In the first photo, the half wall by the stairs, I would put a narrow bench or console table.

Which is which? Several photos showing the space better/in whole will better help people give ideas.

A challenge! I'd recommend adding a see-through room-divider to the top of the half-wall, perhaps in a lattice or Moroccan style motif to create some separation without losing light. And I agree with adding a bench below the half-wall, too. I don't think there's much to be done about the proximity between the front and back doors unless you're willing to move the back door to a different location. My concern is one of safety: that back door is directly opposite the stairs which seems like an accident waiting to happen.

Some room divider inspo:

Living Room · More Info

Martha Road Ranch House · More Info

Custom Home · More Info

I almost recommended an open divider too, but not knowing about the style of the house, I did not.

This was the house my parents lived in when I was born. The house was condemned and Dad gutted/remodeled in 1958. The hallway was almost as deep as the house (this is almost half of the room length), and the LR was off to one side. Yes, that was ivy...

The pictures make me wonder if one door doesn't open all the way due to the staircase. Which is front/back. do you need both doors? I think I would be tempted to close one off.

Thanks for the ideas!

Yes, both doors have to be kept, as mentioned no more remodeling will occur.

The front door only accesses front yard and the back door (in front of stairs to basement) only access the back yard so that just opens a whole other can of worms to move either door...this i not our forever home, though so we will make it work for the time being.

Do the current pics show how it looks right now?

Is the half wall in pic one there or has it been removed?

It really would help if you showed a larger area in your pics for context so we can see what you see.

!st everyone needs to take their coats to their rooms or at least limit to one each hung on some nice hooks and a bench to stow shoes in would be a big help I am not sure why you removed that wall honestly it would have been the perfect spot for a closet.