Problems with hallway furnishing, who has ideas?

The focus is on differences, edges, and boundaries. If everything is as flat as possible up to the ceiling, there is no edge for the eye to catch on. Everything appears calmer and more spacious.

The argument "less overwhelming" only applies if you can look over the cabinets or if they are really low, thick below chest height or so. If they reach about normal eye level, they are perceived as an "edge."

Instead of ceiling height, you can also choose knee height. But that is so impractical.

We also have a "Wohnwand" in the living room.. but made by the carpenter, custom-fitted up to the ceiling, in white with a green-gray accent shelf for the TV. Nothing overwhelms you, everything is perfectly stored, you don't see any mess and at least that part is always tidy. Not comparable to rustic oak or anything like that.

I had thought I would skip the compartments on top because I can't reach them anyway without a stool, and I can store the items more conveniently elsewhere. In the worst case, the compartments on top remain empty. Fortunately, there is the forum for helpful tips.

My suggestion is floor-to-ceiling so that it does not stand out as a closet

Got another question: Our room height is about 2.55m. I find a ceiling-high cabinet too big. How about boxing it in at the top? It basically has the same effect, right? Maybe then even on the side toward the passage, do you think that looks better or just a cabinet on the side?

Why too big? Because you don't know how to fill it?
Well, if you can afford a carpenter for custom cabinets. Make them ceiling-high and from wall to wall. I swear, if the carpenter knows what he's doing, it looks better, not like a cabinet at all.