I have the same hall way, so really loved everyone's ideas! I have thought about clearing out a closet on one wall, removing the doors and putting a sleeping closet in there that stays open to the hallway to give it more width. It would only be cot sized because of the depth possibly with book shelves and a light looking like one of those European wall niches with a bed. Because I love rustic, I would layer it with a collection of wool blankets, fun pillows and maybe a pictures and/or old postcards. I have lots of guest and a child could sleep on the cot. Now, to figure out what to do with what is in the closet! What do you think of that idea? My hallway is actually the same color. I've also been thinking of running a 2 pieces of wood down the hall apart enough to hang pictures between them in an effort to make a more tidy gallery, but fear it would lengthen and skinny up the look of the hallway. If the ceiling was darker than the walls would it cause the widith to look wider? Here is a link that might be useful: Winchuck River Store

Thanks, Jan! I just snapped a couple additional photos showing the area at the front entry in relation to the front hallway where the runner is + a length shot of the runner. I measured from the door to the wall where the hallway starts and it’s 72 in. The length of the door across (not counting the molding on the sides) is 36 in. exactly. And the widest I could probably go without interfering with the air vent is 48 in. But i’m afraid to get one too big so that its too close to the hallway runner. shouldn’t there be some space? what’s the recommendation there? I also measured the width of the hallway and it’s 43.5 in. Given those measurements, do you have a suggestion on which entry rug and runner sizes would work best? Thank you!

and nothing in the hallway? I do feel I need the foot trafficked areas to have rugs to protect my floors. I like the idea of a wider rug in the entry area, but I still want a runner in the hall. I guess I’m just lost on how to approach mixing and matching rugs in a contiguous area.

Looks like you have a lot of space to work with and could implement several differents ideas. Love the ones others have mentioned above. A mirror would help bounce the light around hall so it doesn't feel too dark. I would recommend a long horizontal one if possible. If you have access to an Ikea they have great options for shoe cabinets. Add a few hooks and you've got yourself a mudroom of sorts. I also agree that a narrow console table would make a nice drop spot and the sconces would help to brighten the space. A bench would make a nice addition too. It may be helpful to think of each section as a "zone". Determine how you would like each space to function, based on how you live, and then decorate accordingly. For example: Zone A: a shoe cabinet and mirror. Zone B: a bench and some wall hooks, or a coat tree. Zone C: sconces, a large framed piece or gallery wall, and a narrow console table. Our personal favorite is the hemnes one pictures below but they have lots of options to suit different styles.