Tig decided on a series of 3 L shaped shelves with graduated depths (deepest on the bottom and the shallowest shelf at the top). He bought 3/4 inch poplar plywood from Home Depot and measured it out. He chose poplar because it was the least expensive hardwood plywood. And we chose plywood because we wanted something utilitarian, not craftsman-like. Think Family Handyman, not Fine Woodworking.

I assisted him during the cuts, and did a quick pass with the course grit sandpaper. Here are the three shelves lined up.

If you tilt your head to the left 90 degrees, that is how the shelves will be placed in the niche. The opening is smaller than the width of the space. We decided against 22 in deep rectangular shelves, because we did want the space so deep that things get lost. With an L shape, we still use the odd bit that extends toward the closet, but keep our stuff accessible.

Here are the shelves primed and painted.