What about a pedestal with a nice arrangement or a night stand and a mirror or just a nice mirror collection.

Hi Kothadia! You might want to consider shallow shelves, the depth of the niche, starting about 3 feet up from the floor. (That's standard counter height in a kitchen, for example.) Shelves will keep the space visually open and not protrude into the entry. Make them substantial enough that they don't look too inexpensive. Using one shelf means that you can use a thicker piece. Multiple shelves would be better a little thinner than that.

If you have a more formal or traditional style, you can put small porcelain collections along with bound books or brass/silver candlesticks. For something more casual, you can use natural elements like shells, nests, or stones. Favorite small sculptures or the pottery whatchits your child made would work, too. The highest shelf should be low enough that items on it wouldn't be higher than the top of the door trim.

If you use one thicker shelf, you can put a piece of 2-dimensional art above it (a painting or print, rug or textile.) Hang something you love that will make you smile when you come down the stairs in the morning or walk through the door.

Thanks redecor if I can put together the right combination a mirror collection sounds cool. Any ideas for a live plant there Louie? North side of the house so it wouldn't get any direct light..

A thick shelf with a hanging textile over it sounds nice!

I like the idea of a shelf. Somewhere to drop your keys etc. In a nice decorative bowl ( or other vessel/ container). Keeping the shelf the same depth as the notch will keep the area clear for entry/ exit. The mirrors are a great idea to add light and a bit of sparkle that should help with the north exposure. zeze plants will grow almost anywhere and there shape is different enough to to add some interest. Good luck!

Because all your surfaces have straight edges, I would use a Demi-lune table (3legs) - they are shallow and the curved lines would soften the entrance.

Found this unusual Wayfair shelving -- it's for an outside corner. I'd think you could make one or have one made in any size.

http://balconshotel.com/great-corner-shelf-designs-for-wall-decorations/unusual-yellow-painted-wooden-corner-shelf-shelving-unit-bookcase/

from this site:

http://wolayo.top/small-corner-shelf/

I'd think it'd be great for a small attractive wood box to catch keys and/or a recharger for the cell phone.

Add an unusually artistic piece (Crescent Mail Sorter, Moroccan Thuya Wood) for holding mail -- ingoing or outgoing -- and/or coupons:

http://moroccanbuzz.com/assets/Products/envelope-mail-stand-1.jpg

http://moroccanbuzz.com/home-decor/

How about a lovely umbrella stand? You don't have to fill up the space. It's a nice architectural feature on its own. Later on you might find a wonderful painting that would be perfect but don't be in a rush. Empty space has its own beauty.

For you foyer niche (notch is what you put on your belt or bedpost) here are a number of consoles less than 48" wide, all from Wayfair and many less than $200

Thanks. I like the umbrella stand idea. We want to have an updated farmhouse look so maybe a large milk jug and a bright landscape painting. Possibly a runner if I can find the right one.

A narrow bench or near stairs.

Very pretty foyer, a beautiful umbrella stand is always nice ; you also have room for a wall hung Demi lune console. They are not so easy to find and are a bit pricey, but so lovely.

A Fiddle Leaf fig perhaps kothadia?

I'm in total agreement with Beverly. Or an antique demilune table.

Hat and umbrella stand is always appreciated by guests, even if you come and go through the garage.

You're joking about the milk jug and the umbrella stand correct?

What would your guests appreciate when they arrive? Maybe a chance to put down a purse, take off their coat and check their appearance in a mirror?

Keep any mess outside. Put the umbrella stand outside the door so the water drains on the porch and not in your home.

Beverley, you haven't perfected the umbrella shake yet? Mum used to put them open in the bath, lol.

Here's a small chest/mirror; traditional-looking, but you could get whatever is to your taste!

Umbrella stand and milk can............not quite the right look for such a charming foyer.

Industrial foyer idea.

Madisonavegifts.

Auntthelma, that last one is more what I was thinking.

Heres a vintage Gucci one

Beverly, I was thinking of something a bit more decorative! To store your designer umbrellas to grab on the way out!

Lovely,............. but one lovely milk can and one lovely umbrella stand doesn't create a pleasing visual solution to the foyer niche. It's just stuff in a hall.

I live in Florida where it rains all the time, and wouldn't bother with an umbrella stand. Are you in Oregon or Washington?

I think all furniture should be functional and if you don't need a table or a lamp or an umbrella stand, then it would just add to clutter.

I suggest long artwork on that wall. Check out my work for ideas here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShoaGallery

Lots to choose from. Some samples below. Enjoy decorating! It's a beautiful space.

Any one of the ones from the sets below.

No Beverly, I'm in Fla. , I also suggested a console! And of course you would need a mirror for that too!

Milk can along side umbrella stand is ridiculous. On the other hand ,a decorative umbrella stand such as those pictured by lynartist is more in keeping with your home. I've seen ceramic ones too, quite lovely and fairly expensive. This could be a moot point but someone else said to put the umbrella stand outside. Of course you don't want something with an open bottom that drips on the floor. A lovely closed container rather like a large vase is what we're talking about. I'm sure you realize this. A hall tree, which is another name for a free-standing coat rack, is a good idea as well. If you use this with an umbrella stand, the staggered heights of the items is attractive. You don't want two items of the same height next to one another.

And I have an umbrella stand;)

I went back and reread some of the posts. I see now that you like the milk can and a farmhouse look. Okay then use the milk can with it's lid removed as the umbrella stand. Don't use it in addition to a stand. You could do the milk can and a hall tree if they were of similar styles. I like that Windsome Wood Coat Tree that someone posted because it has the double function and is casual enough for they decorating style you favor. In that case you need only the one piece and not the milk can.

Gosh, I'm not very good at this cut and paste thing! But this is an idea.

Sorry for the confusion, what I was trying to propose was a milk jug to be used as an umbrella stand. On the real side, it would all be for show, an umbrella that looks nice but is never used would be sitting it. Let's all be honest - if you are coming and going from your garage, the stuff in the foyer is decoration. We all have different styles so it might help to share the direction we are aiming to go, some of the items we have picked for the house are:

Thanks for all the input it has helped!

Show us when done.

I'm thinking about a table similar to this after everyone's input (although hoping I can find a cheaper one with the same character). I'm afraid that it is about the size of the niche, so it will look odd to have a semicircle barely jutting out of a rectangular space. Am I thinking too much into this?