Don't know where the word exorcism came from! Ignore!

Dimensions are 1.76m wide, 4.4m front to back, with a corridor to the right leading to kitchen/lounge

Have a look at upgrading the radiator. A coloured one might jazz the space up. Look at the Core from @Feature Radiators They have a great range.

Hmmm, am thinking your table is a little to deep it to work well if the door is at least able to be used infrequently. So a narrower hall table? May also balance more when you have the chair in place.

You can add interest with artwork and it won’t narrow the space, or a wide mirror. I really like the dark navy under the dado in these pics. Enough to add interest but not make it too dark. Love that yellow door!

i’d add a round mirror over the console but having said that if you want it as a reading nook then maybe a bookcase would be better that’s tall enough for the lamp etc.

I would also add art as Sonia suggested and making beneath the dado a darker tone as it should widen the hall. i’d also paint the radiator in the wall colour and consider art there too.

i hope you don’t mind me saying but the carpet seems to drown the light, if it’s in budget, I’d consider changing it to something that bounces light. Do you have a pendant light at all?

Thank you for the ideas so far, I hesitated about a mirror as we have mirrors all over the house and I don't want people to think we're vain!!! But it is crying out for one I agree. I have a canvas that would look good over the radiator and I could change the wall light for a spotlight. We inherited the carpets from the previous owner and can't replace at the moment, but I did wonder if a rug would make it into a space in its own right. Something like this maybe ... https://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/2014-parade-home-lehi-transitional-entrance-salt-lake-city-phvw-vp~18608984 what do you think? Also can't decide about pendant lights. We have an art deco style fireplace in the adjacent room and I like that 'look'.

A mirror above the console table would work great to bounce the light around the room and help frame this area.

I like your console table, but I think it’s too big and chunky for the space. Maybe have book shelves built in on both sides?and an armchair. .I think it can work as a reading nook if the replacement door is less front door ish, and more windowish. Agree that the carpet isn’t helping. No chance that there is a lovely parquet floor underneath?

No, sadly there is not a lovely parquet floor underneath ... just concrete! I appreciate everyone's comments and a plan is coming together now ὠA