Black?

Black was actually my first thought but it would not brighten up the area

Lights should be used to brighten the area...the color of the shelving won't make an appreciable difference. I'd use black - if you don't want black, use your trim color.

You both are 100 % right black it is

How about the color of the fabric on the chairs?

I was going to say black as well. But I'd do two of them by the windows

(BTW, What is your current wall color? I feel like if you did something less yellow, it would help w/the honey oak tone)

Maybe something like this, w/one or two sconces above them.

Or, try this by the stove (you could do 2, not 3, but I like the sconce)

here's my redition w/black shelves and black sconces

and oak shelving w/gold sconces. (you could do gold and black. think about getting a new black faucet. I got mine from Delta and it's great. not expensive either)

.

if you can install some sconces over the shelves, it would look great. and if you're only doing one shelf, it would eat up some of that wall space

I know you didn’t ask, but your wall paint color does not work with the oak. Is it a shade of yellow?

I think changing your wall color would really brighten the room up.

A bamboo shade with cabinet color and black might be something to consider.

It’s not just about the color, it’s about the balance in the kitchen…..Beth H’s photos clearly show that you need 2 shelves, painted black to echo your countertop and the hardware, to bring balance to those empty walls. And the lights above the shelves are great!

I would do the floating shelves in white to match the window and door trim, but I don’t think you need floating shelves. Try to find the exact source, manufacturer and style of the kitchen cabinets. You need upper cabinets if you are thinking of selling next year or ever.

felizlady, these are older cabs. I'm sure she removed the uppers so she could have the open shelving. That's what she wants. Hopefully she kept them so that when she sells, the buyer can have the option.

These cabs would be good candidates for painting if they're a solid wood and still in good shape. The modification I would make is adding drawers in the lower portion of the island.

A white backsplash all the way up those walls then shelves could make a nice change.

You have ONE upper...how is that making an entire room dark? Your counters tops are the big thing sucking up light. For sure don't paint if you are going to sell!! Wood cabinets are far far more desirable by the populous than painted!! The lack of cabinets is going to be a huge issue selling. The one shelf you have could just be repeated. Why add yet another element?

Is there a separate pantry room for storage nearby? If not, you maybe feel cabinet space works for your needs? Obviously if selling may only appeal to certain buyers.

Maybe take one of the shades from the tile backsplash. Your window trim is nice and bright white, and if you are trying to lighten it up, a lighter shade that plays off one of the shades in the tile backsplash would work and it would mesh well with the wood also.

Also, to tie it together when lightening it up with lighter shelfs, maybe lighten up the handles on the cabinets to coordinate and bring it together. I agree with catherine above, maybe the color of the chairs in background. I don’t think black is the only option, you can definitely go lighter into the shades that play off backsplash or chairs. The items you place on the shelves will play into your color design as well.

I actually think the image Beth shared of the shelves that match the honey oak really pull the look together. You have 'toned down' the honey oak by removing the uppers - and by adding in black and white and glass (dishware/accessories) and black sconces to those walls will also continue along that vein. So, don't be afraid of a honey oak stain - IMO it looks better than more black. A color/color will be even trickier for resale.

I think you're cabinets are beautiful!  I would consider painting your walls a different color if you want to tone down the yellow in the cabinets, similar to the muted/cool tones in the example from Beth H.

You want to lighten the space ? Then for sure not black shelves , way too much contrast. Start by making sure all your bulbs are LEDs 4000K then the colors will be true all the time and then see if the shelves need to change at all. Maybe just some nice colorful stuff , not too much, on the shelves for sale purposes .I do agree if you want to do anything stain to match the cabinets.

Fastest and easiest idea is to paint the shelves black and the wall a warm white that doesn’t throw off a yellow tinge. Look at SW Creamy for the walls. If you’re more creative, use Beth’s two shelf idea.

I love that comfy seating area!

Very nice with much better balance!

(apparently my photoshop recommendations went unnoticed! lol)

How did you install the shelves? they look like they're sagging. did you mount the supports in the studs?

paint your puck lights black so they're somewhat hidden. use a metal spray paint.

In fact, if you can, hollow out a little spot in the wood so they can sit up a bit.

one more suggestion. your white outlet cover on the island? they make oak covers. you could find on in the same stain color, or get it in raw and stain it to match. Little things like that can make a difference. especially to future buyers. it's a cheap redo. that white outlet really stands out.

I suggest you look at the photos Beth posted for the kinds of things one might typically see on kitchen shelves. Too much decor on yours I think. At least maybe the corner ones should reflect a working kitchen.

The black paint looks great. Please rethink what you place on the shelves.

Thank you for all of your inspiring ideas.

A Hobby Lobby/Michael's aficionado, I see. Looks like a housekeeper's dream! The shelves turned out pretty nice, but that's not kitchen decor, and there's way too much of it. Be sure to simplify after the holidays and certainly before photographing for real estate presentation.

Consider painting your backsplash light gray to go with the yellow paint and the cabinets and I agree with Beth on two shelves at the window it's looking festive now

Beth H. The shelves were custom made by a cabinetry carpenter and are very sturdy

Beth H. We just bought the house this summer from an older couple who built it in 2005, Shockingly the cabinets I removed are cheap cabinets with wood facing and veneer sides dated 2019! Blew my mind that someone in 2019 would install new honey oak cabinets. None of the color stain of the upper cabinet doors matched each other or the bottom cabinets, it was a mess. We are planning to move again this summer so I didn’t want to sink anymore more money into to the house in case home prices drop. I did keep the upper cabinets in case the next buyer wants them. Surprisingly the houses in the city we moved to all look about 30-40 years behind the times, it was very difficult to find a house that wasn’t a 4 room square with 8 ft ceilings.

Beth H and Decoenthusiaste
Thanks for the tips notice the electric cover on the island

Hi Connie- Are those real ivy topiaries? Please be careful with those. I went on a topiary kick years ago and ignored all the advice I read about ivy topiaries tending to collect little bugs. Well, mine did get those little bugs. And yes, they were indoor topiaries, too. So please be careful, this is your kitchen, around your food! If they are articificial, no bugs, that's good, you can just run them under the sink spray to get rid of any dust (remove the twinkle lights and ribbons first.)

They are artificial, my husband puts the lights on them every Christmas, I can’t stop him he loves to do it lol

Good on him for getting involved, and with something that doesn't involve risking life and limb!

Connie, yes! looks better w/o that white. now just spray your white puck lights and you'll be in business!

Styles of houses and decorating are super regional except for a few HGTV trends people will want to rip out in five years (I've never understood the love of shiplap). I've lived all over the US and understand what you experienced. With that in mind, don't go too far from the regional taste if you plan to sell soon. Not sure what @decoenthusiaste meant with this comment, "A Hobby Lobby/Michael's aficionado" but if you've been to a Hobby Lobby or Michael's lately and tried to find a parking spot anywhere near the door, you'll see that the poster is in good company.

Decorate to your own taste if you plan to stay, decorate to your own taste with a nod to local tastes if you plan to sell.

Looks very nice, well done.