apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I think your instincts about putting in shelves or something tall are on target; what you've got in there doesn't use the height of it.

Or you could paint a little mural inside there...

I'd try and keep it simple and not cluttered with visible storage
by using some colorful, graphic, graduated stacking boxes (maybe from container store?)
Some other organic, non-cluttered options:
a tall, skinny orchid in a striking vase/planter
a huge glass hurricane with sand or pebbles and a candle or bamboo (feng shui)

It's hard to get an idea of scale for that space, but I agree with sfgirl, a tall slender vase or group of vases would look nice there if properly lit. I'm a big fan of the Palmetto vases from Crate & Barrel.

Might also look nice to paint it one shade deeper than what's on the wall; anything you put in there will really pop.

Because I have loads of three dimensional art, I would use that niche to house one of my sculptures. I don't think that every square inch of surface needs to be devoted to the utilitarian.

some bamboo would be great there. since it will lengthen it. i would call it a day and just stick fresh flowers there. well, and paint that niche a different color.

This is my favorite niche in AT history:
Why don't you paint your niche racer pink?

Just a little color inspiration.

Looking at how nicely you've lined up the wood-framed mirror with the niche, I immediately want to use the niche itself to organize my collection of small santos and icons, with a visually heavy pottery bowl sitting on the ledge below them to balance the mirror frame. Alas, I don't live with you... but if you have small art that needs a home, the niche is a natural for framing it into a single visual object.

if you don't want to have one tall item, maybe put in two glass shelves, this will keep it from feeling too cluttered but give you more options for filling the space/and re-arranging your display( the best part!!)
use the bottom shelf to draw a paper template ( as it is an odd shape) and get two pieces of glass cut to fit- then use small metal brackets to hold in place!!( these aren't super strong so display items only please!!)
BB

Don't use it for storage. (will look cluttered).

Go for a simple, elegant sculpture to fill that space.

I'd paint that niche a deep color to make it pop and use it for a piece of art, sculpture, or floral arrangement. Oooh I just thought of something else... it would be a little high maintenance BUT I think it would be great to paint it a bold color, then add a striking vase and keep it filled with fresh white gladiolus 24/7.

I hope you'll post the "after" photos!
~Monica

Hang a chandelier in there. That would be so hot.

Thanks to everyone who offered up suggestions for the little entryway niche in my condo. I agree that the space is best served by putting a nice piece of sculptured art or a tall vase. The vase shown in the picture is really too small but it's hard to get my wife to replace it as it holds quite a bit of significance for her (wedding gift).

Hahaha, the chandelier would be hot.