Suggestions on decorating 2 large hallways

We have two hallways in our home that are quite large. By large I mean one is 56' long and 9' wide and the other one intersects it half way, it is 24' long and 9' wide. There is no window but, the smaller section does have the front door and side lights. We have beautiful wooden floors and ceilings. Help. I should have added the items below.
The suggestions so far are great. We have a 12' church pew in the short hallway and a small table. Our home is an old 4 room school house my husband converted to a home trying to keep the integrity of the school. There are school coat racks along a 17' foot area about 6' off the floor, under it is a shoe rack, (I don't like the shoe rack). There is a Boston rocker and a large antique bread stand against another 17' section. We have used the old chalk board trays to add photos to two of the walls. Still it seems disjointed. The wall above the church pew holds a copy of the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. The area is so large with not much use other than to go between the rooms.
Along the longest wall, there are 4 door ways on one side, the hall opening on the other and 2 more doors with doorways at each end. The shorter hallway has 2 doors opening off it as well as the front entrance.
  10 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jan 05, 2016
    Deocarating by ways of pictures,furniture,carpets?
  • Dolores D Dolores D on Jan 05, 2016
    Great space for photo montage, family gallery. Perhaps a seating/coat rack near the door. A small table for small basket or ceramic bowl for keys, etc. with mirror or favorite landscape picture
  • MN Mom MN Mom on Jan 05, 2016
    I like Delores suggestion of a family gallery. If you use similarly styled or colored frames it could really pack a punch and make a huge impact!
  • Pauliegirl1 Pauliegirl1 on Jan 05, 2016
    I like the idea of a family gallery, but I would also add some of your kids drawings..add some mirrors. add some architectural items, make it cohesive with same color frames. Being 9' wide you certainly could put in a a half table here and there with maybe a "favorite" pic, small pretty bowls/baskets for keys or potpourri...I would just play around with it....maybe a long bench with storage...
  • Wanda.ll Wanda.ll on Jan 06, 2016
    You could do narrow shelves then add stuff and photos. Also could use light to shine on the shelves to high light certain places. You can get them at Ikea they are cheap enough and come thin won't stick out far. If the hall is 9 foot wide you have plenty of room Then you have gallery to fix up and change seasonal too..
  • Nsc1629669 Nsc1629669 on Jan 06, 2016
    What about interspersing a gallery wall with floating pallet (or old wood) book shelves to display vintage books?
  • Nsc1629669 Nsc1629669 on Jan 06, 2016
    What about interspersing a gallery wall with pallet (or old wood) book shelves to display vintage books?
  • Patty S Patty S on Jan 06, 2016
    Book shelves and a sliding ladder would be appropriate for an old school house. Go to Home Library on Hometalk and Pinterest. Lots of great ideas.
  • Kerry Wilde Kerry Wilde on Jan 06, 2016
    I have a day bed in my very wide hall. It is pretty, all piled with pillows, and makes a wonderful extra bed when the house is full of extended family for holidays and such.
  • Kayo Frazier Kayo Frazier on Jan 07, 2016
    Here's my 2 cents...How about making a book nook at the end of a hallway...Make a waist height platform that can hold either twin or full size mattress & then add custom floor to ceiling built in bookcases on both sides. Cover the mattress with a fitted sheet, a couple of blankets & all kinds of throw pillows. Add floor to ceiling curtains to make the platform enclosed & cozy.