The Many Ways to Get Creative With Kitchen Hoods
Distinctive hood designs — in reclaimed barn wood, zinc, copper and more — are transforming the look of kitchens
The exhaust system installed above ranges and cooktops 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 of any kitchen with the design of the hood itself presenting a great opportunity to elevate a kitchen’s style. From classic to industrial, fabricated from a wide range of materials, kitchen 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.
Accents of Warm Wood
A wide range of materials are being employed when building and fabricating hoods. In a design mixing modern lines with a rustic material, this custom made hood by Sullivan Building & Design Group features a band of a reclaimed beam wrapped around its lower edge.
Tip: Look for reclaimed wood at salvage building material stores, and hood inserts from appliance stores or 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.
A wide range of materials are being employed when building and fabricating hoods. In a design mixing modern lines with a rustic material, this custom made hood by Sullivan Building & Design Group features a band of a reclaimed beam wrapped around its lower edge.
Tip: Look for reclaimed wood at salvage building material stores, and hood inserts from appliance stores or 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.
Here the entire 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 42” hood over a 36” range, ensuring adequate ventilation as well as increasing design options for the hood.
Tip: Many homeowners and designers are opting to install a 42” hood over a 36” range, ensuring adequate ventilation as well as increasing design options for the hood.
Another hood made of reclaimed wood embraces its natural weathered patina, a finish befitting this kitchen design.
This cherry wood 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 hood design provides the opportunity to display favorite decorate 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 hood, it’s important to know the clearance recommended between a cooktop and nearby combustible materials of the specific range the hood will be installed above. Look for this information in the stove installation guide.
Including a narrow shelf along the face of a hood design provides the opportunity to display favorite decorate 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 hood, it’s important to know the clearance recommended between a cooktop and nearby combustible materials of the specific range the hood will be installed above. Look for this information in the stove installation guide.
A shelf can also be installed below the hood for a distinct look, such as the stainless steel hood with coordinating shelf below seen here. This provides a handy surface to set frequently used items.
Tip: This shelf is set 25” above the cooktop and 11.5” from the bottom of the hood, and the homeowner notes that the shelf does block some light from reaching the back burners. 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: This shelf is set 25” above the cooktop and 11.5” from the bottom of the hood, and the homeowner notes that the shelf does block some light from reaching the back burners. 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 a Mediterranean style kitchen featuring a mix of patterns, colors and materials an oversized custom hood is fabricated from zinc.
In a Mediterranean style kitchen featuring a mix of patterns, colors and materials an oversized custom hood is fabricated from zinc.
Zinc is also the material used in making the hood corbels and wall shelves, striking set against mosaic tiles and accents of orange on the pottery and art.
A dark metal 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 hood was constructed of wood that was faux painted to resemble copper, achieving the look at a better price.
A hood and sink made of copper look in place despite being mixed with stainless steel and oil rubbed bronze in this kitchen. Key in tying all the finishes together is the tile backsplash and travertine flooring that include tones from all the various metals.
A two-toned 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 hood surface. Here feminine lines wrap the lower edge of the hood, with the area above covered in a shimmering mosaic tile.
In this example the hood continues the material and finish of the surrounding cabinetry for an understated and elegant outcome.
Exposed venting on another custom metal hood accentuates the utilitarian aspect of a renovated 1915 cottage kitchen.
Island Options
When a cooktop is set into the island the options are to install a pop-up downdraft venting system in the island or hang an island hood from the ceiling above. The streamlined design selected here is successful, doing its best to fade into the scenery, an approach that makes sense when the goal is to prevent the island hood from dominating the room.
Tip: Make sure to install the 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 cooktop and hood.
When a cooktop is set into the island the options are to install a pop-up downdraft venting system in the island or hang an island hood from the ceiling above. The streamlined design selected here is successful, doing its best to fade into the scenery, an approach that makes sense when the goal is to prevent the island hood from dominating the room.
Tip: Make sure to install the 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 cooktop and hood.
An opposite approach when installing a hood above an island cooktop is to make it the centerpiece 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 hood chimney, highlighting its length which in turn accents the height of the room. Here the chimney extends up to meet a wooden clad ceiling, made more prominent installed against the slate full height backsplash in a brick pattern.
Kitchens with high ceilings present a unique design opportunity to make the most of a hood chimney, highlighting its length which in turn accents the height of the room. Here the chimney extends up to meet a wooden clad ceiling, made more prominent installed against the slate full height backsplash in a brick pattern.
Another example sees a streamlined hood and chimney installed against textured stainless steel tile running from the counter up to ceiling for a distinctly modern look.
Integrating the 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 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.
Is a custom hood part of your kitchen plan? Please tell us what style you’re thinking of.
How to Choose the Right Hood Fan for Your Kitchen
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 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.
Is a custom hood part of your kitchen plan? Please tell us what style you’re thinking of.
How to Choose the Right Hood Fan for Your Kitchen
Cost: Hoods don’t come cheap. At the lower end of the budget the opening price for a stainless steel design begins at around $300.00, while a large custom copper hood or matching hood from a high end range manufacturer will land upwards of $8000.00. For a creative and smart alternative, search out a talented carpenter.
Venting: The level of venting required, (measured in CFM, cubic feet per minute), lighting and various mechanical features may differ significantly between styles. Depending on whether there is a duct 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.