Why not glass? 1/2" will hold about anything you could ever want to put on them, but 3/8" will likely do. You could add wood cleats to the sides of your cabinets, assuming that you can match the color.

glass would look pretty outdated I would think. how about think shelves stained in the same color as your cabinets.

Corian shelves can be match the color

How about continuing the backsplash up to the bottom of the crown and matching shelving to your cabinetry?

Everything looks so nice, invest in a new faucet.
Match the shelves to the cabinets.

Use your countertop material and solid metal brackets

Haha Carol. I was hoping no one would notice that awful faucet!! It's on the shopping list. It's a modular home and haven't switched out faucets nor lighting yet.

More pics.

Stainless is a great idea

Flopsycat, the stainless is a super idea.... I have black appliances, think it would still work?

Stainless shelves would be good since your sink is stainless.

Yes, everything does not have to match. In fact, it's better if it doesn't. Let us know what you decide?

I think glass on the wall with the stainless shelves is the perfect option....

I am throwing my vote in for the stainless;)

Stainless

Stainless or cast concrete (search on etsy...they look really cool)

cast concrete

Found one

That cast concrete looks awesome. I'll look into that. LOVE the stainless idea. Depending on price, those are my two gave options, otherwise I'll go with the cabinet colour! Thank you all so much. Will post pics after it's done. (Might take a few months cause we're heading south to warm up for now!!)
Months

That should say "fave" options.

FYI : Just looked into shopping for stainless steel floating shelves. They are generally pretty pricey, but IKEA has some that are very reasonable.

Thanks. Gonna head there in the next week or two. Stainless is my number one option.

Still searching for the perfect art for the shelves but here they are. (Notice the new faucet too!)