You will need to explain more about the shelving. Where will it go? Any drawings you could share?

Something like this-white cabinets with wood shelves unsure of length or depth of shelves (or really height above cabinet either)

Do glass cabinets instead. They hold more stuff, aren’t in danger of collapsing, and don’t need constant dusting.

Thank you HU-290654264 but that’s not the direction I’m going in for this part of my kitchen. I will have a glass upper for stemware in another section.

Thank you Amy Lynn! I follow Young House Love but forgot about the kitchen from their former house! I will definitely test it out with cardboard. I have access to some good barnwood right now so trying to figure out what could work. Initial thought was about 80” (total length will be about 98” with countertop). What do you think about having the upper shelf 2” narrower(depth wise) than the bottom?

I think you are on the right track with the length, but I'm not sure about the difference in depths. I'd definitely test it out with cardboard. What is the reason you'd like to do different depths? Is it just so it's not too heavy looking?

There is no way to answert a question with no info or a plan. I have no clue about Young House but this is your house so share some pics and a lot more info as to the use for this .

Thank you Patricia, I am just looking for general advice on what ratios of shelving above the cabinet would look aesthetically pleasing.

I haven’t started Reno yet. I still have a wall up where this cabinet will extend. We should be starting in 3 weeks. I attached a picture of the cabinet layout. It’s pretty basic.

for frequent dinner parties I don't think an open shelf where things are grabbed above food laid out is so great. I have people in and things get dropped/broken not infrequently.... its just part of these activities......avoid this above food layout. If it is "curios" and cookbooks...maybe smaller shelf/ just one, and a painting on wall...... And if you want 96 in of counter ...it is beyond sufficient for almost anything I can imagine....plates/stemware/ bowls in addition to the food/snacks ...... . RE that area where stemware will be placed.....is that not the type of thing you would want near where the dinner party layout will be?