If your not a collector, maybe you could add cabinet doors to the lower shelving. This will also keep the shelves cleaner.

Nice looking dog!

Are your shelves tall enough to display plates? A collection of transferware would look nice.

However your first step may be to add a railing to the stairs. Yikes.

I would suggest putting an artistic banister/railing in and highlighting your shelves with some trim, and maybe extend the length at the same time to make them more functional. That way no one falls out and it would really ad a lot of beauty to the space. Attached are some interesting balustrades we've done

What a great feature! I love what you've done with the mirrors! I would paint each of the lower shelves a different, but coordinating, color (just the back wall part, if you know what I mean; leave the shelves white). Maybe pick 3 colors from the rug in the entry, or 3 deeper shades of the wall color. Or, look around your home and see how the other rooms are decorated and see if a color story emerges, then use those colors in the entry to give visitors a taste of what's to come. Because the shelves are really narrow, maybe skip the accessories and use wall decals (I love Dali Decals) to greet visitors (and you!) with an inspirational quote or words like "Live Laugh Love" or "Pause Relax Breathe" - one in each compartment. Also, I would lose the branch (I see the effect you were going for but for me it competes with the mirrors) and if you want to use the top shelf as a landing zone for keys, mail, etc. (are those wipes?), maybe find low, narrow baskets to contain it all. This helps create less visual - and therefore less mental and emotional - clutter. Good luck and have fun with it!

Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions ... Keep them coming! I might explore the decal letter idea. I have some concerns about the transfer ware since this is the entry and the dog tails and bags of groceries etc. may wipe them out! The door and railing ideas (beautiful work!) are interesting but ultimately more than I want to invest in this space at this time. Any rug ideas? The room is about 8 ft between the closets and about 8ft from the front door to the shelves. The rug in the picture is one I already had. Thanks very much for all the comments and suggestions....really appreciate them.

I see that your front door is Craftsman style. You have tile floors. Is your house Craftsman?

If so, the shelves are just too cottage like and I would remove them or install doors.

Definitely stair railings…I don't know how that slipped by a home inspector.

Both the closet doors and the garage door could use more interesting hardware. IMO, better doors would spiff up that hall.

I see the 2 Judy's were typing similar comments at the same time. :)

Which hand is quicker than which eye, Judy M?

Any moving decisions? Still a fabulous antique home in East Dennis waiting for you :>)

We will be pursuing a small home in Las Vegas for winter months and leaning towards taking over a vacation rental we own in RI for summer.

Cape is off the list as our DIL's parents are moving to Plymouth soon.
Nice house, tho'

I was thinking ditto with the judys! Drywall the shelves and get new doors for the closet and garage door that complements the front door entry.

If you want a quick and very inexpensive way to dress up your existing doors you can mask off a section with painters tape and then paint the door a color of your choice and when you peel off the tape your left with this nice border that mimics molding.

Sounds great Judy M.

Darzy, want to come to the Cape? I want someone to buy this house!!!!!

judyg..I wish I could!

long, narrow baskets to hold keys and gloves and scarves. think breadbaskets. one shelf with signage as discussed. don't fuss and don't spend money. one long, narrow picture leaned against the back of the shelf. color is a wonderful idea but leave the shelves white.

I would remove the shelves entirely.

Try a single mirror and a basket for keys and leave the shelves bare. From the staging point of view, the area's function is to straighten your hair after putting on your coat, then grab your keys to go out the door. So put the mirror at eye level.

Best to put the railing up before the home inspector flags it as a defect. You'll have to do it anyway. If you have to make a choice, it's better to spend money on repairs than decor.

For the tile, I would look into painting the grout a lighter color that matches the tile color as closely as possible. Make it look new, not bright white, but new and unobtrusive.

Signage is not considered desirable in many areas.

Thanks again for all the comments. Haven't heard of painting grout....sounds like a potential mess with peeling etc. what is the correct prep and paint product to use? Have you done this before? As far as railing or lack thereof, obviously home inspectors caught it but there's no obligation to remedy because when house was built it was to code. it actually hasnt been an issue....had lots of kids over and just like on regular stairs you keep the little ones off them and the bigger kids think it is cool. i would not call the house craftsman, but there are some elements that are from previous owners...shaker maple cabinets in baths and kitchen and obviously the front door. I would call the original style 'late 80's early 90's architect designed and built if anyone can appreciate what that means! The closet doors are cheap but I am sort of reticent to start replacing random doors since all the doors in the house match. (Pet peeve of mine when things like doors, hardware, etc. all look like they come from a different era or style). The shelves originally went all the way up with the upper ones being glass. That was really awkward because there was no place really for the keys and stuff landing spot. We are planning to rent or sell this house once our new one is built so I am trying to do some inexpensive things to spiff it up if possible. Thanks very much for the comments ...they are helping me to see things in new ways!!

Oh, what closet door hardware ideas do you have?

You can put add a thin strip to the shelves to transform them to picture rails and then frame family pictures in black and white or sepia, and in different sizes and arrange them randomly on the picture rails. I'll find some photos for you

Some pictures

Ok, just scavenged these from a bathroom. Any better or worse? (Would not have them propped on books or sunglasses case... They would be hung.)

You can simply lean them on the shelves. Unless you're worried they might be knocked off. If you're a candle lover, you can display a collection of candles,or may be a set of 3 or 5 candles on one side of the shelves

Definitely will hang them....you probably can't see it, but the picture on the left has broken glass which happened when I was trying to prop these up (very narrow shelf, high traffic area). Family picture idea might be one I'd investigate, but concerned about them getting bumped and from everything I've heard, family pics are a 'no no' when selling / staging a home. I like the birch candle holders. Thanks!

I would try just taking out the middle shelf. Then you have more room for pictures and can keep a little ledge for keys etc. ....Try a few found objects there too.... a branch, nest, or a few beautiful stones....suprising what will look compelling when there is not much around it to distract. I like the open stair way....keep it the way it is.... And you could paint some wide horizontal stripes on the doors to closet and garage to create interest. That could not be more easy! Good luck!!

Yes, I have used grout paint. Try this link and read the reviews to see if you think it would work in your situation. http://www.homedepot.com/p/10-Antique-White-8-fl-oz-Grout-Renew-GCL10HPT/100096585#.UaSoJ-uEKUc

I would remove the shelves...add an accent color to this wall and a striking piece of art or floor sculpture.

Beverly, post is a year old!

First, I would take out one of those shelves. It looks too busy. If you have any pops of color in your house like the yellow, paint the shelving back wall interior that pop of color and add a nice collection of items on the shelf. A few books, and an ivy. Maybe a small classy clock. Keep the trim white. Be careful not to make the shelves too cluttered. Simple and clean goes a long way. As far as the doored cabinets, add some trim moldings to them, or keep them simple and clean painting them the same as the walls might make them seem less noticeable. Change out to nicer handles on the doors and cabinets to give an expensive feel. -Gina