Do you have to have the cubbies? do you have a closet ? If cubbies are necessary put on the left wall - put a low profile table at the stairs with a nice arrangement

Make the staircase more of a statement like a art piece if that’s not affordable just paint it a brighter color and more art peices

Make a rectangular cushion for the bench. Pick a fabric that zips off that you can wash. Match the fabric to a piece or art and/or a mirror in the entryway.

I'm chuckling because I see a gorilla face in one of those cubbies! Agree with deb to turn the cubbies sideways or relocate to another nearby side wall. Get a nice cushion for it. Then in the corner facing the door, add a small round table with a lamp and an upholstered slipper chair next to it. Consider a colorful rug for the space in grays, brown, and an accent color.

Picture this on one of your side walls, saving the wall that faces the doorway for a console or round table, chair and lamp.

ClosetMaid · More Info

Wall facing doorway:

The Henley console table · More Info