every option should be relative to Your needs.

that said, I would replace the curtains with inside mount blinds. top down/bottom up for light and privacy when needed. Blinds.com is a great source.

I would get off the rack (at a home improvement store) base cabinets (Drawers for shoes storage, etc.) and a cabinet base for the littlebox ...cut out an opening for the cat... it will learn to use it. even a tall pantry unit for the corner (Coats on hangers/broom, etc.)

to run along the wall where your existing shoe cabinet is.

on the bright side... you have a lake house!

How about a wood screen? My son got one to separate the kitchen from the living space in his studio apartment, it works and looks good.

But I like Lyn’s suggestion, to have shorter window covering, then bottom shelves/cabinet that go a little higher, and all the way to the wall, and can accommodate the litter box (the litter mat will still show, but that’s not so bad.)

bpath - thank you for the suggestion of the wooden screen. I looked into those, but I was concerned about its stability because it would not be against a wall. Does your son have any problem with it staying in place or falling over? Also, could you let me know where he purchased his? Thanks!

Lyn has great ideas for that space. Replace the curtains with blinds and then get a base cabinet or a bench with cubbies/cabinets below that will fit in the space beneath the window for all of the items currently sitting out in that area. It looks like you have wall hooks right next to the door. See whether the hooks are better if you place them on the wall between the two windows in picture 3. I think a screen would be too cumbersome in that area and would make it a less useful space rather than a more useful one. You don't want to be moving a screen every time you come in/out and want to put on/off your shoes. Don't just hide the clutter behind a screen; put it away in its own place.

So, my son bought his screen/room divider secondhand, in the neighborhood. And he says it isn’t wedged in between furniture or walls, stqys up find on its own. I will oint out, though though, thqt he doesn’t have kids and dogs.

Can the closet be revamped for optimal use? Remove the door, add bench seat with cubbies below for small stuff. Have hanging items/hooks above. Then for litter do as suggested above, with base cabinet that can store both litter box and litter supplies.

I need a to scale plan of the space I do not find the photos helpful. I dislike litter boxes out i the open for sure and there are lots of clever ways to have them hidden from view and still useable. I need to see the paln so do it on graph paper to scale post here in Jpeg in a comment . Show every indow and doorway and where those lead . DO NOT start another post .

Re-do the interior of the closets. Add a cat door to the closet door for the litter box inside. Add shelves and hooks for shoes and coats to hide everything away so there is no more clutter.

Then you can make the space a nice welcoming entrance as a cute parlor with a beautiful armchair and side table for a lamp. A mirror, some artwork, and a jute rug will finish the space.

Ouch that would be gross to smell like litter. Get the base cabinet to hide it as suggested.

Look at Littermaid automatic cleaning boxes...my neighbor's house went from bad bad stinky to no odor...it's like a miracle.

I saw this article and thought of this Post. You can still have a cute little parlor in a small space.

https://www.livingetc.com/ideas/how-do-i-make-the-most-of-my-small-entryway

We might suggest trying to get one of those litter boxes that look like a piece of furniture (like an end table), and then perhaps look at doing a built-in for the mudroom and add some storage good storage in the closets. Maybe also look at adding an area rug too. Here is an idea for the mudroom:

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