I don't think it's deep enough to worry about and would also just leave it bare (most likely). I'd hate to block any of what looks to be a gorgeous view out the window that can currently be clearly seen from the stairs. I have a large niche over my front door - almost the size of a little room - and I do have items up there, but yours is so nicely compact that it actually reads more like an element belonging to the door frame itself and is best left alone IMO.

Don’t put anything on the ledge…no matter how clever your design, it will exacerbate 80’s.

My suggestion is to make the front door and sidelights look larger than the window. You could accomplish that with a thin rod and simple white panels on either side of the door.

I would leave it alone as well

I never understood the appeal of those ledges. Putting plants up there is not "dated," it's just a bad idea.

I'd leave it as is, and then the only thing you have to worry about is dusting it every once in a while.

Leave it alone, buy a pretty rug for your entry.

That being said, I had a ledge like that when my kids were little. Mine had bit more room for stuff. I put large topiaries on either side of the window (it was the 90s!).

We also used it to display large, dramatic holiday decorations that my kids loved. A giant snowman in the winter and enormous pumpkin in the fall.

paint the shelf color of wall and let it just blend in and disappear. Looks like yours is already wall color. They are dust collectors so just keep it dusted

Nothing there, but do put some artwork on the walls.

If you like super traditional designs, I could see a sculpture up there.

Otherwise it looks fine bare.

Thank you, all! It looks like the clear consensus is to leave it be but also to add pictures and rugs to complete the entryway. That makes total sense and makes me realize that perhaps what I really dislike about the entryway is THAT DOOR! Any suggestions for working with that, short of replacing the entire 80's monstrosity?

JudyG Designs: I like your idea about curtains- would you say that one of the reasons the entryway looks odd is because the window is too large relative to the door and its sidelights?

Our vacation home had one of those very large round top windows over the front entry double doors, and a double height ceiling. We ultimately decided to make the entry one-story high, replaced the double doors with a single door and side lights, and added a second story office with an appropriately sized window (no round top.) It was worth the $$ to change out the 80s-90s trend to a more classic look.

You might consider saving up to make a more substantial change at a future date.

Decorate where the people live; usually below the first floor door and window frames.

I agree with all to leave it alone. It is a great spot for holiday decorations