When it comes to designing a standout kitchen, no detail should be ignored—not even something as utilitarian as a hood vent. This appliance not only helps to eliminate odours, grease and smoke, but can also add an extra flair to your kitchen.

Take a scroll through these homes from the WL archives to see what we mean. We just know you’re going to want to steal these ideas for your next kitchen reno.

Photo: Ema Peter

Go Traditional with Beadboard Panelling

Inspired by the concept of a classic American yacht club, this Kelly-deck designed kitchen strikes the perfect balance between modern and traditional. While the bar stools and dining table are more contemporary, the La Cornue stove, lantern-like pendant lights and beadboard detailing on the range hood bring a sense of history to the space. Get more design tips from this beautiful blue kitchen.

Hide Your Hood Vent in Plain Sight

The owners of this Calgary home are avid cooks and frequent party hosts, so “there was a lot of emphasis on designing [this kitchen] appropriately, with the right appliances and a smart flow,” says designer Aly Velji. The range and oven were installed into the island (with a minimalist hood fan above) to provide the home cooks with a full view of the main floor while entertaining. See the before and after renovation photos.

Photo: Darby Magill

Choose a Practical-Yet-Dramatic Material

As rustic as this kitchen is, it has been built to withstand everyday messes and spills. Cold-rolled steel wraps the hood vent and cascades right down to the stovetop: “It’s an easy-to-wipe surface that’s going to age well over time,” says designer Lauren Ritz. Peek inside this mountain-rugged Whistler kitchen.

aysh design kitchen island
Photo: Korchmedia

Add Texture with Plaster

This kitchen has a simple black-and-white colour palette—but by incorporating textural elements, like the plaster range hood and glossy backsplash tiles, designer Ayshea Mojadidi was able to bring in a sense of warmth and sophistication. Explore this 4,000-square-foot Vancouver home.

Photo: Eymeric Widling

Create Contrast with Multiple Metals

Want to make your range hood the star of the show? Take a cue from designer Curtis Elmy and have the appliance custom made. The slightly curved shape of hood fan provides great contrast to the square lines of the Shaker cabinets, and its two-tone design—natural stainless with antique brass strapping and rivets—provides a visual anchor to pair with the Colonial Bronze handles on the cabinets and the antique brass interiors of the pendant lights. Learn more about this white-on-white (and grey) kitchen.

Photo: Michelle Johnson

Paint Your Range Hood to Match the Cabinets

To elevate the design of this kitchen, Aly Velji installed black cabinetry with long brass pulls and then painted the hood fan to match. Next to a gorgeous green backsplash tile from Centura Tile, it plays into the home’s Mediterranean style. Check out the rest of this stunning Calgary residence.

Photo: Ema Peter

Mix and Match Surface Finishes

From the marble backsplash to the rich black base of the island and the sculptural chandelier, we love everything about this kitchen—but it’s fluting in the custom veneered white oak hood vent that really has us swooning. It contrasts beautifully with the flat-faced lower cabinetry and smooth countertops. Find out why else this kitchen by Atelier Fēn works.

Kaitlyn Funk

Kaitlyn Funk

Kaitlyn is a design-obsessed writer, editor and content manager based in Vancouver. When she's not busy swooning over gorgeous homes, you can find her reading, hiking and befriending as many dogs as possible.