Cooler tones and ample lighting are two ways to make a space feel larger. Furniture pieces with slim legs and details that are lifted off of the floor a few more inches, give an airy, spacious look. You might also consider incorporating reflective surfaces such as a mirror to catch light, or a polished lighting fixture to draw the eye upward. Hope this helps--good luck!

Can you rIse the hallway ceiling height and leave the bedroom heights as mentioned? This is your best solution since the hallway is open to the open concept kitchen...

Apologies if I've not used correct terms but I really like the big molding look - like in picture. My husband is concerned it might be dated and also that with our ceiling height 2.4m it might make the room look smaller. - we would like dark timber floors so I don't think this would be such an issue. would love to hear other people's thoughts. many thanks

I am facing the same thing !! In the same spot Your ideas sound fab. I was going to put a door on mine as I don't have pretty books like you have though. But indent the bifold door 300 in, and make it 600 wide as the hole is 900 then have shelves on one side for some treasures I will start to collect cos I have a place now for them. Do you love the arch or are you going to square it off? Do you love the small one on the left? If not...make it a square niche and modernise them / it, as I'm not a big fan but you may love them. What you propose sounds perfect. The dark colour, nice too..or moody wallpaper on the back wall before putting up the shelves.