Where is the front door? We need to see pictures of more of the area, please.

I agree with both my fellow houzzers. Without more info, I suggest a built-in something to house what looks like the coat hook, and art on the blank wall. But if I'm right about the entrance, what do people see as they walk through that door?

Please hover your cursor on the pic to see all three of my questions. Oh dear, the possibilities may be miraculous, but the limitations are so irritating.

This is an apartment and has a small entry way as you can see. The door on the left is the entrance and it faces a long corridor of rooms. As you enter one must turn right, hence the tables, to go into the hall.

Those things near the tables, as you asked, are the fireplace tools, which of course, can be placed elsewhere.

Hi again. I've been short of time today (and the evening is fast gathering here), so starting with the last picture you posted, I see that a built-in unit wouldn't be practical as there is no space to open the doors. And who am I kidding? Who opens doors when they can just dump the shoes on the floor? So I'm hoping you could move the umbrella stand (?) to the corner on the left outside of the niche, and then there might be room for a unit such as the one below as a combined stool/shoe-storage space. If not, one or two baskets such as the one below (from Ikea), tucked under a bench with a pretty seating cushion would do a lot to make the niche more appealing. Make the cushion really cheerful and pretty -- a grey/apricot/white stripe would be great, if I'm reading the colours correctly. If you have another colour going with the grey/apricot in the rest of the apartment, it might work to paint the inside of the niche in that colour (lots of ifs and mights here, but I'm sure you understand why).

I think that all you need to get some wow into the area with the two tables, which are very attractive, is a big, cheerful picture. The one below is a quick grab from Fineart.com. It might not be your cup of tea, but I'm sure you can see how much something that lively would bring a lift to the space.

Thanks! I will try these.

Good luck finding just what you want.

I like the idea of a bench like the one above with art above.