That looks like it was once a closet.

Would it make sense to have a closet there?

Beef it up, light it up and show off something pretty!

The bench and hooks are cute but not very practical in an upstairs hall. If you are a family of readers or kids with a romantic streak, a long bench, lighting, drawers beneath, art on the wall, well, I'd have gone gaga over it as a young girl.

I don't think I'd turn it back into a closet because it can make the hallway long and dark.

Better maybe, is to take out the casing, drywall it to match the rest of the hall so it's just a bumpout, and place something like a chest of drawers, a sideboard, or buffet, with artwork or mirror above, and store linens or seasonal decor in it.

Doors on that would make an awesome linen closet. The above suggestions are good too, of course!

Do you need storage space? If so, just add doors and if needed readjust the interior. If you like it open beef it up with molding. You can do a good search and find all kinds of ideas.

Since it looks like you do not need it for storage and are using it to hold various tchotchke items & photos; I would remove the frame and put in a drywall bump out. Then you can put in over head or wall lighting or use table lamps, a dresser or console with storage or even built in cabinets to store the tchotchke items (you can display several on the top of the dresser and rotate with the ones stored below). Hang the pictures on the wall over the dresser. Here are some ideas:

Storage/display:

Desk space:

Awesome ideas everyone ... and yes I don't need anymore storage and I also think that if I put a door then the hallway will become too dark and boring.

I love the idea of putting a bench and turn this into a reading nook !

Thanks everyone again !

bpathome, my neighbor did what you suggested and it is beautiful! I have tried to find a closet in this house where I could put a beautiful and substantial piece of furniture. This would be my first choice.