Range hoods don't have a very good reputation. Although they serve an important purpose, they are usually known for detracting from the elegant look of your kitchen. Although they are rarely the intended focal point of the kitchen, they do tend to catch the eye, and that rarely happens in a good way.
Luckily, interior designers have discovered some genius ways to get around the old unsightly range hood and turn that necessity into a beautiful kitchen design feature. Learn from experts how to hide your range hood – or make it shine.
How to make your range hood a chic part of your design scheme
When carefully incorporated, chic range hood ideas can become an eye-catching feature of your kitchen design scheme or can be cleverly hidden away. This is how interior designers suggest ways to match your range hood to your interior design style.
1. Fully integrated hood
(Image credit: Art Gray / White Webb, LLC)
Frank Webb, an interior designer and co-founder of New York City-based design firm White Webb, says a carefully designed range hood can make a statement in a large kitchen. However, if you're working with a small kitchen, setting it apart and drawing design inspiration from other areas of the room will allow the remaining space to breathe.
“When a hood takes up a significant portion of a room's area, we like to integrate it into the surrounding environment. That way, it doesn't overwhelm the room with a potentially huge beast. You get the whole experience,” says Frank.
In this gorgeous Southern California kitchen, White Webb decided to “hide” the hood, hiding it within the room's existing architecture. By adding colorful and textured design elements, your range hood will blend beautifully with its surroundings.
“By recessing the range into a huge arched niche, the cooking area feels comfortably integrated into the space, and the addition of colorful Spanish Revival-style encaustic kitchen tiles accentuates the arch. and creates a celebratory atmosphere,” says Frank.
Frank Webb is the co-founder, along with Matthew White, of the New York City-based design studio White Webb.
2. Blends in with nearby furniture
(Image credit: Brett Beyer / Ben Herzog Architect, PC)
Similarly, matching your range hood to the surrounding kitchen cabinetry is a simple and great way to ensure consistency and organization in your design scheme. Ben Herzog, an architect and founder of Ben Herzog Architect, PC, says his team has used this tactic many times.
“We often center the range hood between equal-sized upper cabinets on the wall. This usually leaves plenty of counter space on either side of the range, creating a nice, balanced configuration. It also makes the hood a central and prominent feature in the kitchen,” says Ben.
In the contemporary kitchen pictured above, the range hood blends easily into the surrounding cabinetry and helps communicate the overall design scheme of the kitchen. However, Ben hides range hoods more strategically, creating pull-out hoods and pop-up hoods for customers who prefer a sleek, hidden look.
“Everyone hangs out in the kitchen all the time, and the hood is a central feature of the kitchen, so it's important to think a little bit about what it looks like,” he says.
Ben Herzog has an extensive background in architecture and is the founder of the New York-based firm Ben Herzog Architect, PC.
3. Choose a pop-up range hood
(Image credit: Marco Valencia / Ben Herzog Architect, PC)
If you're having trouble coordinating your range hood with your design style, the ingenious pop-up feature allows you to easily store your range hood on your kitchen counter or within your kitchen island. Elizabeth Krueger, lead designer at Elizabeth Krueger Design, says this design method is very effective when you want to keep the functionality of your kitchen out of the way.
“We developed a pop-up hood that comes out of the countertop and stows away when not in use. What a great way to make it feel less like a kitchen!” she says.
In this kitchen designed by Ben Herzog Architect, PC, the range hood is tucked away in the marble island countertop for easy access without adding visual clutter.
Elizabeth Kruger is the Principal Designer at Elizabeth Kruger Design, an award-winning firm based in Chicago and Cleveland.
4. Drop the food on the island
(Image credit: Davonport)
Another option for incorporating a range hood into your island starts at the kitchen ceiling. This genius solution, pictured above, hides the hood above the countertop. It lowers when needed, but remains stowed when the stove is not running.
“You can't see it unless you look up!” The lowered ceiling not only brings you closer to the stove, but also helps hide it. For additional design features, consider reflecting the shape of your island as it provides an additional design dimension,” says Richard, Managing Director of Davonport, a luxury bespoke kitchen brand based in the UK.・Davonport says.
Richard also suggests maintaining the integrity of your home's architecture and interior design when installing a new range hood. Davonport designs often utilize an existing chimney or fireplace to match the range hood to the original features of the kitchen.
“With a little modification, you can reuse fireplace and chimney elements and place an oven or range inside an old fireplace. This preserves the integrity of the room and preserves the mantle and period features. remains,” says Richard.
Richard Davonport is a fine cabinet maker and designer and Managing Director of Davonport, a UK-based bespoke kitchen brand.
5. Accentuate with strategic lighting
(Image credit: Brett Beyer / Ben Herzog Architect)
Even if you still have a design that features a range hood prominently, there's still a lot you can do to make your kitchen look its best. Interior designer Artem Kropovinsky, founder of New York City-based company Arsight, places intentional kitchen lighting around the range hood to ensure both visual appeal and ease of use. I am proposing that.
“Use strategic lighting, such as LED strips, to focus on the bonnet and create a sophisticated accent that catches everyone's eye,” he says.
As for the design of the range hood itself, Artem says that by creating a contrast between stainless steel and warm wood tones, it brings an elegant look to your kitchen decor plan. Additionally, the three-dimensional copper-like textured detail “transforms the hood from something purely functional to something truly fashionable,” he says.
Based in New York, Arsight's founder, Artem Kropovinsky, has 10 years of extensive global design experience. Prioritizing minimalism, sustainability, and authenticity, Artem works on projects in the United States and around the world with his team of experts.
6. Make a statement
(Image credit: Davonport)
If you're starting to see the potential of a thoughtfully designed range hood, consider doing the opposite by hiding it and making it an eye-catching focal point in your room.
Amber Shay, national VP of design studio at Meritage Homes, says adding a textured finish to your range hood can greatly improve its appearance.
Choose a textured paint finish for your range hood that mimics materials like stucco or lime wash. These finishes add a subtle texture to the surface and help the range hood blend seamlessly into the wall,” says Amber.
She suggests “drywall with soft curves” that bring a touch of “elegance” to a space and a customizable surface that never goes out of style. Easy fixes like this plaster finish wallpaper from Wayfair can instantly take your design scheme to the next level. Stone facades also work beautifully in light neutral colors like white or cream, she says.
Overall, Amber says, oversized range hoods seem to be coming back into fashion. And there's still plenty of time to update this overlooked element of your kitchen in the new year.
“One of the kitchen trends we’re already seeing in 2024 is designing large cooking centers that utilize oversized hoods as space-defining elements. These hoods often act as focal points and create a bold presence in the kitchen. “It shows the feeling,” she says.
Amber Shea is the National Vice President of the Design Studio at Meritage Homes, a US-based real estate and construction company.
Bring your kitchen design to life with these unexpected and great solutions for incorporating a range hood. Your space straddles the line between functionality and elegance, impressing your guests and unleashing your culinary skills.
