Please post a pic of the bench and mirrored hall tree.

Are they touching the wall when they remove their shoes?

If so, then the bench is not working as designed IMO.

railing is not an option. The picture is posted already that is the wall that I'm talking about

I guess we can’t be of much help.

The only idea I’ve got is: a Railing. People like to hold a railing while they go up and down stairs. That’s just the way it is. Why isn’t that an option? You don’t like them?

(maybe somebody here knows: is it required to have a railing when you have a certain number of steps?)

i once asked my children how they walked around outside without any walls to hang on to. They looked at me like I had lost my mind ha ha

If no rail, the only other thing I can think of is wall art. A gallery wall, one large piece, or a set of 2-3. I think people would be less likely to reach out, not wanting to knock art off the wall.

ETA: I don’t know the size of the entire area, but maybe a small-ish console table or chest could go on the wall under the switches, as a buffer for that section? A lamp would look nice there, if feasible. This part:

Without a pic of the whole area all I can suggest is to move the bench to someplace closer to the entry because right now you show two doors and no bench. They enter and either it is too far to the bench to sit down and remove their shoes or it is convenient for the guest/occupant to use the wall while they are removing their shoes. No other reason to touch the wall. I'm not excusing the person/people touching the wall. I'm saying you are dealing with human nature and have to figure out a way to retrain the basic instinct to use the wall when standing on one leg.

I would try art. If that doesn't work, wallpaper may at least be a more wipeable solution.

Which wall exactly are they touching? The wall by the door across from the bench or the angled wall? When are they touching the wall? Are they taking off shoes? I see shoes in front of the bench so perhaps they cannot access the bench to take off shoes and need something for balance. Others might feel uncomfortable sitting to remove shoes. I feel like I'm often more comfortable standing to remove shoes.

Also who is touching the wall? Guests? People in the household? Adults or children?

If it's the angled wall, perhaps you could put a narrow console table with art above. It would look nice and people will move around rather than lean into the wall.

Did you paint in flat paint, and it's showing the grease from hand prints? If so, that's a paint choice error. Otherwise ... people touch walls, brush up against them, bang items into them, etc. It's part of living in a house.

It looks like they are holding the wall to get balance while removing or even putting on shoes- perhaps a wooden chair with cushion will help.

You need a handrail.

1. Paint in a washable paint to help wash off hand prints.

2. Put a rail for the steps. Some people, like me, have a terrible sense of balance and need something to hang onto. Others, like my toddler grand daughter want to "do it myself" and hold onto the wall.

3. Put a bench in the entry area for people to sit on to remove their shoes. Some people, like me, cannot stand on one foot without holding onto something. Sitting, eliminates the need to hold on.

Maybe put another bench on the wall that has the light switch in the middle of it. If you do this, then have an electrician move the light switch over to the left or right so that you can hang artwork above the bench.

It’s just how kids roll! All three of mine walk around our house with their hands out touching the walls constantly. It’s beyond annoying! But kids in my class do it when we walk down the hall so I guess it is what it is. I just wipe the walls once a week and move on