You positively have to hang at 30? My insert says 27-30" so it gives a range of inches instead of exact. I'm not questioning that you can read, just wondering if you can get away with it, because it certainly looks beautiful as-is!

Having said that, I wonder if just that center cabinet box could be adjusted up a few inches and the doors made smaller? That would seem the least invasive, with the biggest cost just a set of new doors....well, and adding to your backsplash which shouldn't be a big deal.

Look at the slideout hoods. I had a Monogram model but it might only come in 36". They actually work pretty well and if you DO bump your head, they retract instead of denting YOU. The guts will eat up your cabinet space but you'll have more backsplash to show off.

Thanks for the feedback, these are all great ideas. I was trying to avoid the shorter cabinets because it also involves moving the vent up at least 4 inches too. Something definitely to consider and I asked my contractor to price that option. I also came across this Zephyr hood which is 2.5 inches taller and 3 inches shorter in depth. Not as nice as the Jennair hood but may not be so bad...

I have the Broan Elite e661 range hood and it's very slim.

I have the taller version of that Broan and it's a nice hood.

Front-to-back depth is important for plume capture, and any other practical scheme that allows keeping adequate depth is preferable over reducing hood overhang.

You don't want one shorter in depth.

Kobe makes a 2" or 2.5" tall hood. I'm sure there are others, though some of these put the blower inside the cabinet, so you'd have to be happy with that.

My Zephyr Tamburo is only 24.5 inches above my induction stove. Ideally, it would be at 30" but it is not an easy thing to change when you have a tile backsplash in place. I am 5' 4" and it's been like this for 12 years -- I am totally used to it now and never bump by head.

As weedmeister says, Kobe makes a 2.5" tall hood where the guts are in the cabinet above it. I have been wanting this same hood for some time since I have a similar existing cabinet height issue but haven't come up with the $700 yet for purchase, unfortunately.

KOBE RA3836SQB-1 Stainless Steel 750 CFM 36" Stainless Steel QuietMode Under Cabinet Range Hood with LED Lights from the RA-038-1 Series

Zephyr hoods are great. Like others have said, capture area is something to keep in mind....so consider keeping the hood that you have. But you'll survive if your hood is a shorter depth, like the Zephyr.

If the contractor and cabinet maker had the hood specs/installation instructions prior to installing it, I'd say this mistake is on them and is up to them to correct. Don't understand how this was missed; pretty standard practice for installers to check the manufacturer's specs first.

I do not understand why people are fixated on hitting their heads on the hood. Seems to me the only way this is done is to put your face above a hot burner or pan. I can see it happening one maybe twice but you learn not to lean in so far. Kind of like when you were a kid and touched a hot oven and got burned, did it once and learned not to do it again. The hood looks fine, getting a shallower hood or moving it up might solve one problem but it will create more like grease not getting captured in the hood and vented outside. The steam and grease that does not go in the hood will end up on your cabinets, ceiling and all over your house. You have a beautiful kitchen, don't let it get ruined.

I can see it happening one maybe twice but you learn not to lean in so far.

Many cooks, myself included, lean in to smell what they're cooking. If you're good enough at it, you don't have to actually taste the dish, just smell it, to know how it would taste/what it needs if anything. I would not want to be restricted from doing this.

Thank you all for the good input and advice. I had to move quickly to finish my kitchen and I'm pleased to say I found a great hood by Zephyr that worked great with my 30 inch range, here's a pic. It's now about 30 inches above my range (below my head bumping range) and up to 400 CFM. My lesson learned was to hire a designer from the very beginning, I hired one after I ordered cabinets and appliances, much too late.

I honestly think I like your new one better! Great job, pretty kitchen. LOVE your BS. :)