Sara English of Ispiri notes that sleek range hoods, such as the one seen here, are a popular pick. Photo: Spacecrafting
Different materials and shapes help range hoods become artwork for your kitchen.
Kitchen trends are always changing. Two-toned cabinets, rustic accents, terracotta tiles and more have remained popular for a long time. This year, interior designers are taking note of a rising trend in statement range hoods—move over hidden hoods, you’re being replaced by bright colors, bold shapes and a variety of textures.
We caught up with two local experts on range hoods. Angela Warner, talent development manager at Warners’ Stellian, a Twin Cities retail appliance specialist store, and Sara English, design manager for Ispiri, a Woodbury-based interior design company. Both women agreed that statement range hoods are here to stay—and offered their perspectives on how to transform your kitchen from basic to luxurious and functional.
First and foremost, should homeowners have a range hood?
Angela Warner (AW): Overall, yes. Having a hood protects the investment of your kitchen and your home, including cabinets, walls and window treatments from grease and moisture that can stay in the air for up to three days. We’re helping people select the hood that makes sense for cooking equipment, but also their home, their aesthetic and what’s important to them.
Sarah English (SE): I haven’t worked on a house where we haven’t put a hood in. They’re important for people who cook. Hoods can help optimize storage and use all the space in your kitchen by adding a space for spice storage in the hood. People are really investing in fun, different ways to get a fun visual appearance to enjoy their space.
What type of range hood is currently the most popular?
SE: Oversized hoods are popular. We see a lot of Venetian plasters and very sleek designs. We’re also seeing a soffit above the space to create a little nook. When you get into woodwork, there are so many things you can do with shapes. People are getting away from angled and tapered hoods. There are a lot of people using shiplap on it, which adds texture and clean, sleek lines.
AW: Making the hood a little bit bigger helps it work better, and it’s more of a statement piece. A lot of people are ditching the microwave over the range as their vent. Those vents are like a starter kitchen; when they’re ready for the next level, they might choose to put a hood in. We’re seeing people want to move in that direction. It not only brings the kitchen’s appearance to another level, but it’ll also work better, too.
How can homeowners make the range hood stand out?
AW: Adding a little flare to the hood helps make it stand out. There’s a lot to do with color and different metals. Adding a piece of chrome to the front or including hammered copper accents can really bring a look to life. Different textures and colors can really impact the look, too.
Angela Warner of Warners’ Stellian notes that different materials can match the look of the kitchen—while also being functional.
SE: A lot of simple clean lines and working with different materials can make it really a statement piece. A white hood with a band of wood around the base of it is simple, yet really adds to the look. People are also using shiplap, metal, tile, quartz, porcelain and granite. A lot of times, the hoods are custom made, and the skies really are the limit.
What are the options homeowners should consider when choosing a range hood?
AW: One of the things I talk to customers about is the difference between the range hood looking good and working well. Some brands accommodate both looks and efficiency. We work with customers on finding out how they plan to use their kitchen and what look they’re going for. There’s a lot we can do with different materials to match the look and functionality they’re hoping to achieve in the kitchen.
Do you think statement range hoods are a trend that will go away?
SE: I think this trend will continue. A lot of cabinet suppliers have been making standard, oversized hoods that really stand out as a statement piece in the kitchen. People’s cooking habits have changed, and multiple users are in the kitchen, generating the need for a good hood that is pleasing to the eye.
Ispiri
7779 Afton Road; 651.578.0122
Facebook: Ispiri Design Build Renovate
Instagram: @ispiri.designbuild
Warners’ Stellian
1750 Weir Drive; 651.714.9790
Facebook: Warners’ Stellian Appliance
Instagram: @warnersstellian
