I wouldn't put doors on it, because you already have mis-matched doors flanking it on either side. I'd leave it open, and use attractive baskets or bins to hide the things you want to store on the shelves. I know you don't want to use it to display knick-knacks, but it would look really nice if you mixed the storage baskets with pretty objects to add some visual interest. I think there is a lot of potential here!

I would go with either storage baskets or fabric storage bins. They will look nice and more intentional and decorative than plastic storage. They have a wide variety of options and colors at Target.

I don't understand what is awkward about it. If you simply don't want to see the individual contents maybe go with matching bins you like the look/color of. Or hang a curtain rod with some stylish grommet top panels to cover the whole thing. A curtain would break up the wall of doors you'd create if you fit a door on there.

You'll have a problem putting bifold doors on there because it doesn't look like the shelves are recessed enough, so the doors would have to be mounted off the main wall surface, check out barn door hardware for that (would be a sliding slab instead).

If I had those shelves in my house I would fill them with books and/or magazines. About 70% books, 10% knick-knacks, and some empty space in between.

That doesn't look at all awkward. It's next to the kitchen, correct? If you have any kitchen items that are displayable, put them on the shelves. Also cookbooks (if you have any), and if you need storage go to the container store and get some bins and baskets.

People complaining about storage in an apartment. Sheesh.

That does look to be in a hard area to make changes to. Do you already have a pantry? I would think it would work well for food storage if you installed those swinging doors you talked about, or you could install sliding doors as well.

I think you should make a feature of the shelves. Good way to do this would be to buy Ikea white storage bins or bags (depending on size to fit shelves) and stencil large scale letters on the front, thereby creating something visual as well as practical.

I think those shelves are just begging for glassware, dishes, mixing bowls,etc. Practical and pretty too.

I would suggest frosted glass doors on the bottom half and leaving the top shelving open for cookbooks, bowls, cups and vase storage since it is so close to the kitchen. Consider some puck lighting.
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If you can take some of the shelves out in the middle, you could add a mirror or framed art to the back wall with a picture light, and create a little bar or drop off spot.

I would add some matching moulding around the outside to make it look more purposeful - something small so as not to interfere with the light switch. Then add your cookbooks, pictures, the pretty (but useless) bowls received as gifts. If it were me, I'd put in a candy jar full of M&M's. But that's just me :) I would avoid adding too many "solid" things like baskets. It will make the narrow space between the wall and island seem even more narrow.

Agree with HOUSEPROUD.

I did not see if you are a renter or owner. If owner, I like the barn door suggestions. If you can't do that because you are a renter, then a fabric curtain would be the most cost effective.

clean, frameless glass mirror doors (2) with push-releases hardware for opening. they would open up the walkway, hide your stuff and bounce the light around. there is nothing as wonderfully neutral, modern and timeless as mirrors.

good luck!

I love that built in shelving, I'm sure you can come up with a great way to make it functional AND pleasing to the eye. But I get that it can be awkward... the place I moved into has a ton of bookshelves installed on the bedroom walls, and they always look bare because I don't have a whole lot to put on them. I don't want to just display random junk, so 6 months after moving in it's still a work in progress!

It's clearly a pantry. Get some nice matching food storage containers and store your dry goods there (or cookbooks, or serving dishes, or even a nice straight row of wine glasses!)

I don't think that's an awkward shelving unit. I'd call it a godsend.
THAT's where you put all dishes, cups and bowls in nice stacks. You could put cookbooks on another shelf. Wine glasses, rocks glasses and goblets go on another shelf. Get some big baskets and put your table linens in them in neat folds. You could put some vases in there, a place for candlesticks with another basket full of tapers.
I wouldn't put canned goods on this unless they're decorative retro cans. This is not a food pantry. It's a built in hutch. Even putting doors on it might be difficult if there's not enough room for opening them.

I second jenc suggestion. Its great storage...I miss having open storage like that.

put things on them

Awkward? I'd love to have shelves like that. Anything arranged attractively or hidden in pretty bins or boxes, or a mix , would work. It's a blessing to have built-in shelves.

Agree with somebody above: Glasses, plates, and stuff. Large serving platters leaned against the back. Cookbooks and such. Maybe baskets on the bottom few shelves to hold other stuff. My GF has a house, and would kill for that storage!

The photos make it seem like you haven't moved in yet. Once you're in, you'll find that those shelves have filled themselves before you know it. If you still need suggestions, dedicate one shelf to cookbooks so they'll be handy, yet stored away from airborne grease and vapors. Matching bins would be fine, especially on the lower levels, but also consider mismatched reed baskets made of natural materials.

Could you explain why you dislike using the shelves for books and knick-knacks? I agree that knick-knack overload is awful, but surely you must have one or two useless but decorative or cherished objects. Place those sparsely on a eye-level shelf so any guest will have something to look at if they want to talk to you while you finish cooking the dinner. One of two framed photos would be appropriate; change the photos regularly if you want content but not the clutter of "too much stuff."

That was my first thought too!

I would suggest the ANNO flat panel curtain system from Ikea. Like sliding doors, but much simpler to install and you can add some color/texture to the room without the bulk of traditional curtains.

I'm not a fan of open storage - too much upkeep with the dusting and making sure everything is artfully arranged or it justs looks like a messy pile of junk.

You could use a simple sliding door track, which looks like it might just fit inside the space in front of the actual shelves and use two or more panels for doors. The plastic track is quite inexpensive and doesn't take up much space, no other hardware is needed for the sliding panels though you have to get something firm enough not to slump. Panels can be covered with wallpaper or whatever, stained, painted, or use coloured or frosted plastic. If you remove the door track later there would just be a few screw holes to patch up. If the track doesn't fit inside you may have to add some mouldings to hold it.

What's awkward about it? It's next to a kitchen, so I assume it's meant for overflow kitchen storage (and maybe some cookbooks, too). I'd use the top shelves for orderly dish, glassware or cooking pot storage, and line up Ikea galvanized-steel bins (or similar) on the lower two shelves.

@susanthebear: I love that idea, and it's the perfect place for a little bar area too!

I would not put doors or curtains, but leave it open. Use it to store pretty food like pasta, nuts, and oats in nice glass jars with lids. It will free up tons of space in your cupboards and look really chic!

Looks like it's near the kitchen; if it were mine, it's where the vintage Fiesta would go. IF you're a cook & the kitchen is short on storage, a pantry would be a good idea; use a bold fabric of some sort for a curtain. There are possibilities & like someone said, once you're moved in, maybe you'll figure something.

Since it's next to the kitchen, a combination of cookbooks, displayable kitchenware, and fabric/canvas/wicker lidded baskets containing clutter you want to store wouldn't be amiss. As long as the baskets you use tie into other elements of your decor, the display should look great.

There are a lot of tutorials kicking around online about styling bookshelves -- maybe start with looking at those to get ideas, and then go to Etsy or a BB&B-like store for pretty containers.

I agree with the judicious use of baskets or decorative boxes. You can fill them with paperbacks, CDS/DVD's, etc, and reduced the clutter effect.

If painting is an option, you could paint the back wall behind the shelves a color that goes with your style and leave the shelves as is or painted white to contrast. Then, no matter what you add, you have a beautiful backdrop and don't have to worry about hiding it.

Seeing as it is right off of the kitchen I would use it to display your pretty appliances (KitchenAid Mixer perhaps?), serveware (serving bowls, platters), and vases. If you use the stuff enough it shouldn't get dusty. As others suggested, use matching, attractive baskets to hide the stuff you don't want seen like napkins, tablecloths, or non-kitchen related doodads, like batteries or craft materials.

Take out shelves, put mirror on the back, and make it a swank wet bar. Be the coolest kid in the building. Bam.

I'm not seeing the awkward part, since it's right next to/in your kitchen, which means it's a great place for cookbooks, small kitchen appliances, oversized pots, wine rack/minibar... The possibilities are endless. If it's close to an entry door, you can make it a small landing for keys, mail, shoes and bags.

It's a great place to display any cute kitchen stuff you have without cluttering up your counter workspace! And since kitchen stuff is actually practical, you'll avoid the "look at all these vases I found on clearance at HomeGoods" display shelf aesthetic. If you don't HAVE a ton of kitchen stuff, you could also use it to store living room stuff like board games and DVDs in matching bins or baskets.

Next to the kitchen? I'd use the space to store small appliances, cookbooks, colander, kitchen towels for color and softness, large pantry items in decorative tins (flour, sugar, coffee, tea) and maybe a plant or two (think fresh herbs). Actually, it if was my place, I'd just fill it with books!!

You should def put storage there and if you think it doesn't look to nice with it being visible, you can always add curtains.

You could remove the shelves completely (if they come out) and add a nice big piece of art to the top, then use the bottom for shoe storage or maybe an umbrella stand?
Ooh, or! or! You could take out the shelves and install some hooks for sweaters, umbrellas, or even aprons! All sorts of stuff! Actually, you could still have the art AND the hooks...!!
I wish I had those shelves.

store appliances. but paper it in a pattern that compliments the room. or put anything there and hang a bamboo blind in front

I'd probably choose a different color or wallpaper to put in the back wall behind the actual shelves. Storing cups, plates, glasses and also some canned food, books, magazines... and whatever is related to kitchen would be nice.
All you need is a bit o planning and displaying the items in a way they look attractive.

Baskets or bins, not plastic, on the bottom shelves and cookbooks, atrractive glassware, pottery, etc. on the top. Mix in a favorite picture and/or object here and there on the top. And leave some breathing spaces on the top.

"Wet bar" means there's a sink with running water.

If you're going for minimal, maybe try a roller shade with a graphic element painted on it. Then you could put whatever want there and it's out of sight.

For what it's worth, I think this is a completely awesome feature to have right next to the kitchen. I would probably use it for cookbooks, dry goods, jars, baking supplies, etc. but not bother concealing it. It's great to be able to see what you have at a glance and keeps you from over-buying if you have to figure out how to make it look neat when you get items home. :)

Is that a closet next to the shelves? Consider getting an estimate on the cost to combine the closet and shelves into one unit. Unless the wall between them is structural, it could be quite affordable and will make this wall less busy looking.

I'd do bins/baskets on the bottom half and then a row of cookbooks/dishes, etc. But if you do own it and absolutely hate it, I'd actually go with mjs' suggestion.

If you don't like the way it looks, turn it into artwork. Buy a canvas that will cover the opening at a craft supply store, staple fabric to it, put hinges on it, and turn it into a vibrant beautiful door.

Totally agree to NOT put doors on - visually, that will just be too many doors in that space, all adjoining. No, no, no.

Yes to bins, baskets, cool vintage storage things. You can find small, old card catalogs (3 high X 2 wide) sometimes on CL - they're great for spices, meds, spoons, tools, etc., etc.. Or vintage document boxes made of tin. Old lunch boxes. Great baskets. There are so many variations of things you could store there, and display! Lucky lucky lucky!

What about painting/wallpaper the back wall of the shelves? It would add some nice contrast. Especially if you put baskets and a few tasteful items. You could as another idea remove some of all the shelves. You could hang 2 coat hooks and keep a shelf on the bottom for shoes maybe. Not sure what you want from this space. Or what about adding molding around the whole thing and/or the shelves themselves? Painting them white or black maybe.

I was thinking the same thing! Paint or wallpaper would add an element of depth and color without being too much.

A roll up blind, matchstick preferably, in a coordinating color. I like the idea of displaying kitchen machines and bowls, etc. but I'd never be able to do it in a way that didn't look horribly cluttered. I'd cover it with an easy to roll up blind.