Open shelves Dan create visual interest if you use them to store common place everyday objects, ones that will be used enough to avoid collecting dust, or display Like minded items of interest, whether it be all white serving ware, as in country styled kitchens, or a grouping of recipe books. Whichever you choose, make sure the items are not static, and get moved around enough to remain visually interesting and dust free! Open shelves can be vertical shelving units, amongst your tall cabinets to fill awkward left over space, at upper level within easy reach of your, keeping Bench-tops free of clutter. They can merge into an adjoining desk space perfect to pay and store bills, or charge your iPad etc ready for ordering online. Open shelves can be further utilized to introduce colour or texture into a single palette kitchen, for example having timber open shelves or a colour can tie in accessories, appliances or even splash back colours. As a kitchen designer, I often include them into a design, and make sure they are a usable size, and flexible enough that if you tire of them, you could order a door to enclose them at some point. If you like the option of that, the shelves would be need to be recessed 20mm back from the adjoining door fronts so if one was added, they would all be seamless. This can be design feature by also adding a 20mm shadow line around the unit. To get an idea, take a look at the Formica colour palette brochure with a timber feature open unit, the feature colour here was yellow, and was designed by me. Good luck.

I love the open shelving picture above :) Is the borrowed light, next to the front entry? If so, How about blocking in the current doorway and changing the 'borrowed light' section into a larger, say 820mm or bigger glazed Cavity sliding doorway (or, possibly two smaller sliders leaving a wider opening for when using as a study. Then place your robes /shelving along wall opposite new doorway. This would leave the room ample big enough for a bed up against the wall w bedhead adjoining the bathroom with room for a small dresser/study desk also. Pop a piece of Artwork on the wall to look like a view..and presto you have a window view added to the room!! From a resale or visiting guest perspective a definate YES to go with your friend/valuers advice??

Haha, Jodie. If the container was full of jelly beans...it would be put to very good use! I did a quick search for lamps, so here are a few just to get you thinking. Probably a tallish one so two people can easily read in bed. Some of the lamps have shades that look like they might match the colour of the shades on your pendant light.

Also you need what you use all the time at eye level you seem to have every day items on the bottom shelf. The middle two would be so much easier. I also feel it could be time for a big clean out. Empty everything from all shelves, I know its very time consuming but the only way to do it. Allow a whole day. Go through everything individually, put like items together. Keep baking items together, sauces, gravies etc. together, cereals together, snacks together. Work out if you need to buy some baskets or plastic containers for loose items that should go together. Once you start you will be on a roll. When finished you will wonder why you didn't do this before. Dont forget the timber steps, I think you can buy plastic ones also. I have also seen expanding racks that do the same. But I have found them to be a bit over priced. Don't forget to treat yourself after the good job you have done. Good luck