We’re Shooting Caitlin’s Kitchen In 3 Weeks – But How Are You Supposed to Decorate Above A Stove? (+ 5 Styling Options)

202 thoughts on “We’re Shooting Caitlin’s Kitchen In 3 Weeks – But How Are You Supposed to Decorate Above A Stove? (+ 5 Styling Options)”

1. 100% greasy dust will go up and soil whatever is above the stove top. So put things that you can live with getting greasy and dusty between cleanings, or things you use all the time so they are being cleaned frequently. The last option is actually really good as the pots and pans will be used frequently and therefore cleaned often, and the plates and sconce light can be cleaned periodically (I would skip the art though, unless it’s behind a protective sheet of glass). The sconce is a good idea, extra light is always handy when stirring a sauce.

   1. Posted a prior reply w/out reading through the comments. I think people mentioning the shelves being to the left side wall are on to something. I would then put the artwork (w/glass/plexiglass) behind stove, since it is an easy wipe of any splatters w/ a plug-in picture light above artwork. The cord runs behind frame and plugs into artwork.

   2. Oops, meant plug-in to outlet.

      1. Yes! totally agree. But instead of a shelf to the left I’d do a vintage medicine cabinet to store spices.

         1. Love the medicine cabinet idea!

            1. Would a recessed medicine cabinet work on that wall?

         2. Spices would get Hot, super dry and flavorless!

   3. great advice, thank you!!

      1. To the medicine cabinet idea, which is genius, I would add a peg rail to the left wall for spoons/spatulas. I hate surface clutter and notice that your old pic had a spoon holder on the stove. But then it’s in the way or you have to walk 4 steps to get to it. I’d much prefer to have it where I need it, and there are some cute options out there (even a rod with a hanging spoon bucket would work). Frees up counter space, looks less cluttered, you don’t have to reach over steam (danger!) to grab a instrument, and as others mentioned- it’s stuff there will be used enough that there’s won’t be added cleaning to keep the grime off.

   4. I have an unframed piece of vintage art to one side of our stove/cooktop. One thing I did to protect it was to put several layers of oil painting specific varnish on it before hanging it there. That way it is easier to gently wipe it clean, it is protected by the varnish from absorbing anything else, and, as a bonus, it really revived the colors on the piece too! I wouldn’t do it with anything precious, but its a fun vintage piece that fits right in there.

2. I would be placing a rangehood above that stove, but then I cook a lot. Shelves would look great. The wallpaper is to die for. Love your home.

   1. Agree with this! Can’t underestimate how much steam and grease will float up from the stove. The wallpaper is genius for that space!

   2. i wonder if that’s a solution better for someone who owns the space vs. just rents

3. I’d personally go with the pot rack and shelf. Or maybe pot rack and two shelves. Ver functional and a place to style with pretty things. Be careful of any art and frames in the area. The grease and spatter are real. Be sure anything in the area is easy to clean. Smooth hard surfaces, but not a mirror. I think the mirror would always look dirty.

   1. The mirror—totally agree! I have a mirror above my range and it’s one of my least fav things. You look at yourself while cooking and scare yourself, it’s constantly dirty, everyone comments on how odd it is… mine is glued to the wall so is a project to remove (thank you previous owners! Hahaha) but

      1. love hearing the first-hand experience! have seen it done SO well in some homes (like this one! https://manhattan-nest.com/2013/08/26/the-kitchen-the-big-reveal/) but i definitely want it to be practical and not just pretty, hah. definitely leaning towards nixing the mirror option after hearing so much pro feedback!

         1. I have a mirror behind my stove an I love it…it sits above a shelf an I have a few spice jars an oil bottles on the shelf an while I do have to clean the mirror once a week I feel it makes my small kitchen seem bigger

4. The wallpaper is so fun! Is it holding up there? If I made even something easy like spaghetti, I splash stuff all over. Splattering oil and butter, for sure.

   But if that is holding up for you, I like your two shelf combo the best. And the art should be in a glass frame so you can wipe it clean (not an oil painting or similar). But maybe I’m just especially messy! It’s nice to have a few things handy right about the stove even if you have a lot of storage.

   Love the Evergreen Fog in your hallway— I used it last year for my laundry room/powder room combo. Thanks for the inspiration.

   1. ahhh yes, it’s doing great! hung it in september 2021 and there’s no peeling or ickiness (the professional term) so i’m really thrilled with it. thanks for your tip (and for the evergreen fog update – i LOVE hearing that!!!) 🙂

   2. Another thing to think about it buying a high quality piece of clear acrylic and screwing it into the area directly behind and above the stove top or side (you gently cut a small x into the wallpaper, peel back the sides a tiny bit and then nail or screw into that tiny spot – then when removing it you don’t have a hole in the paper, but can put a bit of glue and lay it back down). I did this for our Cole & Son wallpaper that goes down behind a raised bowl sink/wall mounted faucet and handles as it protects the wallpaper from my kids’ enthusiastic splashing.

5. CUTE wallpaper glow-up! I haven’t had to decorate with a blank stove slate like this before, but I’ve hung art directly behind the stove in a rental. It gets FOUL the way we cook (lots of splattery sausage grease; I knew the risks and was fine taking them, but I would NOT do a mirror there, it’ll just be gross most of the time or annoying to deal with.)

   I vote pot rack with shelf directly above, and art to the side. If you go a bit lower with the pot rack than what you’ve done visually, you can also lean some art up on the shelf without it being too high up and weird.

   Have fun! I never improved rentals as much as you’re doing and it seems super satisfying.

   1. love this idea about going a bit lower! and yes, it is super satisfying – i think i’ll be here for the long haul (my downstairs neighbors lived in the building for 19 years before they bought a house!) so it’s a real treat to make it a place i love being while i save up for what’s next 🙂

6. I won’t comment on what would look best. Functionally, getting things off the counter is always key for me in kitchen. Seems like you have storage for pots and pans but maybe you don’t have enough drawer space for cooking utensils.
   Anything above the stove gets dirty with grease, or steam entrapping dinner sheen. Since you’re wallpapered, you might want to think of a way to do a floating backsplash… it doesn’t have to be tile.

   1. Clear acrylic backsplash will let your wallpaper shine but keep it wipeable

      1. between us in the comments – i think my current frontrunner is a shelf/peg rail (who woulda guessed!) so i can get a piece of acrylic cut to hang off the pegs as a faux-backsplash while i’m cooking! really appreciate y’all flagging splatter – i only make pasta so it’s helpful to hear when cooking other stuff, haha

         1. what if you did a sheet of brass and let it patina?

         2. I think I would do something wildly different. I can see installing a faux backsplash by adding paintable encaustic paper or that paintable beadboard wallpaper (see here: https://thekwendyhome.com/blog/how-to-fake-a-beadboard-feature-wall) and run it up the wall behind the stove to the same height as the bottom of the cabinets and paint it with a satin finish that is wipable and looks cute with the cabinets. You could then do the same peg/shelf combo in that link to top it off, or just put up a shelf for some cute stuff. I would 100% move the stove to the right so that it’s snug to the counter as mentioned in many other comments, or put up a shelf or small cabinet that fills the gaps on both sides of the stove so that you can put a cute crock with cooking utensils and also the stuff you’re cooking. And you should definitely snag that adorable chalkboard tray in a comment below by Kj that you can hang with a cute shopping list. You will definitely want any artwork that you put up to be framed with glass so that you can clean the inevitable grease buildup on it. I’ve lived with mulitple kichens with this set up and my favourite way to treat it was to hang pans, cutting boards and cute collanders on the wall a la Julia Childs (ex: https://www.colorado.edu/coloradan/2019/03/01/Julia-Child-Kitchen-Chef-Cookbook-Rental), but I’ve never had stunning wallpaper to work with! Good luck!!

7. My vote is pot rack or pot rack and shelf. Keep everything either brass or copper and it won’t look too busy — although I know that’s not always possible. If the shelf gets painted maybe try to match the darkest green in the wallpaper so it blends in visually. I think it is best to go for the most practical option possible.

   Do keep in mind that depending on what you cook, without a vent, that area above the stove can get very sticky/grimy. That’s why I wouldn’t do open shelves with things like glassware. But a shelf with a pot rack where you keep olive oil and salt and pepper would be very helpful when cooking. If you want something on the wall to the side of the stove, maybe a wall hung spice rack of some sort? I’m sure there’s an attractive option out there somewhere.

8. Thinking practically, and if you want to encourage those culinary skills, a pot rack is where I’d go – having cooking utensils/pots within arms reach is very handy and if you only stock it with what you need/use, then you’ll use it each time you cook. If the pot rack is metal it’s so much easier to clean than anything wood (cleaning wooden anything that’s covered in cooking grease is both yuck and a PITA!). I love the idea of art, but it’s soooo close to the stove and again, cooking grease and also steam…not the most ideal environment for art (read ‘hard no’ and Dennis is spot on!). So I’d put the put the wall plates (as art) where you’re currently considering art work. Can’t wait to see the reveal!

   1. Love the idea of plates as art.

   2. SO HELPFUL to get this feedback on materials – thank you!!

9. Option 5! Functional and vintage cute.
   I would not put a mirror above the stove, if only because it makes that area look like a bathroom vanity! (Also making hot food on stove = foggy mirror.)

   1. Yes the mirror and sconce idea immediately had me thinking bathroom! Noooooo!

      Caitlin I think you have gotten lots of great advice. I would err on the side of not doing TOO MUCH. let the wallpaper continue to sing and have room to breathe, it is SO SPECTACULAR.
      Good luck !

   2. Agreed. A mirror will also show the grease A LOT so you will be constantly cleaning.

      I have a range hood that I don’t clean as often as I should and I’m always shocked at how gross it gets and I cook really boring non greasy things like boiling pasta or eggs.

      Is there any chance your landlord would agree to install a hood or extraction fan?

      Could you get a brass “peg rail” so it would be easier to keep clean? That would look lovely against the wallpaper?

10. I personally like the last one best. It adds a charm that fits in with the rest of the vibe of the kitchen.it seems like the one that gives off the vibe of “it was always meant to be there” if that makes sense. You’ll definitely appreciate having a light source right over the pans when you’re cooking, especially when it’s nighttime.

    Also, I can’t imagine the weirdness of having a mirror right there in my face when I’m cooking. Ugh. Especially when I’m stressed out because I’m worried that what I’m preparing won’t turn out right. Nope. Wouldn’t want to see my face.

11. These suggestions are quite practical. I think the design with pot rack with shelf and a piece of art is the best.

12. I wouldn’t put a anything above the stove that might encourage you to lean over it while the burners are on! Just personally, I’d have visions of reaching for a spatula and setting my t-shirt on fire. Maybe just me?
    I think anything in the kitchen is going to get that special kind of kitchen dust on it, you know the kind that is somehow a bit sticky, and the nearer the stove the quicker it accumulates. So I’d avoid storage in the area. So maybe the sconce and some art? And if you could handle the busy-ness, a little rail to the left of the stove. Actually, the sconce could be really good, because unless you’ve got some good light coming from the right side, you’re probably going to be casting some shadow over the cooker.

    1. This was my experience having a shelf above the stove – don’t store anything you plan on using while you cook -unless you’re tall with longer arms, then it might not be an issue. I’m 5’2″ so that probably impacted. I hated leaning over the hot (gas) stove.

       1. ooooh! i’m 5’8 but cue me running to the stove to see where i can reach comfortably – GOOD LOOKIN OUT, PALS!

    2. I hadn’t thought of this! You could add a spice rack shelf to the right so you don’t have to lean?

    3. My first thought was also not to store anything above the stove that you would want to grab while a burner is on…(I’m also short, so maybe this isn’t an issue for taller people? lol.) I love the look of the pot rack, if you have pots/pans you want to display. Make cooking utensils and spices easy to grab on the side – you could even hang a cute spice rack on the wall to the left of the stove. I would also definitely recommend the sconce – we have a light in our hood and use it all the time when cooking in the mornings and dinner in the winter. It’s nice to have light to see by, but not have all the kitchen lights blaring. Excited to see where you land with this!

    4. This made me laugh out loud! I also like the suggestions! Love including a sconce here, and I think a fun, inexpensive, not precious piece of art behind glass and in an easy to wipe frame (metal vs wood, simple flat edges w/out nooks and crannies) under the sconce would be great. I got some funny vintage magazine ads for bathroom supplies (toilet paper, toothpaste, etc.), put black construction paper behind them (to ensure type on back wouldn’t show thru) and stuck them in inexpensive but nice looking frames from Target and put them in my vintage 1950s bathroom. Found the ads at an antique store for $3-5 a piece. Something like that (food/kitchen/cooking ads) could be fun here!

       1. There are really fun and camp recipe booklets from the 30s, 40s, 50s with great titles, bright colors and fun graphics. You could easily frame those (I have several from my grandmother that are really fun).

13. My vote is option 3. I think it’s the best opportunity for functional yet pretty. I would use larger pieces on the pot rack instead of a bunch of smaller utensils. Could be a fun opportunity to collect some vintage copper pots and pans if you don’t want to display the pieces you actually use to cook with. Either way, whatever you’re hanging there is meant to get greasy and be washed anyways so it’ll be easier to keep clean. And then on shelf, assuming it’s at an accessible height, olive oil bottles, salt and pepper, etc… would be helpful to have nearby.
    Since you don’t cook a ton, I wouldn’t be TOO worried about what you display. Just pick things that can be easily washed when needed. Like if you were putting a lamp nearby, choose an all metal lamp that can be wiped down frequently, not a lamp with a fabric or rattan shade.

    1. HA. me: “do you think i can put a wicker sconce about the stove?” my boyfriend: “uhhhhhhh……maybe you can think of another option?” so appreciate y’all jumping in with these tips!!! i would have made the least practical setup without this advice, hah

14. I cook every day and I would not recommend hanging art near a stove. Artwork could be damaged by the heat and by boiling liquids like water or pasta sauce that could splash on it. Stick with durable metal or tile near a hot stove.

    1. Or tile or metal art that could be cleaned more easily.

15. The old house kitchen is such good inspiration! I was going to suggest installing a hood to whisk away odors but as a lady living in an old home, I also have no range hood and we’re fine (and we cook a lot!). I don’t fry things so maybe it’s an advantage?
    I like option 5 and option 3. Option 3 for the practical storage of utensils and spices within reach. Option 5 because it’s aesthetically beautiful.

    Can’t wait to read all about it!

    1. We don’t have a vent hood and the only time we notice is if we do something at really high heat, like if you cooked steak a lot. Or were searing meat.

    2. that’s so encouraging to hear!! my cooking so far has basically been “making mozzarella sticks” or “boiling water” so i’m heartened to hear that no range hood is workable for you 🙂

       1. I also lived without a vent hood in two different kitchens for about 12 years. We did add one into the second kitchen as part of a facelift/for resale and it was actually nice to pull cooking heat out of the room in the summers. Other than that I didn’t notice a difference.

16. Maybe you can fit some flats for the subway in the ludicrously capacious space above your stove 😉😆

    1. Well done!

    2. maybe my lunch pail on the other wall?

17. My only feedback would be don’t hang anything near the stove that you don’t want to have to clean grease off of. We get it all over our backsplash and upper cabinets, so I wouldn’t want anything very intricate I’d have to clean near the stove (frame with lots of nooks, etc). Also, I had a client use that wallpaper in a huge open kitchen/dining area and it’s beautiful!!

18. I love the ceiling rack/sconce option! I worry about pots and utensils scraping up against the wallpaper on all the other wall hung options, but you could screw a clear piece of acrylic to the wall which would have the dual effect of protecting the wallpaper and being wipeable.

19. OPTION 3: JOINT SHELVING AND POT RACK – FOR SUREIt’s the most functional, which you want directly around the stove, plus you could put a small piece of art or pottery on the shelf for something pretty.
    Also. i am OBSESSED with the wallpaper in here! can’t wait to see it all done!

    1. I second this emotion! The shelf would allow you to store stuff off your counter that you want accessible (like a salt well) and pretty things.

20. So many great options. I’d lean for practical and having your tools nearby but make sure that you can reach everything. I would want pot rack with shelf. I can’t wait to see the reveal.

21. Love the wallpaper!! I personally think it would be nice to have at least one shelf with the things i reach for while cooking often like salt and pepper and oil right there. You could do the pegs with utensils OR do a cute piece of pottery to hold most reached for spoons/spatulas (i like this option as it cuts down on visual clutter.). So i vote for option 1 or 3!

22. I hate to be negative Nancy, but anything that touches the wallpaper is going to scratch it eventually. I would nix anything that hangs onto the wall, including the peg rail and pot rack systems. My vote is for a hybrid: a single shelf for spices with a mirror and light above, and then a piece of art to the left (behind wipeable glass, and in a metal frame).

23. Thank you for that great post!. As I was reading, I was thinking, “a mirror!” so my vote is for option 4. ( Daniel Kanter had one in his 2013 kitchen Reno over a similar oven https://manhattan-nest.com/2013/08/26/the-kitchen-the-big-reveal/) I think all of the options are nice but a mirror would open the space and allow you to not stare at a wall while cooking. My old house had a mirror over the sink and it was nice. In that same house, I had a similar stove set up as you and we had a simple wall mounted spice rack above the stove. We did have to wipe things down but it wasn’t hard and they weren’t precious, so that’s another option. I think the simpler and easiest to wipe down the better. Can’t wait to see the whole kitchen!

24. I love that wallpaper! It looks so beautiful in there. The idea of a sconce with a cable running over the cooker is giving me the fear, I don’t know if it’s safe or not but it doesn’t feel safe. I know you get lights in extractor hoods but their cables are all safely behind the wall. I like the idea of putting up some art, so long as it’s washable (Dennis is right!) and a shelf, because you don’t need more storage but always want room for herbs/salt/oil/pretty things. I would add in that you need a splashback to cover the wallpaper just behind the stove or it’ll get ruined (ask me how I know) with grease spots that will not come out. You can get a rectangle of toughened glass for this and you’ll still be able to see the wallpaper but it’ll have a wipeable sheet over it. You can also do, for example, a sheet of aged brass/copper/mirror, cut to the width of the cooker and at least 75cm above it – at least, that’s what I’d need to add in the UK over a gas stove, but your mileage may vary. It has to be fireproof so not perspex. Here, it wouldn’t be considered safe with anything flammable within that 75cm zone above the cooker, so a wood shelf or frame would be problematic, but you could use a metal one or make sure it’s high enough up. Can’t wait to see the full reveal!

    1. I cook every day and wholeheartedly second all of this, especially the parts about the debatable safety of a plug-in sconce near gas, and the splashback. Your kitchen is going to be lovely!

    2. If you put up a piece of glass/plexiglass on the wall behind the range I suppose you could also put art behind it too. Nothing framed obviously, but maybe a cool vintage print tacked onto the wall with the glass screwed in on top of it. I’m thinking bigger piece of glass/plexi with smaller print centered. Love the idea of a sconce and even a wall clock somewhere above the range or on the side wall. A clock in the kitchen seems very useful to me always.

25. I’d put the peg rail / shelf to the left of the stove where you have art shown in many of the options. Could be used for spices, cooking utensils, hot pads, etc. As for behind the stove I’d put the art there! Something you want to look at while cooking (vs a mirror – who wants to look at themselves??).

    1. Just my thought as well. Put a shelf with a small pot rack rail/hooks below it on the left-of-stove wall. And why not go all-in on the plates and fill that back wall with hanging plates instead of art. A light would be nice, but I would hang it as high as possible and careful of the cord draping over the stove; maybe run the wire to the right and then up the side of the cabinet to hide it and keep it out of the way. A crock on the shelf could hold your spatulas, ladles, and wooden spoons and you could lean a piece of art on the shelf.. As for cooking, I love my Mauviel 1830 9″ carbon steel crepe/frying pan-made in France. It is light weight, food doesn’t stick (if you use butter/oil) and it looks good. I would suggest only a few hooks for pans below the shelf. We have painted drywall behind our stove and I cook everyday; I think you can be fine without the plexi glass as long as the wallpaper can be wiped from time to time.

26. Love the wallpaper! First, I would definitely go with a sconce because it’s important to have good light above where you cook. I have a brass rail right now above my range and love it. I like Sara’s combined shelf with rail system. I think if there is room, it would be cool to add some tile over the range in a solid color that compliments the wallpaper. I know you can buy stick on tile, or maybe there’s another alternative this isn’t permanent but looks good and is easy to wipe down. I don’t think you need art that close to the stove top, especially with the wallpaper.

27. caitlin, this is just stunning. that wall paper with those vintage cabinet are warm and inviting. i’m am similarly living in a vintage kitchen i’ve been slowly updating–painting the cabinets, new knobs, etc.–and i also have a free-standing stove situation. no hood. i don’t think it matters what you do over the oven, there will be clean up–a few well-placed mesh covers over the splashy bits will do wonders to keep the grease at bay. i’ve also taken to doing my periodic steak with an oven method just to keep the grease down. whatever you hang there has to be easily washed up if you don’t want to spend a lot of time cleaning (but you will spend some time cleaning). i’m a fan of decorative plates on the wall–i just take them down and rinse them with soap and water periodically ( i don’t even take off the plate hangers). and the sconce will be a relatively easy clean if you use a washable shade. [i purchased a sheet of un-lacquered brass online, took it to a local guy to machine some holes in it for hanging. it’s wipes easily and is aging nicely.] whatever you choose to do will be stunning with the paper. its just all SO GOOD. can’t wait to see what your creative mind turns up!

    1. Are you suggesting a sheet of unlaquered brass hanging behind the range as a backsplash bc if so, that is an amazing idea! Would be so pretty and functional too.

       1. i am!

28. Hi there! First of all, I think your kitchen is going to be wonderful. In terms of practicality and aesthetic, I think the shelves make the most sense. You will have more options for styling on a flat surface than a hanging surface. For instance- you could store pretty serving bowls AND lean a painting above the stove (best of both worlds, indeed) whereas the pot rack feels like you will be trapped into one kind of storage (that you don’t particularly need). And I personally would not love staring in a mirror while cooking- it’s one of the rare times where I can sort of disappear into my own thoughts and I don’t think looking at myself would help get to that meditative cooking state. Excited to see where it lands!

29. Option 3: pot rack with shelf and big piece of art.

    As someone who cooks in a galley kitchen that hasn’t been updated since the house was built in 1947, and has a free-standing oven (we’re practically twins!), I added a pot rack with shelf above my stove and it looks good, is not hard to keep clean, and keeps all of my most-used kitchen utensils and salt jars (etc) handy and within easy reach.

30. It needs a vent hood – I would demand landlord to install one for health reasons. Anything else would be covered in greasy dust before too long.

    1. 100000%

    2. yeah this is what i was thinking – where is the exhaust? it needs to go somewhere and there’s a reason for hoods! It looks ‘off’ because there is a very necessary thing missing!
       (not that it won’t be lovely when it’s done no matter what! but imho instead of adding visual clutter that will get greasy and gross, add the necessary, practical and safe thing)

       1. venting hoods need to be vented to the outside to work properly. In an interior wall relatively deep into the house, figuring out how to run the ducting to the outside can be tricky, especially if the ceiling joists don’t align with the placement of the ducting. This is really not a renter-type dyi situation and may be more than a landlord would want have done either.

          1. California Ventilation Building Code
             405.4 Kitchen Exhaust.
             A mechanical exhaust directly to the outdoors shall be provided in each kitchen. The fan shall run intermittently (on demand) or continuously. A readily accessible manual control designed to be operated as needed or an automatic control shall be provided for intermittent operations.

31. What a cute kitchen, I can’t wait to see the reveal!

    I don’t cook a lot but I always want my oils, salt and pepper, utensils and a clock near the stove. So that’s what I would prioritize making room for. The combo shelf and hooks immediately appealed to me the most because of that.

    I think the last option is very fun but I am definitely wary of hanging art right over the stove because of how grimy it would get. But leaned on a top shelf it would have more protection. I would not worry about plates as much since they are designed for food mess and could be cleaned easily.

    I know you said you don’t need extra storage but have you considered 1 or 2 slim rolling shelves that could fit between the stove and the wall or cabinets? That also might make it feel less like it is floating in the corner, now it has some buddies!

    Whatever you choose, I am confident in you and the Dream Team to make something beautiful!

    1. I was thinking that too! My parents have a similar setup and they pushed the range against the cabinets and built in some shelves between the range and the wall for cutting boards and other slim items. It’s a nice out of the way spot to store a utensil crock and olive oil, etc, as well. I hate cooking on a range in a corner, it feels so cramped and using the burners closest to the wall can be tricky if you’re dealing with handles. If you move it over you’ll still have plenty of room for whatever decor moment you like. Personally I like options 1 and 3 best!

32. always love your posts!
    I cook a lot (for 4 people, every day), and we redid our kitchen a couple of years ago, so here are my thoughts: do the pot rack/anything functional on the left wall. you don’t want to be reaching over a hot stove top to get the pepper mill! the hanging pot rack is so dreamy, and you have the ceiling height for it. but since you don’t have a hood, pots hanging directly above the stove will get greasy and gross.

    you could also do a backsplash that would save your beautiful wallpaper: either just a sheet of brushed aluminum (easy to find online or at restaurant supply places, can stick magnetic stuff on it), or a sheet of glass would be cool too, mounted behind the stove.

    it would be good to have a big container of cooking utensils that lives somewhere near the stove. that could be part of your setup, or it looks like it could sit on the countertop? I’m left-handed so I always want to reach to my left…

    one more thing: definitely do a light somewhere! that’s another thing a range hood offers that you can dupe.

33. As a cook (and not a stylist), I would consider putting a few little shelves on the wall next to the stove, not over it. You’ll be able to reach for spices or whatever without catching your clothes on fire. Also, remember that if you do cook, the space over the stove can get greasy/grimy, so having something simple back there–like a mirror–makes it easier to wipe down. Good luck!

    1. I agree with all of this. If you are looking for something functional and actually plan to cook, I would install a sheet of clear plexiglass or glass on the wall behind the range to protect the beautiful wallpaper. Then maybe get some clear acrylic shelves for the left hand wall to keep frequently used items like salt, pepper and olive oil and to continue letting that wallpaper shine. Maybe add a small framed piece of art in a shelf there? If you don’t have cooking storage for cooking utensils in a drawer to the right of the stove, maybe place a crock on the counter by the stove for this purpose.

       However, I am looking at this from the perspective of someone who cooks daily and needs a functional kitchen that can clean up easily. If you rarely cook, just do whatever makes your heart happy!

34. Sconce-yes! An old kitchen with an outlet right there; it must be done. The evening glow from my kitchen sconce is such a pleasant vibe in the evening, and helps signal it’s time to wind down. My brain twitches at the pot rack/peg rails for here with adding that much visual movement to that wallpaper… but some folks could make it amazing! But, cleaning it… ugh! I think you’ve taken away some of your free time in life with this choice. To help with brainstorming… what about a large cutting board and 2-3 simple patterned plates? Texture but less pattern, less number of items, and all are easy to clean. You live in CA. Don’t squash your sunshine time!

    1. LOVE the cutting board idea!!!!

35. Love this post and love the wallpaper! I say definitely go for the last option or a version of the last option without the pot rack if you are worried about it being too busy. You are great at maximalism so I think you can find a good balance 🙂

    However, with all of these I do think one thing that would help with cleaning is a simple piece of clear plastic or glass that can help protect your beautiful wallpaper from any splatter/grease. If you don’t cook on the stovetop much (or mostly boil water), you may get away with only a thin piece right above (notice in the reference photo the beadboard is kinda acting like this, pushing the decor up). There may be some trickery getting around the outlet with a glass/clear plastic piece, but I think you could make it work!

    Also, this may be obvious, but it likely would be best to put frames with glass/plates/decorative tiles that are easily wipeable rather than something like an unframed canvas over the stove. I think a shallower pot rack may also allow for less cleaning if you are mostly cooking on the front burners, tho I am less sure on that than the art. I am so excited for this reveal!

36. Oooooh this is gonna look so good!!! Exciting. From personal experience, that ceiling pot rack in option 5 is your best bet, imho – you get the shelf space and the hanging space of the shelf/rail combo, but more out of the way *and* more useful storage.

    I wonder whether the sconce under that hanging rack is a good idea, though – will you need that space for hanging things? Art and plates will be out of the way enough, but the shade may stick out too far?

    If you do want a light, an option I didn’t see here is mounting a recirculating fan light/hood above the stove so you have that functionality and it helps defines the space so the floating stove doesn’t look as out of place … you have an outlet above the stove that could be moved up in the wall to accommodate the hood? (Prob an idea better mentioned before the wallpaper, but might still be worth considering!)

    Happy designing!

37. Yes to sconce! No to mirror! (Seems bathroom to me?) Since you don’t have a range hood you’re going to be cleaning grease off whatever you put up there, which makes me lean art with glass over it or plates! Easier to clean 🙂

38. Hi Caitlin! Your choice of wallpaper is so pretty! Amazing colours. Since you have no hood, I would not hang “precious art” in that corner. But how about a piece of art in a frame protected by glass? I don’t think this would be too hard to clean. This would be on the left wall. Then right above the stove, one shelf for your S&P shakers and maybe a small battery-operated lamp or a piece of crockery or ceramic. The shelf may or may not have hooks underneath to hang a few utensils. Whatever you choose will be great, I’m sure!

39. Caitlin, in theory I love all of these (and love your kitchen!) In *practice*, (almost) all of them look like cleaning nightmares. Greasy art! Sticky pepper grinders! So for that reason, I’d vote for hanging things you’ll actually be using (pot rail option). I also LOVE extra light when cooking, so though it would need frequent cleaning, I’m also into the sconce idea!

40. Everything you’ve done so far (to the whole place) has been just so darling and “you.” What you will need at your stovetop are spoons and spatulas, salt & pepper and light. I like the idea of art on the sidewall, but make sure it’s nothing precious. As someone said below, plates are great b/c they are so easy to clean. I would stick with “simple & clean” lines, as the wallpaper is doing a lot of heavy lifting on it’s own. Best of luck, girl, and breath!

41. Option 4 or 5!

42. 3 or 5!!

43. oooooh I am still SO excited for this kitchen that wallpaper is super pretty <3 If it was my kitchen – and I both cook regularly and am accident prone, so ymmv – I'd be worried that whatever I hang on there might damage/dirty my wallpaper if not thoroughly cleaned and dried every time before rehanging, although a small shelf to store oils and spices might be really really useful. Honestly I would be worried about staining my wallpaper mostly through cooking alone cause at least I definitely splash around quite a bit once in a while… Now I understand that this is a rental so you cannot tile on the wall and simply putting up a clear plastic sheet probably isn't very attractive… If you did want to put something else behind your wall Alexandra Gater and Team did a genius hack in one of their renter friendly makeovers where they tiled on a piece of plywood and secured that to the wall with a few screws, so there were only like 4 holes instead of tiles on the wall. I always thought that was genius! They also did something in another video where they put up wainscoating in a similar way – constructed as a sheet and then only secured with a few screws – if you wanted a similiar look to that one (very cute!) inspiration pic. Just a suggestion though – again I am very clumsy and tend to be overcautious, maybe you won't need similar precautions 😉 Also also I think a wall of plates sounds great!! And very vintage-y appropiated I would LOVE to see what plates you would collect 😀
    I cannot wait to see what you come up with I am sure it will be stunning!! 🙂

44. I would remove the little dishtowel holder from the side of the base cabinet and slide the stove right up against the cabinet to make it feel more seamless, then get a slim cabinet to go on the other side of the stove to fill the gap between the stove and wall. If you can’t find a cabinet, consider just installing a “countertop” held up with brackets underneath, and put a crock with your cooking utensils in it, and a little vignette for your S+P, olive oil, etc on a cute tray. You could slide a trash can under the open space so it’s not seen but easy to access. This would make the stove look more “built in”. I would then put a mirror on the left side wall to bounce the window’s light around, and add the two wooden shelves with upgraded brackets in whatever metal color you have already in the space. The shelves would protect any little art, dishes, a lamp, etc from getting dirty with splatters or oil spray, plus you have a fun area to style!

    1. It is such a good idea to move the stove and to add a countertop o n the other side !

    2. Moving the stove, making. acute strip on the left and adding and the mirror on the side wall are all great ideas. I’d put peel and stick wall tiles, or a brass backsplash – cut in an arched pattern- onto the entire wall behind the stove. If you do brass you you can hang another mirror, if you do peel and stick tiles you can add shelves. I’m not a fan of open storage at all, especially near a stove oir in a space with so much closed storage already.

    3. I would suggest not attempting to move an old gas stove. Damage the gas line and you’ll have fun for days.

       1. Well, Its a less a move than a nudge – carefully moving the stove less than a foot to the right. If it were a pre 1960’s stove yes I could imagine that the stove might be hard piped right into the wall. But this stove is less than 30 years old, so it’s attached with a flexible gas line connector , which comes in lengths from 24-60″. She likely already has that slack built in. You can see this space used to hold a larger stove. When they put this smaller more modern stove in, they attached the flexible pipe then nudged the stove into the niche. Ive nudged old gas stoves before and its NBD as long if you are mindful of the connector pipe.

    4. Wow, such a great idea to solve the feeling of the stove floating out there.

45. That is the aforementioned video of the tile-hack by the way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdPincjcoWc Also (also also etc.) I really enjoy having a well lit cooking area so I would definitely go for the plug-in scone! plus it’d look cute and give you hight!! So maybe: plug in scone, shelf for spices, herbs, and oils and some funky plates? 😀

46. So hard to choose! I think the beauty of that amazing wallpaper is that all of them look great, but that last crazy one is the most appealing visually. Those lemons can take ALL the pattern.

    Now the bad news: as you cook more you generate a sticky mix of dust, fine food particles and grease that coats EVERYTHING. Directly proportional to the amount of bacon you cook at home…. As someone who cooks a lot, I would honestly use that outlet for the worlds ugliest Kenmore ventless fume hood and be overjoyed.

    Can’t wait to see what you come up with!

47. don’t put anything on catty corner wall.
    i vote brass pot rack, small and simple, and hang a few copper pots, small
    less is more with that pretty wallpaper. don’t make it too busy by overstyling

48. actually, hood is probably best idea.
    all looks great!

49. Pretty, pretty wallpaper! I would do a shelf on the left for a crock to hold handy utensils, salt and pepper and a pretty bottle of olive oil. I would gather up a collection of big, beautiful wooden cutting boards and create a bit of a simple but grapic display above the stove. The scone is a very practical idea.
    It will be fun to see what you settle on.

50. Everyone has mostly covered the grease considerations, but I would strongly recommend putting a sheet of plexi or acrylic to protect the wallpaper behind the stove. You see this a lot in British kitchens and bathrooms. It will keep it cleaner and protect the paper from dings if you do a pot rack on the wall (which I strongly recommend — that or the hanging pot rack idea).

    By the way, I suspect a pot rack might encourage you to cook more. It’s much easier to just make something when your pans are within easy reach.

    I also like the idea of a sconce to light the cooking area. Even though you have nice windows, a lot of cooking happens at night, so it’s helpful to be able to see what you’re doing. The cord should be fine. People use appliances like stick blenders in and around stoves all the time.

    I would not get a recirculating hood. They are mostly useless, and that’s a considerable expense for a rental. It is a good idea to open a window when you’re cooking though.

51. I’m team shelves. It’ll be a nice spot to keep pretty things you use while cooking (olive oil, utensils). But more importantly, I think you run the risk of ruining the wall paper with pot racks. If you hang anything even a little bit wet, it’ll end up on the wallpaper and damage it. And practically speaking, staring at a mirror when you cook is going to be really distracting.

52. Caitlin ~ Wow, the wallpaper! I love your creative aesthetic bounded by reality. I’m not a designer but I am a long-time cook and had the exact same “empty space” dilemma when we redid our kitchen exactly ten years ago, replacing walls and doors with glass, adding a second stove, so much more, I wrote about it here, https://www.kitchenparade.com/2015/09/new-kitchen.html, delete the link if it’s inappropriate. JUST this month, yes, a full ten years later, I finally figured out what to do with that big blank space above the new stove, you know, the one RIGHT in the face/sightline coming into the kitchen. (Yes, I need to update the post.)

    At Christmas, I hung a metal reindeer doodad from the hood with a magnetic hook. Huh, it looked kinda cool. After Christmas, I ordered more hooks and then started to play with hanging things that are kitchen-y, 3-dimensional and easy to clean. I must say, I kinda love what I came up with, two black cooling racks side by side, a big stainless steel whisk and three arty stainless steel measuring cups from a dear friend. I think I can attach a photo so will try that. 

    Also — since you asked for specific input, I’d vote yes for lighting, no for a spice rack (it’s too hot for them) and a definite no for greasy art. 

    The pot rack options are interesting but I’ll say from experience, if you’re really a cook AND mindful of appearance, pot racks are not easy. We have “three levels” in a big space (4-5 ft) adjacent to the first stove that’s tucked into a brick alcove we kept. The first level is quite high, but keeps cast iron (the unifier) hanging and handy and easy to dry. The second level is a spice rack; even adjacent to the stove, those jars get sooo greasy, luckily there’s a rail to keep them corralled on the shelf because unless you re-jar all your spices, they’re never gonna look all neat and pretty either. The bottom one is quite nice, it’s for hanging cooking utensils, all stainless steel (the unifier) and they get used often so don’t get greasy; when I clean over there, it all goes in the dishwasher and bam, all shiny pretty again. 

    Good luck, cannot wait to see what you come up with!

53. A piece of art above the stovetop with a segment of tree or flowers (so it feels like you’re looking out a window) and a small peg rail / shelf (or even the inexpensive Bekvaem IKEA shelf with s hooks) on the left side so you can put a few favorite spices and hang bunches of herbs like rosemary or thyme to fry. I had this exact setup in my old house and the artwork made me really feel like I was looking out a window instead of staring at a wall and the herbs felt charming.

54. https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/how-to-decorate-above-a-stove#comment-689026

    * herbs to dry, not fry!

55. I would go with option 3 as it seems the most practical. But I would add a tiny lamp on the shelf for cute/unexpected and if you need that additional light.

56. Install a fan above the stove!! Everything will get so greasy and dusty up there. You’ll regret not putting in a fan.

57. As someone also renting a place with an old kitchen, gas stove and no hood, EVERYTHING above and around the stove is a nightmare to clean. The previous tenants hung a five-rail pot rack above it which is useful in theory only, in practice the rack and everything hung there is sticky, greasy and a dust-magnet, except the cookware that I use regularly.
    I initially wanted to get rid of the pot rack but the kitchen doesn’t have enough storage to accommodate my pots & pans as well and there’s no other suitable space where I could hang it it, so I’ve resigned myself to it and just keeping the kitchen window open and using lids as much as possible whenever I’m cooking, especially during frying or anything that’s prone to spritz oil. Depending on what and how frequently you cook, it would probably be necessary to clean the surrounding area very regularly (backsplash, cabinets, walls, pot rack and cookware, etc.). I admit I do not do this conscientiously enough, with the result that the pots and pans I use least frequently usually need to be pre-cleaned before usage, which isn’t a great incentive to use them – though it might not deter less lazy people – and can become a kind of vicious circle at times.
    Tbh, as the options above all seem like they’d be a horrible pain to clean, I’m afraid I would recommend 0 of them, as cute as they are (I honestly had to cover my eyes when I saw the pretty wallpaper behind the stove, but maybe it’s surprisingly hardy? Like the Sunbrella of wallpapers??). If it were me (a less lazy version of me, that is), I’d exhaust all options for potentially getting a hood, or some kind of pretty, removable backsplash, maybe, before putting anything else up on the walls. Ultimately, though, it’s hard to say without really knowing your habits, preferences and personal medium between how much maintenance you’re willing to put in for how much of a visual payoff, so to speak.
    In my case, I noticed that the lack of a range hood did end up affecting my cooking habits, along with some other Inconveniences in my kitchen situation, by making certain dishes a more cumbersome to prepare than the enjoyment I was getting from cooking and eating them. It’s a shame, but entirely on me, and meanwhile my kitchen is still super charming for all its faults.

58. I bought one of those scalloped rugs a while back and so annoying! The scallops always curl up. I love having a pot holder behind stove. So convenient!

59. LOVE the wallpaper- such an infusion of beauty and happiness! Every space you’re creating is such fun, full of vibrant soul, and a joy to take in.

    I’m a Less is More girl for this particular space. The walls are humming, you have a TON of space, and I can’t see adding the visual clutter of shelves, a hanging rack and more stuff to those walls. Some kind of backsplash would be smart and functional as others wisely counsel and offer clever ways of creating.

    I have a huge gallery wall behind my stove and counters and am in love with it! Sure I have to clean the glass covered art, but the works make my heart sing every time I step into the kitchen or see it from another room.

    I’m a fan of keeping spices and large utensils out of sight in in an organized drawer, having beautiful cutting boards resting against a wall, a tray on display with salt and pepper grinder, olive oil vessel, etc…Keep the unattractive stuff in its covered place and let the wall paper, art, wooden grains, metal patinas, etc..be the objects your eyes hungrily take in.

60. A collection of cute plates/ cutting boards above the stove. You don’t want to be reaching over the stove for anything while cooking. You also don’t want to store oil
    or spices over a stove- it degrades them. I’d put a spice rack to the left- lots of cute vintage ones out there. Maybe with a towel rack below it. As many people have said with out a back splash, that lovely
    wallpaper is going to get dirty & damaged. Several good ideas already mentioned in how to protect it. I like the idea of moving the stove over, if possible, and putting a small counter to the left. My guess is that the original stove filled most of the space since they were wider back then. But the more modern replacement is not nearly as wide. The wallpaper is gorgeous, it would make me smile every time I walked in the kitchen. Can’t wait to see what you do!

61. I vote for the two shelves. I also like the pot rack with shelf, but I think the wallpaper might get raggedy quick if there are items always being moved on and off the rack. The hanging pot rack could be good if you are lacking storage. I’m sure it would get dirty, but if you use your pots a lot that probably won’t be such a big deal. I would not put the sconce and all the artwork underneath though. Maybe just a single shelf. I think it works in the example picture because they have high ceilings and solid color walls, but may wind up looking cluttered. Just don’t do the sconce over the mirror. That looks like a powder bath sink. Also, love the wallpaper!

62. You might consider installing a ductless range hood, many range hood models are convertible (i.e., if you can’t cut a hole in your ceiling you can switch it to recirculation mode, not as effective but definitely better than nothing). You’d see the power cord since the outlet is just above the stove, but you can find a hood with a vintage-ish look and integrated lighting. You might also look at a sealer to protect the wallpaper behind and to the side of your stove. There are clear coatings that can be wiped down. I love the pattern!

63. I would go with a combination of option 1 and 4. The open shelving called to me and I really like the idea of a light! I also like the shelve/pot rock combo for more practicality. But who wants to be practical?

64. I would hunt for a vintage chalkboard to hang to the left of your stove. You can use it to write down things for your grocery list. We have one there and it’s so handy because you can keep right on cooking and the list is where you are when you think of it/realize you need something.

    1. Maybe find a vintage chalkboard tray? Something like this: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1376677226/vintage-chalkboard-silver-tray-with?

    2. Or one of those wall hung rolls of brown writing paper?

65. I love the wallpaper with the yellow tile! Adorable vintage. I vote for an option you didn’t list: A peg board. I love peg boards in general in the kitchen–they are more flexible than the pot rail or the shelves–and I think it would fill up the space above your nicely.

    We had an apartment with a pot rack above the stove and loved it. Both cute and functional. (And we cooked all of our meals, often elaborate affairs.)

    1. Oh, a peg board is a great idea. You can hang the things you want/need (even including some durable art, if you want!), but it will protect the wallpaper from being destroyed.

       1. Or cover the pegboard with leftover wallpaper?

66. Definitely do a light!

67. I would go with art and two shelves. Ot hit the rose bowl flea market for some copper molds. I feel like all my older relatives had those on their kitchen walls and copper could be super cute with the wall paper.

68. Caitlin, nice use of “ludicrously capacious.” I see what you did there, friend! LOL

69. Option 1 is my vote. I cook a lot and have open wood shelving. Whatever polish they used on wood floors after staining was put on the shelves- making it easy clean up. I am not a wallpaper person behind stoves because of splatters and steam. I have seen friends put up an acrylic piece scalloped in design or just a square piece to preserve the wallpaper. Styling the shelves as Emily did w/ interesting oils and vinegar bottles, salt and pepper shakers with easy care plants and small mirror on top shelf. I actually put stacked pottery/platters I use for entertaining ( think appetizers ) on top shelf because they are not used super often and I know I will be cleaning them prior to using them. So if they are up there for a month and dust/grease settles, I am cleaning them anyways.
    Hanging pots/ utensils with that fun wallpaper will be visual clutter not to mention if they do not hang far enough from wall will damage wallpaper if people hang without properly drying. They are also magnets for splatters.
    If artwork is behind glass/plexiglass, it is only a wipe away from clean.
    Instead of a sconce, I would see if you can embed a led strip into the bottom shelf and plug in. This would easily work if you are building the shelving and would hide cords. I am also not a fan of exposed wiring like Emily’s lamp above banquette- visually distracting.
    I look forward to your future post.

70. Such creative ideas, Caitlin! I love the mounted plates—perhaps a collection of those beneath a sconce? I’d have to agree with everyone concerned about grease and steam damaging just about any other decor, and about the danger of reaching over your stove to reach shelving. As far as pot racks go, as I designer I’m seeing clients really wanting to get rid of them. Perhaps in a rustic, Tuscan kitchen, some well-patina’d copper pots look like decor, but in a little apartment I think they could be overwhelming. Plus, in that location they will garner grease whether you use them or not, making them questionable as decor. And they’ll probably damage the wallpaper. At least you can clean the plates easily! And they would be a fun item to collect! Nice work thinking through a tricky space!

71. I’m sure this has been said a million times in the comments already, but have your landlord put in a hood or switch your stove to electric/induction. Asap, really. Do you have a functioning carbon monoxide detector?

72. Greasey gunk will settle on anything sbove the stove, even utensils. Ick!

    If it were my kitchen, I’d put a sconce to thd left (there’s electricity nearby via the switch, and a deeper than ypu illustrated , shelf sbove the stove, up reasonably high. Show off your very cool dishware.
    Then, if it gets gunky, you can clean the underside of the shelf and (hopefully) what’s on the shelf will be protected .

    “…yet, she wrote, brimming with cautious optimism…” Love this!!🤣
    LOVE THE WALLPAPER SO MUCH!!💓

73. Don’t put anything near stove that can’t go in the dishwasher

74. The art above my stove has to be cleaned weekly. It’s a fact of life. If you don’t cook a ton, maybe you could clean less. If you have enough storage elsewhere, I’d do the shelf for pretty things, a marble mortar and pestle, a fancy oil bottle … you know, those things. Maybe hang it off center with two plates next to the shelves. A vintage shelf of some type over plain floating shelves. Just saw a two shelf vintage brass thingy at Magnolia market that would be dreamy. That would combine many ideas into one….

    Double Parker Brass and Wood Shelf – Magnolia

    1. That brass and wood shelf looks great in the photos!

75. Lol I would truly hate to see my sweaty face concentrating over a recipe!

76. IMHO the only reason people install hanging pot racks is because they don’t have adequate storage. IMHO it’s not pretty to look at. You also have to think about the grease and steam that wafts up from your stove, which is also the reason I wouldn’t install a mirror. So no on pot rack and mirror. Other ideas seem good. Loved the post. Good luck!

77. Oh man – this wallpaper is so cute! And I am so worried for its future behind the stove! If you’re serious serious about learning to cook, it’ll be worthwhile to install either a glass or acrylic backsplash over the wallpaper behind the stove. I’d hate to see a major oil pop or spill mark it where you’ll see it all the time! Another dream option would be request a hood vent from your landlord, but I’ve also been fine for years without one. You just have to commit to some serious cleaning every once in a while.
    Maybe you could do the utensil rail hanging on the left side (so you’re not reaching over the stove) but have it on some sort of back plate so it doesn’t scratch the wall, and then put a glass backsplash with some cute (easily cleanable) styled shelves above it? I think that’s what I would go for – can’t wait to see what you choose!

78. Voting for Option #5! The ceiling pot rack will draw the eye up and help balance the stove. I always use our over-the-stove light for cooking and/or kitchen mood lighting (is that a thing or is it just me?), so the sconce will be a good addition. I also like the idea of using plates as decor, since you can go simple or wild, and they’ll hold up to the cooking spills and splatters. I agree with other commenters and would nix the artwork. The wallpaper is your art! Have fun and thanks for sharing. xoxo

79. My vote is for any of the practical solutions (whichever makes the most sense for your lifestyle). Any of those will look great in a kitchen, but the mirror with a sconce over it is just so impractical and would look off in a kitchen, nevermind be such a mess! Shelves or a pot rack would make sense and fill the space.

80. shelf and pot rack!!

81. Wow! what a fun and happy kitchen. I vote no to any pot rack. They never look good to me, but especially with your lovely wallpaper. Are you diy handy at all? Could you make a faux hood? I have seen so many tutorials made out of plaster . Or you could make one out of bead board like grit and polish and mount a light in it instead of an actual vent. I’m sure whatever you do will be amazing. Thank you for sharing!

82. I love the idea of a sconce, totally functional and good looking. It makes total sense. Everything above the stove will definitely get greasy and dusty, but if you just keep it all wiped down, it’s no big deal. I prefer options 4 and 5 because of the sconce and then the plates. I think using pretty trays, platters, plates or cutting boards might make more sense that framed artwork or mirrors (at least behind the stove). I would keep art on the side wall, personally. The image from This Old House totally works, but it works without the pot rack too. If you’ve got enough storage, I wouldn’t add a pot rack or rail. Feels like that might fight with the wallpaper.

83. I would not do art nearby unless it’s under glass and an easy clean frame and not precious. Also, the thing that matters most to me by the stove is light and air flow, so if you can, put in a hood even if it’s not ducted.

84. Option #3. Shelf with hooks below, and keep just a few things there. The wallpaper with your awesome original tile countertops looks amazing!

    I wouldn’t worry too much about grease splatters unless you cook large amounts of meat/do a lot of frying.

85. Is it possible to do Option #3 and add a sconce? I think a light is essential when cooking in the evening. Also, I would only do Option #3 if you’re tall enough to easily reach everything. Love the wallpaper! This is going to be so cute!

86. You might want to think about plexi behind the stove to protect the paper. You will get splatters and they’ll leave oil marks on your wallpaper.

    Aesthetically and functionally I like the first option with the shelves, place everyday most used items on them

87. My first choice would be option #4. The sconce/down light would be so helpful over the stove. Added light for cooking tasks is so helpful.
    I like the mirror and the art because if the glass surfaces (I am assuming the art is framed) will be easy to clean.
    Option #4 would have eye appeal and some practical advantages for an area that’s likely to get a little dusty or greasy with cooking.
    Option #5 would be my second choice. The combination of storage, lighting, and some pretty details seems great also.

88. If it were my kitchen, I would diy a large wood frame or mirror with sunny yellow, blue, green tiles for above the stove. Like a backsplash, it would be hangable art that could take the heat and splatter. http://www.planitdiy.com/wp-content/uploads/Photo-5-On-the-Wall.jpg and https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcR_2K6IQvEi0uvtfzKaVtDVqQs7IbzYtDcTYgJMUJN-7QW3X-nhsVI-AOJJX7P3hjh2NzqiNEadjEYKBqoIGlux1KwZI2F-kSKV3v-oV2s&usqp=CAE.
    I wouldn’t put a shelf above a gas stove – it’s unsafe for reaching. On the left wall, I would put spices or even a shelf with hooks for everyday utensils that you want to have quick access to.
    Also, agree, I’d rather work with “bumpers” 🙂

    1. In case the image doesn’t show

89. Someone else might have already said this, but consider another option: two shelves on the left hand wall with a hanging pendant over the stove (you can plug and swag it). I also like the idea of a mirror over the stove because it is generally easier to wipe off glass.

90. I vote for option no. 5 with some modifications. Plates are the most sensible art over a stove because you can take them down and wash them. I’d skip the framed picture over the stove but you could place framed art on the side wall if you’re willing to Windex the glass regularly. You’ll definitely need at least one shelf for spices, cooking oil, and a crock to hold spoons and spatulas so you don’t have to root through a drawer while you’re cooking. Again, I would suggest a shelf on the side wall because it’s not that safe to reach over gas burners to get things down from the shelf. I think burnished metal would look better than shiny with your vivid walls.

91. I vote ceiling pot rack! I think hanging utensils on the wall over time would mess up the wallpaper the more you used it. Maybe some non precious art behind the stove (canvas print?). I would be nervous about hanging things to the left of the stove in case you hit into it with a pot handle etc. Potential hazard? Or maybe I’m just a very messy cook lol.

92. Honestly, I would talk to your landlord and figure out how to put a vent hood up there. That looks like a gas stove? Hopefully your landlord would at least consider helping with the cost of a vent and installation. In any case, if you’re planning to stay in this beautiful apartment long term and you’re also planning to start cooking at home more, I would definitely prioritize a vent hood.

93. As a fellow renter, with a kitchen a third of this size, I am jealous of your storage. How about a round shelf over the stove like this one: tinyurl.com/23h57kym. Then you could put anything on the left wall, plates, art or spice shelves like this: tinyurl.com/2dnszewc

94. Avid cook here, and your kitchen is so cute!! With all that storage, I would skip the shelving or pot rack options, and pick 4 (but with art instead of a mirror? I feel like I wouldn’t want to look at myself while a I cook?), or option 5, but skip the ceiling shelf. I think 5 is my favorite. I LOVE having a light over the stove while I cook (and I generally just turn on that light and the light above the sink, turn on some music and cook in my moody kitchen). Whatever you pick I know it will be incredible. Good luck and have fun!

95. Ok, I have thoughts! Firstly, that’s a fabulous & fun wallpaper – great choice! But if you’re planning on doing any real cooking on that hob the wallpaper might end up getting steamy or splashed. Can you put a clear screen or backsplash just behind the hob to protect it?

    Secondly, as someone who cooks at home every day I think your most useful options would be to have lighting and one of the peg rail options. I like to have oil, salt, pepper, wooden spoons, spatulas and ladles to hand when I cook. But anything above a hob ends up being that icky combination of greasy and dusty, so I personally wouldn’t have anything there unless it’s used on an almost daily basis, and can be wiped clean easily. That’s not to say you couldn’t have a very cute styled shelf for your photoshoot of course…

    Good luck with the finishing touches. And with your cooking ambitions!

96. PS: I really wouldn’t go for a mirror unless it’s a heavily distressed/antiqued finish. Two reasons:
    1) aforementioned steam, splashes, dust and grease will leave it looking permanently grubby, and;
    2) I wouldn’t want to look at myself all the time while I’m hovering over hot pans or stirring a risotto. But that might just be me!

97. The wallpaper is so pretty. It’s the star of the show. What about having a piece of glass cut to serve as a backsplash? Maybe even have another piece cut to use as a floating shelf at the top? (I wouldn’t be able to resist keeping a few real lemons there!)

98. I can’t wait to see the whole kitchen! Our galley kitchen beats yours by 3 feet. (Yes it’s 18’x8’, which is awesome cuz it allowed us to have two counter seats at the end of one side.) We love it and four of us (2 adults + 2 teens) cook A LOT. Back to your kitchen—I think the best ideas from other comments are 1) move the stove over to the right to abut cabinet, then add some kind of counter space to left; 2) copy the commenter who made a backsplash from a sheet of unlacquered brass; 3) hang either a sconce or a pendant light. A led ant seems like it would give better light directly over the whole stovetop, but either way please attach the cord to the wall! (Actually if you did a pendant you could run the cord down the corner at cabinet and then across just below the stove back and up to outlet. Might be safer?) The new counter to left will be great for a crock with a couple nice utensils and any ugly utensils can go in the drawer to right. Then I’d hang some plates on that left wall and skip any shelves/hanging bars since you have plenty of storage in this kitchen. Stuff will just get sticky/dusty and if it were me I’d worry about things falling off a narrow shelf there. The new counter space would also let you lean some pretty cutting boards there which would protect the wallpaper on the left side.

99. I would put a range hood with a light and a vent over the stove, or, if that’s not possible, definitely would need a scone or light fixture (I cook a good amount and light is very important when I’m making something like a caramel or I’m browning butter!). I think any of these configurations can work with a sconce fit in there somewhere! Also to echo others’ recommendations, whatever you put in the space, make sure it is wipable or used so often you don’t need to worry about splatters becoming an issue!

100. Love this post and the need to be creative with an imperfect situation!

     My vote is a modified version of the last option. You 100% will be glad you have light above your stove but the thought of a mirror in front of a cooking space somehow stresses me out. It’ll get splattered and, I don’t know, I guess I don’t want to be looking at myself that much? I have a pretty vintage plate above my stove and it always makes me happy and I rarely have to think about taking it down and wiping it off. I’d say art is fine but agree with another commenter that maybe choose something with a frame you can easily clean.

     I do think having easy access to your spatulas and other cooking utensils is key. If they’re awkwardly stored on the stove or out of reach on the counter, maybe you could do some sort of a mounted wall basket on the left hand wall?

     If you have ALL THE SPACE – I’d say buy yourself some of those soft felt pan and pot protector inserts and store them in your cabinets (maybe add a pull-out rack system? container store!) rather than doing the ceiling rack. The beauty of having all the extra space is you can avoid some visual clutter and let the eye focus on the fabulous wallpaper!

101. How’s your cleaning game? If you are good at keeping up with maintenance cleaning, then sure, keep whatever you want there. If you don’t notice buildup until it’s awful, don’t put spices or rarely used pans there. They will collect splatters.

     How are you at putting clean dishes away? Mine have to be insanely easy to put away, or I’ll procrastinate doing it. If you are like that, you’d probably love open hooks to hang pans/utensils on.

     How do you like your spaces to look? Do you mind having visual abundance or would you rather have it behind closed doors? If you like visual abundance, then sure–the pot rack or appliance rail would be really helpful in cooking. Easy to grab, easy to put away after cleaning up.

     How tall are you? (Don’t answer that here! 😉 )If you do the ceiling mounted pot rack, can you reach getting pots and pans off without a stool? Are you tall enough that you’d bump your head with the pans hanging down?

     Do not put a mirror. Do not put art that can’t be cleaned. Don’t put spice jars that will get gummy with splatters unless you clean a lot. YOU DO WANT A SCONCE. 🙂

     I personally like the setup “pot rack with shelf.” You’ll clean your utensils a lot, it gives you a small amount of storage but not too much to maintain. Art is fine, but be sure you can wipe it down. OOOH! Framed recipes from family members?!

102. My thoughts as an avid home cook:

     1. Storage: There is no such thing as too much storage in a kitchen. Especially as you get into cooking more, you’ll probably need more “kitchen things,” and you’ll need a place to put them. You’ll be more inclined to cook if it’s not a huge hassle to dig in a tiny cabinet to get that one thing you need out of the very back. More storage space means easy access to whatever you need while cooking.
     2. Spices: It’s best not to keep them near the stove, as tempting as it might be to set up a cute shelf or rack of them there, because the heat makes them degrade more quickly.
     3. Grease: Call me crazy, but one option is just not to cook with oil. It’s totally doable, and it’s so much less messy! I haven’t used a drop of oil in my cooking for years. You can look up “water saute” for sauteeing veggies, and there are tons of substitutions for oil (nut butter, apple sauce, etc.), depending on what you’re cooking/baking. It’ll keep you from getting grease all around your stove, and it makes dish washing a breeze!

103. I just moved into a place with no range hood, and I’m shocked by how greasy everything above the stove is getting. I haven’t even been cooking that much!
     A few years ago I had a range hood that didn’t vent to the outside and even that was better, that little metal “filter” does catch some of that grease as the air circulates through.

104. Having lived with a stove in this same sitch, I echo the statements that things are gonna get greasy and dusty. We had two pot racks on our left wall where we kept our daily pans & lids so they generally weren’t too grungy b/c of regular use (the un-regularly used ones were grody). We also had a ~12″ shelf on the back wall which was wholly unuseful to me since my 5’6″ self couldn’t reach it (esp if the stove was hot). 100% would recommend having some sort of light fixture over the area – makes a big difference! Although make sure it + the cord + the bulb are up to the heat (did our Ikea clamp on lamp melt? Yes, yes it did). I would also recommend some sort of protective wall treatment along the left side at least – like backing board to a 3/4 wall height – so much easier to wipe down/won’t have to see stains and grease on your lovely wall paper (sure, you can’t see the paper there either but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)
     I might be tempted to shimmy the stove to the right (esp if the towel holder can be removed) and fit in a stainless steel shelf unit on the left side – to hold utensils, etc. Possibly in this scenario, the added distance from the left wall could mean a shelf and/or art there that won’t get toooo dirty.
     Best of luck! Looking forward to the full reveal!
     (found a pic of our old kitchen.. obvs styled for selling)

105. To me 3 and 5 are really good but finding the right artwork seems tricky, something that can stand up to what’s cooking on the stove and won’t get ruined.

106. Most of these options look too busy to me, especially with the wallpaper, and considering the fact that you don’t need extra storage. As others have mentioned, things above and near a stove get dusty/greasy pretty quick. I would do the simple wooden shelf with some easily washable items (decorative bowls, pitchers etc) and a lamp for some additional and pleasant lighting while cooking.

107. Love the idea of a light above the stove – I feel like it’s practical and visually pleasing. Other commenters have recommended art behind plexiglass for easy cleaning and I think it’s brilliant.

108. I like the last one. I think what makes it less busy is the bead board behind the stove and around the corner with a small shelf above the headboard. Love the wallpaper!

109. I vote for option 3. Utensils will be super-easy to wash regularly. I would not hang pans there, as I think you will grab them to use without realizing that they are greasy, and that grease will bake on and become pretty yucky. I would use a scubbable painted shelf, picking out a color from the fun wallpaper. The things above will be a bit protected from grease by the shelf, but I would keep that pretty simple. Don’t put anything above the stove that is not really easily cleaned!

110. Personally, I cook a TON and love having a mirror over the range because I don’t like having my back to a room. I don’t stare at myself while cooking, I’m looking at what I’m doing, but it’s nice to glance in when I hear something, etc. It cleans so easily, I wipe it along with my stovetop when I’m cleaning up. I also have a plug-in sconce because having adequate lighting is key and then I have two pieces of artwork behind glass that can also easily be wiped clean! So….I suppose I’m biased, but I’ve had this setup for years and I still love it.

111. I like #1 and #3 the best!
     #5 is great, but looks like you’d need a higher ceiling to make it work/not too busy (the This Old House pot rack looks higher)

112. Remember that shelves don’t have to be SHELVES. If I were you, instead of art on the side walls, I’d use the IKEA spice racks as cookbook holders! they’re super low profile so they won’t jut over your cooking space, you’ll have them handy if you need them, and some of them are gorgeous so they’re practically LIKE art.

113. I’d go for the pot rack and shelve. It will look great and it’s practical. I love your wall paper!

114. I would do the ceiling pot rack with some kind of spice cabinet and art picture on the small wall. You could hang tea hooks off the bottom of the cabinet. P.S. love the wall paper.

115. I feel like you need to take into account what KIND of pots and pans you have. In a Nancy Meyers perfect kitchen, pot racks look great, because the pans are fancy , matching , and very very clean. In reality, my pans look … worse for wear , definitely do not match, and it would drive me nuts to stare at the dirty bottoms stained with cooking grease. Just something to think about!

116. Wallpaper the outlet plate

117. If the lighting in the kitchen illuminates the stove top well enough, my suggestion would be the pot rack in #2 but with one shelf above it. If it doesn’t, having a sconce above the stove would be almost necessary. Regarding the art, there are a lot of art pieces that would be washable, and it would be a good idea to get something that is. One other opinion: I don’t think it’s a good idea to have a spice rack near the stove, or other heat source. I’ve never researched this, but it just seems to me that spices will stay fresh longer in a cool, shady spot. (My qualifications are that I’m 71 years old & have cooked all my adult life.)

118. I hung a couple peg rails on the wall adjacent to my stove, and I have an original painting above my stove. Both of those choices feel appropriate for my historic house and would be beautiful for you too! Here’s a pic.

119. I assume there is no “hood” or fan above the stove, so the wallpaper is going to hide the splatter, and since it’s a busy pattern it’s a GREAT solution for this. I vote the pot rack on the ceiling b/c it is functional and looks great. Don’t do a mirror or artwork- both will look grimy and keeping them sparkling clean is going to be a chore that will need constant attention. For the side wall, it could be a cute place to hang baskets or copper molds, or something decorative that is not artwork, but kitchen related.

120. You’ll definitely need more light directly above the stove if you’re planning to cook. I suggest a double fixture of some kind, with easy-to-clean shades that direct the light (at least 60 watts) down toward the stove top. The light fixture is absolutely essential IMO, so what, if anything, you place below it will be determined by the size, shape, and style of the fixture (perhaps a small shelf for salt, pepper, EVOO, and a tchotzke?). I would also place a vintage/vintage-looking mirror on the left wall rather than art, as it would be less busy than artwork–it would give the eye a place to rest, would bounce light, and would be much easier to clean than art. Finally, I personally never hang kitchen tools over a stove because they get coated with grease which then attracts dust, so they all have to be washed weekly. And last but not least, I love love love the wallpaper!

121. Beyond tempted to read all 150+ comments, in fear of repeating something that’s already been said (a lot?). Finding myself with surprisingly strong feelings about this one, plus a lot of enjoyment seeing your kitchen and thinking about all of the different options! 1) My initial thought was art above the stove and then a brass pot rack to your left. I think it might be awkward reaching over your stove constantly, especially mid-cooking. But this is also something you could practice. Lol. 2) And the I saw the last option! I love the idea of a hanging pot rack with a single sconce, without the need for plates or additional art. Cannot wait to see this reveal!

     1. And then*

122. I love that phrase “built in bumpers” ! My usual built in bumper is my budget. Option 1 or option 3 . With the busy wallpaper simple is better.

123. I like the pot rack with shelf in option #3. But I see all the space around the stove and all I can think of is this pin. I recently installed a drop leaf cutting board on the cabinet near my stove as we were often overflowing at dinner time because of limited counterspace. . It’s been such a nice thing to have. https://pin.it/6LcC7bt

     1. Yes, love the drop leaf cutting board idea!

124. Gorgeous! Love!
     idea here… I love the idea of art to look at behind the stove but maybe plexiglass and above it a picture light (plug in) like in a library ?? On the left I would do one of this mix it up peg board things in a cream to match your cabinets but with flexibility for spices, tools etc. also love the medicine cabinet on the left side since you need a landing zone for your wooden spoons, ladles, etc. (even to ladle canned soup – ha!). Your home is beautiful and your kitchen will be such a treat to cook in! Good luck!

125. Caitlin, thanks for keeping it real with some kitchen improvements we can aspire to. Can’t wait to see! Even if you own your home, it’s not always feasible to do a complete overhaul. I love to see the dream designs, but I really appreciate the challenge of working around some existing elements.

126. Your wallpaper is so lovely. I fear a pot rack would look cluttered. While they are functional, I find they add visual noise. I’m loving the idea of the medicine cabinet on the left and a sconce behind the oven. Maybe just the sconce unless you fight the perfect art? It might be too much to ask for in the next four weeks.

127. Oh, this would be so lovely with just grouping of different sized plates in white with scalloped edges.

128. OPTION THREE!

     One and two are boring, four looks like s bathroom, and five is too busy.

     I didn’t read through all 180 comments so sorry if this has been said, but I would move the range up against the cabinet to the right and then put a slim storage unit on wheels between the range and the wall.

129. I’d do a ceiling rack, simple/grounding art on the wall behind it, and a single shelf on the wall beside the stove for a small lamp, salt and pepper grinders, etc. Good luck, I love your home!

130. Dennis is right! If you ever cook anything with oil or butter, or meat (which has built-in fat), everything in the area will get greasy! And sometimes the utensils hanging above could get hot to try to touch, I would think. Steam, too- will wreck anything that could absorb water. I’m sure a light above (or to the side above) would be very useful for seeing things when cooking. But that might get greasy, too, so maybe one that is easy to wipe clean? Maybe hanging utensils on the side wall would be helpful. Is there no exhaust fan? Or is it built into the stove (looks like something on the back surface?) I thought exhaust fans were code, so surprised to see a rental without one.

     Alternatively, you could go plant-based no-added-oil and then you wouldn’t get anything greasy1 🙂

     Good luck! Can’t wait to see!

131. I genuinely think the ONLY thing that belongs above a stove is a metal (easier to clean than wood) framed mirror. Don’t even bother with art on the side wall unless it’s some form of ceramic (again, easy to clean) and do NOT put a sconce – a true cleaning nightmare, though the extra light would be helpful probably. You could do a sconce with a swing arm in the side wall? Might make it less of a grease trap if moved when it’s not necessary (I.e. on a sunny day or summer evening?).

     I have one more suggestion that I utilized in an LA apartment with a similarly expansive open wall above the stove – little metal hooks twisted directly into the wall (like the ones used in ceilings) with a few smaller pots hooked on to them! I used one of the pots every day for my tea water (the perfect size for one cup) and the others were rarely used, but could be tossed in the dishwasher or quickly cleaned up with a sponge when needed.

     I love your place and can’t wait to see what you do with it!!

132. Keep in mind you’ll have grease, steam, splatters, etc. from your cook surface. Perhaps something like THIS – (Livelynine Waterproof Kitchen Stickers for Cabinets Kitchen Oil Proof Sticker Roll Backsplash Wallpaper for Kitchen Wall Self Adhesive Shelf Drawer Liner Stove Heat Resistant Contact Paper 15.8×78.8″) or something similar you can apply straight over your wallpaper. It looks like to would be easy to wipe clean, and protect the paper. There are lots of different choice you can investigate if you like the idea. You can add other items to it (racks, etc.). Good luck with your choice!

133. 1 or 4, IMHO. Love the wallpaper!

134. https://i.etsystatic.com/26431845/r/il/7d7cdd/4577910143/il_794xN.4577910143_pvdp.jpg
     https://i.etsystatic.com/6774528/r/il/46347d/4058417469/il_794xN.4058417469_cfpo.jpg
     I have these LuRay platters in pale yellow and blue that would be perfect with your wallpaper.
     A sconce would be great with these platters!
     I think art work or a mirror would get too greasy. i find pot racks too overwhelming visually and they get so dusty.
     Do you think a hanging bar for pots would scuff up the wall paper?

135. Love the wallpaper! As a cook, I would definitely surround the stove with plexiglass to protect the beautiful wallpaper. Cooking creates a sticky residue which will be easy to clean off the plexi but will also collect on objects surrounding the stove. Consider decorative items that are easy to clean and will not suffer from steam, food splashes & cleaning chemicals. A hard wired sconce on the side wall at the highest position that’s eye appealing would be pretty and at lowest risk of collecting cooking residue. Hanging cooking utensils, while convenient, must be used & washed frequently to be sanitary for food use.

136. I have a very similar setup in my older kitchen. I think the thing I would think about the most for this space is the cleanup from the stove. I cook a lot and the space around my stove gets lots of splatters and grease. I ended up putting up fake tile wallpaper on the exposed wall to the left of my stove so it would be easier to wipe clean than the paint. I’m concerned about your wallpaper and if it will stand up to constant wiping? If you do art, make sure to choose a frame that will stand up to cleaning as well.
     I love the idea of putting some shelves above the stove! I installed the Ikea pegboard above mine and it’s perfect for storing my olive oil, s&p, and spices. I love being able to reach up and grab an item to add to a dish.
     Also I would add a hanging plant in the corner! Just my 2 cents. Love what you’ve done so far!

137. I vote for option 3. Function should be #1 concern and you need to have utensils, salt, and pepper etc. close at hand when you are using the stove. Sara’s example is beautiful btw. (I think plates instead of art on side wall could be fun too).

138. Love the wallpaper! I really like #5. The organizer/cook in me wants to see some sort of countertop/cabinet to the left of the stove so the stove doesn’t appear to be floating in the space. The stove would need to moved a bit more to the right and the towel bar would need to be removed to accommodate something. Maybe there’s a super skinny prefab cabinet or shelving unit out there that happens to be the exact size for that space! I know you said the kitchen has plenty of storage so this might not be a priority for you, but I think a little bit of counter space to the left of the stove would be helpful during cooking. It could even be marble or metal shelving that goes up the wall on the left side of the stove. Can’t wait to see the reveal! Good luck!

Comments are closed.