Asked on Mar 04, 2017

Ideas for an empty space over the stove?

Kat
by Kat
We have removed the over-the-range microwave and now have a very sad 36"w by 15"h unfinished wall. The new microwave will be a counter-top version, so this space can become practical or pretty. The stove is being replaced so we can see the painted farm scene again - this was a stupid choice!!
Does anyone has any ideas? Utilitarian or whimsical input invited.
  16 answers
  • Shoshana Shoshana on Mar 05, 2017

    First of all, I love the farm scene! What do you think about putting in a faux-window to complete the look? You can cover the wall with a sheet of solid color and then do something similar to this:

  • Amanda Bishop Amanda Bishop on Mar 05, 2017

    Make it into a shelf, cover the farm scene tiles with some paint and extend the color through the rest of the kitchen Back splash. Repair and Paint the wall behind the shelf with a bright color like teal to accent the rest of the kitchen and to kind of bring out the space. Get some 1" planks and cut to size of the space. (Make or buy a shelf) stain it or paint it to match the rest of the cabinets. Place some cookbooks on the new shelf with a planter painted another color to complement the back wall and plant some succulents, (low maintenance plants) and enjoy!

  • Pat20921190 Pat20921190 on Mar 05, 2017

    you can turn that empty space over your stove into a shelf to put either your cook books or to put your spices closer to you to create Awesome meals !!!

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 05, 2017

    I would use the area for storage, and build shelves.

  • Natasha Benua Natasha Benua on Mar 05, 2017

    Black glass backsplash and hood

  • Lisa Lisa on Mar 05, 2017

    I would use tile paint and paint over the farm scene and get the same size tile and continue the tile all the way up behind your stove to match.

  • Laura Laura on Mar 05, 2017

    I'm confused as to if you hate or love the farm scene. If you like it, I'd paint the sides of the cupboards with white semi gloss enamel (grease cleans off easy). Then I'd tile up the back wall with white tiles that match the walls. I'd fill in the space under the above cupboard with 3/4 inch wood with clear finish. Screw down from base of above cupboard using flat screw so the surface remains flat. Then place screw-in hooks in wood you inserted at top to hang your favorite pots and pans. If you don't like the farm scene remove tiles from edge of cupboards all the wall down and put in accent tile all the way from counter to bottom of upper shelf.

  • Dfm Dfm on Mar 06, 2017

    my behind the stove area was covered with 50 different sized holes ,and not a good place to to repair the wall- several holes were to close to the cabinets to properly patch and mud. I found me a piece of sheet steel, cut it to size and caulked it in place. it reflects a bit of light from the stove hood, the mice can't get past it and it's easy to clean.

  • Equ20917472 Equ20917472 on Mar 06, 2017

    Will the new stove have a built-in exhaust fan, or will you need to add one now that the microwave is gone?


  • Heathernskinner Heathernskinner on Mar 07, 2017

    I love the farm scene but if you don't like it paint overbuy with white tile paint. I'd continue the tile up, takeout the cabinet above it and build a decorative range hood. I want a decorative range hood over my stove so bad but don't have another place to put my microwave!

  • BabyBoomerSC BabyBoomerSC on Mar 07, 2017

    I'd install chunky wood shelves and put my cookbooks on them, any kind of collectibles, spices, small pots with herbs in them, etc. Behind the shelves would be subway tile that matches the color in your kitchen.

  • Judith Judith on Mar 07, 2017

    Because of steam and grease from cooking, I would fill holes, sand smooth. Options are to paint with a good semi gloss paint or cover the space with matching tiles (may be hard to find) or cover with a sheet of stainless steel or white formica. You could also cover with a piece of plywood, prime and enamel paint it. (easiest solution). All of the above will be easy to wash and clean. Shelves or pots above stove will be lot of upkeep as will get dirty.

  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on Mar 07, 2017

    I'd remove the scenic tiles, fill holes, prime, paint. Then I'd probably install bead board......OR........large decorative tin tiles to create something different. (easy cleaning too boot!) Best of luck.

  • Patty Babusci Patty Babusci on Mar 08, 2017

    I would get a range hood with fan and light - looks like you may need non-ducted. Match your appliances, if you have stainless steel stove, etc. - go for stainless range hood and use LED lamp bulbs.

  • Eroque022810 Eroque022810 on Mar 10, 2017

    I take it you love the farm scene and want it to show otherwise you could remove paint. So depending on who painted that area can they continue the scene? I would obviously patch the wall and clean the cabinets very well and paint them white. I would continue the scene and have art on wall. I personally like to not waste space so I would personally like to add a strip of steal used to hold knives go on ikeas website. If you should decide on continuing scene depending on idea I might paint the cabinets a pale blue to tie the art all together. If you do have a vent area the by all means add a range hood.

  • Gail Webb Gail Webb on Mar 28, 2017

    You can