Range Hood

Few things are less attractive but more necessary in a kitchen than a range hood.  A hood serves as a way to exhaust the smells, smoke, and vapors that are associated with normal cooking out of your kitchen and into the great wide open where they can be dispersed.  It should be noted that all stoves need hoods of some sort and no stove should be installed with a hood present.  Also, although you have a hood present, problems may still occur, so be sure that the hood is correctly installed.  However, although a range hood is considered a necessary evil, consider the following options to ensure your hood does not detract from your overall design plan.

Install a retractable range hood.  Retractable hoods are all the rage with those massive Viking six burner ranges that look like they could be part of a commercial kitchen.  Not surprising, they come with quite a price tag for the ability to make your hood completely disappear with the flip of a switch.  These hoods are slim and designed to fit into a recess in your countertop.  Keep in mind that these range hoods do need regular maintenance to keep them working properly and ensure the hood itself is clean.  Also, choosing a retractable range hood may not be an option with all types of stoves.

Look to stoves with a down draft range hood.  If space is at a concern and you simply do not have the room to include a massive exhaust hood in your kitchen, consider choosing a stove that uses a down draft principle.  Jen Air is the most famous manufacturer of down draft stoves, and the company has been around long enough to prove their worth on the open market.  Keep in mind that these stoves may be a bit more expensive than other models that require a range hood, but they are still a good deal less expensive than purchasing a separate range and retractable hood.

Hide a large range hood.  Instead of spotlighting those bulky range hoods, look to a model that can be hidden within molding.  This is a popular method for including a full size hood without sacrificing your overall design plan.  These options are quite costly, as they require a professional to custom build the surrounding, but the cost is well worth the results.  If you are trying to design a kitchen that does not look like it belongs in the kitchen of a five-star restaurant, consider installing a hidden range hood.

Spotlight your range hood.  One the other end of the spectrum, away from hiding the hood, is the design plan that showcases a hood.  These hoods are a great way to add a modern look to any kitchen, and the usual materials include shiny stainless steel.  Furthermore, these types of range hoods tend to be less expensive than their competitors, but are certainly not any less beautiful.  Also, consider turning your range hood into a complete work of art by designing a unique method of hood decoration.