Ps. When I spoke with my sis today she wondered if the planter box could be 'transformed' into something, so feel free to be creative with your ideas!

Even nicer plant suggestions would be appreciated :-)

The quickest and easiest way to boost the appeal factor is remove the knick-knacks, and layer planting - meaning a taller thin plant in the back corner, the peace lillies (that are clearly loving that spot) and shorter plants in the front - either disguising the plastic pots with ceramic ones that you can pop the plastic ones in or lots of bushy shorter plants - it'll make the area look lush and intentional where the peace lilies on their own look a bit "I didn't know what to put there so I stuck A plant there". An indoor palm could work for the back, philadendrons for low and mid level (just remember they'll grow and expand to the size of the pot) and/or ivy could work for softening the edges of the planter box (using a varigated variety will help keep a light look). Be sure to repaint the planter box it to freshen it up too (or you could try stacked stone if the budget permits to give it a bit more of a modern edge). I'd also remove that picture and replace it with something narrow and long (that creates a perspective in keeping with the shape and lines of the wall) or try a roll of wallpaper - you can get nature murals of forests that will extend they eye and make the space feel more open.

All great suggestions so far, thank-you!

Ps. Out of interest, has anyone ever removed a planter box like that, and was it a straightforward job, or costly? I imagine there's a fair bit of reinforced concrete to have to remove, and the floor would have to be redone, wondered if it is a DIY or specialist job?

I'd definitely look into removing the planter box. It's hard to tell from the picture but it may come out with the need for any structural work or alterations. Otherwise you could line the front and top edge of the box with a blond timber veneer to better blend it with the scandi look and, as mentioned above, increase the planting. Perhaps include a hanging plant or two to help draw the eye up and away from the planter box.

I would just clad it with timber , side and top and do a few timber platforms at different angles and height for display .

Yes- the planter will come out easy! Nothing a little kanga jack hammer will make very fast work of... BUT!!....think of the flooring underneath. Has she got any spare tiles under the house? Do the tiles run all the way under the planter? If they don't. Forget removing it until she has the cash to re-do the floors. Else you will be left with a patchy mess of potentially broken and missing tiles.

I think Oskuee's first idea is worth a think about. Paint the top row of brick charcoal then clad the bottom with marine ply as Sammy Elder suggested. Layers of plants and some nice up- lighting, this could potentially be a really cool feature. Get rid of all other features. A mirror would be nice but without the really heavy frame.

I was encouraged with my new house entry hall to have an angled corner (mine is an external cnr but it could still work). You could for the short or long term, raise the walls to 1200mm and put Scandi artifacts or pots on top.

Thank-you for all your great ideas here, I have passed them onto my sis and it seems to have given her food for thought - i think she is now leaning toward getting rid of the planter box but also said she will be looking out for a new, more rectangular shaped picture for that end wall. She also liked the idea of layering some plants in some nice pots. So thanks again Houzzers! :-)

I like the idea of turning the planter into a bench seat with some beautiful cushions :)

Now that's an interesting idea we hadn't thought of- would make for a welcoming entry- thanks Styling Edge!

I would turn it into a bench seat as well. If going to the extent of removing the planter then your sis could create more storage under the seat - either in the form of drawers, open cubby holes or a lift up seat (let's face it, who doesn't ever need more storage!). I would then put a lovely feature 'ledge' shelf along the wall above (you know the fairly narrow kind?) for a scandi knickknack/small plant/or the like and then a fabbo artwork on the wall above (a mirror would be great too but opposite the door is not great feng shui). If your sis didn't want to go the expense of removing the planter the same look could be achieved but only the lift up seat storage would be an option. Good luck with it - post some pics of the end result if you have time!

I would also turn it into a bench seat. Paint the facade white and get a plywood top made. Then a nice thick foam cushion. I'd have a bigger rectangular picture above and on the right, a couple of hooks for either hanging plants at varying heights (not to interfere with someone sitting) or for a nice coat and hat. I'd also change the light fitting above to something more scandi. All in greys, whites, a nice throw in a mint or blue. Welcoming, peaceful and practical. Or, just paint cover the top of the planter with some rustic wood and use as a display - pot plants in varying heights, a lovely print, a few hooks (love the big black dots) but a new hallway light fitting will help a lot.

By the look of it, it looks like the box is sitting on top of the tiles as the tiles around the box do not look like they are cut. I'd remove it. I don't think it would be too hard.

My only advice is short and sweet.... get rid of that planter box - nothing can make that look great, but why is it there? Might pay to have an expert go under the house to check it is not hiding so ill placed piping or similar?

Thanks again everyone - love the paste-up jonijon. :-) Your suggestions definately make it seem possible to do something nice with the area, ultimately my sis has to decide whether to keep or get rid of planter box (personally they remind me of the 80's??)- I'll be sure to post any changes she ends up making to the area.

Ps. Bernadette, I'm pretty sure the planter box is there as a fashion statement of its time (was it the 80's the built-in boxes were home haute couture???) but you make a good point. Pays to check these things....

Eventually it will need to come out but i suspect unless you can match them you will need to replace tiles in each to f the adjacent rooms so it will be costly. As this is an entrance area would this be an appropriate spot for a shoe box and coat hooks on the wall to the right. Shift the big mirror from the other wall and hang it horizontally.

You could build in some white painted MDF not a suitable shape for family storage.

I'm with spmm - to me the most dated feature is the ceiling button light - modern wood pendant, or even a solar tube (especially if you're going to keep the plants). Or turn the planter into a nice light-coloured timber clad seat with some modern Scandi cushions, and maybe a timber floating shelf as a hall table.

So many great suggestion! I like the idea of cladding the top level flat with that scandi soft pine colour and throwing a whole lot of cushions on it and maybe a small floating shelf (or two) on the wall for books?

Something like this colour that goes well with white

Is anyone ever going to sit in that corner to read a book?

I think it is just a problem with scale. More and bigger plants, a larger framed print that echoes the plants, a larger sculptural piece, and a statement light.

We need more indoor plants to counter the positive ions generated by our increasing collection of electronics. Your sister has a great spot here to take advantage of.

It is a location for a statue, a sculpture (example in HOUZZ on tall sculpture). Something inviting, something that does not arrest/block your step and movement but moves you on to the lounge room, however, it should arrest your eyes, give you a quick message, a note, while you are moving forward. (I am personally also inclined to place a tall mirror there to keep tabs on my walk and figure and shape while moving through life. Then you would come to this corner and look -at yourself!) That would require the bricks to go or leave them till you have the time and guts to get them removed. Until then they can act as a plinth, a platform for the artwork. (I would personally never sit in this corner. Indoor plants may attract and be home to all kinds of critters.) spmm says further up: "it would be good to have something that LIFTS the eye". That is a great point!

Even if no one sits there to read books - it could still look inviting as if one could relax there

me me.... Hi! that is a good point!!