please post a floor plan with dimensions showing windows, doors, entrances to the room, and staircase location in relation to the room

The clutter indicates you need a table--a landing space. You could replace the bench with a taller shoe rack that has a table top. Put hooks on the side of the rack to hold the shopping bags, get a small stool where someone can sit when removing/putting on shoes. That looks like a large coat closet--ideally sports equipment would go in there. Alternatively, get a nice umbrella stand for the la crosse sticks, put it in the opposite corner (next to the shoe rack).

Have you thought if putting the bench ( if possible) vertical side up- looks as if you can, then use the slimmer inserts for bags or books and other for shoes ( up to you really). You can also add some hooks at the side of bench for few hanging coats whatever. Then you will have space for a chair there or covered woven basket to hold extra shoes etc..

Where the cubbie bench is, I would find a bureau with three drawers and put a mirror over it. Remove the sconces and have lamps on the low bureau in front of a mirror.

I would put a low bureau where the cubbies are. Hang a mirror over it and set two lamps on top of bureau in front of bureau.

Why is the coat closet not being utilized? Mostly this is clutter not even needing to be there out in the open put a good shoe rack in the closet and use it the more flat surfaces the more mess IMO. Shoes do not all have to be out ever. Why are bags hanging there ? I gues s we need a better idea of the space and also if this is the only entry for the family. Take better pics from further to show the whole space , answer these questions and the floor plan all here in comments Post the plan in jpeg format. DO NOT start another post.

Firstly, Command hooks if you have to hang stuff up on the walls. BUT, ideally you would be using the coat closet. So what is that being used to house? You just need dedicated things/spaces for your stuff to go and teach family members the plan. I like the umbrella stand idea for the lacrosse sticks. The bins can be used to house the shoes. Put a cushion on the bench to encourage sitting for shoe on/off. You could label the bins or even color-code them for users. Maybe a small basket on opposite side for library books.

Are the double doors the coat closet? if so, looks like a pretty big closer soace. ive seen some closets - even snall ones - that have been made more useful by taking down the hanging bar and putting hooks on all 3 walls. It makes ir more like a small mudroom than a traditional closet. You can even take down the doors. Shavonda Gardner’s blog shows a good example. Or if you keep the doors on, you coild also put tons of hooks on the inside of those 2 doors for bags.

Your bench with storage cubbies doesn't fit the space, remove it.

The sconces are oddly placed (as normal for an outside application); remove them and replace with an overhead ceiling fixture if there now isn't one.

The light switch may stay, and can fit *inside* a shelf space of a taller correctly sized cabinet and shelf unit that fits and fills the space (now occupied by bench).

Obviously, the household needs be educated on proper placement of *stuff*: bags don't get hung on closet door knobs; misc doesn't get set in the corner.

Do you have a back door? Do you have a garage? Sports equipment goes in the garage, or at least another part of the house. I would have the kids come and go from the back door when encumbered with sports and school stuff.

Would work nicely.

It depends what look you're going for, but if this was my family, I'd go for making the closet very functional & hardworking, and choose decor that discourages the drop zone on the floor at the base of the stairs, and reinforces a sense of calm.

Take the doors off that coat closet, because access seems like it helps your family. (You can put them back on later, when your kids are at a different stage.)

Move your shoe storage in the closet.

Add baskets on top for categories: the library book basket, the baseball basket. An umbrella stand or similar for lacrosse sticks (or hooks on the wall specifically for them).

Dedicated hooks for jackets & totes.

The goal is "a place for everything and everything in its place."

Then where the shoe storage is now, and on the banister, make a rule that nothing goes there. It's the zen part, and lets a high traffic area function. Keep it swept and pretty.

@Susan makes an excellent point to make the closet super functional.

Put the closst dimensions on graph paper, have a list of what you want to fit in there, then draw whatever shelves, cubbies, hangers, baskets needed to neatly contain it all.

When I plan a closet space design, I think in terms of square inches - no wasted space - but instead, organization.

I would organize the closet too, I put a wire shoe rack in ours, holds boots, shoes and baskets for mitts/gloves etc. I would remove the rod and add hooks, cubbies whatever would work for you. designate a space for each family member if there is enough room in the closet. keep the doors to hide it all. Is there a space anywhere else for sports equipment, memories of hockey sticks and bags, ball gloves, soccer shoes came flooding back and eventually it was banished to basement storage.

You seem to have a closet by the front door, you can organize it to fit your needs. And have a chest with drawers and shelves in the entrance for any additional storage. Place a natural fibre runner for an additional decor touch!