No lights below the shelf because they do not block the light in the same way that enclosed cabinets do. However I do think you might want the swing arm library light above.

Also I think you will want more space between the shelves. And finally, the microwave below the counter might be a problem. I know that sometimes there is no other location, but having to ben down to set the times etc it a pain.

I wanted some open shelves in my kitchen but my architect was adamant about not doing it. So, So glad I took his advice!

Here is some photos on completed backsplashes we have done in the past featuring floating shelves.

Floating shelves require a lot of thought and engineering. Weigh dishes or whatever you will put on them and you will be shocked at the weight they have to carry.

If you can capture a side as Imperial Flooring did you increase the load capacity dramatically.

A real floating shelf needs metal brackets tied into the studs. The shelf itself should be a torsion box design clad with the wood you choose. I guarantee those shelves will coat 2x's what the cabinets cost if done correctly.

Another choice would be to but some modern shelf brackets. This way if you change your mind later on it isn't a huge deal to remove them. This also lessens the cost as the brackets create the needed support.

Also remember the choice of wood or material and the length of the shelf alter its load carrying capacity.

Not just throw a distressed 2x10 on the wall if done right. Remember if 75 lbs of stuff falls it will do some serious damage.

Thanks! Yes, I have them designed with the cabinet maker, and they are gonna cost me $750. I had decided to take them out due to budget constraints, then I "found" some money and thought to put them back in. The truth is, I'm ambivalent... And also a bit overwhelmed by all the design considerations. A beautiful print on that blank wall sounds a lot simpler.

OMG Don't overreact. You put blocking between the studs to secure the shelves. That way you don't have to hunt for studs. I have stainless IKEA shelves in my kitchen and they work fine and support a lot.

https://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/category/products.jsp?cellBackground=false&parentCatId=cat1701067&topCatId=cat1630014&categoryId=cat10310012&sale=false

Don't forget to take a look at all the shelves offered by RH because they are quite nice and have no visible means of support.

To me that just looks like so much wasted space. I have a lot of kitchen stuff, and that is a lot of open space just to store what looks to be some decorative items (not actual kitchen items). You always have to think of resale as well, and people want cabinets, people always need storage space.

I really like mine, but I understand that they're not for everyone. We use ours for our everyday plates and bowls and serving bowls, as well as some serving pieces on the top shelf. They do require "styling," but I love that they provide very functional storage above the dishwasher without closed cabinetry.

I have some in our garage apt (cabinets were not an option). I HATE the dust. But, I am a terrible housekeeper, so there is that. They aren't too hard to keep 'pretty' or 'styled' if you assign everything a place and stick with it.

did I mention the dust??!

We did floating shelves in a small kitchen to use space that was a bit too small to put cabinets in, but space that could be used for cookbooks or other odds and ends the client used in the kitchen regularly. I would keep them. We don't see this trend going away any time soon.

I have pets. Could not deal with the pet hair that will float onto not just the open shelves, but into any dishes, bowls or mugs that are on them. I love my pets, but an added chore of cleaning their hair off of open shelves is not for me.

I cannot ever have too many cabinets. No shelves for me - pet hair also a major consideration as well.

To me having cabinets versus shelves is timeless.

I really like mine, used where upper cabinets would be too closed off feeling. I have LED light strips cut into grooves in the undersides. With a good vent hood, they don’t get that dirty. I clean all the stuff maybe once a month. If you like them, ignore the haters and do what works for you. They were not that hard to install with a little advance planning, and they definitely cost way less than a comparable length of cabinets.

Here’re my shelves

I liked the shelves in my kitchen ... it allowed me to give my kitchen a little "personality"!

i really like mine, although really they are doorless cabinets, not open shelves. it makes unloading the dishwasher so easy... no opening and closing doors and ducking around them. i'm positive i've saved more time unloading the dishwasher and not wiping down the cabinets than i've ever spent dusting them.

Thanks everyone! Great advice and great photos. I will let you know what I decide!

Here's a mock-up of same wall without shelves. I am really leaning towards leaving the wall empty. An upper cabinet isn't going to work since I don't want to close off the space next to the window, and it's in the kitchen right as you enter. This seems cleaner to me. I am not a clutter person, don't have things on display anywhere else in the house. Am thinking also that using the counter top here without shelves will also feel less claustrophobic to me.

The goal of the shelves originally was to incorporate this wall into the rest of the kitchen, but I think it works without it. Only worried that the wall looks too bare now. (Artwork?)

The main point here is that since I'm down to studs I want to make good design decisions. This part of the project is going to cost me $1000 between the shelves and extra lighting. I'm willing to spend the money but not sure the shelves do much for me other than adding stuff on the wall which I could do with a nice piece of art.

Not married to shelves at all, unless they improve overall design and kitchen layout/functionality.

Vicki, I hear you on the overwhelmed. When you're in the thick of it, this process can be so stressful. Then later after it's all over I think to myself, why didn't I stop and try to enjoy all that more. It is such a privilege to get to design our own kitchens and get to make our own choices on everything. Yet it seems no matter how much we plan ahead, the decisions come at us fast and furious. Your plan looks beautiful so far. Whatever you decide, you're going to love it.

Personally, I don't put them in my own kitchens because I once had them in a rental we lived in and I found keeping things clean was a PITA. But I do appreciate the look of them in some kitchens, especially when the "tableaux" is styled (beyond my talents!). In any case, I'd definitely not sacrifice wall cabinets for them. But if you have enough storage already and you like the look, I'd say go for it. It's really one small area that you're thinking about.

I had this exact same dilemma in my kitchen, but my space was much smaller than yours. I think my shelves would only have been about 22" long. The experts here on GW/Houzz talked me out of putting them in. For basically the reasons stated above.....dust collectors, trend, not needed for functionality, etc. I too thought that space looked empty without something there. In the end, I decided to forego the shelves and same some money. I bought a super extra big hanging copper fruit basket and hung it there. I also plan on a plant and/or art work on the wall perpendicular to the blank wall. I don't have any pics unfortunately.

What you could do is add blocking now to accommodate the support rods needed for floating shelves while you have the studs open. Sheetrock and backsplash without them and if you still feel like something is missing, it wouldn't be that much effort to add them after the fact.