I think you need a railing. Can put some pottery or sculpture up there, but need to keep anybody from walking out onto it.

Maybe put or make a wide bookshelf for the spot.

I've actually seen something similar in a contemporary house. It was a planter. Deeper, maybe 1 1/2 feet taller and brick. It was used as a planter. Being a contemporary house the house was full of light.

Personally, I would probably put a railing or build it higher and put some books or art pieces on top.

Jane

Any clues about original purpose? My thought is nothing permanent since space needed for moving stuff up & down. I wondered about a cheap and cheerful small decorator cabinet placed next to top of stairs - inside of the L. Nothing with open shelves as too hard to access & what if items fall off? The little cabinet could easily be moved for access / space needed when hauling things up & down but should be large enough to deter anyone trying to walk the ledge. I’m thinking discount stores like Ross, Marshalls, TJ Maxx for small chest for not much $$.

This isnt the first time this exact question has come up surprisingly. This must have been popular at one time. I think framing it in is an option, but will that make it too closed in? I like the idea of bookcases but it would be hard to access them or even decorate them. I dint think that anything that is not secured to the wall is a good idea.

I have such a ledge but the railing at the top of the stair case keeps it from being accessible.

How about just a piece of wood/dry wall nailed in at and angle so it's not a flat surface...

Perhaps a row of matching rectangular lidded-baskets. They could be zip-tied together in one large bunch, or two smaller bunches, so as to be pulled out onto the landing floor for access. The baskets could be used for seasonal (soft-goods for safety?) storage such as holiday items, or summer/winter items. That would prevent someone walking onto the ledge, and make the space a little bit usable. If baskets are out of budget range, maybe plastic bins covered with thrift or found fabric could work.

Has the ledge been a problem? I would ignore it. Maybe if she has small grandchildren I can see being concerned.

Pets could conceivably fall from there too.

Obviously, whatever is placed there needs to be secured so it doesn't fall on someone's head...

I see this from time to time but usually, nobody pays attention. If this is new construction you might have building inspector concerns as a safety issue and he would make a call, but if this is an existing house, like HALLETT & Co. you can ignore it, or if you have kids and they don't know any better and start climbing or messing around on it and someone takes a dive they will seriously get hurt.

I'd put in a railing. In my home, the ledge goes across the front door...and it's part of the loft/2nd story flooring.

Makes me wonder if something like that's an artifact of a second story addition...?

Barbed wire.

Kidding.

I need to see this from much futher back please .