When we redid our kitchen three years ago, I spent weeks agonizing over cabinet colors and countertop materials. The range hood? I literally ordered it the night before the installer was coming. Big mistake. It’s this ugly stainless steel box that clashes with everything and makes weird noises when it’s on high. Every time I cook, I’m reminded of my laziness.
Don’t be me. Your range hood is right there in the middle of your kitchen where everyone can see it. It’s not like you can hide it behind a plant or something. If you’re going to stare at it every day for the next fifteen years, you might as well pick one that doesn’t make you cringe.
The good news is there are way more options now than there used to be. You’re not stuck with whatever Home Depot has on clearance. But with more choices comes more ways to screw it up, so let’s talk about what actually works.
What Is Your Style For A Range Hood?
The Basic Under-Cabinet Ones
These are the most common hoods you’ll see – they slide right under your upper cabinets like they were meant to be there. My mom has one and honestly, you barely notice it’s there, which is exactly what she wanted.
If you’re not trying to make a big design statement and just want something that works without drawing attention, this is probably your best bet. They make them in every finish you can think of now. White ones that disappear into white cabinets, black ones for dark kitchens, stainless if you’re going for that restaurant look.
The thing is, they’re not super powerful. If you’re the type who loves to sear steaks or stir-fry on crazy high heat, you might need something beefier. But for normal cooking – making pasta, scrambling eggs, reheating leftovers – they’re fine.
My friend Sarah got one with LED lights built in, which is actually pretty useful. Better than trying to cook in the shadow of your upper cabinets.
Getting the Size Right
Here’s something nobody tells you: if your hood is too small for your stove, it looks ridiculous. Like putting a tiny hat on a big head. The hood should be at least as wide as your cooktop, but a little wider usually looks better. Not giant, just proportional.
Wall-Mount Ones That Actually Look Cool
These mount right on your wall behind the stove, so they’re way more noticeable than the under-cabinet kind. Which means you better like looking at it, because you’re going to see it every time you walk into the kitchen.
But here’s the thing – a good wall-mount hood can actually make your kitchen look more expensive. My neighbor got this sleek pyramid-shaped one that looks like something from a fancy cooking show. It’s not even that expensive, but it makes her whole kitchen feel more upscale.
You can go traditional with a chimney style that looks like something from an old European kitchen, or super modern with clean lines and glass. Just make sure it fits with everything else you’ve got going on. A rustic copper hood is going to look weird in an all-white modern kitchen.
The Chimney Style
These are probably the most popular wall-mount option because they work in almost any kitchen. Get one in copper if you want that farmhouse vibe, stainless steel for modern, or even painted to match your cabinets. They’re classic without being boring.
Island Hoods Are Tricky
If you’ve got a cooktop on your kitchen island, you need a hood that hangs from the ceiling. These are tough because everyone can see them from every angle, and they can’t be too low or people will smack their heads on them.
The big mistake people make is going too small. Island hoods need to be bigger than regular hoods because they’re not backed up against a wall – they have to catch smoke coming from all directions. But too big and they look like a spaceship landed in your kitchen.
My brother-in-law has one that’s basically a piece of art. It’s this curved glass thing that looks amazing, but it cost more than my first car. You don’t have to go that crazy, but don’t cheap out either. A crappy island hood will make your whole kitchen look cheap.
Those Pop-Up Downdraft Things
These are pretty neat – they hide in your countertop and pop up when you need them. Perfect if you don’t want anything hanging over your island, or if you’re going for that super clean, minimal look.
But here’s the reality: they don’t work as well as regular hoods. Smoke wants to go up, not down. So unless you’re just doing light cooking, you might be disappointed. My cousin has one and she constantly complains that her kitchen still smells like whatever she cooked for dinner.
Just Pick Something You Like
Look, at the end of the day, you’re going to have to live with whatever you choose. Don’t get so caught up in what’s trendy or what the design blogs say you should do. Pick something that works with your kitchen and your budget and that you won’t hate looking at in five years.
Trust me, it’s worth spending a little time on this decision. Learn from my mistake.