Big plant in a ceramic pot in color.

Tall pot w/ thick bamboo

A built in bench with some colorful pillows to accent. Great spot for a reading nook. I also like the idea of putting a big potted plant in this area. Good Luck!

Can you provide dimensions for the space?

Is this an entry point in the house?

Just some thoughts...

cool ideas, I hadn't thought of those!

It's directly in front of the door, but it's one of the first things we see when we come in through the garage

The dimensions are 6'7 x 2'10

A great big wicker trunk where you can dump school bags and shoes, boots etc ( if this is near your entrance hall ) might be good !

Great place for a cute dog house - if you have a dog.

You could add wainscoting to that little spot and the other wall connecting to it so it feels more "finished" and then maybe you wouldn't need to put anything there. Just a thought though... good luck! (Like this http://pinterest.com/pin/321374123379241259/ )

Make a statement with a nice tall statue. I wouldn't make it a space to collects knickknacks or shoes/bags/etc.

Or a wine rack if you don't get too much sun there.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/katshoa

What about a floating shelve and a small stool? Kind of a catch all nook with seating.

Is this only a "show area" or is this where you want to store stuff like shoes/ umbrellas...

I would like it to
look nice and also have a purpose

A built in shelf unit

A tall skinny cabinet with many little drawers at the far tiny wall, not a bookcase. Something like the Raie 3-Drawer Chest or the Minhou cabinet at Pier One, something along those lines....or a small cabinet with no legs, but skinny and tallish. An interesting piece of pottery on top of that,maybe a mini short lamp, treat it simply. Fill the wall, to a point,,,, with a collection of framed family photos in black and white on the adjacent wall, where there is already something hanging, for cohesiveness, same or very similar frames, white mats.

I found these on Houzz in the furniture section under benches. You said you'd like it to be usable so I thought of a bench to sit and take off or put on shoes or a table or chest with drawers for keys or mail. It needs to be an attractive area since it is an entry so dress it up a little with a pretty rug, floor lamp and a bench, or table lamp if you use the chest. You can still add a plant and a nice picture or other art.

Here are some other ideas using the table or chest in that area.

Have you thought about making it into a writing area? A light painted traditional bureau set sideways could contain a range of traditional writing implements and with a single elegant chair would be inviting but purposeful... bagsy it for letter writing/ journal or diary keeping or the novel you are planning tho, don't let kids clutter it up with laptops...

If you have children it would be a great place to display their art or photos that mean something to you.

If you have kids, make it a time out zone...you could add pillows or a time out chair or something

Yeah, weird pocket space left... I think the plant idea is still the best... or make the banister more interesting and put something low laying like a small cabinet/bench

How about a tree shaped coat rack first?

thanks everyone