My sis has a ledge in her bedroom...she had HUGE vases on hers...I have never understood these ledges...

I like small trunks that are interesting. Maybe fill them with things that you need for storage.

A large decorator plate and two vases will work.

Some cookbooks that you want to keep but have no other space to store them. Add a decorator plate to that too.

A collection of large and small items that are put in storage. Bring them out to display. Show your personal taste with items that say you.

Have you ever considered just sheetrocking all the way to the ceiling and eliminating the ledge altogether? You would just have wall space above the door. The other suggestions are great, too.

I'm with kvweems on this ... drywall it. I really hate these ledges/niches that builders are putting in.

The position of the closet (?) makes the double doors inescapable. An idea would be to paint that wall a different color. You could punch up the natural shadowing by deepening the shade. Changing the doors to glass French doors could be great. Instead of glass, fit them with mirror. If this is more than you would like to do, you could mount a pair of abstracts or muted prints to the top panels. Crazy idea? Hey you never know...!

What is behind the upper wall?

Check this out:

Oops, forgot to remove the dracenea.

Wow! This is the first time I've posted and am excited to be getting responses! Here is some more info. The double doors are a closet. The wall next to the closet is painted an accent color. I have attached some other pics. Also, if you have some suggestions for the family room, I would love those as well. This is fun!!

Nancy, it's a bedroom.

Whoops. That was to Lib. Sorry!!

One more

I can see how sheetrocking all the way up could be complicated because of the point. I like the accents that Nancy posted.

Ok...just thinking I'd you were to close it in...would you gain anything on the other side as I additional storage...based on ceiling slope...place to put suitcases etc...
What is the railing??? Nice that they actually put flooring in the ledge.

If you were to close in...sorry...

I'm sure have considered the obvious but I will put it out there... good quality artificial plants? I also like the old trunk idea!

There is a lot of storage in the house so that is not really needed. The railing is glass and there is really no access to ledge besides climbing over railing or a ladder.

For the family room I just think a rug to pull the colors together to start with. I would reface the fireplace surround with a grid of moulding or panelling and paint the whole thing cream. Or you could do a stone treatment on the bottom half of the fireplace and panelling treatment painted cream. On the top half. Move console on corner behind one of the sofas and use that wall for storage. Art on wall behind sofa on left. Replace white sofa with club chairs in a tone-on-tone pattern. Update pillows on sofa with patterned pillows. You have a great space to work with!

Thanks! I love my house but really want to cozy it up!! The furniture came with us from our hold house so we are trying to do the best we can with it. Here is a look from the kitchen.

Stack trunks is a couple of different sizes. If you find small ones, maybe add one more item. Bring them to the front of the shelf.

Maybe you have to add a box under them to raise them. Cover the box with a throw or fabric that means something to you. The fabric will take up some of the floor space when you see the ledge from overhead.

I don't liike to close in an area that was open. Created depth and architectual interest. A few sculptures would be nice too.

HI -- Something big that you won't see the dust on or have to dust . I use big outdoor garden statues like a big Buddha but in resin so it is not so heavy . Restorationhardware.com has some big interesting things ...and.... Designtoscana.com . I usually tell people to ignore those ledges but you have a very big space that does need something I guess . Just don't put a bunch of things up there that needs tending or will look out of place like a bunch of dried foliage and silk plants and vines and such . And don't do a line of bottles or baskets or vases . Just one big interesting and stylish thing !

Remove the circle art and don't hang anything up there. Don't give anyone's eye a reason to travel up. Leave the shelf bare. Why do developers create these oddballs? Less is more I think.

a tapestry on the larger wall and a huge pot near the corner. Remove the thing over the door or it will be too much.

My first instinct is to remove the existing wall hanging and find some whimsical art. Maybe a Humpy dumpy or a unicyclist or a leopard with sequin eyes. A pot or a plant or dried flowers just makes me yawn.

i llike it just as is....just let it be. there are plenty of nice things in your house to look at already!! no one is walking in and going...omg why doesnt she have anything on that ledge lol. heres a thought what about painting the edge or trim there that is white, the wall color. take the metal art and hang it in that hall. i think that is the only trim in the room.