Great question—and smart to avoid another blind cabinet if it became a black hole before.

For that 10" upper-left section, I’d do one of these (in order):
1) 9" pull-out tray/spice cabinet with full-extension hardware (best daily function)
2) Vertical tray divider cabinet for cutting boards + baking sheets
3) Open oak shelf niche with integrated warm LED strip (if you want a lighter visual moment)

To keep the run balanced:
- Match all upper doors to full height so the line feels intentional
- Use one finish family (warm white + natural wood accents)
- Keep wine storage on the right as planned, and make the left side purely utility

If you share a straight-on photo of the full wall + ceiling height, I can suggest exact proportions for the left module so it feels custom, not “filler.”

@lorenzo_greco24 - Thank you! Here's a couple more pics of the walls - we've just stripped the countertops (today) as the finish was patchy.

The counter to ceiling height is 57 3/4", with the plan to have a crown moulding at the top of the cabinets (35 1/2"). There will be over the fridge storage as well.

If you have pictures/mock-up of your suggestions # 1 & 2, I'd be interested in seeing them. I've included a pic of something similar to #3 (without the LED). Would it be unbalanced if that's the only side with an open shelf?

Again, thank you!

You need to show the entire kitchen, all angles. You need a sketch with every single wall, the window and exact feet and inches of everything, solid wall, window all of it.

Otherwise? This will become the home joe hack....and I doubt you want that?

This thread from 10 years ago shows some of the different options for an upper corner to avoid a blind cabinet:

About the easy reach upper corner cabinet...

I had the dual door approach shown in the first picture of the thread in my last house and it worked well.

@lorenzo_greco24

Here are the dimensions of the U-shaped kitchen:

sink wall: 120.5"

fridge wall: 96"

stove wall: 96.5"

floor to ceiling height: 92.5"

fridge to cabinet width: 44.5"

No windows or doors - the kitchen is in the middle of the 45 year old townhouse, the dining room is on the other side of the kitchen.