If it's interesting you're looking for, what about wallpaper? Or maybe a mirror grouping?

Paint an accent color like orange, apple green or turquoise... or ochre bands from light at the ceiling to darker down at the bottom.

Use your bikes as artwork - figure out a cool way to get them up off of the floor and onto the wall. This will make it feel broader and provide interest at the same time. I like the idea of wall paper but if it's a high traffic area that might be tough - maybe paint a pattern? Good luck!

I see several problems:

1. It's dark
2. The bikes and coats clog up the hallway

Will your landlord let you mount the bikes? Do you not have any room for any of them to go elsewhere? Even if it's a room you don't use very often, that would get them out of the way. I agree your hallway is narrow, but it is perfectly usable as long as it's kept a little less cluttered.

I agree with wvlinz with the wallpaper. You can add a lot of visual interest with a pattern and if you put a mirror where it'll reflect some natural light, you'll brighten up the hall a lot. Aside from that, I think you need more lighting. Is that a sprinkler spigot coming from the ceiling right inside the door or wiring for an overhead light? If it's the latter, I would definitely put some lighting there.

I think some artwork above the bikes would look nice, if you decide not to put the bikes on the wall. I agree the narrow end won't fit any artwork. I think wallpaper is the way to go.

Hall of mirrors?

I'm guessing you mean the narrower portion of the hallway at the end, not the front part by the door. Wallpaper is a good idea, something with a big print. Small print would add to the claustrophobia. I would suggest putting it only on the long wall, not the shorter subdivided wall (i.e. the wall opposite the bikes.) That way you have one long visual, and it brings your eye back through the hallway instead of breaking it up, which might emphasize the narrowness. You might also try hanging some kind of artwork above that back door to keep pulling your eye through.

I've seen simple full length mirrors mounted horizontally to great effect, and for minimal price. They would really expand the space visually. You could run some the entire length of the longest wall and fake wainscoting beneath it by painting some beadboard sheets brown to match the wood, or even a fun color. Replicate the wainscoting on the other side too, and it will look original. Adding in some lighting will also help enlarge the space.

A nice bright (indoor/outdoor) patterned runner would look great - and be able to handle the foot and bike traffic. Could you move the coat rack down past the doorway? Then where the coatrack currently is, you could hang a big mirror to reflect light from the door and find a console table (long and narrow) to hold a plant and a spot for a 'landing strip'. If you can't hang the bikes on the wall - perhaps 3 big bright prints above them - along that wall to brighten and draw the eye...

Stripes? My hallway is not AS long, but we did some horizontal stripes (because pictures will get knocked right off) and it makes it look really inviting when you walk in. Pics of it are here

I agree a period yet modern print (if that makes sense) wallpaper is the way to go with the dark wood. And kudos for not wanting to take the easy way out and paint that gorgeous wood.

If you mirror the entire solid wall across from the archway - which Im guessing leads to a main living room? - it would multiply the light and double the visual appearance of width of the space. Definitely try to move all storage elsewhere. Simple framed art on the non-mirrored side will add interest to both walls and take up much less space (reflection in the mirror). And interesting and period-appropriate ceiling fixture would also finish it off nicely. Possibly a runner rug?

- Full-length mirrors mounted (maybe higher-up?) to reflect as much light as possible - looks like some good light comes in through the glass over the door
- Or, something rectangular mirrors mounted on both sides of the hallway, staggered, to bounce light off each other all the way down the hallway?
- Mount some high-hanging plants (trailing ivy?), and the greenery could also be reflected in mirrors; if not plants, interesting colourful art?
- Mount bikes on the wall at different heights to create visual interest

Nice blank slate - there's potential there!

I don't mind dark in old houses. My grandparents lived in a Baltimore rowhouse that was dark and cozy. That being said, I like chalkboard paint done as a treatment(chalk on/wiped off). Like this pin...

http://pinterest.com/pin/365565694722683300/

http://pinterest.com/pin/365565694722721859/

IMO it would have a sweet urban vibe on the wall with the bikes and the hall with the closed door in photo two.

And the narrow hall part and ceiling, since you said it gets bumped into a lot, something like the bottom part of this wall...

http://pinterest.com/pin/365565694722586836/

light color but not high maintenance. That is if you're into the worn industrial look. I think with the cool transom window with the old style numbers it would look nice. And you could leave the woodwork as-is or strip and seal what shows up after stripping.

If there is enough space on your wall you could consider an arrangement of your bikes on the using these:

http://www.cb2.com/wood-bike-storage/s309683

This does seem a little pricey when you multiply it by however many bikes you have, but you may be able to find something similar or use this for inspiration. Then you could find another kind of storage option for helmets, etc. I know it's convenient, but you might also consider finding another spot to hang coats. I love the space though - definitely has a lot of potential!

Hello!

I wouldn't create an accent wall, neather put wallpaper. It's way too narrow.

The high ceilings make it appear even more narrow. Making a dropped ceiling would correct the proportions. And then you could integrate some lighting like here : http://www.alarm-automation.com/lighting.html

I also agree a colorfull runner would help.
And, if it's your style, you could paint the door a bright color!

1) What is the more orderly bike solution? Will they still be in the hallway? That could effect suggestions.

2) I heard that horizontal striped rugs (stripes that go the width of the room) will make a room look wider. I have not tried this myself, but if it is true, it would be a great idea in this hallway. Although, I would weigh that with the need to keep it clean since this looks like a high traffic area. I have been looking for this type of rug myself but havent found one in the color I want (yellow and white) that is a heavy enough weight that it won't roll up on the sides so easily when the edge is hit. But here is the idea, http://pinterest.com/pin/73887250108678266/

3) I would put something funny/interesting above the interior doorway at the end of the hallway (when coming in from the exterior door). Maybe some sort of vintage sign... like a hand pointing down and to the left that says Loo or Ladies and Gents (if that is what that room is), just a random suggestion, but you get the idea. Keep an eye out for a sign or artwork that is relevant and of interest to you.

Here is a link to a previous post on AT regarding the same topic. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/design-ideas-for-very-long-ver-115874

I agree with above, I would probably not do an accent wall or wallpaper, as these are things likely to make the space look even smaller. I would probably put up a long narrow mirror (nothing too bulky or visually heavy, just enough to look streamlined). Also I would figure out some way to get rid of the bikes and other clutter. Mounting them on the wall would definitely help; storing them elsewhere would be even better.

Also that ceiling fan must go! You can buy a new one for less than $100.

Whatever you go with, introduce some sort of horizontal-ness. The tall-ness of the space adds to the impression of narrowness, so making this space feel shorter will help it seem less narrow. Just like in fashion, vertical lines or patterns make things seem more slender/tall, and horizontal lines or patterns make things seem more short/wide. So add some horizontal suggestions. Like the commenter above said, if you're putting in mirrors, make them more horizontally oriented than vertically oriented. If it's a wallpaper, like the commenter above said, don't use a small or dainty print - make it bigger. And don't use one with a pattern arranged in clearly vertical groupings - choose one that has horizontal suggestions.

I highly recommend installing a "chair rail" - a line of wooden molding trim down the length of the wall at about hip height, and putting wallpaper only above that. This will accomplish two things: 1. make the space seem less narrow and 2. help protect your walls from all that traffic. You know how in fashion a long continuous line, or dressing in the same color head to toe can make a person appear taller/slimmer - you want the opposite of that for this hallway. A molding rail would be like a hemline to break up the vertical space and get the proportions more pleasing - in this case, by making things look wider! Plus, you won't have to pay for so much wallpaper! :)

See examples here: http://www.houzz.com/chair-rail
Instructions here: http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-install-a-chair-rail/index.html

Agree that the bikes and coats are blocking the hallway and I assume like most city dwellers there is no better place to store them. I agree with Nikkianz, hang the bikes on one wall like art...
I think this is rather cool -
http://www.woohome.com/ideas/bike-rack-made-out-of-handlebars
I would take advantage of your ceiling height and store them in two rows.

I would also paint the walls...wallpaper/mirrors seems like a really bad idea in a high traffic area, esp with bikes.
You could paint a pattern on the wall opposite to the bikes (horizontal stripes/geometric pattern) and keep the bike wall solid. I would also keep a landing strip near the door (opposite to the bikes) but would hang a much longer coat rack to avoid piling jackets which clog the hallway.

I don't think your hallway is as narrow as could be, and the fact that it opens up after a few meters actually makes it look quite spacious. I think the main thing you should do is work on the lighting. Your hallway now has a 'light at the end of the tunnel'-effect, if you get what I mean. The eye is directed towards the kitchen. So put some nice lighting in the beginning of the hallway. Then, I would put a big mirror right above the bikes/opposite the door on the right. It will reflect the light from that room when the door is open. If possible, I would also paint the woodwork on the right door, since it looks a little scratchy and therefore not so inviting (and after all, that's what you said you were after). And I noticed the little cabinet next to the front door: maybe put some flowers on there, and some family photo's on the wall above? The best would be to put your bikes somewhere else, but I assume that's not possible. Good luck!

actually, looking at examples online, I think I might like the wallpaper *below* the chair rail even better. Either way, a chair rail is worth looking into - check out examples online and see which you prefer. :)

I like the bikes and coats in the hallway. If there were a way to arrange those things in a more creative or organized way, I think that it will provide practical functionality and keep the urban vibe that the bikes in the hallway give.

I second hanging the bikes and painting the door a bright color. I love how wide stripes in white and light tan look, vertical or horizontal.
http://cdn4.blogs.babble.com/being-pregnant/files/nesting/striped-hallway.jpg
http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/21251429462726562_TNEApirv_b.jpg

The bikes are the problem, but you can't move the bikes.

You DO have a dilemma.

I also live in a row house with a similar hall and I think anything on the wall will make the space look wider. I would recommend a large, graphic piece of art opposite the openning (where the bikes are now located) to draw the eye to the most open part. Maybe remove the bench (is it truly used and needed?). Stagger a few pieces of art (or mirrors, chalkboards) on opposite sides of the wall.

Great idea! There are nice wall racks available.

Consider hanging a large quilt along that big wall. It won't take up any outward space, it adds visual interest, and it warms up the hallway (literally & figuratively). here's an example: http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/julies-jubilant-loft/item/120915

I'd head to the ceiling. I'd do a fabric "ceiling runner" from one end of the hall to the other letting it drape at specific intervals to create some movement. The color, texture, fabric type could pull from adjacent rooms to bring the look together. I'd make this runner less wide than the hall, but only by ~6 inches or so at either edge.

also, i would remove the shade on the door & frost the glass instead (very easy to remove again someday when you move). it will give you privacy while still letting light it.

add a very long runner to the floor.

create a landing strip with a shelf or small console table right when you walk in to deposit your keys, mail, etc.

consider a two-tone paint treatment the entire length of the hall, 5-1/2 to 6 feet up in one color and the final 2+ in a complimentary, darker tone. (Hopefully it might be higher). On this higher level/portion, hang your artwork or other displays to draw the eye's attention upward and create drama and interest. You could also consider some sort of long display shelf (glass?) at this level to house a collection of interest. For storage, in the wider section of the hall (above where bikes are shown) consider installing cabinetry that leaves the lower portion of the wall exposed but allows for some add'l hidden storage above, where it won't be bumped into. I hope the coming orderliness includes a better solution for your bicycles, because they are a major distraction. A wall rack would corral them, and give them more of a sense of purpose in the overall look.

My first though was a bright orange ceiling, and so was my second.

Daniel @ Manhattan Nest did something amazing with his super long and narrow hallway, maybe it can give you ideas:

http://manhattan-nest.com/2012/11/13/hallway-part-1/
http://manhattan-nest.com/2012/11/16/hallway-part-2-2/

Fabric draped from the ceiling probably violates all sorts of housing and fire code.

Once you get the bikes stored, I'm sure it'll all fall into place. I like the idea of using mirrors.

For lighting, I'd recommend track lighting for the space, and if you don't want to go for the normal track heads, although I think they'd look killer in that hallway, you could opt for pendants like this or this.

The bikes could be hung vertically, and I'd put them across from the opening so people don't collide in passing. Find a runner with broad monochromatic stripes in light toned colors (like winter white and warm beige or light tan) with the stripes running the width, not the length, for the narrow part of the hall, then run the same stripes up the wall, across the ceiling and down the other side.

I'd put a Paris skyline decal above, with a railing decal below to lean the bikes against.

And a big mirror over the door to the dining area

What a great place!

My first thought for interest was wallpaper as well. And changing the light fixtures. You said something from the period which is dead on.

The bike storage is a bit of a challenge. I've built a stand before that the rear wheel fit into that kept the bike upright and away from leaning against the wall. The basic idea was two vertical members with a cap at the top for each wheel. There are other options for mounting the bicycles higher on the wall and some are freestanding, but it depends how much you want to lift bicycles up and see them so prominently.

For three or four bikes you could have two stands built for two bikes each, where the wheels would go back to back. My wording might not be much help visualizing what I'm talking about (I wish I had a picture) but essentially there would be one bike "depth" running the length of the wall with two stands - one in the middle of each pair - holding them up.

If it was my space I'd seriously consider some woodwork, finished the same as the rest of the great woodwork in your home, from the baseboards up to roughly the height of the bicycles with a narrow shelf running the length of the wall. That would visually break up the size of the wall plus give some durability to the storage area and make it look like they have a place. If you had some sort of bike rack system made from the same type of wood and finish as the rest of the house, it would tie in nicely.

One plus from such a shelf too is a barrier to the wall above where art could be hung without being easily bumped.

Part of commenting problem might be that two different hallways pictures are coming up on this site. After signing in I saw an old photo of all white hall but before I saw yours with the dark woodwork.
I once painted a similar hallway bright sunshine yellow. It was such a delight coming home on gray rainy days. With bikes etc a darker bright colour (eg. royal blue, forest green) might work, with sponge painting to distract from bumps and scrapes. Is one end of hall narrower? If so I wouldn't put anything on the wall there other than wall art because it just makes the hall narrower and banging into a mirror could be dangerous. It is a passageway so no one stays there, just paint it a stronger, punchy even outrageous version of one of the colours you are using in a nearby room.

For decor...I might suggest a vine free-hand in the arts n crafts or deco style...done in gold or something shimmery. Just a few long/curvy/interesting lines to draw the eye down the hall. If you are more ambitious...that kitchen door screams for a transom (to match the front door and tht first side door)--that additional light would brighten up the space...

Check it out the genious of Manhattan Nest and the crazy rat nest entry hallway. Several great ideas plus two of the cutest puppies.

http://manhattan-nest.com/2013/01/17/new-hallway-light/

Bike hangers: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/10-bike-hangers-for-stylish-of-144371

Hall inspiration gallery: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/long-hall-160816

I have a super long hallway that runs the length of my entire apartment (kitchen, living room and 3 bedrooms) so I've definitely been here! Light makes such a difference. Can you replace the fan light with a more modern, lighter pendant? If it hangs a little lower, it really opens out the space.

Are you allowed to spot lights in the narrow part of the hallway? I think that would make a big difference.

My other suggestion would be a long runner rug down the narrow part - it would connect the foyer part with the kitchen and make a feeling of the room flowing through.

Hope you think of something :)

You definitely need to get rid of those terrible blinds on the front door so some natural light can spill down the hallway.

This is the story of my house and I have three of these long narrow hallways ,getting a two-door fridge, or a piano inside =mission impossible .In your case keep it UNCLUTTERED,paint walls a light color, I love white or pearl but if you dont like white ,a light shade of calming blue or green will look great with an eggshell or a satin finish to reflect light .Replace the fan with an antique style crystal chandelier ,and place on the wall facing the fan a gallery size poster or a painting framed with a glass front to refelct light from the chandelier.The lighter and whiter the color of the painting/poster the more light you will have reflected in the hallway .I would also place a big vase with flowers on the kitchen table .

Do you live in Montreal? Because that looks EXACTLY like my place!

New light fixtures will really help update the space. Hanging bikes would make the space feel more clausterphobic I think - also getting people to comply with the hanging system would be a challege.

I would put up a 2-3" wide shelf about 4' up from the ground (above bike leaning height) all the way down the hall doorway to doorway. It would be like a piece of trim only sticking out enough for you to use to hold art/photos and prints. Paint below the shelf a darker color, and white above. Don't forget to paint the ceiling too.

I second this - get the bikes up on the wall. There are very affordable bike wall mounts. These are particularly cool looking - http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/cycloc-bicycle-wall-mount-unit-by-andrew-lang-free-shipping

I'm so envious of your hallway. I keep my bikes locked and covered on my balcony but if I had that hallway, I'd mount them on the wall and hang a large sign above them that says "Park Bikes Here." But I'm nerdy and love my bikes, so go figure.

I have a long, narrow hallway. The one thing I found made it feel REALLY claustrophobic (that's the exact word I used at the time) was having things on BOTH sides of the long walls. I felt overwhelmed when I did that, so now I leave one of the long walls totally blank - no pictures, no wall hangings, no furniture, no nuthin'.

Not sure if based on what you wrote if you rent or own. If you own buy a $300 shed from Home D and put the bikes there in a backyard. Hire a wood restorer to at least assess the wood. If it is a lower quality wood then I you may not want to invest in stripping it just patch it and paint it all the trim a brighter color. Then get rid of the Venitian blinds on the front door and go to an antique store or flea market and get a hangable piece of stained glass. Something with light colored panes that you can affix in place of the blinds. It will draw the eye towards the door and away from the narrowness. Then I suggest a very streamlined set of items.

DO NOT HANG THOSE BIKES! If folks are bumping in to things now then just imagine a late night kitchen run and getting a pedal to the cheek, head or chest.!?

I would put a bench were the bikes are now. Something slim and streamlined with an interesting fabric seat.

Go to Flor.com and buy some carpet tiles that are fun and funky for a pop of color and have it run the length of the hallway. It's an inexpensive fix.

Paint the hallway a bright white

Get some oversized frames and create a small picture wall of your family members. AT will have some inspirations for you to draw on. You can hang frames in such a way that even if someone brushes up against it they wont move or fall down. If you have one oversized piece of artwork then hang it down the way a bit to break up the space.

Get rid of the ceiling fan and if you have some bank you should either hang an interesting fixture where the fan is or invest in some recessed lighting that will illuminate from the top but not obscure the sightlines.

What ever that door is to that room try to keep it open all the way. You can also remove some of the panes in that door and place glass inserts in that door to get light from that back room to come in to the hallway.

Its a nice space and it will be a fun project to work on. Good luck.

Diamonds and stripes are always a safe pattern that will add character to the walls and space. A bit of sheen can help to reflect light into the space and again add character to the hall. A texture is also an exciting trick. Since the bikes are a fixture there and it's a well used hallway then you should stick to a finish that is durable. That might rule out wallpaper or a flat paint job. A nice finish is a work of art so you would not need to hang anything over it!
You should contact Alison from Causerlai.com for some ideas. I wish I could post a couple of pics here of what they did for me!

I would take down that door to the kitchen. It looks like you have some nice light in there which could really brighten the hall.

bike hoist.. you have the ceiling...use it

We have a 20 foot long hallway. A door at each end (foyer and bedroom), two doorways (bedrooms) and a 5 foot hall to the bathroom on one side, three doorways one the other side (closets and basement) with a fold-out phone seat and shelves in the wall, and a 3 foot hall at the non-foyer end with two more doors (kitchen and dining room). It is the spine of the house. There are only TWO recessed lights, but with old plaster walls, doing anything promises a mess and possible loss of plaster.

My husband wanted the hall painted bright YELLOW(!), which it was. And which I said, "TOO yellow!" We toned it down a bit; though still a bright yellow, it's not screaming. The yellow reflects nicely and brightens things up.

As you can read, there's only so much wall space left, what with doors opening and such. And it's a basic width hall, wide enough to carry a laundry basket without jamming knuckles. We're thinking about putting in a picture rail molding at the top, or a nice rod for hanging pictures on the one stretch of wall. That way, no floor space is used.

Seems like people aren't really reading the post terribly closely. They plan on STRIPPING the paint encrusted wallpaper, but said NOTHING of putting up wallpaper per se.

That said, they did say the hall was painted renter white, but plan on painting their front door, and repair the stripped off woodwork of a previous owner, which leads me to think they may actually own this house since they say they will be REPLACING existing lighting as well.

As for suggestions, looks like there may have been a light by the front door, but it has been removed, the fan got moved to the center of the hall, and it's ugly (pardon, but it is) and they know it so they plan on removing it, and in a hall, a fan won't do much to move air in any of the rooms.

Does not look like there is a fixture down near the kitchen, if there isn't, see if one can be added, or add a sconce down that way to bring some like to that end of the hall.

As to the narrow effect, I would agree, the tall ceilings make the hall seem longer/narrower than it may actually be (though I'm guess it's still quite narrow, especially the back portion) but disagree on actually adding a dropped ceiling, that's tackyfy the space, the best thing is to embrace a modern aesthetic if so desired and go with a horizontal graphic design painted about 1/3 the way down the wall to visually trick the eye to thinking the ceiling is lower, or paint the ceiling another color, and bring that color down the top of the wall, by a couple of inches or so, again to trick the eye into thinking the ceiling is lower than it actually is.

If you find another place for the bikes, that'd be best, unless there is simply no room, or this is a row house, and accessing the backyard from the street is impossible, nor convenient and the front hall is the ONLY solution, then I'd try to store the bikes in a way that they can become part of the decor.

With that original woodwork, I'd personally go mod myself, and go the graphic design element and mix it with the vintage 1907 architectural detail.

Good luck with whatever you end up doing.

Mirrors for sure. If you're on a tight budget, you can buy rolls of "funhouse mirror," which is sort of like a thick, reflective sheet of aluminum. If you hang it flat, you don't get the funhouse distortion -- it's just a regular-looking mirror.

It's so lightweight that you can tack it to the walls with 3M stickers or even thumbtacks, but it's nicer if you get some molding to go around the edges.

Hi,
I have a very similar row home hallway. The things that made the biggest impact: painting the back of the vestibule door white, hanging bikes in a consistent way, & painting the woodwork white. It took me 10 years to paint the original dark woodwork white but it made such a difference! If that is a closet where the hallway narrows I would put every effort into storing the coats there as they block light and make it feel tighter. If not put them on the same side as the bikes so you don't have visual confusion. Remove all other furniture from the hallway. GOOD LUCK!

nice that, in 105 years, the woodwork stayed wood (or that very good quality faux finish), even if the wood did get a bit dinged. nice to keep that. area looks larger b/c of ceiling height, so dropping ceilings not good idea. if hanging a light at front, get professional opinion abt hanging near the gas pipe. horizontal runner (a/t posts painted floorcloths periodically) & mirrors & wainscoting effect via wallpaper (maybe at 5' instead of 3' off floor) open up space, but this clutter narrows it again. can coats be moved @ L corner to make smooth visual on R wall to kitchen (even w/doorway to other room)? can bicycles look organized, maybe w/ a small storage box mounted above each for the helmet/lock/extras, in a row, and only bicycles below, like art pieces 1, 2, 3? how about a colour on ceiling that runs down 1 wall facing front door where hall narrows (has 1/2 door showing on photo) to stop eye halfway? is fan needed? simple schoolhouse pendant would look better.

Can you remove not only the door at the kitchen end but also the door frame and the wall above it, to whatever width would work? This would dramatically increase the amount of light in the hall and give it a cleaner look. It would get rid of a lot of the shadows. If you can't get rid of the wall above the door, leave it and get rid of as much of that door and the wall as possible o make an open entryway.

Could you run a shelf just over the bikes, which would at least create a clean line for the eye to travel when you open the door. You probaly won't be able to get folks to hang the bikes, so see what you can do to clean it up visually. Painting it an accent color would help, but keep it clear.

I'd love to see color used to create a modular composition, which would break the length of the hall. If both sides of the wall with the door on it were painted the same color, turning it into a cube, and the other wall was painted another color, you've cut the length. The shelf I mentioned could play into the design. I see bright colors, and I think the Flor rug tiles suggested earlier are a great idea. Whatever colors you use, if you think of the geometry of the space, and not just the hall, I think you can accomplish a lot.

Good luck!

Im just trying to wrap my head around the thought of all that street debris coming into my house on those bike tires, I dont even like folks to wear shoes in my house! Wouldnt hanging them on the wall be a huge pain in the rear to get down all the time? Maybe they should invest in those portable fold up bikes.

A larger, wall to wall mat in front of the door would make that area seem wider. A dark colour would be practical and smart, something like this:

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/60185675/

You could add a couple of runners in a lighter colour, perhaps with a geometric pattern, to break up that long hallway.

A large rectangular mirror hung horizontally above the bikes would instantly double the width, and bounce the light around that comes through the glazed door. This one, from Ikea, is inexpensive and elegant. It comes in black or white, and you could do a small family photo gallery on the opposite wall with frames the same colour, but non-matching for a more interesting look:

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/10121252/#/10121252

If you replace the fan with a pendant, I would still add a series of ceiling tracks at either end of the hallway.

For the narrower end, you could hang a tapestry rather than heavy framed pictures that could get knocked.

Good luck!

I so agree about the proposition of running a shelf just over the bikes. I did this in an awkard and messy nook in my kitchen and it feel much more quieter.

In the comment above, I was only speaking about the very narrow part of the hallway!

You can try hanging some of the bikes on a gravity rack if drilling holes into a wall is a concern. Check out
http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/The-Art-of-Storage-Michelangelo-2-bike-Gravity-Stand/6470356/product.html

I like this because, unlike other gravity racks, it keeps bikes as close to the wall as possible and is less obtrusive.

Your post is so unclear about what is going to happen to those bikes and this really limits what we can suggest to you.

I don't think this hall looks too narrow or bad. It just needs a fresh coat of paint and some better lighting.

As far as non-fragile artwork, I purchased a piece of outsider art made from cardboard. It is a great piece that I have hanging in my hallway. Though I framed mine, I can certainly imagine it looking great unframed and if passers-by brushed against it, no harm.

Thank you for all the input! There are some great ideas here.

For clarification: we own and can do anything we want as long as we meet code! That being said, a drop ceiling is categorically out. The high ceilings were one of the things that sold us on the house and are currently ripping drop ceiling in other rooms that were used to hide rather the fix all manner of sins.

The bikes have to live in the hall. There is no extra space in another room or easy access to the back yard in our row house, not to mention the high risk of theft in our neighborhood. As bike commuters, they need to be easy to access -- if they didn't have a "home" in the hall, that is where they would end up anyway. At least 2 (the adult road bikes) will go up on the wall and I don't anticipate it will be difficult to get either my husband or I to do hang them because of the current juggling act that is required when the "right" bike is next to the wall.

Wallpaper makes me nervous with the bikes (and kids and dog): all the potential scuffs and small tears that age it. Paint can be touched up without too much of a headache. Maybe paint with tone-on-tone stencil pattern?

Thanks again,
Kat

Ok, so you know you will keep the bikes there, will hang them, and will live with them. Problem solved.

A nice solution for bikes are those poles that mount between floor and ceiling with pressure - no holes in walls, can be moved when you want to move them.

I think the idea to hang mirrors is dumb - hang a mirror where you want to look in it, where it won't get bumped into. I wouldn't hang anything in this hallway, unless it is high enough that no one will bump it. Seriously, hanging bikes is enough.

Put the coats elswehere. Or if you want to hang them in the hall, but less obtrusively, put separate hooks in separate places for different people's coats. But I'd hang them elsewhere. I've had luck with an over-a-door rack with hooks.

Your hall isn't so narrow - I've had narrower, where no bikes or coats (or anything but a runner rug) could go - solved the problem of decorating it.

Love the idea of a bright, patterned runner (it would give the same "fix" as a dropped ceiling - i.e. visually shortening the height - while still allowing the beautiful high ceilings).

Also agree on painting the door a fun, bright colour. I'm thinking yellow or teal.