IMO the entry if possible should be a seperation from the main living area .In your situation it looks like you need some storage in there too. More daylight will not help at night get more lighting into the entry and hall with more fixtures use LEDS in 4000K to get the feel of bright sunlight.

I’d get rid of the wall and define the entry with an oriental rug or runner. Can you change out your front door for a door with glass, something like this

I agree with Patricia, you need shoe storage in the front entry. I found this narrow cabinet on Pinterest. I know nothing about shoe storage near doors. I live in the south. We’re heathens and don’t remove our shoes at the door.

Can you move the dog bed to another area of the house? It seems to be taking up a disproportionate amount of space.

Is there a window in the foyer? What is at the end opposite the front door?

Don't do it.

This isn’t a dig at your things, but that wall is the most interesting thing in the room, I wouldn’t remove or alter it

Thank you, everyone, for your ideas. You've given me a lot to think about. I'm overwhelmed that anyone would take the time to respond and post pictures, and I'm so grateful for your insights. I'm open to suggestions, so I really appreciate your thoughts. To answer a couple of questions...1) The entry to the kitchen is what is opposite the front door..The entry to the kitchen is through a regular size door way. 2) Yes, we are getting a new door with windows (I'm so excited about that), but there is no window in the foyer. 3) I agree, we definitely need more light and I think that's why I've become adverse to the wall. 4) I wish I had a different space for the dog bed, but there really isn't anywhere else we could put it, unless we relocated it in a different part of the house. 5) I like the idea of shoe storage, but I doubt my family would utilize it. I'm okay with incessantly asking them to put there shoes away;-) Any other thoughts? (BTW, I'm so embarrassed about all the typos, but that's what happens when I type on my phone ughh!)

I also love your wall as it is. I think adding hardwood floors (and your new door) will elevate the space.

How about adding wall sconces above your sofa or near your chair as one more layer of lighting? They make ones that you can plug in that come with cord covers so you wouldn't need to hard wire them if you didn't want to.

It would lighten the room if you were to paint the wall/trim, but I always hesitate to do things you can't undo easily (such as painting wood or brick) if there are other ways to accomplish the same task. I personally would embrace the coziness the wood provides, but would probably paint the walls a color that better coordinates with the wood of the wall. I know gray is in, but I don't think that shade does justice to your wood wall. I think something more on the sandy-beige side would look great, but there are a lot of colors (even gray tones if you love gray) that would be more in harmony with your unique wood wall.

Warm up your wall color and the new flooring. Will you replace the foyer tiles too? Change to LED lighting as suggested. If that isn't enough, you could open a couple of the arches to let more light in.

The existing wall looks too busy, dark and oppressive to me, but I don't think removing completely is the answer. I don't believe in painting real wood paneling (is that what it is?) so I'd prefer a plain sheetrocked wall painted a light color. Move your pictures elsewhere.

Edited to add: we had the same arched wood trim in our dining room in a former house, just like in your foyer. The home was built in 1975.

Thanks, everyone. I am surprised most people opt to keep the wall, which is making me rethink everything. My husband LOVES that more of you sided with him;-) We are replacing the tile and plan to enhance the lighting and I think that will make a huge difference. We do have hard wood flooring under the carpet, which I plan on exposing and refinishing. I also plan on replacing the furniture (but not with brown pieces) and bringing more color in the living room through accents such as a rug and pillows. I really appreciate everyone's input!