Since it has had something there for a while, how about living with it empty for a while. If, say in 6 mths, you still feel it is empty think about it then.

I tend to agree with that. Just wondered if there is a trend people like for decorating such spaces. thank you for commenting!

I think the room is under construction, have you thought to take the shelving up then crown the whole room? or just add crown? or box it out with drywall or wood you could add lighting that shines down onto the bookcase.

that's an interesting take! can't do crown without moving the recessed, but the lighting dropped down to the boxed area is appealing. Thank you!

worthy library in the making

That's exactly what we're doing in our current build, dropping the box down about three feet from the 12 ft. ceiling. The 14 gauge wires are for wall lighting, the low voltage wiring is for undershelf LED lighting.

Box it in so the shelving looks truly built-in and there is no gap.

If not taking to the ceiling leave it empty I do agree the nicest would be to box that in and do the crown all around the room instaed of just on the bookshelves

Sadly, when I search the internet for decor above kitchen cabinets 99% have 47 little things across the top of the cabinets.

It often just looks like clutter.

My mom had a lot of places in her home for decor, but she limited the number of things that were displayed. It was never over done. I wish I had more pictures of the inside of her home, but I have this picture of her and her 3 sisters (mom is wearing the pink top and gray skirt). The two chairs would not have been sitting there - they are two chairs from our dining room table, but my Aunt's were old and probably felt more comfortable sitting for the picture.

She didn't have a space above her kitchen cabinets, but she had shelves that were under the clerestory windows, so basically the same concept. Again it was never cluttered, there were a few items strategically placed every 4-5 feet.

In your case the space above is not terribly high, so you could go without anything above the shelving or you could place two items on one end of the cabinet, or 5 similar items in the center.

Out of hundreds of photos on how to decorate above kitchen cabinets I found three that weren't cluttered messes. The last photo is something I would consider. Unique and beautiful pieces that are worthy of display.

I like the idea of a new built-in soffit above the bookcases. It give the room a more polished look.

I agree filling in the space above to allow swing arm library lights to be installed would be the best solution IMO.

A newer tend in kitchens is to NOT take the cabinets up to the ceiling. This trend will likely also continue with builtins in other rooms. The negative space is fine unaddressed.

I think Beverly nailed it.

agreed!

I like it as is. A soffit is not needed and will make the room feel more 'closed in', IMO.

It's good exercise, too, to drag out the 10' ladder twice yearly to clean off dust and dirt and lost toys from resident or visiting kids, grandkids! (For the hoi polloi without household staff.)

The built-in looks great cleared off!

I I like the photos posted by Beverly with the cabinet going to the ceiling. With a wide built-in like yours, the extra height keeps it from looking ”squatty”. Plus no more dusting of the cabinet top!

is the unit back grass cloth? If you are keeping the back as is, I would paint the whole shelf wall to it stands out. But, you haven't shown the entire room.

You can also save money and put pharmacy lamps on the top or hang pharmacy sconces if lighting is an issue.

Those would become too top heavy when tilted enough to light the book case you would have to secure them some how.

I removed grasscloth wallpaper above and below the chair rail, but I havent yet dismantled the bookcase to remove it from behind the shelves. Grasscloth (installed in 1989) is a &*^% to remove, BTW...