Alternative: upper cabinets with doors that have glass on the sink wall. -- amateur

First think about function and then about aesthetics. So... what do you want to put on these shelves? Where would those things be most conveniently located? How much space do you need for them? How annoying is it that they are currently behind doors?

With your layout, I think the only place I might want open shelves would be under the uppers to the left of the sink. It would be a convenient place to put a napkin holder, salt and pepper shakers and maybe some oil and vinegar.

One thing you didn't ask about, but I'll mention anyway: you can put a set of drawers on the back side of your peninsula so that you don't have a blind corner inside the kitchen. It's very convenient storage for table linens and stuff you use in the eating area.

NO. Please solve the cook and venting and micro wave issue, before you WASTE money on a new cabinetry / a dated result and jam in the clutter of bracket supported ( boo ) shelving as per your cabinet SELLER. (:

Post more views of the entire kitchen.

I don’t find those as drawn even remotely attractive. They look really random.

That absolutely does not work or look good at all I have no idea what you have in the peninsula but all your base cabinets should be drawers and get an actual kitchen designer not some sales person especially since that idea sucks .I would actually remove all the uppers on the sink wall move the base cabinets towards the end of that wall and that would widen the space for work .and allow for nice deep drawers for everyday dishes to be loaded out of the DWYou do not show where the fridge is put that is the best place for pullout pantries that can store an amazing amount of stuff .There are many ways to make this kitchen better than it is .

Jan - Thank you for the input. I have been battling with my husband on the microwave vent issue (he likes it, I don‘t). It also doesn’t vent outside of the house and my impression was that it would be costly to change. Do I have any other options? I’ve seen some vent hoods that essentially recirculate the smoke that I like but I don’t know if the really work any better than what we have. And I could always put a microwave left of the fridge.

As for the open shelving. They would not have the brackets. I would opt for floating or some sleek steel brackets that have a very minimal footprint. But it seems that no one likes the placement of the shelves so I may throw that entire idea out. But I still like the single shelf left of the sink for some character.

"Ahneman" Before & After · More Info

"Ahneman" Before & After · More Info

Backsplashes · More Info

Backsplashes · More Info

Here is some projects we had done that had floating shelves.

I like floating shelves for things I use often. The dust doesn't accumulate if you are constantly using the items. They also work for things that are decorative that you very rarely use. I store everyday plates and bowls on lower open shelves and some colorful pottery bowls on the upper ones.

Not in a kitchen. Open shelving for me would have the things I use everyday and would not look like a magazine. I do like glass fronts on cabinets that hold my dish ware. No one has to ask where the glasses are. But it's your kitchen do whatever makes you feel good

The left of sink shelf is not a great idea, unless two or three and let go of the cabinet, but it honestly doesn't suit the rest of your home . The entire space left of the fridge could be put to better use.

A micro over range is dated......and it isn't venting anything, really. Even a Broan slide out recirculating hood will LOOK better but make no mistake - a vent to outside is better with any hood.

My point stands. You have a cabinet seller. Or you have stated " just replace my stuff". Either way ? Can be MUCH improved.It isn't a great plan, sorry.

Take the doors off of the cabinets flanking the sink and live with them for a while, and see if you develop the "issues" that some have with open shelving. I have had open shelves in two houses now, and have not found them to be dirty/dusty/grimy/whatever, but we store our everyday dishes and glassware in them, so I don't know that there is time for dust to settle, since they are in heavy rotation. (I also rotate them frequently so they wear evenly.) YMMV.

No shelving, it doesnt look right. Cabinets will look better. I also have to agree on removing that microwave, and get a decent fan system, and no, you dont want it to vent into your attic, etc. It isnt that difficult to vent a fan out through the roof, if you have a one story home, or over and out an outside wall, if your have an upper level on your house.

To respond to your venting outside issue: I had a recirculating Broan hood (not vented out). It is borderline useless. Also left a huge grease mark on the ceiling where it blew out air. I also thought our home wasn’t a candidate for outside venting and that it would be too expensive. I had two handymen come out and assess options for outside venting, and it was actually possible for us and cost less than $300. Looks like you could go up and the the left to go out the wall where the window is (depending on how the floor joists run).

To respond your open shelf question: I dont love it in the sketch you provided. If you dont need to do Open shelving, I would skip it. I have some in my kitchen design because of a difficulty placed window that limits cabinet options. We are turning that open shelf space and the counter below into our espresso bar area, so it has a function. If you can’t think of a function, skip it.

You all have given me plenty to think about!!!

I like open shelving. I don't know that I like it w/just that one cabinet on that side w/the shelf under it. If I were going to do that, I'd switch that cab/shelf to the other side and have that side just be open shelving.

If you want open shelving, the sink wall might be a good spot. However, I don't like the balance with the shelves on one side of the sink and the cabinet and shelves on the other. An unsolicited suggestion about layout: I'd go with a counter-depth fridge and make it look built in to finish that side of the room...it will make all the difference!

@lacardwell would love to see what you decided..we have similair shaped kitchen and I am wondering the same thing about open shelves.

Love it! The shelves look great!

It looks absolutely Lovely. Nice work. You still digging the open shelf? And the microwave space ?

It looks really nice!