I’d be inclined to do a sofa table and no bench. If you can find one that also stores your shoes even better. I like a sofa table as it’s a nice way to add a lamp and it makes the sofa look more finished.

Move the sofa back toward the window and leave about 8-10" of floor for a tall plant and/or a floor lamp. No more gap.

Yes, better to move the sofa back towards the window, and IF ROOM add a sofa table. You could always add a narrow bench under the coat hooks if necessary.

The bench looks narrow enough to go under the coat hooks and leave room to walk between it and the sofa.

Without seeing the balance of the room, I'd be inclined to move the sectional toward the window & add a floor lamp in the corner that extends over the sectional for lighting.

Select a console table with a method to store shoes on the wall where you currently have coats hanging. Get the coats in a closet. It's not a good look.