10-12 inches for depth ,dinner plate size

I'd suggest that you won't lose much light if you had longer shelves but I see what you mean re interfering with the lights. It may well be possible to bring the outside ones inward slightly to help keep them away from the shelves if you swapped them out for longer ones. I'd say they would look better if they were bigger personally, but at the end of the day it's your space so do what you're comfortable with.

Hi Alison, Wraparound shelves sounds like a great idea... it will definitely allow your kitchen to remain as open as possible, and most importantly let light pass through, allowing the effect of greater size. Now you have the choice of what material to have them in... do you paint them to match the walls, good for a warm wood...?

Thanks for the comment Mary. Completely agree with you, the shelves are quite narrow (not sure whether jugs would fit?). We have a lot of red appliances so would you recommend red? If you have any idea pics that would be really useful. Thanks again :)