Its really a cool entry. It's begging for a little drama. I would definitely paint walls a white. Maybe with blue undertones to compliment the blue walls up top. You can find some pretty hooks to mount just under the alarm electronics to hold the dog leashes Then I would add a stair runner in something bold. I'm not sure the style of you or your home but an antelope with the back stripe centered…or multi colored stripe. This would distract the view from the air return at the top of the stairs.

I found a few pics to post for you but not sure how helpful they will be but hopefully you can get the gist.

This is very unusual. I wouldn't dwell on this or put too much time or money on this entry because no one else will. Meaning people aren't going to congregate here on spend more than a few seconds in this entry. Put a coat rack on the wall and quickly usher guests up the stairs and WOW them with the rest of your home. A lighter color on the walls is a great idea.

Don't crowd or close in or decorate this area. You want to call as little attention to it as possible.

I suggest painting both doors a shiny black with a fun flush mount ceiling light.

I think I'd paint the walls and doors the same color (light) and maybe get a new front door with more glass in it to allow more light in?

We put a glass door in and it has made an incredible difference. You could put a mirror on the wall that hangs directly over the stairway and this would bounce some more light around.

I'd focus on getting an attractive runner for the stairs, and hang the leashes in the garage. Maybe up lighting on the stair level. It's already a great color, and painting stairwells is dangerous if you're a novice (not sure if you're planning on DIY).

Thank you so much for all your great ideas! No way to DIY painting;) Definitely planning on hiring a pro.

Regarding painting doors, IMHO all of the interior doors look best matching.

I know gray is the color this year, but I would go for a warm lighter wall color, to brighten the hall way. A door will more glass will make a big difference.
New thought, now you can find battery LED wall sconces to put on the stair wall. They would add light and interest.

Crazy idea, but of you desperately need more space, is there any to spare in the garage? You could build into there?
I like all the ideas posted, especially the lighter colour and the front door with a large glass insert. You could do a pretty hexagon tile in the entry and a funky mirror. Flor makes some pretty incredible carpet tiles that you can cut to size, and add a little memorable moment , instead of the porcelain floor and the footmat. And yes a great light fixture will finish the entry off beautifully.

You can find battery LED sconces at Home Depot and on line, saves the nightmare of an electrician trying to find a wire or running a new one.
Your space is very tight, which limits what you can do.
I completely understand the dog leases on the door, last thing you want is to run back up the stairs for a lease when your dog(s) are letting you know they have to go out NOW.

I just found this on Houzz, reminded me of your space

Better lighting, colorful rug, art on your walls, mirror opposite garage door. Hey, at least you have gorgeous wood stairs! Sure, a new front door with glass would be fab, but I assume you're in a townhouse or condo and need to match others? Find out where the electricity runs and see about sconces on both sides of the wall. Hide the dog leashes, keep the door free of stuff. Would not paint the door!

Use really light grey (closer to white) to brighten up the space, and add amazing lighting for a welcoming feeling

http://www.irisdesignstudio.com/#!product/prd12/1505087625/panajachel-ceiling-lamp

Of course I agree with painting the walls a lighter color. But my best suggestion is to paint the door bright RED!! :-)

If the space is not completely visible from other parts of the house, and you can only see it from the top of the stairwell...there's no reason not to have fun with it!!

Apparently the space bothers you...so, do something that's worth it. Don't make it boring!!

Good luck!

Attached are two photos of same entry done two different colors, see which speaks to you. Just changing paint color makes a big difference.

how about a dandelion decal going up or down the staircase? The one shown in this picture is placed differently but you can kind of get an idea..maybe have the dandelion at the top and the little seedlings floating down.. http://michellemoore.uppercaseliving.net/DesignItems.m?CategoryId=351&DesignId=3026&ItemId=&Keyword=dandelion&CurrentPage=1

How about a collection of pretty mirrors with beveled edges or framed hung on the walls of the stairwell? Hang them in a random fashion. I like the idea of painting the doors but I'd paint them Chinese red. And yes to a ceiling hugging lamp.

Is it difficult to see the steps at night (or anytime really since you don't have natural light)? Brass rods on your runner would reflect in the light of the lamp.

Walls are too flat causing your focus to go straight to the bottom or
top. Add something like this where you have at least 2 arched indentions on the wall. Paint the inside of them a lighter color than the wall. the walls. Midlothian Texas 76065.

I have seen red poppy decals which give a nice look and add color!

You could have an artist paint faux niches but do an uneven number.

How much do you want to spend? I'm sure this one cost a bundle. Reflectivity does pay off though.

@decoenthusiaste All I can say is WOWZER! The wall covering could be metallic paint or wallpaper. What do you think the sparkles are? Random lights????

Several companies do starlight ceilings for the home. This being a CA home theater installation, I'd imagine the entire ceiling of the media portion is done in them. You can have the night sky recreated for the time of your birth or any other known historic occasion for which a star map can be developed. Romantic bedroom ceilings done as the night sky was when folks got married could be a hot anniversary gift!

@unwantedadvice Adding a door with a window would make a world of difference! I love the plaque at the top of the stairs! "I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them." ;-)

The walls are too blank and need something to break them up. Try paneling about 36" up with chair rail on top, (the wall without the railing), or to keep the costs down just chair rail with wallpaper between it and the stairs. For drama ... alternate large black and white ceramic floor tiles in the entrance. I've tried to attach a photo of what I did in my entrance but I'm new to this and not sure it worked.

@goodcooker Do the framed pictures appear a bit or way bit too high? I was taught that art and mirrors (framed anything) should be at eye level or lower if in a seating area.

The pictures are not in a seating area, they are on the stairs, I was also taught pictures should be at eye level in a room. In this case I re-checked and they work for me!

Why do some posters have to nitpick what others have done. I have not been on those steps so I can not if the pictures are too high or too low. Your family may all be over 6' tall. It is your home, so what works for you is no body else concern!

I didn't consider a family of very tall people. Or maybe just one tall person living in that home. Sorry if I offended anyone, but I still think for people of average height, the pictures are too high. Just MHO. ;-) On the Houzz discussions, I think everyone is entitled to expressing their opinions so long as they aren't looking for a fight. If you're looking for one, please let me know so I'll know "hands off." 8-[

Goodcooker was just giving an example to feverb of what could be done with a problem they both shared. Goodcooker was not asking for advice.

Thank you goodcooker, your stairwell is lovely and the chair rail is a great idea.

Great ideas guys! Thank you so much!!! I love the idea of a hot red door and light color wall with a light grey hint. I will check into LED lighting (no wiring needed? Score!). A nicer entry rug is needed too;) I like it simple, fun and modern ;) I. You guys are awesome! This app rocks!

I would love a glass door!;). But I live in Baltimore City - Federal Hill section so that's kind of out of the question:)) But I love living in Baltimore;)! It's fun. It's not all like the show "The Wire";))) hehe.

Love some of the advice you have been given. Dog looks frightened to go down. Looks steep and slippery. Carpet on stairs sounds good. Also, I have used moldings to break up walls and add dimension. Paint the inner portion of the square or rectangle with a deeper version of the same paint. Adds depth.

GOODCOOKER I'm so sorry. I broke one of my hard and fast rules. I thought the stairwell with the hanging photos was a photo from a website -- and not personally connected to anyone in this community. I feel terrible for not understand that when you said you checked it. I thought you were eyeballing the photo. OOPS! Again, I apologize for coming across as a "know it all." I will say I did recognize that no one calls a stairwell a seating area. ;-) Well, maybe it could be for a class reunion picture. ;-)

Vicki Bauer- I was not offended by your comment regarding the pictures, the first one is eye level from the upper landing so I guess that's ok. Personally, I would prefer the pictures were larger but they're not and I can live with that. It is nice to find people who enjoy home decorating and are willing to share their ideas, we can take them or leave them, that's what it's all about. :)

I think you and your pet would like a safer easier to walk on carpet runner. Runner could be animal print or pattern with great colors The wall color is okay, perhaps a lighter grey would be good but not worth changing till it needs painting. Consider a lantern style light fixture. And please upgrade the entrance tile to decorative bolder tile , maybe with border. Like black and white.

The gray is nice for a modern look. Just paint the stair treads black and white, and the risers a citron or other bright color of your choice. Put an oversized mural on the wall, or a wide white vertical strip painted somewhere on the wall filled with wall word decals of varying sizes and fonts arranged both vertcally and horizontally to fill it. You might do a search on Houzz for painted stairs for inspiration!

I agree with everyone about painting the walls a lighter shade and inserting glass panel in the door, but wouldn't paint the stairs. I'd put a carpet runner on them, leaving a little wood showing either side, and install low-level LED lighting next to every other step.

If there is room in the garage, maybe you can bump out the door into it a little bit to make the entry seem less confined. Even a foot or less will make a difference. Is this a townhouse?

Changing out the door would be great too, along with some art or a different color for the stairs. I like the idea of a painted chairrail/wainscoting to keep the grey on the bottom and maybe some art, mirrors or decals on top. Perhaps you could put the old front door to the garage and allow a bit of light in, as well as add a deadbolt lock for security. Looks like the size and doorswing are the same.

Some small hooks on the wall might be nice for the dog leash and such.

Is that a closet to the right as you come in the door? If so you have a place to hang coat and put shoes. Have you ever seen the storage where drawers are pulled out of the stairs I thought it was neat maybe you could use that idea here

Loads of great advice given , but on an alternative route, this was recently done by ourselves for a client, an effective and very inexpensive to do something stunning and dramatic, it will certainly sort your issues out. Best wishes Malcolm

Hi again;). Thank you again for all your help. I updated the lights, painted a lighter gray color and painted the doors red;) It's not perfect but I like it;) minimalistic is how I like it;)

Awesome solution, especially the light and mat. Red touch at top of stairs a nice tie-in.

Longer term, you might consider hanging a set of magazine-rack-style bins on the wall behind the door, that could hold mail and other stuff that you tend to need coming and going. You probably have something at the top of the stairs, but a key rack, at least, should fit without hitting the door(s) and give you room for a little artistic expression if you find something you like.

@acm. Definitely!!! Looking at cb2 right now;))

Raised paneling/chair rail up the stairs (you can use molding for the "squares" & paint high gloss white to match the door or bead-board. Paint the wall space a lighter, warmer color and add some large framed pictures with lots of color.

Okay maybe a little small, first get rid of the main door and get a good door with glass initial, add more lights,, and yes paint, there you go now have fun.