A strip light will just accentuate the length of your hall whereas lights on one side or both sides as in Sarah’s image, as in wall and picture lights, help to widen it and make it more interesting.

Hello,

I understand your hesitation about putting wall lights in this space. I think a ligth as in your picture could work well when fitted with a spot light bulbs to hightilght the pictures on the wall.

I don't see any reson for you to only have pictures on one wall. The key here is to create groups of pictures and lighting them up, rather than create "gallery walls".

What works particularly well in Sarah L's 3D picture is the use of colour - see how the wardrobe at the end of the corridow is darker shade of the wall colour? This created a stop to the corridor making it apear a little bit shorter. I don't know if you will be painting this room but it is worth noting this trick and even if paining the whole room is not an option at this time, try paiting just the wardrobe in an accent colour.

The rug on the floor will further improve the space by adding colour, pattern and texture.

Hope this helps,

Jarek

www.studiomoodetc.com

Thank you all for your comments. I have added a runner which already is an improvement. Next I will paint the cupboard in an accent colour and then I will decide on the lighting. Hoping to share the results with you soon.

The fireplace is large and literally splits the smallish room in half, are you happy to keep it and work around it or would you consider an alternative?

A floorplan showing position of doors and windows would be useful

If you removed the large shelving unit a corner sofa would fit neatly into the space currently occupied by your two sofas. Although I think the one you’re thinking of, at one metre depth might be too large. However a corner sofa in that space would still block the door as it does now - is this door not in use? Another idea for extra seating for guests would be to have a large footstool which could double up as extra seating. I also wondered about a window seat from the door to the wall but in order for it to be a comfortable sitting height it would need to come higher than the window sill.

Hi Betty, thanks for the comment. The door is to a boiler that has been boxed in so we rarely need access. The corner sofa measures 2.85m x 2.85m and finishes about 30cm from the boiler door. I would love a window seat but you are correct our window is too low. That is a good idea about the footstool, I will have a think about this. Thanks again

Hi Sarah, that is my worry too. the sofa is not cheap so it feels like a big decision. another option might be to keep the layout as it is and go for two smaller sofas but still move the shelving.