Get Creative With Kitchen Range Hoods
Distinctive range hood designs are transforming the look of kitchens. Here are some great ideas if you're looking to transform your own
Janell Beals
5 April 2016
Designer, writer, renovator
The exhaust system installed above ovens and stovetops is probably not what most kitchen design or renovation dreams are made of. However, ventilating away smells, steam and heat created during cooking is an important ingredient in any kitchen, with the design of the range hood itself presenting a great opportunity to elevate a kitchen’s style. From classic to industrial, and fabricated from a wide range of materials, range hoods can have a big impact on the overall look and feel of the room. If a kitchen design or renovation is in your future, here are some ideas to discuss with your designer.
When envisioning kitchen range hoods, the typical stainless steel model with straight lines and a chimney is just one of many possibilities. With a range hood liner encasing the necessary mechanics, your design options open wide. Here the range hood was custom made from wood with a charming cut scallop detail, then painted a shade similar to surrounding cabinets.
COST: Range hoods don’t come cheap. At the lower end of the budget the opening price for a stainless steel design begins at around $300, while a large custom copper hood or matching range hood from a high-end manufacturer will land upwards of $8000. For a creative and smart alternative, search out a talented carpenter.
VENTING: The level of venting required, lighting and various mechanical features may differ significantly between styles. Depending on whether there is a system to vent air outside, you’ll also need to select a ducted or ductless hood. The first vents air outside; the second uses a fan with a charcoal filter to recirculate air back into the kitchen.
COST: Range hoods don’t come cheap. At the lower end of the budget the opening price for a stainless steel design begins at around $300, while a large custom copper hood or matching range hood from a high-end manufacturer will land upwards of $8000. For a creative and smart alternative, search out a talented carpenter.
VENTING: The level of venting required, lighting and various mechanical features may differ significantly between styles. Depending on whether there is a system to vent air outside, you’ll also need to select a ducted or ductless hood. The first vents air outside; the second uses a fan with a charcoal filter to recirculate air back into the kitchen.
Accents of warm wood
A wide range of materials are being employed when building and fabricating range hoods. In a design mixing modern lines with a rustic material, this custom made range hood by Sullivan Building & Design Group features a band of reclaimed beam wrapped around its lower edge.
TIP: Look for reclaimed wood at salvage building material stores, and hood inserts from appliance stores or range hood manufacturers. And don’t fret over any airborne cooking deposits on such a surface; it has weathered the outdoors, it will weather anything else that can be thrown at it.
Timber kitchens to inspire you
A wide range of materials are being employed when building and fabricating range hoods. In a design mixing modern lines with a rustic material, this custom made range hood by Sullivan Building & Design Group features a band of reclaimed beam wrapped around its lower edge.
TIP: Look for reclaimed wood at salvage building material stores, and hood inserts from appliance stores or range hood manufacturers. And don’t fret over any airborne cooking deposits on such a surface; it has weathered the outdoors, it will weather anything else that can be thrown at it.
Timber kitchens to inspire you
Here the entire range hood is built from reclaimed barn wood. This material choice introduces a durable texture in earthy contrast to sleek cabinetry.
TIP: Many homeowners and designers are opting to install a wide range hood over a narrower oven or stovetop, ensuring adequate ventilation as well as increasing design options.
TIP: Many homeowners and designers are opting to install a wide range hood over a narrower oven or stovetop, ensuring adequate ventilation as well as increasing design options.
Another range hood made of reclaimed wood embraces its natural weathered patina, a finish befitting this kitchen design.
This cherry wood range hood coordinates with the finish of the island. Taking a design lead from the island for the hood seems to be a popular approach.
Room for display
Including a narrow shelf along the face of a range hood design provides the opportunity to display favourite decorative plates in a prominent location. And if keeping these items clean is a concern, a wider ledge will provide a measure of protection from cooking activities below.
TIP: If installing your own kitchen range hood, it’s important to know the clearance recommended between a cooktop and nearby combustible materials of the specific oven or stovetop the hood will be installed above. Look for this information in the stove installation guide.
Displays packed with personality
Including a narrow shelf along the face of a range hood design provides the opportunity to display favourite decorative plates in a prominent location. And if keeping these items clean is a concern, a wider ledge will provide a measure of protection from cooking activities below.
TIP: If installing your own kitchen range hood, it’s important to know the clearance recommended between a cooktop and nearby combustible materials of the specific oven or stovetop the hood will be installed above. Look for this information in the stove installation guide.
Displays packed with personality
A shelf can also be installed below the range hood for a distinct look, as with the stainless steel hood with coordinating shelf below seen here. This provides a handy surface to set frequently used items.
TIP: The homeowner notes that the shelf does block some light from reaching the back burners when they’re cooking. Due to the power of the fan, however, the shelf does not impede with ventilation. These would be issues to consider if opting for a similar setup.
TIP: The homeowner notes that the shelf does block some light from reaching the back burners when they’re cooking. Due to the power of the fan, however, the shelf does not impede with ventilation. These would be issues to consider if opting for a similar setup.
Coordinating finishes
In this Mediterranean-style kitchen featuring a mix of patterns, colours and materials, an oversized custom range hood is fabricated from zinc.
In this Mediterranean-style kitchen featuring a mix of patterns, colours and materials, an oversized custom range hood is fabricated from zinc.
Zinc is also the material used in making the hood corbels and wall shelves, striking when set against mosaic tiles and accents of orange on the pottery and art.
A dark metal range hood was custom designed for this kitchen, coordinating with the finish of the island.
And this design looks like another stunning hood made of copper, correct? Not this time. Here the range hood was constructed of wood that was faux painted to resemble copper, achieving the look at a better price.
A range hood and sink made of copper look in place despite being mixed with stainless steel and oil-rubbed bronze in this kitchen. Key to tying all the finishes together is the tile splashback and travertine flooring that include tones from all the various metals.
Style crush: Smart copper pendants
Style crush: Smart copper pendants
A two-toned range hood can be another effective approach. While the dark finish here reads as if it’s a metal, it is actually painted maple that is topped off with crown and edge detailing similar to that of the cabinets.
Seen far less frequently is tile covering a range hood’s surface. Here feminine lines wrap the lower edge of the range hood, with the area above covered in a shimmering mosaic tile.
Coordinating colours
Not a fan of all this material mixing? Then perhaps a hood coordinating with the oven is a better choice, such as this pairing showcasing a soft powder blue finish.
Kitchen colour schemes that last
Not a fan of all this material mixing? Then perhaps a hood coordinating with the oven is a better choice, such as this pairing showcasing a soft powder blue finish.
Kitchen colour schemes that last
In this example, the range hood continues the material and finish of the surrounding cabinetry for an understated and elegant outcome.
Exposed venting on another custom metal range hood accentuates the utilitarian aspect of a renovated 1915 cottage kitchen.
Island options
When a stovetop is set into the island, the options are to install a pop-up downdraft venting system in the island or hang an island range hood from the ceiling above. The streamlined design selected here is successful, doing its best to fade into the scenery. This approach makes sense when the goal is to prevent the island hood from dominating the room.
TIP: Make sure to install the range hood high enough for visual clearance at eye level, yet low enough to allow the vent to do it’s job. Look for manufacturer installation guidelines for the selected stovetop and hood.
10 kitchen islands for families
When a stovetop is set into the island, the options are to install a pop-up downdraft venting system in the island or hang an island range hood from the ceiling above. The streamlined design selected here is successful, doing its best to fade into the scenery. This approach makes sense when the goal is to prevent the island hood from dominating the room.
TIP: Make sure to install the range hood high enough for visual clearance at eye level, yet low enough to allow the vent to do it’s job. Look for manufacturer installation guidelines for the selected stovetop and hood.
10 kitchen islands for families
An opposite approach when installing a range hood above an island cooktop is to make it the centrepiece of the design, as was done here through the installation of a statement hood in copper. It stops shy of dominating the space due to its warm tones blending into the similar toned wood ceiling, with the sage green island grounding this area of the kitchen among all the white cabinetry.
Extended chimneys
Kitchens with high ceilings present a unique design opportunity to make the most of a range hood chimney, highlighting its length which in turn accents the height of the room. Here, the chimney extends up to meet a timber-clad ceiling, made more prominent installed against the slate full-height splashback in a brick pattern.
Kitchens with high ceilings present a unique design opportunity to make the most of a range hood chimney, highlighting its length which in turn accents the height of the room. Here, the chimney extends up to meet a timber-clad ceiling, made more prominent installed against the slate full-height splashback in a brick pattern.
Another example sees a streamlined range hood and chimney installed against textured stainless steel tile running from the benchtop up to the ceiling for a distinctly modern look.
Integrating the range hood into the overall design
As much as the specific hood design selected, how the surrounding elements are arranged will have a big impact on the overall look of the range hood and it’s visual role in the design. Here, a stainless steel model is enhanced by an attractive tile pattern and open shelving, adding up to a thoughtful and attractive arrangement.
TELL US
Is a custom range hood part of your kitchen plan? Tell us what style you’re thinking of in the Comments section.
MORE
Which Range Hood Works Best for You?
Key Heights to Consider When Designing Your New Kitchen
12 Hot Kitchen Trends Set to Sizzle in 2016
As much as the specific hood design selected, how the surrounding elements are arranged will have a big impact on the overall look of the range hood and it’s visual role in the design. Here, a stainless steel model is enhanced by an attractive tile pattern and open shelving, adding up to a thoughtful and attractive arrangement.
TELL US
Is a custom range hood part of your kitchen plan? Tell us what style you’re thinking of in the Comments section.
MORE
Which Range Hood Works Best for You?
Key Heights to Consider When Designing Your New Kitchen
12 Hot Kitchen Trends Set to Sizzle in 2016
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Agree. That would be a code violation in most places.
The range hood can be an artistic focal point in the kitchen.
A little bit on the subject of creative and unusual approach to kitchen hoods.
New, "out-of-this-world" series of recirculating range hoods - Air Loop series.