show the plan. I would pick white I believe. here is a gunmetal [better than black]..a creamy nice look and then white. any of these would work. because these areas are usually small you can sometimes bring in the details without a lot of cost and your existing kitchen cabinets will cooperate with various things you might do. Just wall cabs? how about filling up the little alcove with a coordinated set up? would it be that much more work or expense for you?

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That's pretty obviously a former desk and needs to come up to COUNTER height of 36", not the 30" that desk is right now: ) Lose the knee wall too,

Before I installed or built anything? Show the entire kitchen. Say what you love or do not love. Layout, finishes , appliances etc . What is the room connected with doorway and edge to edge carpet? A bedroom ( primary suite, )

What's my point? Don't start pecking at the kitchen.........yet.

Cost is prohibitive. Only looking to add upper cabinets. Color of cabinets is my dilemma.

Thanks everyone!

Well instaed of focusing your efforts in one space at a time rethink what you will use that space for is what Jan is trying to say IMO. Ther eis no dilemms either match the cabinets or not . The same question will need to be answered what are you using the space for ?Do it right and save money Remove that silly liitle wall too.

I’d be afraid black would show too much dust and would feel top-heavy over the floating desk countertop.

If you just want a coffee bar, I would scour local furniture rehab and resale stores or FB marketplace and get a colorful rehabbed dining room buffet you could get one with a hutch or just do the buffet with open shelves.

As far as color, I would pick a color that makes sense with the rest of your decor. Your pics only show wood and white. What other decor do you have? Here a a couple of examples I found near me for under $500.

" Cost is prohibitive" "I just want a coffee bar created from this desk in an alcove"

Okay, so you want a coffee bar, inexpensive, but you are willing to buy cabinets.

You need to store coffee, sugar, fake cream and mugs. The pot is going to sit on the desk.

You don't need cabinets. You can customize a great look, get canisters that suit your style, mugs in whatever color you want.

54 inch tall iron, four shelf brackets, 285.00 ea.

Review Your Cart 2 items

• 54” Overall Height - 4 Shelf 10” Shelf Depth Standard (8-10 Days) Wall Mount Black Hardware for Wood Shelves 1” Monty Bracket
  2X $285.00

• Have any wood shop stain 1" oak shelves to suit , or buy them in a length to suit. In Black, in white. Your cabinets look like a dark cherry stain on maple. You could try matching that, or not. The 54 inch height will at least make this thing look more intentional, more interesting. You pick the width for install.

https://ironabode.com/minimalist-monty-natural-walnut-shelf-unit-ceiling-mounted/

" Cost is prohibitive" "I just want a coffee bar created from this desk in an alcove"

Okay, so you want a coffee bar, inexpensive, but you are willing to buy cabinets.

You need to store coffee, sugar, fake cream and mugs. The pot is going to sit on the desk.

You don't need cabinets. You can customize a great look, get canisters that suit your style, mugs in whatever color you want.

54 inch tall iron, four shelf brackets, 285.00 ea.

Review Your Cart 2 items

• 54” Overall Height - 4 Shelf 10” Shelf Depth Standard (8-10 Days) Wall Mount Black Hardware for Wood Shelves 1” Monty Bracket
  2X $285.00

• Have any wood shop stain 1" oak shelves to suit , or buy them in a length to suit. In Black, in white. Your cabinets look like a dark cherry stain on maple. You could try matching that, or not. The 54 inch height will at least make this thing look more intentional, more interesting. You pick the width for install.

https://ironabode.com/minimalist-monty-natural-walnut-shelf-unit-ceiling-mounted/

start browsing Habitat Stores. You can find all kinds of good wall cabinets /entire kitchens for that matter.....you have about 36-48 inches it appears and possibly taller for real storage . this is what I'd do if you only want to insert wall cabinets/ at very low cost. ...... I wouldnt order new finished cabinets ..also price out the the unfinished options off the shelf at Home Depot and finish them myself ..another solution. It would be far better to insert a whole plan into this spot but with what you state I'd search out these low cost ways . here's a wall cabinet you could obtain almost anywhere....remove the doors/paint it and you get the benefit of sides and a back and install beadboard or wall paper the inside for a backdrop for pretty mugs/ cups/ etc

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another scene shown: once you budget for yourself the cabinet part.....

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...the money saved can give you a little "splurge" for some tile on any exposed wall area as shown...big impact [ worth it even in a small spot. ]