Experts say this TikTok decor trend is a disaster waiting to happen
- April 21, 2026
- 0
Why you can trust us We may earn money from links on this page, but commission does not influence what we write or the products we recommend. AOL
Why you can trust us
We may earn money from links on this page, but commission does not influence what we write or the products we recommend. AOL upholds a rigorous editorial process to ensure what we publish is fair, accurate and trustworthy.
TikTok is at it again. The video-focused social media platform can be a lot of fun to scroll through, but it occasionally promotes some less-than-ideal trends — who can forget the whole Tide Pod fiasco from 2018?
Thankfully, no one is eating cleaning products this time around, but a certain home decor product has been gaining popularity thanks to the social media platform. More and more people are buying “noodle boards” — also sometimes referred to as stove covers or stove boards — but safety experts say they’re a serious hazard for the kitchen.
What are noodle boards?
If you’ve never heard the term before, “noodle boards” are wooden covers designed to sit on top of your stove. They’ve gained popularity among people with smaller kitchens because they turn your stovetop into usable counter space.
This is an example of a wooden noodle board that you can buy on Amazon. It has two handles that make it easy to lift, and the brand says it doubles as a serving tray.
The problem, however, is that putting a flammable object on top of your stove — even when it’s off — is a serious fire hazard.
“It looks beautiful on camera, but placing combustible materials directly over a cooking appliance is one of the most dangerous things you can do in a kitchen,” says Mark Stevenson, Managing Director and Product Designer at Stove Shield. “You are essentially building a bonfire on top of an active ignition source.”
“All it takes is a pet jumping onto the counter, a child reaching up, or a homeowner accidentally bumping a gas knob with their hip while prepping food,” he explains. “With a wooden tray or towel resting on the grates, a fire can ignite in less than 30 seconds. If you aren’t in the room when it happens, your entire kitchen could be engulfed before the smoke alarm even sounds.”
Bottom line? You should always keep the top of your stove clear. “Your stove is an appliance, not a display shelf,” says Stevenson. “The aesthetic is never worth the risk of losing your home.”
Spacing-saving kitchen solutions to try instead
If you’re looking for ways to clear up counter space or just maximize the work area in your kitchen, here are a few alternative options that won’t pose a hazard.
Need space for prepping veggies? Stevenson recommends trying out an over-the-sink cutting board instead. This one expands up to 33 inches so you can prop it up over the sink, and having it over the drain is especially handy when you’re working with juicy ingredients.
A rolling kitchen prep station is another easy way to create more work space in your kitchen. This one has a built-in cutting board as the top, so you can work directly on it, and it also has drawers, shelves, and a towel holder for maximum efficiency.
Explore More Buying Options
AOL editor Katelyn Mullen never stops recommending these magnetic spice racks, which you can stick to the side of your fridge. They’re sturdy enough to hold all sorts of kitchen essentials, and they make it easy to clear up space on your counters.
Clothink
Here’s another space-saving magnetic shelf that you can attach to the fridge. It has a spacious lower basket where you can stash produce, as well as a shelf on top for spices, oils, or other pantry items.
You can create storage space above your microwave with this convenient adjustable rack. It slots right above the appliance, giving you more space to arrange your coffee beans, mugs, and other must-have items.
If your stand mixer, air fryer, or even microwave is taking up too much counter space, this appliance lift lets you easily tuck it away into a cabinet when not in use. The design can hold appliances that weigh up to 45 pounds, and it lets you easily raise the shelf to countertop level for use.
You can clear nearly everything off your kitchen counters with the help of this extra-large baker’s rack. It has several levels of shelves where you can place appliances, cooking supplies, glassware, cookbooks, and much more, and there’s even a built-in power strip that makes it easy to plug in gadgets without crawling behind the stand.
Prices were accurate at the time of publication. Curious about how we test and choose products at AOL? Here’s a quick explanation, from our editors.
