How can I give this shelf above the refrigerator more character?

Paint the trim around the shelf (and the small shelf itself) the same white color as the crown molding above, and then paint all of the inside walls (top, bottom, sides and back wall) a darker color to create some contrast, making it "POP." A dark color will show off that white platter and any other white dishes. I would even recommend picking up the color of your clock (black?), or perhaps a much darker shade of your wall color. Look on the paint chip you chose for the wall color and choose the one on the bottom, the darkest one, or whichever one you think will look best....but go darker than the walls. Trust me, it will look phenomenal! I painted my corner built-in cabinet back walls a very dark shade of almost black gray, and all of my white china platters and dishes look AMAZING on it!

Good luck!

PLANTS

Take out the little shelf. Paint the niche to match the cabinets. Put a great storage basket in there to store items you don't use much. If you don't need storage, put a silk plant in the basket. A basket will add great texture, warmth and interest to that little niche.

Remove the little shelf & paint it all out with the same white as the rest of your cabinets. By removing the shelf, you have a great little spot to create a pretty vignette! You can even change it up to match a holiday/season

Add lighting, back lighting.

I agree with many of the others in that the small shelf be removed so you have one large opening. either paint it (and the trim) all one color....or paint the entire inside a special color different from the trim color. Put something you love inside....something large or a grouping of things. Or pretty wine bottles. Make it art worthy with a functional twist

I'd paint it, too. I use same space as a niche for my cook books. Adds color and looks great.

I would paint the trim white like the cabinets and the inside a bright color to coordinate with your color scheme.Also remove the shelf

That was my thought, I know they come in strips/tapes. Postcard pick when you do it, I would like to see it.

Post a picture. Darn autocorrect.

paint woodwork of shelving White to match your cabinets. Cut two pieces of stiff card to fit snug the size of shelf back walls, cover these with fablon /sticky back plastic. Push these firmly against the back . and place the bowl or similar back up. This means it can be changed/removed later without damaging the wall. you could apply sticky back to coasters or placemats to repeat it elsewhere in your kitchen. I covered a pattern on my border tiles with the fablon and two cupboard ends. Will try to post images.

It's so easy to do. your kitchen has a very individual look.

put in a wine rack or use as a place for your cookbooks after you remove the smaller shelf

Put a tension rod with pretty fabric.

I would paint it white (or black if you like contrast) add a few items: a pitcher, bowl, maybe a white container with a faux succulent. Keep it simple.

HI ! Take out the middle shelve. Paint it white. Buy a bold color( matching your décor) pitcher -vase - a decorative plate on acrylic stand- something that will fill the space and make a statement.

Some thing you wont use. Who wants to constantly be trying to get something down from there. Don't buy the first thing you see or if you do keep receipt and leave tag on it- live with to see if it you really like it.

Good Luck

That is a perfect place for a wine rack. Even just buy one and place it in that nook. Cookbooks would add a lot of color, if that is what you are looking to do.

Paint it the same color as your cabinets and the back wall with your accent color. place a wine rack that fills the space and use it for wines. or place colorful pottery Just one or three pieces. Don't want it to look cluttered.

or place cabinet doors on it and use for storage.

You could use the self stick tiles that they have for back splashes at Lowe's or Home depot to set off the inside---or maybe not paint this area white but one of your colors you use as accents.

A wine rack would look as if that is what it was intended for.

When I purchased a new frig I had to remove the cabinet above the frig but was not able to finish and paint the area, so I bought two deep baskets one round with a stripe and the other was oval with an interesting weave. I placed some taller cookbooks in the baskets and no one notices the unfinished wall behind. I would use the depth of your frig and remove the entire shelf for more storage.

I would remove the little shelf if possible, paint it white to match your trim and put a couple of baskets in the space to store items you rarely use. I use baskets all over my house to store all sorts of things.

I'd have wanted a few inches between the top of the fridge and the shelf for the heat from the fridge to escape. If that's not an issue for you, consider adding doors -- glass ones if you want to display treasured pieces, solid ones if you want to use the space primarily for storage.

If you don't want to add doors but want to use it for practical storage and if it's deep enough, you could add vertical dividers and use it for serving tray storage or, if not so deep, for lid storage.

https://www.google.com/search?q=images+shelf+w/vertical+dividers+for+platters&client=ubuntu&hs=i3p&channel=fs&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj84emvsLTRAhVn9IMKHWHZBg8Q_AUICSgC&biw=1366&bih=634

I would extend the stainless steel up so that it looks like an extension of your refrigerator, one solid unit. Try Krylon Stainless Steel finish spray paint. Then use the area to display a few favorite cookbooks and collectibles that match your kitchen theme, maybe a flame less candle for illumination.

That one is so easy, gather two or three things you really love and group together in this space or even stencil a sign inside the nook that says EATS or whatever makes you happy, they even have wall stickers now that can jazz it up and they are about $6 at Walmart. I have an old chimney in my kitchen that I covered with roof flashing for a backsplash and I added Faith, Hope and Love.

Add some wallpaper to the back and paint the shelf to match. Great space for cookbooks or that special dish or pitcher handed down from generation to generation.

In the area I have, my handyman removed the doors which became a perfect space to display some 7 different teapots my mother had collected. Two smaller teapots were displayed by turning upside down small clear cup saucers using sticky tac to attach them to the bottom of clear stem wine glasses, the two small teapots fit perfectly into the groove of the cup saucers.

I would also use some type easily removable back ground to match your color scheme and then I would add something you love but don't use and some greenery an ivy. Are there other cabinets along that wall or is it a lone? Do you have cabinets with glass doors? I'm just trying to envision the space if you already have glass doors what's displayed there? If there are other cabinets along wall what's on counter tops? It does look lonely and since you plan on painting white and you have white crown molding, it will need life. Will you be putting the clock back? If so maybe stick with black and place something on other side so it looks intentional. Good luck.

I agree remove the little shelf go to flea markets and find somethings in colors that really appeal to you, vary the heights [ try pottery ,paint baskets, a glass cake stand dried flowers WHat YOu LIke. You can paint or stain the the wood any color you like. Make it something that makes you smile .

Piece of pretty stained glass...cover the whole completely

id use it for cook books, stacked horizontally, or go to one of the odd lot stores and find a few fun colored rectangular soft sides boxes, and store the things you done use often, likes cookie cutters, large utensils, etc.

Frame it out to look like a built-in and paint it to match cabinets. You can put doors on it or not. Depending on if you want to hide items. Or leave open to use as wine bottle storage, cookbooks, platters. Play with different ideas, see what you need the space for. Good luck and have fun.

I would frame the shelve and refrigerater with decorative molding. Paint the moldings and the inside of the shelve white.

Had the exact thing...put shutters up for a.couple years..Got tired of that ,then put up a wine rack...looks gteat

Actually, it is a nice shelf. The issue is painting it to match the cabinets will make it look out of place, I would figure out what the wall color is and have an enamel made to match. I would use no more than a satin sheen. With this choice, you can display some brightly colored dishes or vases and it won't fight the color.

Agree, paint to match the wall. And change the shelf to frosted glass. and you can also add wrought iron braces for the glass shelf to add class. You can add glass doors IF that is your taste. Or you can remove the shelf completely and paint to match the wall, and display a sculpture like you do with a Niche.

I like the idea of a place to store and display cookbooks. Paint it white (in a satin finish) and add a pattern to the back wall of the nook, such as wallpaper in a bold, graphic pattern that has a darker background (like a charcoal grey) with a white pattern. Greenery is very in, so adding a succulent or other plant (even if it's faux) next to the books would be lovely.

Have fun!

Put molding around shelf and down sides of refrigerator being sure to match the rest of the kitchen molding. Love the idea of natural wood so would use stain to match may other natural wood cabinets.

Then would put pictures of my animals up there in nice frames. If you use you refrigerator top to put cereals, etc on then would add doors. Can always use curtains the same as you have on kitchen window to cover instead of doors. Or could use to display your grandmother's antique dishes. Main thing is to experiment a little before committing to painting etc and have fu.n

How about placing some lattice framing and use it as a wine bottle rack?

That's the perfect place for cookie sheets or trays. Remove the small shelf and add dividers for trays that are taking up space in the storage for pots and pans. Could possibly reserve some space for Cookbooks, half trays, half cookbooks.

you can line the whole thing with shelf paper. Top, bottom, sides, shelves. Mix and match the paper with whatever colors and patterns you like. Go to the dollar tree and have fun

I would never paint it white or to match the wall color.I would celebrate the space by painting it a fresh bright color.

What about putting cookbooks for a fancy voice in the middle with books on either side

I like the wine rack idea, although I would try painting the shelving the same color as the wall, so it will blend in. Now you can place your cookbooks and some cottagy decorations or polish pottery around your books.

I'm in the paint it wall color camp and depending on use you punch it up. If it's odds and ends that don't fit anywhere else but aren't display worthy frosted glass doors or metal mesh inserts to match fridge.

If your going for a display,, think collections of similar items - color and shape. That should help you decide if you need or want more color or pattern in the cabinet. I love this non-permanent trick of foam core cut to size of cabinet and wrapping it in a piece of scrap-fabulous fabric. shove it into the rear wall and remove / change when you get bored.

It needs a "hat" Remove the top trim board and replace with a 1x4 shelf that goes across the top and extends a couple of inches over each side. Stain to match. I would display a collection of vintage coffee pots in it to echo the stainless fridge. It's really not very practical for anything but display. It's too high to be functional storage

Agreeing that it would be to warm for actual wine, I'd still put a wine rack there and fill it with empty wine bottles. Visually it would look nice and if you not a wine drinker they can be obtained from restaurants or friends.

The idea of putting molding all up both sides of the fridge and around the shelf will I think balance everything out especially if painted to match your cupboards. Then just use it for a few pretty and colourful pieces of decor. using it as an open shelf for mismatched dishes or books or cookie sheets would not appeal to me. Too fussy, cluttered and crammed looking. Good luck!

Take out the half shelf. Paint the inside a dark color. Can't see the rest of your kitchen to help choose the color. Paint the trim to match the wall. Install a light and display something you love.

I like the idea of painting the shelves to blend in with the walls if you want to leave them as they are. Do not put anything up there that you use regularly unless you are really tall. Otherwise, you will need to keep a small step stool or a tall person nearby at all times. Decorative items in silver or steel coloring would be good to tie in with the fridge. Otherwise, if you are willing to make a change in the actual cupboard, I would extend the side edging of the cupboards right down to the floor and make the fridge seem to be a built-in then add Slleonard's ideas. Personally, I like the second option.

Looks like a great place to conceal a wall safe...affix a faux wall/door to the front then hang that clock over it...

Hello, I personally would take the half shelf out, put in some shelving around the fridge,on that whole wall. Paint the shelving same color. Paint the trim a lighter color.

Put in a horizontal half , shelf in the original one.

Depending on your budget, & ability; some small silver dollar size lights. Or the tape strip lighting, IKEA has some.

Then put the trim on the finished work.

The shelving above the fridge with the lights and fresh coat of paint with color.

You be surprised what you will come up with on your own.

Personally I'd put the cook books on the horizontal side and put a decorative kitchen pice you cherish on the smaller side.

Then use a small fold up step stool. Keep on the side of the fridge (Walmart has them for 10.00.)

This is what I would do

I painted all of my cabinets white and have a shelf like that above my microwave. We put an outlet in it and I can decorate it for Christmas and other times I have my collector bean pots in it.

Make sure that everything balances...it would had been nice to have a picture of rest of kitchen....Mine matches the rest of the cabinets....Seldom used cups or any other heirloom...very FEW...books lying horizontally....do you have enough light for a live plant? (I do)

I have several ideas; take the 1/2 shelf out. Buy some metal easels and display some large platters or bowls that you don't use to often. Put a live plant between them that doesn't require a lot of light; bamboo, aloe, spider or vine plant.

another idea; use this area for storing holiday dishes you only use once or twice a year. Use a tension curtain rod and hang a curtain to hide the items you are storing. Pick a fabric that goes with the rest of your kitchen or make several curtains to match the seasons and change them up. OR make a display of vintage kitchen items you can find in flea markets that don't cost much; hand held blending/egg beater tool, old wooden cheese box, vintage cupcake pans, hen basket made of chicken wire that can be filled with fake eggs or lemons & limes. Use your imagination. Pictures of pets in cute frames would look good too! It's like free space to have fun with!!!!

IF you are painting the rest of the cabinets white... paint this one white also. IF it was me, I would remove that small shelf and use the space to display a beautiful platter (use a plate stand) or pretty vase, pitcher etc. Something to add colour

We ended up beefing up the molding around the opening, putting vertical pallet boards on the back wall and painting the 2 side walls and molding white to match our white cabinets. Also did take out the shelf....loooks awesome! Now I'm deciding on painting the walls either SW Silvermist or BM tranquility, both beautiful colors. Thanks for your comment. BTW, I am planning on displaying a pretty platter!!

Peel off wall paper or easy peel contact paper would be a quick and simple fix.