What a beautiful color paint! As far as what you can put there, if you choose a table or chest of drawers with a very small footprint, it wouldn't take up much room. Place a bunch of books like you have there just to take up the space and see if you trip over it. If not, go shopping at thrift stores or second hand shops for a small piece to go there and paint it white or even silver. Just make sure it is not too short. I like diffusers, but would not place it there in the entrance. Choose something more decorative. You are off to a good start!

Check out a blog post we wrote a while back about entryways, link below. You need to add a console table. Also other important things to consider are: rug, key catch all, and seating. I know you limited your budget to $200 so decide what is most important to you at this time and save up for the others.

The shelf is too small in scale to the rest of the space.

Good luck!

http://purcellquality.blogspot.com/2012/10/entryways.html

Purcell, yes you're right about the scale of the shelf. I measured it before buying to see what I needed. I didn't realize it until i actually took pictures.

Krishna... this is a great example of a floating console used in an entryway.

Remove shelf and add a console table (maple wood preference to add natural element/texture)

First, I'd add some bling on either side of the mirror to make the space appear wider, then I'd consider a blingy chandelier, something that hangs down into the grouping. I need to think more about what you could add to the space below the shelf...... Chrysteen

I love your base design. I would add something underneath on the wall... maybe mounted corbles or something a little bit decorative. Maybe doing a stencil design on the wall with a slightly lighter or darker tone of your original color. It is an inexpensive fix, just takes your own time.

Found a few pics of what I was thinking.