How to Choose the Perfect Hood Vent Style for Your Kitchen

Choosing the right hood vent style for your kitchen during a home renovation is essential not only for completing your kitchen’s interior design but also as one of the most frequently used appliances in your kitchen. For those who love to cook, the kitchen is a home’s focal point where memories with loved ones are made. Hood vents remove odors, fumes, and grease from your kitchen after cooking, keeping your kitchen clean and comfortable. 

With both functionality and aesthetic purposes in mind, our team of Charleston-based interior designers at PRD is here to help you select the perfect kitchen hood vent style for your home renovation. 

Charleston Interior Designer’s Guide to Hood Vent Styles

There are countless hood vent styles you can incorporate into the interior design of your kitchen, and it can be hard to decide between them. Luckily, some types of hood vents pair naturally with specific design styles, which can help you narrow down your options. Let’s take a look at the hood vents our interior designers in Charleston like to match with popular kitchen styles:

1. Wood Hoods: Incorporate a wood hood vent for a more classic style. Pulling natural hues and textures into your kitchen creates a warm and inviting space. We recommend Hoodsly for customizable wood hood designs. In this case, you can choose from various colors and styles to seamlessly blend with your kitchen design or be the focal point of the design. In a recent French Industrial project, we chose to use a green hood as our design stand-out piece. 

2. Custom Metal Hoods: Metal hoods pair well with a sleek and modern interior design. Vent-A-Hood provides some of the highest quality metal hoods with chef-forward performance and design. Beyond the visual appeal, they are a high-performing and durable style of hood vents. If you’re looking to add warmth to your kitchen, consider installing a copper hood. Our designers incorporated one in a recent project, and the results were fantastic.

3. French Industrial Hoods: French industrial-style hoods are perfect for a traditional and classic kitchen space. Timelessly beautiful and of great quality, this style works in many kitchen designs. We recommend Le Cornue for its timeless design and exceptional quality. 

4. Hidden Hood Vents: Hidden hood vents blend seamlessly into your cabinetry, making them a great option for a small or minimalistic kitchen space. View a sleek hidden hood vent in one of PRD’s most recent projects here. 

How to Choose a Hood Vent for Your Kitchen

In addition to complementing your home’s interior design, there are other technical considerations to keep in mind when choosing the perfect hood vent for your kitchen. Here’s what you should consider:

Kitchen Size and Configuration

One of the most important factors that will impact your hood vent selection is the size and layout of your kitchen. Your hood vent should seamlessly blend into your kitchen’s design by matching the size of your kitchen.

Small Kitchens: If you’re working with limited space, opt for a discreet hood that fits under your cabinetry on the wall to avoid claiming valuable storage space. A smaller hood doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style, however. You can still get creative with the color and materials of this hood vent to add flair and match the rest of your kitchen’s interior design.

Large Kitchens: Consider a large, stand-alone hood that extends from the ceiling. Larger hoods allow for more creative freedom when it comes to your kitchen’s design and style. If you are certain you want a larger kitchen hood vent, make sure to let your interior designer know during the planning phase of your home renovation so that they can take it into account for your kitchen layout. 

Recirculating vs. Vented

Deciding between a recirculating or vented hood vent is a key consideration in the interior design of your kitchen. Both options have distinct advantages that can influence air quality, energy efficiency, and the overall look of your cooking space.

• Recirculating hoods are unvented hoods with fans but no duct. This style filters the air and then recirculates it throughout the kitchen.
• Vented hoods have a fan attached to a duct which moves the air outdoors. Vented hoods are more effective at removing odors, smoke, and grease completely from the kitchen as they can move it outside.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Some hood vent styles incorporate features that make cleaning and maintenance easier, such as removable grease filters or dishwasher-safe materials. For example, stainless steel hoods can be effortlessly wiped down with a stainless steel cleaner, while wood hoods can be maintained using a microfiber cloth and a simple cleaning solution. Ultimately, the style you choose will depend on your home renovation budget and the level of maintenance you are comfortable with.

Noise Levels

While it may not be the first thing you consider, the noise levels of different hood vents can vary significantly. Some advanced models feature sound insulation and quieter motors, which can be a real bonus. Given that sound can easily travel through open floor plans, it’s worth considering how important noise levels are to you when selecting a hood vent for your kitchen.

Budget

Lastly, it’s important to establish a budget for your hood vent. Costs can vary widely depending on the brand, size, and features you choose. However, investing in a high-quality hood vent will give you a more durable and efficient product that requires less maintenance over time.

Choose a Hood Vent Style with PRD

When choosing the right hood vent style for your kitchen during a home renovation, multiple options and factors can influence your decision. It involves a balance of functionality and incorporating aesthetics that match your interior design.

Luckily, our team of Charleston interior designers at PRD is here to help you find the hood vent style that is perfect for your kitchen. Whether you’re renovating an existing space, or starting a custom project, we offer a range of expertise. If you live in the Charleston area and are considering beginning a custom home renovation, reach out to our team today.