I don't think you have enough space between the range and the utensil rail, unless you planned to hang stuff on the ends and not over the burners. Things will get hot! That spoon you need NOW might require you to reach over flames!

I kinda like the curtain.

I agree with the above poster that I wouldn't like to reach above the hot burners to reach a utensil. Also, I wouldn't like the accumulation of splatters and grease on the utensils. Finally, I find hanging things (pots and pans or utensils) cluttery-looking.

Your space is beautiful. I wouldn't mess with it. At least not until the shelves are up and staged. The utensils could end up being visual clutter. I really like the way you treated your back splash.

thanks. ok I will wait. I can always do it later but if I put it up, I can't really take it down since it will be drilled through the tile.

Would you be able to reach the shelves easily?

I wouldn't mind seeing one on the wall under the light switch. But again, you can add it later. Once you get the shelves up you'll have a better feel for how much stuff will work visually.

Maybe test out function of hanging things behind the range with some command hooks. People do hang things back there so it must work for somebody!

tackykat - the top shelves we won't be able to reach without a stool, they will be for display and a speaker or two (that's what the plugs are for) the lower shelves I will be able to reach because I'm tall but they won't be for frequently used items. I really wanted lower shelves to hold things like olive oil and salt but with my reduced wall length I can't fit shelves there on the sides anymore.

Fori is not pleased - good idea! I was thinking of getting some of those to hang my hand towels anyway. oh and thanks about the curtain, I made those to compliment my kitchen before the remodel, although don't look too close because in my haste to put something up there yesterday I think I grabbed two different sizes. For this remodel I'm thinking a roman shade with some blue in it because blue is our accent color.

I too hate the look of clutter, and I think if there were a bunch of things hanging it would bug me, but a few nice stainless utensils I think would almost be like art there. better than a crock full of utensils if you ask me, but I guess I'm going to have a crock :(

I don't have enough cabinet space near the stove to put them in a drawer.

I just want to keep as much off of the counter as possible. The hand soap is even going to go, it's just there because we haven't filled up the soap dispenser yet.

If you do put it there, drill through the grout lines not the tile (but definitely try the command hooks first). I like the look of a utensil rail behind a range, but it might be too much with the shelves. You don't have room on the other side with the switches and outlet? That's where we have ours - mounted high above the switches. It's very handy. We have pretty much the same set-up as you with the range next to the wall. I really love what you've done so far - looks great.

I have a rail behind my range and it's a stainless backsplash area, and stainless All Clad utensils hang there. I end up not using them. I use my workhorse silicone and wood things, and then I curse the handing things when they are grimy. I DO use the winks that hang back there, but I wouldn't do it again.

In fact, I installed the rail (and 10 years ago!) with double stick tape so I think I will go ahead and take it down and reduce the visual clutter!!!!!

I have one and I really like it. I use the utensils that hang there all of the time. My backsplash is currently a piece of white laminate so it was easy to install and the utensils are against a plain white backdrop.

Megan - just wanted to say how much I admire your beautiful floors. Also (apologies in advance) - huge TWD fan here and when I see Megan I think Negan :)

Thanks oldbat2be they are acacia.

Visual clutter. Unsafe to use when hot. Gets dirty from grease and grime.

I suggest you purchase a large crock type ceramic pot for utensils. Put it next to wall in back corner by the outlet. It's out of the way, but right where you need access. This will be easier to use and keep clean than hanging them.

Consider the Never_mt soap dispenser system for your counter. You would need the countertop guys to come out and drill a hole for a dispenser pump. I've got one and they are great.

I agree with nixing the utensil rail. for the reasons mentioned. Also I have always wished I could have one of those chimney range hoods. Yours is lovely and I would let it be the star. Very nice kitchen!

Dumb question: Why are there two outlets high up on the hood wall?

Linelle we are going to have shelves there and I wanted to plug in my amazon echo to play music. We really only needed one outlet but we put two for symmetry and sort of 'why not? -you never know what else we might want to plug in'. Once the shelves are installed you shouldn't be able to see the outlets because they will be kind of lying right on top of the shelf - that's why they are sideways to make them less visible.

Also not a dumb question, it looks pretty funny right now.

I'm not sure this is the right image to show you, but I wanted you to be comfortable with asymmetry in shelf placement. Take some time to tape up some cardboard and play with the placement of the shelves before you drill anything.

As far as utensils go, crocks can be cute! The are much more user friendly than rails. The one below is Fiestaware, so available in many colors, but there are stainless ones - and anything else you can imagine, really.

I had a utensil rail with utensils hanging down behind my cook top and I hated it. I would never do it again. The utensils would get grimy from grease and the worst thing was they would be very hot from the heat of the cook top. Put them in a drawer or use a cute crock on the counter or hang them on a different wall.

yours looks so great sarahsocal! how high is your rail above the stove?

For now we are not going to do it. It's a permanent thing, so we are going to wait and see.

One thing I don't understand is how everyone says they would get grimy, but a crock sitting right next to the stove wouldn't?

I don't know what it is that I hate about the crock of utensils so much. I just do. we have a nice stainless steel crock and I guess that's what we will use, but I just think it looks so messy. hanging in a nice neat row looks more orderly to me.

The greasy vapors rise and are getting sucked into your fan, but passing the hanging utensils on the way up. So they could get way dirtier than sitting down and off to the side of the cook top in a crock.

I have a utensil bar above my gas stove. It is 2 feet above the stove. It came with the house when we bought it. I thought about removing it, but made peace with it by trying to make it a focal point and useful. I use about 75 % of the utensils located there. The backsplash is dark and it does brighten the area up. They do not get hot for me. I use the front burners usually. They do get oily and I wash them in the dishwasher. A lot of people like it, but I prefer a more clean look.

If you would still really like one, how about on the drywall area to the left of stove high above the switches?

If not, you could just find a container (like eam posted) you like that you could stand them in and just sit it on your countertop or one of the shelves.

If Jannicone can stick one up for a 10 year test with double-sided tape, you can too!

@Megan...What brand is your hood?

I just wanted to say I love your fan light on the ceiling. Does it work well? I have looked at similar ones.

Your kitchen is very nice. I like the clean look so would vote against the bar. I have the Joseph Joseph spinning stand with the kitchen tools hanging on it. I find I use it more than all my utensils in the drawers and I love the splash of color.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00R86CVU6/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They come in various colors and materials. It doesn't take up much room.

I don't like the utensil crocks either. But I also don't like a utensil rail for the reasons already mentioned in this thread. I have a drawer similar to the one you have on the right of your range at the top of the stack. I keep all my utensils in there. Out of sight, but very conveniently within reach. I do use Lifeliner drawer liner for that drawer. The liner can be pulled out and cleaned, or easily replaced, in case any crumbs, drips or oils get in the drawer with the utensils (yes, I do wash my utensils, but the location right next to the range means that stuff can get in the drawer; drawer liner solves the issue.).

mintcar123 the range hood is a zuhne. it's inexpensive because we were running out of budget by the time I got to that and I thought I could replace it relatively easily. I don't have any complaints about it so far.

ravencajun Zone 8b TX the fan works pretty well for a small room. it's reversible and if you have it blowing down, it just blows straight down, but we have it blowing up and it moves the air around pretty well. the light isn't great though. that's not a big deal for us because our recessed lighting is more than enough, but I was a little surprised at how not bright the lights are.

@Megan...Thanks!

I have no advice. I just love your kitchen.

I’m am doing this for show and stuck it up but eye level appears right… I have full wall granite, using silicone versus screws.. if I hate it down the road. Like it better than a decorative tile as it’s dates in time.

I played around, I think 2 feet from countertop is better!

With an all white kitchen I think an easy clean backsplash area is a good way to go…it looks like you have small drawers next to the stove for utensils?…as to countertop space.. with so little in close proximity to the stove I would keep them clear for things you need when cooking…

@Ontarian - I agree with @btydrvn's points. The utensil rail does not look like to be practical in your space. Keep in mind that utensils don't stay pristine looking, even if you clean them constantly which you will have to do, and they will be dangling in front of your face while you are cooking.

The look I was going for, I do have large utensils drawers on each side and prefer nothing on my counters except maybe a fruit bowl, clean but boring! Cooktops tend to be smaller so depth isn’t a issue.