Can you bring in some natural light?

With so much wall space and not so much light, I would go big and bold and colorful. Bookshelves on the ledges? Here are a couple photos for inspiration.

Good luck!

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I would deep six the school house fluorescent tubes on the ceiling (at least that's what they look like to me) and replace the fixture with some kind of hanging fixture. A great pendant or smallish chandelier would really make a big change.

What is behind the ledge directly ahead? Could you knock out the wall there and reconstruct a nice built in storage space for that room? I hate wasted space.

If you closed up the back space, could you access it from another room and make it into a storage closet or shelf area? It seems to be an awkward "now what" space.

Yes, the part of the wall that is bumped out. Is that a closet? Could you expand the closet filling this space?

The side ledge doesn't bother me, but I think something big should go in the niche. I like the size of these potted plants, but this is one of those times I think it should be a phony. Too difficult to water.

I am surprised that the ledge on the left and at the back were left in place - I can't imagine that they meet code. If left there, I think you would have to put up railings around them so that no one could ever access them. If they could be incorporated into the adjoining spaces and the walls moved over it would be a better use of space.

Brickwood, good call, because that is exactly what went through my mind -- danger! Especially for children. I would say remove the ledge we are facing, and either incorporate the side one into the room on the other side, or fill it up with shelves. Taking the square ledge out would really open up the stairway and provide more options for lighting.

i replied to a double post, here are my ideas. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/big-empty-space-over-stairwell-dsvw-vd~1138949

Sky light would be nice.

I like your idea of the potted plants. A large map behind them could add a bit of interest and adding a third dimension in the form of a pair of binoculars hanging and/or an old camera hanging with it all could be amazing.

Don't think you could get plants to grow there. They need light.

Silk plants don't need sun or water or a cat to climb on them.

You and guests can be wowed with a water wall. See more at http://www.luxewaterwalls.com/fountains.html

but then you just have fake plants, that everyone knows are fake plants........but not sure what would do in full interior lock down lol.

What style is the rest of your house? I agree with possibly incorporating that back area into use in another room but the more narrow ledge to the left can be used as a cute decorative accent area. Possibly add some shelves/cubbies and help carry your design style through your house by adding fun accessories.

Unless the rest of your home is perfectly decorated and has the WOW factor then don't worry about this tiny area.

It's not where a WOW factor should be located. Above the fireplace you need WOW. In the dining room go for some stunning art. Over your sofa go WOW but here, in this out-of-the-way niche, is not the place.

If you just want to fill the space get a wall hanging--long and narrow--obviously.

Another example of a wall hanging

Maybe a sculpture? Or bronze statue?

Your stairlift occupant will spend more time looking at the opp. side wall than others will so, after adding a rail, consider blowing up a favourite photo of theirs, and having it tinted, framed and lit. If the other alcove remains, placing a few handbuilt pieces there would be enough to support the enlargement.

I agree with the other posters that the deep ledge is rather a waste of space. There are 3 adjacent walls that might have the potential for expanding into it (assuming they are not outside walls) It's a huge dust collector with no way to clean it or anything you put on it. Or could you just open it up into the stairway? I would put a large painting over the narrow ledge, and perhaps change that light fixture for something lower that you can access easier to change the bulbs? Get your wow from the art and the lighting.

Nice chandelier , artwork sitting on the floor, nice statue and maybe an artificial plant,
thats all!

Old post from 2014. Wonder what OP did?