A range alcove is commonplace in kitchens, especially in older homes where original features and layouts have been retained. Most often, it's an old fireplace at the center of the room, and making it the home of your range is the perfect design decision.
So, if you're wondering how to style a range cooker in your kitchen, an alcove is the answer. It's a space that, in most cases, has always been the cooking hub of the room, so why not lean into tradition and reintegrate this stylish feature?
There are so many ways to design a range alcove depending on the space and style, so we've turned to experts to discover their favorite range alcove ideas – and there are some truly timeless designs to consider.
5 range alcove ideas that make a stylish feature of an awkward space
Alcove ideas are vast and varied, but there are a few ways to utilize them in a kitchen that prove enduringly stylish and, most importantly, functional. Whether you want to make use of a large former fireplace or you're trying to design your kitchen around a colorful stove, these spaces offer plenty of inspiration.
1. Utilize a period fireplace
Sometimes, making the most of a kitchen alcove or old fireplace means breaking the usual rule of introducing the range at the center of a run of kitchen cabinets. Thinking outside the box and designing a bespoke look for your space can result in a beautifully unique space.
'We prioritize the range and hood, strategically placing them on a separate wall to enhance traffic flow and create a standout feature,' explains Tiffany Matthews, Greensboro-based founder and lead designer of Motif Homes.
The kitchen in this period home features an old fireplace, still beautifully framed with exposed brick. By slotting that range cooker into the opening and adding freestanding kitchen furniture nearby, it's made the most of an otherwise unusable space that stille feels connected with the rest of the kitchen.
2. Add colorful tiles to tie your range alcove to the rest of your design
The range cooker is the heart of the kitchen. It's where food is prepared, and it's often a feature installed front and center, whether you include a kitchen island or go without one. But introducing details that tie in with the rest of the kitchen is key.
'We spend a lot of time talking about chimney breasts and alcoves for range cookers. It’s a tricky part of kitchen design, but we have learned that simplicity and keeping it understated are the absolute key,' says Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL Kitchens.
The range alcove really is the focal point in this kitchen, despite it not being connected to any cabinet runs. To ensure it still feels a part of the rest of the design, pink tiles – deVOL's plain square Rose Lace Market Tiles – have been added to create a kitchen backsplash, which has been replicated elsewhere in the space.
3. Create a sense of symmetry with your range alcove at the center
'Centralizing the kitchen design around a range or island hood can be a powerful choice,' says Jessica Petrino, educator & appliance expert at AJ Madison, which is usually the case if you are integrating your range into an alcove.
To make it feel more integrated into your design, installing cupboards on either side will instantly add a sense of symmetry, while still letting your range alcove be the centerpiece of your space.
That's the exact approach that was taken in this Studio McGee kitchen. A large alcove has been utilised for the range – with enough space for a small countertop on each side – and framed by the warm wooden kitchen cabinets. It's a great way to make a range alcove feel more transitional, rather than traditional.
4. Add a wooden surround for a traditional finish
If you do like the more traditional look, leaning into the period style can create a lovely detail. The alcove in this kitchen clearly used to be a fireplace, so instead of changing it, they've embraced its heritage by reintroducing a mantel.
And it's a charming, cottagecore addition that adds so much character to the space. It maximises a small range alcove and makes it more of a standout feature. The simple addition of the pot hanger gives it a more decorative finish.
For a small pot hanger to install into your range alcove ideas, McGee & Co.'s Metal Pot Rack has a traditional brass finish with a length of 36 inches, or for something more industrial, this Williston Forge Pot and Pan Wall Rail from Wayfair comes in a matte black finish.
5. Utilize an alcove to accommodate a large range cooker
In some kitchens, an alcove can be the saving grace to your design. This kitchen is a perfect example – the range is deeper than the cabinets, so inserting it into the alcove allows the range to sit flush with the cabinetry.
It's a simple solution to a common problem in kitchens of old homes. They've taken it one step further by adding pale pink tiles and a brass pot filler, adding a touch of classic luxury to the space.
To make the most of the space between either side of the chimney breast, alcove shelving has been added, creating open storage for kitchenware, decor, and potted plants within easy reach.
A range alcove is becoming more popular, as homeowners continue to appreciate unique features that give kitchen ideas a more personalized look. Introducing a range alcove will depend on your kitchen layout, but these spaces prove that they work beautifully in period homes and more modern kitchens.