change the doors.

If I didn't need to spend money on something else, I would replace the doors with ones that have hidden hinges and no hardware. Then, they could fade away into the wall as long as they were painted the same color as the wall.

For sure update the hardware - those look like they are from the 1980's - I don't think they are from the era during which the home was built.

If it were me, I would be inclined to paint under the cabinets in the trim color. I realize that the trim is not the same at the bottom, but it would look better than having the bright trim stop and start in little chunks.

You could add trim to create panel moulding on the doors, and then paint them all the trim color.

Or, leave them the wall color, and use them to hang framed artwork and collectibles on, just as if they were wall space. It will give you a gallery, and mixing in some mirrors and other items with some sparkle will brighten the feel of the space.

If you really want to go modern, it would be fun to paint each of the sets of doors in a strong primary color, and paint the wall space in between the sets of doors in black, a la Piet Mondrian.

I was going to suggest something similar to les in painting the doors primary colors...or you could pick other coordinating shades.

Or you can go graphic and have large rub on words put on each of the doors in different fonts.

But the first and most glaring issue with the hall is the very dated large recessed cans...changing the lighting would be the first thing I'd do...smaller halogens or a cool track light would make a world of difference.

Or you can continue with the art gallery look by mounting firmly pictures to the door fronts so they don't swing out when opening the door...or you could mount them with mirrors.

You could put molding around the doors and fill the space inside with wallpaper...

And add a runner to the floor for warmth and color.

It's hard to tell what color the walls are now but, for me, I'd unify all the walls including the furthest one and also the baseboard and definitely change out the hardware. I think the black frames aren't helping. There are too many cluttered in a small area. You need to add a beautiful light warm paint. Get a light version of a color that you absolutely love and try to find larger and lighter framed art to enhance the spacious feeling you want to achieve. We can't see what's on the other side of the hallway but so many of us have that similar look. I have a hallway too but not the storage. I used a light oriental runner with soft colors and did the walls SW steamed milk, changed out all my hinges and door knobs to ORB and love it now. I do put a lot of my art up there and change it every so often. I also have a mirror there which widens the sides a bit and a large twig wreath at the furthest wall. These are all things that you can do yourself and it will make a huge difference.

Possibly remove the door handles entirely and install push or touch latches. Since the hinges are already the wall color they disappear. I agree with Les to paint the area beneath the cabs as if the baseboard continues. Then hang your art gallery on the doors using the Command strips so that the art doesn't swing when the doors are opened.

Helene

I would want to see the doors that open to that hallway. I would not add trim that would take the cupboard doors out of the same style as the room doors. Adding bulk to the doors with trim will make the hall feel smaller in my experience. Since they are not a show piece I might be inclined to go with the idea of making them disappear even more than they are by using the suggestions above as far as distributing your art, but to be honest that seems really "out there" at the same time. Anyone have any pictures of a hall used that way?

I personaly think the builder did a decent job of utilizing space for storage and it doesn't look all that bad. Try clear round knobs that will be almost invisible and paint the hinges the color of the walls. It looks like there may be two screw holes per handle - you would need to use wood filler if you change to knobs.

I nice runner will warm up the space. White walls are becoming popular again, but you might like a color better, based on the space the hall is coming off of.

I don't see a problem with the black frames. We see photo galleries in living spaces in black frames everyday.

Those door pulls could definitely be original to the ranch. I agree that it could look cleaner without any pulls and if you go with push or touch latches, that would certainly look good. Otherwise, I would keep the ones you have. I think they go with the style and are quite unobtrusive. Adding different pulls could make them much more noticeable which I don't think is something you would be happy with in the long run.

Check out Atomic Ranch magazine for ideas. Of course, if you don't like the styles of the 1960s ranches, you can pretty much do whatever you prefer and turn it into something quite different! :)

I was expecting an ugly hallway. It's quite the opposite.
It's unique and has a lot of charactor
with all those interesting doors.
I think you should paint that white floor molding the same
color as your walls in a semi-gloss paint.

Other than that, you just need to replace the pulls and allow those charming cabinet doors shine!

I order a lot of my hardware from Signature Hardware. Their customer
service is exceptional. The last two pulls
I ordered in black and antiqued them in copper. One pull
came with a broken tip. I called them; they asked me to
email them a pic of the broken pull. They immediately
sent me another which was delivered in two days.

here's some examples 7.95
{{!gwi}}
another for 4.95

{{!gwi}}

Try and get a pull that covers your existing holes in
the doors; or you'll have to fill in the holes.

this one is 7.95

{{!gwi}}

this one is 8.95
{{!gwi}}

another
{{!gwi}}
This is another nice one, it's gothic...
{{!gwi}}

Here is a link that might be useful: Signature pulls

I don't think it is bad looking at all.

I would take the existing hardware off and put on a very small recessed pull or edge pull and hang pictures on the doors as if they were wall space, if you want to minimize them.

Some nice pull examples have been posted that would make it more interesting. I would definitely change the painted hinges to something matching any new pulls. I also like the idea of painting a trim strip where there isn't one.

Gosh, I really like your hallway! In no way is it the least little bit ugly, imo! If I walked into your house, I'd no doubt be saying "Wow, what a fantastic, interesting hallway you have here!" Different strokes. The hardware doesn't even register as dated to me! I like it.

I love your artwork too. The ONLY thing I'd change at all would be to add a great, colorful, interesting rug. Your floors are really pretty too, so I don't mean to add a rug in an effort to hide the floors, but to add some texture and pattern. I love rugs!

I like the hallway. The non-modern touch is the elaborate white molding - that was not a design detail in 1960s ranch houses. It's not worth the expense of adding new doors, which would just make the storage cabinets more prominent.

1 - Use push-to-open latches instead of pulls or simple finger pulls in metal painted to match the cabinets.

2 - Extend the paint color from the molding across the bottom of the cabinets.

Here's the hallway pic:

If you do want to replace the doors they are available online for about $10/ft for paintable in a simple style like shaker.

I don't mind the ones you have and think changing handles would be a good option, I would not put very prominent handles on them though. I like the idea of turning them into art too.

My hallway has the same doors. Although it is half the size, we must both live in a 50's era home. The hallway is almost a small room of it's own that is the opening to bath and bedrooms.

At first I was going to change the doors drawers with new shaker fronts. They still sit in the garage. After thinking about it, new doors felt like they would clutter the area. Plus the drawer fronts would be a real problem replacing without destroying the front.

Currently I have cup pulls on the drawers and "close to the door" fitting closet door handles. Drop handles work well and come in so many designs. You can take the hinges and boil them in water to remove paint and/or spray after to match whatever color is wanted. I found some old original art deco ones which are still in their original packaging. Simple and work well.

I don't know if the original owner framed my units or was an add-on. Small framing painted the same as doors around each unit of doors/drawers. Not on the panels. It works well and finishes off the flatness of all. Trim and doors, baseboard are white, walls are same as yours.

At one time I also considered sanding the edge of each door. There has to be number of layers on them. A good light sanding would help revive.

My cupboards are wonderfully deep, they take up part of bedroom closets behind them. Bottom line for me is to embrace them and refurbish just a bit for cleaner lines.

At some point my entire house was painted a robin egg blue. Everything.....walls, doors, windows. Once in a while I will have a small chip and there is the blue underneath. I would love to see old pics of this and the decor involved.

Check out the 4th picture down and then the 5th to see the "before." Somewhere there was an entire blog post about this bathroom and its transformation, but I can't find it now.

Here is a link that might be useful: O'verlays