This Is the Old-World Interior Design Trend Taking Over Kitchens Again

In 2025 farmhouse style is alive and well, but it looks a bit different compared to the modern, rustic Magnolia Home aesthetic you’ve probably known and maybe loved over the last decade. Designers have now zeroed in on what drew many to Joanna Gaines’ cozy interior design style in the first place by pinpointing features that give a space that straight-from-the-hearth, down-home warmth. And right now, designers are connecting the design dots in kitchen trends all the way back to the literal hearth with the traditional enclosed stove style, aka the “stove cove.”

Essentially, a stove cove turns the whole area over a stove — not just the range hood — into an intimate, enclosed design moment. This trend is a homecoming for lived-in kitchen design that embodies an intentional, functional, and soulful way of life. It highlights an area of the home that fuels connection through cooking and gathering and provides a grounding energy in a fast-paced, digital-driven world.

Whether you’ve been swooning over high-end kitchens with stove coves and haven’t known what they were called or you just love an old-school design trend reboot, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a brief history of the stove cove and why you might want some semblance of one today — maybe even in your tiny rental!

What Is a Stove Cove?

According to Beatriz Rose, a Los Angeles-based interior designer, a “stove cove,” which is sometimes also called a “cook’s nook,” is defined as a recessed area in the kitchen designed to house the stove or range. “It’s typically framed by three walls, often with built-in niches or shelves to hold cooking essentials like oils, seasonings, and utensils,” she explains. Typically, the entire area is also usually covered by a massive hood that’s hidden with decorative framing. “Visually it creates a sense of intimacy around the cooking zone and can feel like a hearth — a focal point of warmth and nourishment in the home.”

What Is the History of a Stove Cove?

If stove coves give you that cozy English cottage vibe, that’s because that’s exactly where they come from. “The concept has deep roots in traditional European homes, especially in English cottages and countryside houses in France, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Italy,” says Rose. “Historically, these spaces evolved out of necessity — large hearths that provided warmth and served multiple functions like cooking, boiling water, and even bathing or doing laundry.”

According to Rose, the precise origin is hard to pinpoint, but traces of the trend actually date as far back as medieval times, with some more refined designs gaining popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries. “The three-wall layout likely helped contain heat, reduce drafts, and direct smoke into the chimney,” she notes.

When Did the Stove Cove Become Popular?

In modern times, the stove cove style has been “rediscovered as part of a broader return to natural materials, historic vernacular design, and slower, more soulful living,” says Rose. The stove cove’s cozy vibes are in direct contrast with the sleek, modern kitchens of the last decade and are likely an indicator of the comfort so many crave in an uncertain world, where the home becomes a safe haven. And Rose says the textures commonly associated with stove coves — such as weathered stone, rustic linens, brick, aged plaster, and antique wood — speak to a desire for authenticity and warmth. These materials have also been trending as of late, too — likely for the same reason.

The stove cove trend is also a nice blend of visual charm and functional benefits, as you can outfit one with built-in shelving to keep cooking oils, spices, tools, and other essentials within reach. “The recessed space can help retain heat from around the stove, keep food warmer for longer, and slightly muffle the sound of the range hood,” Rose adds. “It can make the cooking area feel efficient, atmospheric, and grounded.” You also might notice that a stove cove can help direct cooking smells into the range hood, too, leading to less lingering of unpleasant odors.

How Can You Get the Stove Cove Look at Home

On the downside, stove coves aren’t exactly renter-friendly and — unless a space already has a nice little nook for the oven and stove — can require some renovation. Because they often feature built-ins, moldings, and additional materials to create their enclosures, stove coves also tend to be higher-end kitchen design elements. However, Rose says you can create a similar feeling through smart styling. “Try adding decorative corbels made of wood or plaster to frame the hood and stove visually,” she explains. If you can supply your own oven, Rose also recommends opting for a range with a retro or classic look.

If you can’t mess with your stove area at all, maybe another old-world design element is more in your DIY reach. Try repainting your kitchen cabinets with an earthy, historic hue (renters, only if your landlord allows it!). A faux plaster paint on the walls can also give off that vintage appeal. “You can also hang a solid brass or copper rail to hang cooking utensils to suggest a more earthy and utilitarian way of life,” Rose adds.

A vintage-inspired tile backsplash over your stove — like Delft tile — can also add a ton of character, but this isn’t a renter-friendly solution, either. Instead, consider hanging some framed Delft tiles somewhere in the kitchen or using a few as trivets.

And hold on to your stove cove inspo photos if this is a look you truly love. Yes, kitchen trends rise and fall out of favor, but anything rooted in history will come around again. So maybe one day, the stove cove of your dreams can and will be yours.

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