I would suggest a backless settee with arms, maybe slipcovered for a an informal look, (see Maxine Snider Inc's Left Bank Settee for inspiration) and then two small round side tables at either end, style with books and a vase so as to dissuade others from dropping junk onto the surfaces.

Whatever you choose make it a high quality leather or vinyl that will not stain and is easy to wipe down. Community furniture gets nasty quickly.

What about a long upholstered (cleanable) bench just shorter than the length of the wall? I don't think tables are necessary.

A bench would work within your budget. Or two chairs flanking a small end table with a metal top for durability. Leather is best for public spaces.

A couple of leather club chairs with a small glass table

What about a steel-and-glass console table with matching oversized mirror on the wall between the sconces, and then two dark-colored chairs in both corners. The table could be a place to put flowers or a sculpture (which should discourage people from putting stuff on it -- who does this, anyway?), people always appreciate mirrors on their way out, and the chairs should not be too comfortable to also discourage people from hanging around!

This isn't ideal, but it fits within your budget (and you could punch it up with a brightly-patterned ikat bolster or some graphic pillows):

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/JAR-Designs-The-Huntley-Smoke-Sofa/4804011/product.html

...The back might be too high for the placement of that clock (why a clock? Why not a mirror instead?). Do you have access to "to the trade only" vendors? Might have better luck there.

Bench or sofa would be inexpensive, easy and definitely fit in the space. I wouldn't overthink it.

I was thinking two overstuffed arm chairs until I read trishdom's comment.

A salvaged church pew would look wonderful in that space!

A leather chesterfield sofa.

Go with trishdom's idea! Long wooden bench!

I was thinking bench too, and I loved @trishdom's idea of a church pew. Something not too comfortable so people don't loiter. ;)

I like the church pew idea. A long windsor bench would be nice too. I think West Elm makes a modern one.

A storage bench? Or a storage ottoman flanked with a pair of chairs? I too would suggest leather for its durability.

A bench of some sort seems the logical choice, and love the idea of the church pew. Maybe even metal or wrought iron. I'd avoid anything upholstered as I assume this area wouldn't be meant for people to lounge..no need for anything too comfy or high-maintenance. Maybe add some cushions in a Sunbrella-type fabric.

I would DEFINITELY replace the clock with a mirror. Put a Tall shallow table (sofa table) in front of the mirror that could hold a vase of flowers but not big enough to collect junk. And put two armchairs in front of the table angled toward each other.

Church bench;)

I like all of the suggestions for chair-based seating with a small center table and a mirror instead of the clock. But no one has mentioned any plants or greenery - if that's a window to the right, you could easily find some beautiful low-maintenance indoor plants to being a little more "life" to this space.

If you're looking for more creative inspiration, just wander through a few local hotels. They all have similar spaces in their lobby and elevator landing areas...see what you like and what new ideas might be out there. Boutique hotels are especially good for thinking a little outside the box, if that's what you had in mind.

I have lots of ideas. The bench is definitely good for easy seating (I like this one because it goes well with the color scheme, isn't expensive and cleans easily: sofa). Alternatively, you could have two chairs, one on either side of a nice plant stand or small table (these chairs are pretty and look comfy too: patio chairs). I like the second idea because it gives visual variety and it allows for less awkward seating in case two strangers happen into the lobby at the same time. These are just some of wonderful curiosities bouncing around my cranium! I've got more if you're interested :) Good luck!

I like the clock. Not knowing what the rest of the lobby is like, I get the feeling this is a transition type space with people coming and going, and the clock adds to that feeling. Like a old fashioned train or bus station. So go with similar seating, maybe even salvaged from an actual station if possible? Or the church pew or a similar wooden bench would work with this idea as well. Definitely avoid upholstery, and as a vegetarian I say no leather either! Besides, though it is more durable than most, a pet's claws or someone's wayward keys can still ruin it. I also vote for lots of plants!

Church pew might still attract clutter. A series of leather poufs? An asymmetrical leather chaise with a big urn or something sculptural? A tall bookcase in the middle with leather club chairs flanking?

I like the Nelson bench/planter combo that a friend of mine has - here's a similar one http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_l3lmdfhRJG1qbh5kqo1_1280.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJ6IHWSU3BX3X7X3Q&Expires=1305822607&Signature=U2S28ZwpfbxzEJb1%2BtAWumIPNww%3D It is versatile but doesn't really match the clock, but would fit nicely in that space otherwise.

This or one like it in red. It would look great, but you'd have to find one in your budget or ask for more money. Please post a picture of what you decide!

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20753240&catId=HOME-FURNITURE&pushId=HOME-FURNITURE&popId=HOME&navAction=jump&navCount=0&color=037&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&isSubcategory=true&subCategoryId=HOME-FURNITURE-SOFAS

2 wing chairs on either side of credenza/book shelf. is this a modern space?

I love the idea of a church pew, I really do, but paired with that clock, wouldn't it look a little too 1930's-train-station-in-Wales?

I was going to say church pew! But I see others have beat me to it. It may not fit the vibe of this space very well, but would be good and convenient seating without encouraging loitering or suffering stains/rips in the upholstery.

A couple of these chairs with a small table between them ? Definitely NOT a church pew; they are very cliched.

http://www.westelm.com/products/sweep-arm-leather-chair-g177/?pkey=cchairs-ottomans-benches

Since the shadows cast by the double light fixtures are so interesting, why not put a chair in the void under the clock and another under the window with a small table in the corner.

Would it be possible to put people's drive to create the garage-sale clutter to use with a small bookcase thats clearly defined as a "give-take-books only" library?

Something like the Asti Bench from Ekitta would be great. It has a built in table for resting a book or a coffee while you wait but not big enough to get cluttered. I like that's it's sophisticated but simple so it won't compete with the rest of the space. Ekitta is a little pricey but I'm sure there are other things along this line that might work:

http://www.ekitta.com/

The first thing that came to my mind was church pew.

If you can afford it, a custom, tufted banquette with two small, round wood tables in front

Leather-upholstered storage bench, similar to this (similar slightly vintage look as the clock and sconces):

http://www.benchesbythebunches.com/Heritage-Court-Leather-Storage-Bench-in-Dark-Cocoa-Finish.htm

(You can use the storage compartment to store things like those little signs alerting residents to slippery floors, or rolled-up floor mats used for bad weather.)

Flank the bench with two plants (not too tall or wide - maybe topiary?); since the space is very neutral, it might be nice to use these to provide a small pop of color. You might put a flowering topiary in a metal-finish or neutral planter like these:

http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Square_Metal_Planter/140/

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/tuscan-pedestal-planters-white/?pkey=ccachepots-planters

...or a green plant in a glazed ceramic container, like one of these:

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/saigon-planters/?pkey=ccachepots-planters

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/sale/new-sale/aloe-planters/f39494

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=teal+planter&hl=en&prmd=ivns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=1419596232482594437&sa=X&ei=5QbUTfz5Lujk0QHso9j7Cw&ved=0CHoQ8wIwBA#

http://www.orientalfurnishings.com/OrientalFurnitureAtt.aspx?furnitureitem=190&ModelNumber=C-199

Or perhaps use a couple of ceramic garden stools as plant stands/end tables? The small surface area would discourage the accumulation of clutter.

http://www.expressionscatalog.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=E91746&srccode=NXCEC6&utm_source=google&utm_medium=comparison&utm_campaign=datafeed

A pair of club chairs with a lamp table in between might be more inviting than a cold, hard bench.
Interestingly, the lobby of my building includes a sitting area with sofa, club chair and end tables. There is a small console table adjacent with a mirror over it. In a long niche, there is a large piece similar to a sideboard. No one EVER sits on the furniture, but the sideboard area is in constant use. Papers are left there in the morning, some mail and packages, and information on social and community events. We also all leave books and magazines to be gleaned by someone else after we have finished them. Which I really like.

I'd suggest a pair of dining room armchairs with either a large planter or small occasional table between them. Something well made like a contemporary take on a Louis XVI, with seating areas that can be easily recovered. I'd stay away from club chairs or sofas, the idea would be to offer occasional seating, not encourage loitering or "hanging out".

There is a great piece on ebay right now. It is Henredon, bamboo and stone, and less than a grand. It would look great in that space. Search: Henredon Bamboo 66"

My mom had the same thing in her condo lobby. There is a beautiful mirror where your clock is. They put an armless but with a back "couch" custom uphostered in a tough ultrasuede that is nearly indestructable. They had a custom made table made of granite that is so heavy no body can steal or move it. It does not collect junk. They have many elderly people in the condo that need a place to sit while they are waiting to be picked up for rides.

By the way any pamphlets or notices are in the mail room, not the lobby.

$1500 seems like a lot. A bench with a back on it, and upholstered cushions, maybe in an indoor/outdoor fabric so it's easy to clean. No tables - you put a table in there and you're going to get clutter. Flank the bench with a couple of planters, maybe some ficus trees depending on the sunlight and whether you have anyone who'll take responsibility for watering them. I say skip spending much money on anything you'd hang on the wall - too easy for someone to come in and walk off with it, unless you bolt it down (also, if there are families with children in the building, you don't want them to climb up on the bench and pull a heavy mirror down on their head). A small indoor/outdoor rug (but it needs to be on a very effective rug pad so as not to invite litigious people who slip easily). That's all you need.

I say a simple 1-2 person bench, no back, no sides. And a planter box with mixed-height foliage. There are a lot of plant options that just require weekly watering... (Ficus can be tricky) A resident might appreciate the opportunity to have a small "garden" and lobbies are usually so sterile and boxy.

Just a question: why would you NOT like people to hang out? Wouldn't a hang out space be desirable?

In any case, regardless of if you want people to hang out (comfortably) or not (uncomfortably), it would be practical to have some sort of seating.

Even if uncomfortably, there are always times when somebody will have to wait for something or somebody else - a friend waiting for you to come down, a spouse running back to get something s/he forgot, you waiting for a friend.

If you go with the uncomfortable, I think the 1930s-train-station-in-Wales look would be awesome and underscore the transiency of the space. Add a steamer trunk or a stack of old suitcases for effect. And you can always add some plants to soften the space.

Definitely 2 overstuffed arm chairs with a small, tall table in between.

My first thought was also a chuch pew. My sister got one years ago off of eBay for their kitchen and it's worn like iron. It would be such an interesting look for that space.

It's a section of wall in the lobby of a condo, not a lounge type lobby, like a hotel. Having a place to sit while waiting for someone or a cab is fine, having people hang out in an area like this just seems...creepy. If you've invited people over, shouldn't have them in your apartment, not hanging out in the lobby. People spending longer periods of time in the lobby would probably increase wear and tear/vandalism.

The clock in the photo put me to mind of an old fashioned train station. Look at photos of Union Station in Los Angeles and y will see what I mean. Perhaps the same type of seating they have there, I think they are called club chairs, and small art deco type side tables.

I think a museum bench would be a good choice.

I think a beautiful wooden Radio Gram/Stereo Gram would look fantastic there it would be different and if you actually want to use it you could use it for records or music ($5 and you can make a AM transmitter for an mp3 player to use the speakers if you didn't want modify a perfectly good unit

One good bench with easy-to-clean upholstery in a nice color (moss green?) (http://bit.ly/kBxWF7, http://bit.ly/kaSDOn, http://bit.ly/kaSDOn) one big and two smaller plants. If you have money left over, get a funny/unexpected accent piece: http://etsy.me/iFWf71

I would go with the leather or vinyl club chairs with a small end table as well. You could nix the table for a shared ottoman if you think a table would encourage too much stuff.

I like the settee idea as well, but I wouldn't do armless.

We had chairs similar to this in the lobby of my old apartment (and in the party room):
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Frederick-Dark-Brown-Leather-Club-Chair/4765232/product.html
They'd work well in the space and be easy to clean. With this as a table:
http://www.overstock.com/Worldstock-Fair-Trade/Handmade-Ohene-Side-Table-Ghana/3024116/product.html
You would come in WAY under budget. If you put a plant on the table, people might be discouraged from leaving things behind.
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Begonia-Hanging-Basket/4468579/product.html
You could cut the hanger off and set it on the table. It would help soften the masculine styling as well.

I agree a long train station type wooden bench or pew would be perfect, especially since you describing the area as a temporary waiting area rather than lounge area.

If it's an area where visitors wait, then it looks like you have room for a sectional sofa with the wall on the right. I'm thinking something transitional (neither modern nor old-fashioned). For some reason, I see it with a well-worn metal coffee table.

If you can only do that wall, then I suggest a book case; either a built in or something that takes up the whole width. Old books (from residents?) belo and fresh flowers and a few knick-knacks on top.

A mirror to replace the clock and then perhaps on either side or along the bottom of the mirror a cork board for condo board announcements. Seating could be one of the salvaged wood benches with cream colored leather cusion. Would two short but wide bookcases be an invite for clutter? Same wood as the bench...

Let's see...hummmm.

A big old bathtub filled with champagne.

an upholstered bench or two armchairs with a small side table in between.

a classic, timeless french couch with rolled arms, in a beige with a comfy throw across the arm. Comfy, inviting, warm, and classy.