On my screen there’s the before middle and after. My favorite is the middle. The walls are white and the beams seem to be black? If you can go back to the original or paint black. I say go for it.

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Yes. We need lighting here. Lots of it.

I’d start with wall sconces.
And maybe some over cabinet lighting inside the beams. Like a string type light ...

What you need is lighting paint does not replace good lighting and will never make a space feel brighter by it self. I think now you should just let it be something new always looks off for a bit then you get used to it. You need IMO a fixture in every spot that has the natural wood

I agree with @Patricia Colwell Consulting. You need more light. You were expecting the paint by itself to do more of the lightening and brightening that you are going for, but the paint needs help from additional light.

@patricia colwell, what do you mean by a fixture in every spot that has natural wood? Like one at every segment of the beams? What kind of fixture?

There are so many ways you can go with this. Here are a few light fixtures I like. But we need more specific style your leaning towards.

From my guess - you probably like a more modern, Scandinavian style?
The following lights aren’t that. But they come in other colors as well... I like the first one for the space the best.

Yes much more Scandinavian japandi style. So minimalist ceramic or frosted glass

Here are some sconces I saw. More modern. You’ll probably gravitate towards these :)

Some more. Tying your black in :):)

How cool are these? Very pricey. But like the idea...

I actually like the white beams (although I do admit the dark ones are better). you might be suffering from some shock. think about living with them for a bit. it's not like you can't paint them back.

as for lighting, I agree that you need something minimal. I like the flush globe you posted. also consider:

from wayfair:

you can find styles like these just about anywhere, in different finishes and sizes (just google LED Flush Light):

I have this little track light in my hall. I love how mod it looks. unfortunately, they don't make them anymore, but I thought I'd put the idea out there anyway. I have these directed at the closet and a framed print. it lights the hallway beautifully while keeping glare away from eyes.

Wow so cute. Yes I’m definitely suffering from shock. A lot of it. I like those lights @seattlemcm!

Some I’m thinking of

the white globes will throw soft ambient light around. the cone shaped one will direct light down and keep the upper walls and ceiling darker.

design wise, I like your first choice best! (the Generation Lighting one.)

I wonder if that large dark grille high up on the wall could be spray-painted white.

@Nancy R z5 Chicagoland I agree! I'm doing that now too.

I'd use LED tape lights. For example, you could attach a tape light within a channel to underside of each 42" beam to illuminate the hallway. Or you might attach tape lights inside the wood ceiling rectangles; light reflected off the wood would then illuminate the hallway. Or you could attach tape lights to the undersides of the wood (also within channels) that run the length of the hallway above the doors, though I'd only do that if the walls were in great condition since the tape lights would act as wall washers and highlight their every flaw. I don't find those suggested sconces or ceiling fixtures attractive at all.

I might consider one of these in every other recess.

20" Taka Japanese Bamboo Hanging Lantern · More Info

Honey Kata Japanese Ceiling Lantern · More Info

You're gonna need more than one light in that long hallway probably 2 or 3 And have the track light be act like be dark if you pick that to go with the wood but you could go both ways waze the dark wood could with the lighter centers centers of the wood I like dark beans And I like light beams

I think the white beans are more in line with japandi’s look and I’d also paint the walls the same white (including the vent).

If budget allowed, suggest changing the door handles, as they will have a big impact.

In regards to lighting, I‘d look for more of a sculptured feel placed in the middle section and that had multiple lights, for increased lighting but also for impact. If you find it‘s still not bright enough, just add some potlights on other sections (place on dimmers).

Add some art and accessorize the wall at the end and you’ll have a stunning hallway. Have a plan before you start buying anything.

Wow awesome recommendations @maureen thank you so much! I like the door handle recs! We’ll get those! Do you think we keep the doors wood?

Here’s the new hallway with vent painted white and painting at the end, we’ll add a big basket too! And I’m thinking the Herman Miller Nelson pendant lights too. Ratio wise our hallway is 41 inches, would the 18 inch Nelson saucer pendant light be too wide or ok?

What’s the most aesthetic ratio between width of hallway and width of light?

@maureen do you have the link for the wood MCM door handle picture you shared?

https://www.betterlivingthroughdesign.com/renovate/modknobs-modern-door-knobs/

The knobs are fairly expensive, but it shouldn't be hard to find a style you like.