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feeny If you are looking for something decorative, pottery or glassware is always a good choice for those high glass cabinets.

tennisanyone Something decorative. Nice kitchen but I see what you mean. My eye went straight to them.

Darzy Are they lighted? I'd put extra wine and champagne glasses that I don't use frequently. Or crystal bowls, etc.

demour I would put cooking books in both of them, would look nice

Barnhart Gallery I believe those are bunkbeds for your cats.

Kidding -- what do you collect?

Staring at them, I'm thinking of old style transom windows with a reverse-glass painted number or sign. As much as I dislike the repeated to death, "Live, love laugh," might there be a more original set of words or images that would inspire you? Make it modern using silver and a cool font, perhaps. Then you get the lightness of the glass, but gain back some semi-hidden storage -- depending on the design.

rpl814 There are lights in there. I just didn't have them on. What are transom windows?

Digital Imaging by Tina - Interior Designer How about some kitchen cabinet inserts?

orangecamera When you decided you wanted them, what did you imagine you'd use them for? (I'm asking this to maybe jog your memory). Since they're lighted, I'd use them to display colored glass. Keep the items toward the front, since you won't really be able to see anything pushed back.

hmschoolmom I would put large serving dishes or pottery--colored, white or silver --whatever your preference. Don't put glass or crystal--it won't be easily seen. I made that mistake. My crystal goblets and serving bowls "disappear" begin the glass. White looks lovely as does silver.

hmschoolmom I meant "behind" the glass. Stupid iPhone.

Barnhart Gallery Transom windows are usually narrow and placed over a door or another window. Think of NYC, Boston, London doorfronts where the address is goldleafed on the inside of the glass just over the door...

Maria Billingsley of J Hettinger Interiors The best thing to do is change the glass to something textural so you cant see through it. The space is too small and if you put one item in each cabinet I think you would get tired of it. Here is a really cool glass that has texture and interest.

Maria Billingsley of J Hettinger Interiors another glass smaller..and don't put anything in them

rpl814 Thanks, I could also spray that stuff that makes it look frosted... I'm going to do that on my sidelights, so I can see if I like it. I just put a few things in there and they all look weird. The height is a problem for tall things and short things look silly.

orangecamera If you're not putting anything in the cabinets, you can tape bubble wrap inside the glass. From a distance, nobody will know what it is, I think it will look like the expensive textured glass. Use the stuff with the big bubbles.

Darzy Very creative idea orangecamera!

rpl814 I have some in my garage from the move. I can't picture that really working, but I'll take a look :-). It would be funny if decorated my new fancy kitchen cabinets with bubble wrap.

orangecamera Hi Darzy :) Thanks.

orangecamera rpl814, you don't have to tell anyone it's bubble wrap. Tell them it's a "special glass treatment".

tennisanyone Let us know if the bubble wrap works but if you turn the lights on and they are halagen lights inside the cabinets, will it melt the plastic and start a fire . Clever orangecamera.

orangecamera tennisanyone, thanks for pointing out about the fire hazard! Yikes!

orangecamera Here's a picture (not bubble wrap) for inspiration.

Darzy @hmschoolmom. You're right that the clear glass would "disappear" behind the glass, but that was kinda my intent. If colored glass/pottery type is too "busy" looking for RPl814, clear glass storage may work. I like Maria's pretty glass idea, rpl814 frosted glass to hide the stuff. The bubble wrap...gotta try it!

kro9o Colored crystal, for example margarita glasses with a green stem and blue flute. You can get them at places like Crate and Barrel, doesn't have to be a high ticket item.

Ironwood Builders How about looking at what others have done?

rpl814 So I realized that a big problem was that I need to put everything on blocks or something to make them higher. Things were disappearing with the shaker door.

abbshel They are high, so I wouldn't put things in there that you might actually use like wine glasses, etc. unless its a special collection you never use. I like orangecamera's photo with the potted green plants and assorted white ware. I would do the fake plants and decorative pitchers, urns, colorful bowls, etc.
Maybe one or two pieces per cabinet.
Keep it simple!

cwithd Colored platters as a back drop and then layer with bowls, pottery or wine bottles. Even empty wine bottles with artsy labels, or from a special occasion. a bowl full of corks. Your family letter of last name in chrome, extra large 3D. Family treasures, like grandma's vase, grandpa's old sword, etc. the options are endless. Just be careful to not clutter to many things.

Darzy Since you have the "drop down" issue on the shelf. How about a "collection" of silver platters on easels? The easels will raise them up a bit. The silver will shine with the lights on them. (or colored platters, whatever your preference).

NexTrend Design Great idea Darzy... and many ideas from others above. One foot high is a great height for vases you only need occasionally, colorful teapots, plates/pictures on easels, color-coordinated cookbooks between bookends, stack of books with metallic or colored glass fruit ornament on top, metallic designerish cookie tins, vintage teacups & saucers stacked 2-3 high or on top of books, some greenery, etc. I agree, the possibilities are endless. Put in items that YOU love & delight YOUR senses that also relate to a food prep & dining space. That's what will make the space come alive for you and feel special.

kimdee24 Great ideas here for sure. I got "surprise" glass doors on my new cabinets (they were spec'd by the builder and I didn't know until they were installed). It was a dilemma for me too finding NICE things to put behind those doors.

donnag631 I literally just had the same cabinets installed this afternoon, and I love the glass cabinet on top! Don't know how I'll use them - lol. Your kitchen is beautiful.

dessert Chose an accent color for your kitchen ( blue, apple green, red etc) and fill each cabinet with one large piece in that color. Then add accessories in the same color on your counter top ( ex dish towels, bowl of fruit). Watch your kitchen shine! No bubble wrap needed!

4resas You can continue with the black and white theme. If you pick white items you will need to make the back of the cabinets black. I'm lazy so I would put a board in the back, not paint. Or you can use that area to introduce a pop of color

rpl814 Thank you all for the wonderful ideas!

Maria Billingsley of J Hettinger Interiors I really like the all white in the cabs!

4resas You can get clear canisters, and change the contents when you feel like it. Autumn leaves, christmas balls, dried flowers, interesting pastas, pebbles.

mmilos Since the kitchen is sleek and modern, mix it up a bit and add some decorative Navajo pottery.

Interiors International, Inc. Either keeping with the monochromatic theme with some cool white or grey dishes or add some bold color.

grinter may sound dumb but what about putting wine in the top cupbords get some type of wine racks and fill them, good talking point

rpl814 Here are some things I've been playing around with

tennisanyone Honestly, I am not a big fan of all the stuff in the cabinets. I think it takes away from your nice kitchen. I liked them with nothing in them. I think I would get doors on some of them. It looks like they are two separate doors. OR maybe try all white without so much contrast.

Wendy Hummingbird Designs What accent colour are you going to use ...... Once you decide find some glass bowls,or vases ,decorative dishes (Something you really like ) in the same colour.

jkristamagee Oh oh oh! So beautiful- to answer the question- ANYTHING YOU SO FREELY CHOOSE! you can make cat buck beds out of them if you want lol. That's my favorite thing about glass cabinets, nothing is in the way hiding your favorites that you want to be seen. Again- absolutely gorgeous!

Darzy I think the color dishes look too cutesy for your glamorous kitchen. :) I prefer the black/white, nice!

hmschoolmom I agree with Darzy about the colored glass unless there was one color that could be repeated. What are the color tiles in the backsplash? Are they all gray/black tones?

Urbana ~ Designer Ellen Crystal since the glass cabinets are a feature, treat them similarly all through the kitchen. A theme of items. Any accent colour or black as backdrop can be effective. Whatever is put up there, you have to love it. Heck, you could even do a rotating holiday theme if you desired! Any collections you might have. Whether it is fish, strawberries or sea shells. Given the perspective, as you've discovered, they need to be elevated. you may have to play a bit to get the right number of elements so not distracting, but still a little bit interesting as a highlight. And... if you are going to turn the lights on..........that will focus even more attention up there so better be the best, most beautiful, astounding object imaginable.

sacapuntaslapioz your turkey serving dish and champagne glasses.