is there enough room to do a rug and a small round table?

HI -- So the space at the bottom of the stairs is your concern ??? Because I would die to have such a nice big entrance like yours . What are those built - in boxes in the closet and can they be re-moved ?? If the closet could be made more shallow with the door facing the stairs , I think that would look and work better and make that area wider . Then you would have a wall facing the front door for a mirror and shelf .

old staircase i suspect.

Hi, the entire entrance - foyer and long hall - is my focus. I'm trying to make the space inviting. Currently I find my eye drawn to the 2 doors and nothing else. So trying to find a focal point and make it more inviting too. The built-in box in closet is the Air conditioning return vent. can't move it but maybe I take out the door sheet rock it and use it as a wall to hang a mirror. We never use the closet...

I wouldn't add anything other than a nice, colorful entry rug.

Take out the door, is what I meant to type, and close it off to create a wall. Also foyer is just a little too small for round table, once door swings open.

but the closet could be important in winter for guest coats? how about something like these?

A longer runner at foot of stairs continuing down the hall would help. A very narrow shelf /table behind the front door with a mirror is all you need there. Do not remove your closet. You can always use an extra closet... Or the next guy.

I totally see your dilema, all I see are the two doors as well. It doesn't look like you have any other closet options in your entry way for guests coats? If not, and you want to keep the closet "just in case" then I would suggest you use the door as if it was a wall and hang a mirror or art work and small shelf on the door front to create a more welcoming focal point. You may need to replace the existing door with a solid wood one or if you were already considering closing off the doorway with drywall, maybe you can do a panel style "secret door" with a magnet catch. That way you still have access to the storage space, have eliminated the "all I see is doors" problem and created an inviting entry.

i wouldnt remove the door but you could ignore the door. paint it and the trim wall color, change door hardware to minimal white knob. hang mirror and add table in front of the door. and then if you change your mind the closet is still there.

(you could store your seasonal decor in there.....)

How about a beautiful watercolor wallpaper. With a chandellier. Not all entryways have to have tables or benches. The openness of it is very elegant.

A very nice runner. A thin shelf w/art above it... keep it simple. Can we have a pic of your foyer light???

I appreciate all these suggestions! They are so helpful! I hadn't thought about hidden doors, screens, painting door wall color. Here is a photo of the foyer light and ceiling.

a colorful rug, a new chandelier that is lower, don't know "rules" but seems like you should be able to see it thru transom? could you also just paint or wallpaper entry walls a dramatic color?

There is a lot going on in your entry, I think it would benefit from simplification of some elements. What I noticed first was the different style of the entry on the left. Most of your doors have arches -there is an arch in window above the main entrance & an open arch on the right. French doors with arched glass plus transom glass without divisions (etched perhaps) would be more cohesive.
There is a lot of trim above your "problem" closet, I can't tell how deep the jut out is, - if it could be removed and replaced with a "shelf" extending across the hall to the foot of the stairs, a trim piece could extend around the perimeter of the foyer. Often when the ceiling soars, a different colour (darker?) can be painted above this high trim piece. If you take that opportunity, I also suggest to replace the light fixture with a huge simple glass lantern, which becomes a focal point against a beautiful colour.
I agree your entry is a great size,leave the closet but replace the door with a solid flat panel to hang a full length mirror.(DIY with trim) . Simple shallow bureau or console table with a statement piece of art above (from which to pull paint colour) finish with a wider runner down the hall from the foot of the stairs: a complimentary round rug at the entry.

i know just paint door #1 and Door #2.

You could try doing a few things with the corners or one the one wall, like the images below from our design book.