Do you need more storage? Would those walking by bump into anything hanging, like frying pans, etc...?

W 40" / D 1" / H 10". Would it blend?

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I think it's the lack of height that bothers me. The cabinets and drawer look like afterthoughts. Sorry, I don't mean to sound so critical. I just think the recess should have been taller.

Perhaps you can disguise the lack of height by adding dimensional art over the recess. I don't know what style your kitchen is but something like this would visually raise it.

Everdebz - it would need to be something that didn't stick out too far as people would bump into it. We have quite a bit of storage throughout. I like the idea of putting an art piece above. Our style is transitional.

Mindshift - don't be sorry! I totally feel the same way. We bought the house like this and always thought it looked like a stupid idea. Kitchen used to be a bright purple, so this is definitely an improvement. What other pieces/carvings would you suggest? Don't mind the blue and purple painted vase, it is not staying.

Is the drawer front below a functioning drawer? It looks so off balance, maybe adding a matching false small drawer front to the left and medium drawer front to the right would help to balance the wall visually?

The drawer front is a bit jarring; can it be painted to match the walls?

The shape and color of the first picture mind shift posted is nice, the triangular shape draws the eye up (that's an otherwise boxy area) and the color is subtle, a nice combination to draw but not grab the eye.

i wonder if a smaller, similar color but straight, not triangular, would work on the drawer?

Hi Clairebuoyant1, the drawer is a functioning drawer. We like that it's deep but hate the location of it. The faux drawer idea is a great idea, but since they are custom I am not sure I could find something similar enough (previous owners had them made). What about hooks to hang things? But what would I hang?

Hi bpathome,

it can be painted but it does match the rest of the caninetry in the kitchen. Still thinking painting it is a good idea? I also love the shape of the triangular wall art that mindshift posted, but my husband thinks it may be too Victorian and are trying to stick to a more transitional look.

The metal leaves are typical these days at Home Goods, etc... just organic nature.

Would be nice to see more of you kitchen... you probably will find something that really blends some time...

also love the shape of the triangular wall art that mindshift posted, but my husband thinks it may be too Victorian and are trying to stick to a more transitional look.

The style doesn't really go, but the shape and color are what I like.

painted but it does match the rest of the caninetry in the kitchen

The cabinets in the niche are kind of shaker, while the drawer panel is flat. Or does it match the drawers in the rest of the kitchen? It was just a thought, since just from the one picture it doesn't really look like it belongs, though in the "big picture" it might be just fine.

Several configurations and color options. Looks neater with just saute pans....

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Ok, so you don't need pegboard or open shelf up above microwave... unless you want it for a few pretty plates. I love that look.

What about to right of window a piece you like - browse for something to fit the space....

Picture trimming the entire space like a built in. Example is too elaborate but something to match your cabinetry and crown moulding might work

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I would consider painting the drawer the same color as the walls and replacing the black pulls with unfinished wooden ones that could also be painted the wall color. The drawer wouldn't be so prominent. To the right of the sink I might look for a small set of shelves - then have a plant in a pretty pot, decorative pottery, etc. The asymmetry of that would drive me crazy - I wonder why they didn't take the cabinets up to the window like they did on the left side.

Everdebz,

Adding some pretty pieces above might be kind of nice, I just don't want someone to be able to walk straight into it. So they would either have to be high up or narrow, right?

To the right of the window - if i found something, would it be best if it was the height of the window or went higher up?

Jenniferbos,

I really like that idea of framing it in too. I have yet to see the same mounding around.

Seagrass_gw,

The asymmetry DOES drive me crazy! It looks totally unfinished. Are you thinking corner shelves or something different?

I'd keep a measurement of the space with me along with a small tape measure. Corner shelves or straight shelves. I'd look in second hand stores for wooden shelving pieces and then paint the shelves to match the cabinets.

I would install sleek, horizontal, v-groove planking, floor to ceiling, running only the width of the cut-out. I'd enamel it to match the cabinetry. I wouldn't do any vertical moulding on the sides as it would only highlight the asymmetry. I'd also consider a soft, glowy uplight pretty high on the planked wall, centered above the cut-out.

A sign of some sort? Wall words are big with some.....

Seagrass_gw, I love the idea of corner shelves and looking into 2nd hand stores for them.

Psuep, do you have a photo of what you're talking about? Sounds like such a cool idea!

Arcy_gw, I saw a sign that said, "the kitchen is the heart of the home". Cute saying but wrong style.

Psuep,

I am starting to understand what you are saying. What would you do with the edges of wall outside the planks?

slandreas,

I would leave them as they are. Painting the planks the lighter, glossier color of the cabinetry should make the planked section appear to slightly advance into the room (just the opposite of the image below in which the center section recedes) and the wall seem a little more dimensional. If you use good quality v-groove planks and are meticulous about your edges then a line of caulk should be all you need. I know this picture is not exactly what we're talking about but it shows somewhat the same effect of drawing the entire center section into one floor to ceiling plane so that, as is the case of your kitchen, whatever unbalanced bits are within it become less distracting.

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I'd consider having a new drawer front made. It would be longer, starting at the same spot on the left as the current one, but extending to the right until the thing is balanced/symmetrical with the above alcove. Yes, it means that the drawer itself is still not centered, but visually it will look a lot better, and the drawer front can be painted the same color as other kitchen drawers.

I like the idea of something over the alcove. Take time to figure out what works best for your tastes.