by Valerie Demetros
There are all sorts of ways to add style to your kitchen. You can add a colorful stove, interesting cabinets or even a bold tile backsplash. But for an elegant twist, consider giving the range hood an upgrade and a chance to shine.
This essential element is usually stainless steel or another designed-to-blend material. Its main function is practical — to keep steam, smoke and cooking exhaust from filling your kitchen. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be a design element on its own.
Finally, designers are embracing the hood as a backdrop for color or even something more deliberate.
If you’re remodeling or designing your dream kitchen, choosing a range hood is an opportunity to incorporate a unique design element. Just remember that along with style, it needs to be the correct power and size for the space so it can serve its purpose.
Wood
Custom wood range hoods can be as simple or ornate as you choose. You can leave them raw for a rustic look, paint it to match cabinetry or choose a contrasting color to pop.
Plaster
A plaster hood is perfect in a Mediterranean-style kitchen with a rustic charm. Or a simple plaster board range hood with clean lines can look contemporary. A one-of-a-kind shape makes them a focal point in any kitchen.
Metal
Stainless steel hoods are not new but combined with glass and simple designs, they can add a touch of modern elegance. A dark metallic range hood can change the look of a kitchen, and consider the combination of gold and stainless steel for a stunning look.
Shiplap
Shiplap range hoods add panache without sacrificing a clean-lined look. It’s a style that looks particularly smart in a modern farmhouse kitchen design.
Chimney
With a hint of industrial chic, exposed vents are simple, affordable and modern. You can leave the entire chimney exposed or just the vent under cabinetry or custom woodwork.
Brassy and bold
An oversized brass range hood can serve as a focal point in your kitchen and highligh an island cooking zone. Consider using it if you have brass fixtures or use it solo for a standout look.
For a stand-out feature your friends will envy, ZLINE offers its butcher block range hood with a stainless-steel chimney and butcher block hood in dark and light finishes, giving your kitchen a custom look.
If you’re looking for a different kind of range hood for a focal point in the kitchen, check out Dolce & Gabbana’s Sicily Is My Love collection with Italian-based SMEG. Inspired by traditional Sicilian kitchens, the wall-mount range hood is completely covered in a fresh blue-and-white maiolica tile pattern that immediately gives your kitchen a Mediterranean vibe.
Remember, this is your home and a chance to let your style shine. Whether it’s frosted glass, powder-coated metal in your own custom color or a designer-inspired hood, the choices are endless. Get creative.
