If it's the first thing you see on entry, then I'd get a small table from a thrift store or IKEA to hold a catch all for keys/wallet/phone, and put up coat hooks to hold hats, scarves, jackets and bags. If you want it less cluttered, or you don't need functional, you just want some visual appeal, then a collection of baskets (again, you can thrift 'em), travel souvenirs, postcards, photographs, or maps would do nicely. Add a plant or an umbrella stand if you need something on the floor to balance it out.

I have some tricky corners in my home. I made a little gallery of photos in one. In another, I put a corner display shelf that I found at an antique fair... not sure what your style is, but I am certain there is a contemporary/modern equivalent... perhaps a corner bookshelf. Or a plant on a nice stand. Or mounted wall shelves on which to display your pretty things.

Well, I always like creating a little "mud room" like space in entry ways... maybe hang some hooks on the wall and get a small bench/chair to place there. Target has fairly cheap ottoman things in two sizes which also offer storage inside. Win win for city apartments :) Have fun exploring Vancouver!

What about a tall plant/tree that has some height and interesting colors or leaf-shape in a nice vibrant pot. I have a false palm that is about 18 years old. Its a little odd, but I love it.

we had a corner unit built it really wasn't that expensive and I use it for the kids cooking tools.

How about a ficus?

Bookshelf with all the cookbooks! Or whatever other books one has, with a few objet d'art and a photo or two. Corner library!

Oh and/or a mirror.

a coatrack

Leave it empty and make your kids put their nose in it when they misbehave.

Keep it nice and clutter-free, just get as big of a painting as it will hold. Something that gives an indication of who you are, what your style is, and says "welcome to our space".

What about an umbrella stand? AT had some great suggests back in October I think...

www.melovely.posterous.com

I like the idea of putting a tall big leaf plant there but sometimes there's the issue of the plant being to close to the wall when they're in tight corners. You'd have to be careful with the plant that you choose so that it doesn't look too cramped. Maybe a small rectangle wood table (to go with the furniture already in that space) with a small potted plant so that it fills the space without it looking cluttered. A mirror or artwork on the wall that faces the entrance may look nice but the plant may be enough to give the area a welcoming feel without overcrowding it. To add personality: you could add a small bowl, a framed photo, an ornament...... etc. Make a tablescape??? I think it's referred to as a vignette in design terms... ?? At the moment I'm looking at different displays to put in trays and typing tray or table vignette into my search engine has given me some great inspiration. :)

One of my favorite bloggers just tackled this issue. As a renter, you might not be able to do quite what she did (install board and batten trim), but you could probably find some mounted all hooks that achieve a similar effect.
http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/01/style-storage-a-bare-wall-transformed/

I would make a family photo wall and perhaps mix in one or more mirrors as well, that way you combine two very important things and lose no space:
#1 it's always great to have a last check on you appearance before leaving the apartment
and
#2 it's absolutely wonderful to see all your loved-ones the minute you walk in :o)

That's my 5p ;o)
Good luck!

I wouldn't rush to fill empty space, especially in a small apartment. If you wait, the right purpose will probably appear to you. I think some artwork on the wall might be nice if you want it to be decorative.

a table, lamp on the table.if you can find a outlet nearby. Mirrors going all the way to ceiling

I would do either some photos (or other artwork of your choice) since it is a small space. And - if you don't have something already - a small table or something to dump keys and the mail. Even a narrow end table or small sideboard would work for this.

should we have congruent tastes...here's what i did with mine..

http://www.alibaba.com/product-free/103260823/Carved_Wood_Statue.html

love her! m

mirror on the wall--small table--blooming orchid on the table

A thin table with drawers/shelving with a smaller, attractive plant on top.

My first thought was a large plant...like the idea of a small table w/a key/wallet catch though...

A tiny table with a plant or vase on it maybe. If the area doesn't get a lot of light get a low light plan. Or you could just hang some narrow pieces of art or pictures on the wall and leave the floor space empty.

What do you need?

An entry table w/ a mirror above?
Shelves for books?
A plant?
A chair w/ artwork above?

Then again, you needn't feel like you absolutely must purchase anything just for the sake of having something there...

A nice plant in a colorful pot and a framed drawing or poster - if you don't want to invest money in a painting - that matches the pot's colour

A French pot rack would do nicely. It can be useful (think baskets or small platters, or even propped up pictures.) decorative (think pottery or plants) or just architectural. It doesn't take much floor space and takes up less visual space.

I would put shelving in, at least up high. Then, depending on what you need/fits your style: small table with stool, plant, shelving all the way down if you need more storage, shoe rack/hanging hooks if it near the entry.

Depending on what you would be reflecting, a mirror might be useful and nice looking - but really look at what shows in the reflection before settling on that idea. In addition to a mirror you could put wall hooks - which don't necessary have to be high - they could be more midway below the mirror, just to accommodate jackets not full length coats. I use wall hooks to also hang a couple of decorative items like a nice weaved hat, some necklaces that are pretty but I just don't really wear, etc. A med. size, bucket style basket or metal container at the bottom can double as an umbrella stash or other storage.

Removable vinyl stickers - tons available at tjmaxx, marshalls, homegoods, etc. Silouettes of birds, trees, chandeliers, tables, chairs, etc. It would make the corner look "done" without taking up any space.

a plant.

I would put a small, but comfortable chair, artwork (You can probably make your own for pretty cheap, or cut images you like out of a magazine), and a small wall-hung bookshelf, as a sort of compact reading nook.

Round stool and artwork

If ti's the first thing you see, it should be your landing strip, of course!

So: mirror, a place for keys, coat hooks/rack, a place for mail, memo board.

i would hang a plant from a wall bracket. then have a little round table or shelves underneath with a tray for keys etc...

I second (or third or fourth) the idea of a small table and some coat hooks. Most would kill for a landing strip and you have enough space for this.

Before I could advise you the best feng shui solution, I would need to see the layout of the floorplan showing exactly where the corner is. IE: "it's the first thing you see when entering the apt" but which wall? The shorter wall of the corner faces the entry or the longer wall? A framed mirror over a little table, an orchid plant on the table reflecting in the mirror. Perhaps a Buddah as well if you're so inclined...the idea is to have a tranquil and pleasing visual as your first impression and makes you happy to be home.

PS:click on @zhuiqui70's profile and hit the "report spam" button everyone! This spammer has got to go!

I would hang a lantern and if you have to cover the chain, to connect it from a distance, wrap it with strips of burlap or a thick threaded fabric so it makes a statement. Then anchor into the wall a triangular shelf into the corner. Rotate an orchid one week, a Buddha or angel the next, a glass bowl with a cut flower, a skinny vase with a tree branch, but change it from time to time. The light will bring you illumination for the beautiful forms. You will invite your company into your house with grace.
If you don't like the color of the wall, a simple banner of fabric with two tiny bamboo sticks, top and bottom, hung on the wall you see as you enter, works wonders. You can change the banner for various seasons: solid one season, a print fabric another.

We have this in a similar corner in our house: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20154591 (It doesn't look like much on screen, but looks much more natural inside a home). While technically a bathroom item, it's incredibly handy for mail and key drop-off, shoe storage, etc. It used to hold attractive, decorative items before we had kids.

Definitely NOT a plant, it's obvious there's not enough room nor light for it. When swinging past the corner on your way from one area to the next it'll catch on your clothing. All the other ideas are sound but personally I'd love turning it into a little landing strip vignette with a little table and basket for keys, a simple shelf down low for shoes under and above, maybe a shelf higher up or artwork as many others have suggested. Please let us know what appeals to you and what you end up doing. Many of us have been in this tight a spot before and others' personal solutions can be charming to view.

My pop made me an amazing framed chalkboard with a flip-up lidded mail/stuff space attached. Looks kinda like something you'd see in an old schoolhouse. Anyways, it's wicked handy and I'm sure you could DIY a two-piece by combining a floating shelf or drawer with a writing surface or a mirror (which are awesome for light AND dry-erase markers! double points!)

How about Ikea's Laiva desk. It is a small desk and it's only $25. You could tuck a small chair underneath and use it as a desk or just have it for key's and things.

I would use something like this:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80129853
You can put a small bowl on top for keys and mail. Maybe even add a skinny vase for flowers. There's a drawer to put mitts and hats in. The bottom shelf could hold shoes. Add a tall mirror on the wall behind it and you're done.

I think you could do a version of any of these (if you don't have something like this already in your home) on a more vertical scale.

http://www.whatsupwhimsy.com/2010/06/front-entryways-i-dream-of.html

If you already have an space like this then maybe some shelving for displaying art or a collection like this:

http://cocomale.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/SPACE_1.jpg