Well, it definitely can use a new look. I’d start by thoroughly cleaning it and new paint on the walls and front door. Update the glass slider doors and ceiling fixture. Do you have another entrance that the kids can use? This looks like your formal front door. If it is the front door, I’d shy away from a bench. Some sort of table would be nice. An area rug and some artwork would round it out.

Thank you! what color wall would you do? i am open to a more interesting wall/wall paper while maintaining a classic look. What kind of light fixture?

this is our main entrance that the kids use too. i could do a bench on the other side of the glass door where there is room for practicality purposes and keep it out of this room.

Is there a second entry/landing inside the french type door?

Yes, there is. i just snapped a picture

This could become a really great space!

- Paint the walls something more exciting than gray.

- The inside of the door is often overlooked ... paint it a pretty color and add a wreath.

- Add a sturdy rug that can stand up to traffic ... make it a standout, colorful print (to hide inevitable stains) ... this will not only be attractive and comfortable, it'll keep dirt from tracking into your house.

- Replace the dull light fixture with a pretty chandelier.

- The bench-rack combo you're trying to avoid seems appropriate for back doors ... you need something that works for you but also is front-door attractive. I think you need a shallow-wide table with a couple baskets underneath it. This table will give you plenty of space for practical needs such as Kleenex, but you can also style it with some pretty things like an always-on lamp and a runner in a color to match the rug. Assign each child a basket for backpack storage. Make sure the baskets are large, open topped and "solid", not wire (you want the baskets to conceal the kids' junk) -- and easy to pull out. The baskets'll be on the floor, so it'll be easy to train the toddlers to pull out their own baskets and drop in their things.

- I kinda like the second example below best (probably an Ikea item) because it would allow the kids a basket for their backpacks and a cubby for their shoes.

- I note you have a heat vent in the spot where this table would need to be placed, so you can't build in something permanent, but an open-table and baskets won't prevent it from doing its job.

- You're always checking your appearance when you head out the door, so add a mirror over the table. Add a wooden box on the table that can hide a hairbrush and collect hair ties.

- Paperwork seems to collect in entryways, so add a basket sized for file folders, which can collect mail OR a pretty hanging organizer (choose something pretty, not plastic letter trays). When the kids start school, the paper junk in your house will magnify unbelievably, so allow more space than you think is necessary.

- You'd probably have space for a coat tree or hooks on the wall (next to the wall table). Kids aren't going to hang coats in the closet, so create what they will use, not what you wish they'd use.

- You have ample closet space for coats and shoes that aren't being used right now. Include a shoe rack.

- Instead of a bench for the kids to sit upon which putting on their shoes, how about a chair or stool, which could sit beside the small table? Maybe something child-sized?

- Yes, I'd like to see the glass sliders replaced with wooden doors ... but NOW, while you still have small children, I'd get them white-board markers and allow them to use this huge glass surface as an art space (assuming, of course, they're able to understand that this isn't allowed in other parts of the house). You can use it too for a family board: Soccer game Tuesday at 5:00 ... Dentist at 10:00 on Thursday ... Yeah for Tommy for being Student of the Week! It's never too early to teach organization.

THANK YOU!!! love these ideas!!! can you give me thoughts on what color walls or wallpaper you may use in this space? maybe an example of a chandlier you would use too?

Does the door close under the light fixture? If it does, that will limit how deep the chandelier can be.

good point!!! the outside door does open inward, the second door opens the other way

What colors do you enjoy throughout the rest of your house? Use those colors.

A sense of your style would help. Put some photos in your ideabook.

I typically lean toward cozy traditional with navy blues, creams, whites mixed with natural wood. even being a little cliche, i do love Joanne’s Magnolia Hearth and Hand style without being too farm-housy. However, im totally open to going outside my comfort zone!!!!

Please ignore my very begining attempt at photoshop but any feedback on something like this as a start?

You are covering up the heat register. Are you going to move it?

I wouldn't get rid of the glass sliders, I would play them up and turn them into a wow factor. Hang a nice large mirror on the opposite wall and then a chandelier that hangs between them that reflects into an infinity effect. I like the idea of a console table at a height so its accessories and flowers can also reflect in the mirror above them and be brought into the effect. The table would have to be narrow because the door opens kind of opens into it. Paint the walls an interesting color. I think any color or any hanging light fixture you choose would be fine. Have some fun.

Thank you, all!!! this is what i have so far. the rug, light and table have been purchased (so please dont tell me you hate them lol) and im thinking of an interesting blue on the walls like this ”Naval”. still havent settled on art/mirror above table but do think we will keep the door mirrors for a while longer.

I like what you’ve purchased and also blue on wall - but not sure about blue shade you show. I’d select shde of blue after you have rug in place & maybe match to blue in rug or a shade or two lighter. My vote is for art over console table. I wouldn’t want a hall of glass with mirrors & doors. Art would add more interest IMO

thank you! sherwin Naval and BM Newburyport were two blues ive been considering if anyone has used those/has any thoughts. thanks again!

The stuff that you've purchased is nice, however, the console looks like it might not be long enough for that wall.

The new paint you show really brings the space to life and I like that your color choices are muted with some gray. Per KW comment above, I do think my idea for opposing mirrors did not take into consideration the two glass doors on either side....perhaps this idea is too much.