I did a similar entry for a client of mine, with some bright, happy art, and some silk plants and a new chandelier- and it turned out really pretty. Unfortunately the photos I have are very dark, because it was rainy the day of installation, and I haven't been back -

No silk plants but how about some interesting glass art on the ledges and maybe a new wall color on the side where the railing is.

1. Paint will do wonders. Paint your walls in a lighter greige--similar to the lighter tones in your carpet. Paint trim in existing white.

2. Replace the light w/simple, modern drum.

3. Clean the tile grout.

4. No decor on shelves. Keep it clean and open and use the tall wall for a few large canvases that relate to each other. Could do bright and fun color canvas or keep it serene w/black and whites. Start w/one that you love and work from there.

5. Wait on painting the door until you have rest of items refreshed and then decide/add later. A rectangular entry rug would be nice focal point for your eye as well.

When I see places like this, I think wall mural....something airy and interesting. Maybe get a student from a nearby art school to paint a scene...windows looking out a ladscape. I think that painting the door a bright color would help too and/or an entry mat/rug. Scupture may work on the ledges although I would leave them empty..... if ypu use sculptures, you'd need solid heavy ones that won't be easily tipped over. Just my 2 cents.

Go bold with bright white and stripes on the stairs and bright, modern vases on those shaves (I would remove the small basket you have there for keys - it looks a bit frumpy).

There's potential here!

A fun wall color- just not too dark- a round printed rug, and couple of accessories with go a long way! A small collage of mirrors will help brighten the room. There are some pretty realistic artificial plants out there; a small one on the stairwell ledge would help achieve a fresh and inviting look!

Best of luck with your project!

You need a mirror, for sure, and I would continue on with the black accent and paint the interior doors black and the railing black.

What's your budget? Changing the materials on the stairs gives you the most options but it's the most expensive. For starters (and for cheap) I'd put some large round woven baskets with a colored pattern on the shelves (can even be functional! One for hats, one for gloves, etc. or not). would paint the handrail black to balance the two sides. And add an entry rug.

Can't see what's there now but some sort of landing strip across from the garage door would be great. Mirror, little a ledge or shelf for mail/keys, even a bench if there is room.

I like Judy G's suggestion. Especially the handrail painted black and the black door. Paint the walls white like the photo below.

I would also change out that carpeting for something more dramatic similar to what imckuin posted above.

Here is one done in black and white that gives you that dramatic feeling IMO without going over the top:

In your stairway, I would put large art above the first two shelves on the left (pic 2 you posted) with nothing on the shelf itself. Nice bright art. It really could be stunning.

You might do something like this on the wall to the right of the main entrance (across from garage door):

The stairs seem a bit narrow to me for a continuous series of prints. However, for looking down, you could paint the inside of your front door a bright color, and for looking up, one or two large posters on the right could be good. I like the idea of making the railing darker, and I think I'd want to put a couple of things on those shelves, but only things that are heavy or wouldn't break easily if a coat tail caught them...

Somebody beat me to getting a patterned stair runner. If that's out of the budget, do start with a great indoor-outdoor rug:

Or a rug that looks tile like:

Consider painting both your front door and top of the stairs doors a color from the rug or black if you're going with a black and white hall door.

--Paint your railing black in any case.

--Get a natural basket to park umbrellas or wet shoes at the bottom of the stairs to the left:

--Hang a rustic wood rack for the wall with an eye level mirror over it:

Check out Etsy for a wonderful mobile and see if you can find someone with a ladder to hang it.

I absolutely love the patterned stairway carpet ideas! Genius. If changing the carpet is not an option for you, why not try some colorful, framed prints on the walls, or mirrors to open up the space? I don't like the silk plant ideas... just my taste. Good luck in your new home.

Well, the black ledges aren't brightening it up. I would paint them white like the rest of your trim. Put the focus at your feet. Consider replacing the blah floor tiles with some color. Then pick up a color you love from the new tile and paint the steps, adding a plain runner over them. If that's not alive enough pull a color from the tile up on to the doors.

Color, pattern, excitement

Just a bit more color - I would want a lighter runner though

These ideas are really helpful!

I like
the ideas about the bright wall art. A mural would look great, but
since it's a high traffic area, scuffs and niks would eventually ruin
it. Starting with 1 piece I really love is a good beginning.

I am going to keep the existing carpet. It's in great shape and I like the color.

The colorful rug idea is a definite!

imhofan
- A lighter greige paint is just what I had in mind too. Good call on
waiting to paint the door until the rest of the decor is in place. Do
you have some examples of a cleaner more updated modern drum lighting
you would suggest?

I am open to some decor on the shelves, but very minimal and would need to be stable instead of breakable.

Nanke- I hadn't thought of a round rug, but I actually like the one you suggested.

I am definitely open to adding mirrors, but where?

JudyG and kayled- Black doors and/or railing is something I had even considered, but it could work to bring balance.

acm-
WOW! I love the visual of the colorful art!! This is very helpful! For
your other suggestion of hooks, it is just too narrow. The front door
would not be able to open fully with anything behind it on that wall
without hitting it.

housegal- A mobile looks whimsical and fun. I like the idea of it, but not sure about placement logistics.

What about some sort of key hooks/mirror hanging above the first ledge next to the garage door? I am going to remove the existing key holder basket in the pictures.

This is so fun and I appreciate all of the suggestions. Keep them coming!

Drums just as Melissa posted would look great. I am out the door but will post any others I see later.

i would consider a small "porthole" type mirror on wall at first ledge. Tray on ledge with a lidded box to hide keys/visual clutter.

At Christmas some battery op candles in hurricanes of various sizes could be welcoming on the ledges.

Love seagrass rugs in other rooms, but they get wet and dirty in an entryway. Also the current stair runner is already the tan color. IMO, the entryway needs pattern at the bottom or on the stairs.

Are the tops of your black ledges wood? If so, can they be removed or painted the same color as your trim? I would put a mirror over the first ledge and a small tray for keys. To check your hair as you go out the door........Second shelf, either a matching mirror or a art print of the same size as your first shelf mirror. On the shelf a pretty low vase with flowers.....need not be glass...they make some pretty plastic vases or even a wooden box filled with artificial grapes spilling out of the top.. On the third shelf...a couple of pretty books. On the other side, you could leave the railing alone or paint it white like your woodwork if you want. And either one large art print or three smaller ones going up the steps.

erinsean- The ledges are granite, so they'll stay black. I can picture a round/porthole mirror above the first ledge like imhofan mentioned too, and tray for keys.

imhofan- The battery operated candle idea feels very cozy and welcoming for winter or even fall. I'm really loving your ideas!

Good luck starting your improvements! It's going to look so nice! Will be worth it! Post ur pics!