maybe one shelf for cookbooks, the other for a few baskets?

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or a wine rack (plus baskets, maybe)? (note that it's a different color than the surrounding cabinetry)

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a set of glass jars or canisters could be pretty too. And you may be able to replace the shelf with a glass shelf.

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Is there any "extra" appliance that would fit in there? Wine fridge? Trash compactor? What's around it? Could the cabinet be removed and the area be a desk?

I'm so sorry for your loss.

While the first two of the above pictures are feasible, I would not do the last two in a base cabinet - at least not with glass jars, etc. Too close to the floor and too easily knocked over.

I like the first one the best.

However, I don't know if someone looking at the kitchen would think, "dust/dirt magnet - too close to the floor". That would be my thoughts b/c I don't think open base cabinets, at least at the floor level, are a good idea. Things will get dusty/dirty quickly. Are there any other, matching cabinets elsewhere in the house? If so, could you cannibalize them for doors for this cabinet? What about some upper cabinet doors? could you take doors from an upper cabinet and create open shelves where the doors came from? Open shelving is better in upper cabinets than in base.

Sorry for your loss. Dealing with the house afterward isn't an easy task.

I like the first option best, but the most important thing is to make it look like it has a defined purpose. I know you aren't realtor-ready, and in no way is it a criticism, but having an assortment of unrelated items in that photo really makes it feel like a clutter magnet. Books would be colorful, but you could do baskets for potatoes or onions, wine storage, small appliances (something that fills the space, like a breadmaker or slow cooker). I'd avoid anything breakable, or (because dirt/dust are going to happen) anything that I would have to clean over again when I took it out.

I am so sorry about your mom. I wish you didn't have to deal with all this, especially after such a terrible loss.

In the spirit of doing what your mom always thought would be nice...what if you do use a curtain? Or rather a curtain in two parts?

Could you install 'swing arm' rods, so they swing out when you need to access the cabinet, but when you swing them back, it looks like one wide curtain?

If so, I'd take out that shelf and turn this entire area into a trash/recycling center. You could install (very easily) those pull-outs that hold a plastic garbage 'can' and use one on each side.

Maybe something like this?

Close up of garbage pull-outs

Swing arm rods with curtains..

but imagine more 'kitchen appropriate' cute curtain :)

You might take another door into a carpenter and ask if it is feasible and what it would cost to get two matching doors made. It is a long shot, but that would be by far the best solution, so you should make sure it's not an option before you get more creative.

I would put a narrow face frame around the open cabinet to finish it. And add a second shelf. Then use it for cookware display.

It may look like an eyesore cabinet to you but cabinets are routinely done this way in other countries. Some examples are on the link: Open Kitchen Shelves.

Thank you all so much for the great ideas. And for the condolences, it certainly is a tough time. I like the wine rack and basket picture, and it seems the easiest, I just still have to figure out how to finish off that facing edge on the shelf. Lavendarlass I love the idea of putting garbage/recycling here, wish we thought of it before but Im just not sure I can get behind the curtains...touching fabric before throwing away chicken package...I don't know :-/

Any other ideas, keep 'em coming :-) It will be hard to convince my siblings we need to do anything at all, or at least anything that takes more than 10 minutes & costs more than $10...! But I know this is a major kitchen eyesore to say the least. Although, depending on the buyer, they could rip out the whole kitchen and not care, the cabinets are almost 40 years old! But I do think if we fix this and maybe get new appliances, the kitchen would be one people would enjoy as is, at least for a while.

Thanks again!

I'm sorry for your loss. I agree with move the shelf to the middle and stage the space with some deep square baskets. Also as someone who is almost at 1 year post home buy of an older home. I appreciated that it came with appliances, I was thrilled that they worked, but the first thing I did was buy a gas range off Craig's List and had the gas line (already right behind the wall) plumbed and installed. We are planning a kitchen redo so my concern for "new appliances" was not great.

If your mom's appliances all work, clean them well and leave them be. The new home owner will either leave them or replace them.

slap a couple doors on it and be done .If you put rcycling bins in there you still need doors.The cabinet does have a face frame attached.Hundreds of places online to order doors and that was a very popular style so won't be hard to match.

http://www.barkerdoor.com/Wood-Cabinet-Doors-s/5.htm

I agree with leaving the appliances. If they are clean and they work let the new owner choose and buy what they want. It's doubtful that you will chose what they would prefer anyway. Move (or add a) shelf and add some baskets or an accordion wine rack....

I really don't think it looks that bad. As already said put some cook books and baskets on it and be done. Remove any clutter from the counters. No one is not going to buy the house because of this.

Easiest? Fill it with matching baskets. Potatoes, onions, dish towels/cloths, bread, snacks, fruit... all things that would work well in a spot like that.

Steal doors from an upper cabinet, it you have any that fit. Buying new doors that match really shouldn't be that difficult. Even easier would be drawer fronts to match those to the right.

Man, I'd just go for the 2 types of basket, or a row of cookbooks & a row of baskets (presuming cookbooks already exist)--and think staging, not "real", so like Errant_gw says for contents. Don't be thinking in terms of what would actually work in this kitchen, think in terms of what would be pretty. Whoever buys will reorganize what-goes-where anyhow.

What's wrong with the shelf? Looks like a reasonable color match from here, and it doesn't HAVE to have a matched piece of wood. I'd put my time into cute liners or labels or something for the baskets. Basically make it so you don't even notice that issue. Cheaper too.

Smokey glass sliding doors?

I'm not sure the real issue is the doors, it's the hinges..they look pretty "unique".

This is about staging...for resale.

I wll reiterate..I did not buy my house because of the kitchen. I knew from the moment I saw it..the first upgrade would be the kitchen...again in my market we looked at house after house with at least one missing kitchen appliance. I did not want to purchase a "new" fridge before we moved in, I have two teenage boys, so a fridge is a must.

Unfortunately my kitchen is on hold. We decided to have four very tall very messy fir trees taken down. Budget hit #1, budget hit #2, taxes due and the big one, college registration and sign up stuff for senior son. Who knew just getting them in the door to an in state university costs thousands!

My point, people within the average lower-middle class budget.......want clean, useable and move in ready with the ability to change and upgrade as needed or desired.

I agree with Meganmca. I would move that shelf down so both shelves are more equal in height so you could get the same baskets for both shelves or have room for taller cookbooks on the top shelf. I just hate seeing the wasted space above the basket that is in your picture. So cute baskets maybe staged with a few potatoes and onions (or would that smell bad for staging?). Cute labels for the baskets. Some old cookbooks nobody needs. Done!

Thanks so much! Glad to hear most of you think its not a huge deal. It has always made me cringe! I will rearrange the shelf & look for some baskets and maybe cookbooks & a cool wine rack and post back to see what you think!

As for the appliances...she has a white refrigerator that works fine and just needs a cleaning. A white and black electric range you can see in pic that is 15-20 years old but still works fine. A stainless hood that is broke, and a black dishwasher that runs but is nasty inside and does not clean very well...!! A real mis-mosh.

I'm thinking it may be worth it to replace the DW and hood. I'd get white to match the refrigerator and one half of the range I guess, right? Feel like it could turn off some of the "I must have Stainless" people though.

Other dilemma...take down the 80s wallpaper in LR or not...??! We are going to be talking to a realtor soon to get their opinion on what will be worth the time & investment.

To be honest, if it normally looks the way it does in your photo with a mishmash of stuff, I would cringe, too. But if it is styled nice, I think it will be OK. Definitely talk to some realtors before making a decision on the appliances. It might make more sense to give an allowance for somebody to purchase their own appliances for the hood and DW. After all, if someone buys with intent to remodel the kitchen soon anyway, they may want to pick out their own appliances.

I agree that staging it with attractive kitchen accessories is your best option. But for what it is worth, it looks like a great place for dog bowls.

if you live in the Phx area EV, I have a white dw in my dining area you can have. A friend gave it to me and said it worked. I never hooked it up. I bought a bisque one on CL for under a 100.00. If you're not around here, check your CL for a dw - someone changing out their white to SS. I bought from a couple down the road who were doing that. I also bought their stove.

Cookbooks up, a fancy built-in dog bed down? Those seem to have become trendy of late. Or, of you could just get some door frames, you could use glass or copper mesh or wicker for the door panels.

So sorry you've lost your mom. I can't imagine.

Whatever you do, bake some apple cinnamon bars or chocolate chip cookies an hour before the open house! I used to make apple-oatmeal bars with lots of cinnamon, when my mom was selling her house.

Older kitchen, lots of issues, but everyone loved it! It looked cozy, had light yellow cabinets and cute little curtains...and smelled like apple cinnamon baking. She had three offers in one afternoon...and that was right as the market fell apart. Never underestimate the power of cinnamon! :)

So sorry for your loss. I would do a wine rack and bookshelves.

I am so sorry for your loss. I know there will be a mix of emotions and opnions coming from your siblings during this emotional time. Is there an estate executor? Having someone to make the final decisions when people are divided always helps.

I do think a good cleaning and weeding through items will help. I am interested in knowing what the board to the left of the hood is. To me that looks more odd than the open shelving.

I would do baskets and cookbooks in the shelves. I am short so cookbook in easy reach is a good thing.

I echo those who have suggested just putting some kitchen related items/cookbooks in there and calling it a day. I just don't think this is a real deal breaker. Most women can look at something they possibly don't like and think, "I would do such and such with that." And, I don't know what her appliances look like, but the same thought applies here if it were me. I wouldn't go to the expense of buying new appliances, almost any woman can envision the kitchen with updated appliances. ;)

And I am really sorry for your loss.

I am so sorry for your loss. I think it looks like it was supposed to be that way. I'd get some baskets and for the top part (assuming you can't move the shelf, use something smaller like mentioned before, a set of glass or ceramic jars. I personally like the interest the open shelf provides.

I wouldn't make that little part of the entire house a make or break in deciding to buy the house.

Thanks again, you're all so kind. And my Mom would be thrilled to hear everyone saying its not that bad! And actually for the record, she never had it looking THIS bad, she had 2 matching baskets on bottom and used top to store pyrex/casserole dishes. This was snapped mid cleaning out contents of kitchen. Still in person I just think it looks like a big cavernous waste of space. Its 24" deep lower cab, not a shallow upper, which clearly is better for open shelving. And its also not like the rest of the house is looking great, there are quite a few issues buyers will have to be able to "get over" so I thought having the kitchen at least, the most important room :-), being ready to go with no real issues, would be important to encourage people to accept the other shortcomings of the house. This and the appliances are holding back the kitchen from being quite nice. Well and the 40 year old cabinets w/ those "unique" hinges...!!

I think looking for a white DW on craigslist is a great idea, thanks. Desertsteph, I am in Philly area, but thanks SO much for the offer of your extra dw!

Clear the counter and add fresh flowers, use baskets and anything pretty that matches each other and you will be fine.

Baskets are great and practical; however, just for selling, consider something like this:

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Yes, remember...it's not what you're going to use. It just has to look nice for the sale!

People glance down and if something 'looks' like it fits the space...that's usually enough. Most buyers are not TKO like all of us :)

Some baskets, some books, all neatly arranged, it'll look fine.

Unless you know who made the doors, and they'll still make some, good luck getting matching doors. Close, sure, matching......not without spending serious money.

Update! Just wanted to post a quick update. I took most of your advice and didn't sweat it, bought baskets and wine rack to stage the kitchen. My moms house sold in less than a week on the market! It settled last week...Bittersweet. But wanted to just show what I did, thanks everyone :)

Awesome! That looks great :-)

Thanks for the update, it looks great!

It turned out great. Good choice and an inexpensive fix! Nice job!

Looks amazing! Well done :)

It looks great. Nicely done.

Looks great, like it was meant to be that way. Nice display showing different ways the space can be used!

What you did is exactly what I was going to suggest. It looks nice.

Looks great! It adds interest and looks like it was always supposed to be that way. I love it!

You did a wonderful job, it looked great. So glad the house moved quickly for you, but can well imagine the mix of emotions that came with that. Thank you so much for coming back with the update. :)