Looking to DIY your Home Improvements this Year? Try Putting in an Alcove (or Three)

Sometimes the only way to achieve the look you want is to do it yourself. That’s the motto, at least, for scores of DIYers who modify their homes again and again for the sake of personalization. They scour TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for the newest DIY trends and projects making the rounds and—whether they’re renovation experts or novices—likely give it a whirl.

As Architectural Digest reports, interior designers, contractors, and other home experts have a front-row seat to the kinds of requests homeowners are making these days, as well as what projects are taking off on and offline (for better or worse). For example, in 2024 they pointed to bold tile work as a bathroom trend—and shower tiles indeed had a moment. Plus, they know which dated and cringey project ideas to ditch too.

Punching up seemingly mundane home features is the name of the game for DIYers. So it makes sense that alcoves will be having a moment from the kitchen to the bedroom. According to Houzz’s 2025 trend report, range alcoves are on the rise, in which an oven is tucked into its own recessed corner.

Mitchell Parker, Houzz senior editor, states that kitchen range alcoves are appearing in numerous new photos being uploaded to the site – and he notes that they’re an extension of the 2025 Houzz home design trend of English-style kitchens. “For a range alcove, the range is set within a recessed alcove or niche area, sometimes arched, and often flanked by countertops and side walls.” As a design element, it adds architectural details. “It creates a focal point and allows for a natural stopping point for, and containment of, a striking backsplash design,” Parker says.

Similarly, Gabriela Narvaez, general contractor and founder of Guild Properties, shares that requests for principal bedroom alcoves are increasing. “In the bedroom, you can create an inset in the wall for the bed and the nightstands,” she says. “The effect on the room is that you get a clean look with a cozy feel.”


Photo Credit: Mike Higginson / Shutterstock.com