Live plants are often used. Perfect place for a herb garden.

It may get extremely hot/cold in that space, thus the windows and doors to close it off.

Is it big enough for a small outside chair with table for sitting out and relaxing and reading? And then surround it will tall plants, small plants, short plants and hanging plants. I am envious of your "plant" place. Probably wouldn't work in the midwest but a gal can dream.

You will have to be careful with drainage with any plants you put out there (even just overwatering a few potted plants could be problematic without proper drainage). If there is a drain in the space then I’d keep it simple and striking but low maintenance like this

If there isn’t drainage is there electric anywhere in the space?

I love the windows, I don't think they are off putting at all.

It doesn’t look like a large enough space to hang out in comfortably so if there isn’t any drainage you could hang something sculptural that integrates lighting (if there is electrical)

People have houseplants inside their homes without drainage, I don't see why this would be any different.

I love it! Can’t make out what the condition of skylights are but love the idea of them. I want an atrium!!

suedonim75, if there isn't sufficient airflow moisture and possibly mold could find a good home in there.
Maybe you could soften the harsh office building look with plants, some color and even a bench.

I had assumed you haven’t got it decorated yet. I assumed you will be adding houseplants and other decor? Also is there a way to have airflow in there?

If there is electricity, perhaps a large hanging wall fountain. Make a nice focal point out there.

Does it have an electrical outlet?

It seems that the slider window opens to let warmth in and closes if needed. I’d record the temps for a while, but should be fine for plants that like bright light. I personally think it could be gorgeous with layers of houseplants as long as you want to take of them. It’s unique- good luck!

The atrium brings light into your home, into the adjacent rooms where windows might not be feasible. The black grate is not off-putting to me, but you could soften the contrast between the bright white of the interior of the atrium and the black of the windows. Paint the room a pleasant color you enjoy that would go with the adjacent rooms. I think I would paint the frame of the round mirror black or a pop of color.

It also functions are some additional space for the room with a slider. So, to a certain extent, you take advantage of that. Maybe a bistro table and a chair for a coffee brake.

Add plants, if they are something you would enjoy taking care of. There are some low maintenance plants that come to my mind.

What would I do? Get a good size plant in a container, position it close to the front of the space, paint the walls a light but not bright color and the ceiling area a light sky blue add a bistro table and chair towards the back of the room. Put a small cabinet for storage of things I want to use in that room.

I love the atrium. I used to have one in a circa 1920s apartment building I lived in as a child in Washington DC. Here is a pic with some great ideas. The plants idea mentioned by others is what I would suggest. I love the idea of a birdcage either on a tall pedestal or hanging or both. No birds required. LOL. If there is electricity there some up lights hidden behind the plants would be lovely in the evenings. Painting the walls a soft pastel sage color might be nice. Wish I had that atrium to decorate. . . just lovely.

Here’s the pic, sorry.

decoenthusiaste

decoenthusiaste

the sliders of the atrium open from the office

apple_pie_orderno outlet, but there are 2 grow light bulbs at the highest point of the atrium

It occurs to me that installation of a hi-tec whole house fan in one of the skylights might be a smart idea. Tamarack is a company that makes state of the art ones. Could save you a lot of $$ in the right climate. My electric bill hovers around $100 because I use one of them instead of AC whenever I can.

Thanks for electrical info. If you want to try a fountain, have an electrician run a line down to the wall below, put in a GFCI outlet, then plug in the fountain. If you prefer a big hotel-style display of plants, try a small round table topped with a big lush green plant ($50 philodendron or whatever, not $10 type) and add four or six $15 blooming orchids.