apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

A bright patterned or Seagrass wallpaper would be nice.

Stencil a high-graphic diamond medallion - something brocade-ish. Or blackboard paint with a new poem every so often.

A huge mirror?

I have a very similar landing except to the right is a solid wall. The solid wall is a bit of a boon, as I was able to hang a full-length mirror there to expand the space. Obviously you couldn't hang one on the wall facing the stairs in case anybody admiring themselves would step back and fall down the stairs :O

What I did do on the wall facing the stairs was put up one of those Ikea picture ledges upsidedown, which gives you a shelf 10cm deep. I have small things like candle lanterns, a small vase of silk flowers, etc on it. And above I have a picture of a mountain range - originally I had a different picture, but I realised that a picture with a good "depth" to it was better for such a small space. I also have a pendant lamp with a nice shade, which is reflected in the glass of the picture, so it also gives it a bit of a sense of depth beyond the wall.

I would do something like a patterned stencil or wallpaper, maybe with a mirror?

How about a trompe l'oeil painting on the solid wall that makes it look like the space just keeps continuing?

...how about a tall narrow mirror in the center that reaches almost to the top....wouldnt that extend the "look". Or turn the spot into a 'tokonoma'
(tiny japanese alcove), hang a long thin scroll, and put
some welcoming sculpture or plant on the floor?

wall decals?

Don't know what's behind that wall at the top, but you could take the drywall down and get some depth for accessories or actual storage between the struds.

Paint it, a color you'd never dream of using in a larger space. Or wallpaper, but again, something bold. (You can even splurge a little since the space is pretty small).

Whatever you do, don't put anything on the ground, or install wall shelves with knick-knacks or whatever on them. Both will crowd the space even more and stuff constantly be knocked around or tripped over (which could be a hazard). Not to mention how annoying it'll be in terms of cleaning.

I like the funky wallpaper idea. Something to wake you up on your way to the bathroom in the morning. Or the "shelves-between-studs" thing, which really isn't a very difficult project. I wouldn't do shelves there otherwise -- too easy to knock stuff over.

I would NOt do shelves - cluttery. How about a bunch of tiny little mirrors all different shapes and sizes, hung in a fun pattern- enough to give a feeling of fun and destination while coming up the stairs, not so much that it feels overwhelming...

Paint something bold or do what idontdobeige suggested, hang a pic that has depth...to go beyond that wall.

Hang a vintage clock.

It looks too cramped for shelves. Bumbleebee's decal idea maybe.

If it were my house, I think I'd paint the wall in a metallic paint (copper, possibly) and hang an Asian scroll painting. They are attractive, don't take up floor space, and make the space seem taller. (I actually do have a scroll painting hanging on a stair landing, but since the wall extends much further, I skipped the metallic paint w hich I only used in the foyer... Mostly they are landscapes, so it's a nice view ascending the stairs.) If you don't like Asian art, a similar effect wuld be to use two fairly large framed posters or photographs hung one above the other, pretty much filling the space.

I don't second putting anything three-dimensional on the floor or wall, though -- I think you'd constantly be brushing against it moving across the landing.

an oversized clock. i have a 36" clock that would be perfect for that spot.

mirror!

I think metallic painted stars might be very chic in this space. You could use a stencil as well.

a wall mural of more stairs

I'd hang another door. Even better, hang it so that it opens and blows people's minds when they try to use it.

how about textured wall panels like the ones at www.modulararts.com? you can paint them a bright complimentary color.

or maybe a favorite photo, enlarged, and cut into portions to form a mosaic, like the ones at www.blockposters.com?

Something to draw the eye, like a mirror or art, above practical hooks for hanging bags, keys, jackets, etc.

Definitely mirror.

I think that "tokonoma" would be lovely. Unless you have little ones, I wouldn't worry about placing a little plant of the ground. A mirror is also a great idea as well.

I actually like the idea of a shelf.

I think that because this little landing is located in a sort of "personal" space (in between your bedroom and bathroom), maybe it is a perfect spot to put a personal little "collection" on a shelf.

So maybe something that you wouldn't display in your living room, but has a more sentimental meaning to you. Like travel knicknacks or maybe a small toy from when you were a kid. A rock you found when you were little.

I say keep the shelf small and not deep, and measure carefully when hanging so the stuff wouldn't get knocked off my a shoulder as you're turning the corner.

If your house is truly tiny and has a correspondingly small bedroom, look into turning the full wall separating the bedroom from the stairs into a half wall and getting the feel of more space in both areas. Make sure the wall is not load bearing. Even if it is, you might be able to get a contractor to leave a post at the top of the stairs and put in a beam to support the ceiling.

As it is a 'teeny tiny house' I guess you might be wanting something interesting & usefull? You could utalise the area with the likes of ikeas 'Trones' shoe cabnet.. http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/10031987 (doesn't have to be just for shoes) they are cheap as chips and only 18cm deep so you will have plenty space to move freely without fear of knocking bits off yourself or the shelves- not interesting enough?- I've been known to drill holes in them for ventilation and pop lighting into a unit or two. Or you could use the space as a bold family/pets silhouette portrait gallery :)

Hang a mobile or wind chimes from the ceiling, then paint a chevron or diamond to frame it.
Art mobiles
Photoclip mobiles

A large mirror on a walkway is an accident waiting to happen. Children, people with poor eyesight, tired people, buzzed people and klutzes will walk into it. Then you will have to clean the glass off the stairs, blood off the walls, and have bad luck, which is really inconvenient. Put a trellis screen or something over a "fake space" mirror.

a few ideas:
randomly placed hooks to hang stuff you don't want to clutter up the bedroom or bathroom such as: bags, towels, bathrobe, hats, etc.

shallow shelves like Aaron suggests, but rather than books, vinyl records with cool cover art. you can choose ones reflective of your taste in music or go for themes, or seasonal or change it up depending on your mood. they're cheap so there's a lot of potential for little money.

the only other thing i can think of that hasn't been said is a single window blind with a cool/funky pattern or texture. depending on the style you might be able to hang stuff from it too using small hooks.

I have two suggestions:

1. Insert a skylight above if possible?
2. On the wall itself, maybe commission (or try to create) a beautiful tiled mosaic to occupy the whole wall?

Sunan's idea of a picture of more stairs blows all other ideas out of the water! LOVE it! I'd do it trompe l'oeil right on the wall, though. . . .