The Complete Guide to Kitchen Hoods
When it comes to kitchens, the range hood is one of those design details that doesn’t always get the spotlight, but deserves it. Whether you're going bold and sculptural or keeping things clean and minimal, there’s a hood style for every kind of cook and kitchen. In this post, we're breaking down the different types of kitchen hoods and sharing tons of inspiration along the way to help you find the right fit for your style. As you go through each look, make sure to swipe for the kitchen before photos to see what a difference a gorgeous hood can make.
Before we jump in, there’s a couple important guidelines to follow when it comes to proper hood scale:
Aesthetics: The hood should be at least as wide as your cooking surface. For a more elevated feel, consider going 3”–6” wider on each side.
Function: Make sure your hood is properly matched to your cooking surface—not just in size, but in power. A high-BTU range needs a hood with enough ventilation power to keep up. Undershooting on ventilation can lead to lingering smells, grease buildup, and poor air quality. If you love to cook or use a gas range, it’s worth investing in a more powerful hood to keep things running (and smelling) fresh!
Wood Wrapped Hoods
There’s just something about a wood-wrapped hood that feels warm, grounded, and custom in the best way. Which is why we chose this beautiful white oak wrapped hood at project Perfectly Polished’. By using the same wood as the cabinetry, it helped us achieve our goal of creating a California Modern kitchen that felt equally cozy and welcoming as it did bespoke and luxurious.
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Tips & Trends:
Wood wrapped hoods are a great way to tie in cabinetry or add warmth and texture if your cabinets are painted.
We’re seeing a lot of white oak or walnut finishes, especially in organic modern kitchens.
Make sure there’s proper clearance between the wood and your range for heat safety.
Mixed Material Hoods
Can’t choose just one finish? You don’t have to! Mixed material hoods are the perfect way to bring multiple textures into your kitchen, and at Project Five’s a Vibe, we did exactly that. After relocating the range from the island to the back wall, we were left with a beautiful blank canvas—and with 15-foot ceilings, the hood became a natural focal point. To ground the space and echo the warm wood tones used throughout the home, we added a custom wooden band to the base of the hood. This created a striking, layered moment that breaks up the wall of white cabinetry and ties the whole kitchen together.
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Tips & Trends:
Mixing materials is a great way to tie in multiple finishes already used in your kitchen.
Use a mix of materials that tie into your cabinetry hardware, lighting, or shelving
Keep the scale in mind. Too many materials on a small hood can get busy fast.
Tiled Hood
Hood as art? Yes, please. Tiling your range hood is a bold move with big personality. In this kitchen from project Happiness Unlocked we chose to tile the hood in the same material as the backsplash, creating a clean, continuous look that feels elevated yet understated. But we didn’t stop there. To give the space a softer, more custom feel, we designed the hood with rounded corners, a subtle detail that adds just the right amount of softness and creates a refined, bespoke vibe that makes the entire kitchen feel thoughtful and one-of-a-kind.
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Tips & Trends:
Tiled hoods work well when you use the same tile as your backsplash - hello, cohesion.
Go for pattern or texture (zellige, anyone?) to make it pop.
You’ll want a smooth, cleanable grout and tile that can handle heat exposure.
Stailness Steel Hoods
If you’re going for that classic chef’s kitchen vibe, stainless steel never misses. Project Savor the Color was designed for a couple who loves to cook, so performance was just as important as aesthetics. A stainless-steel hood was the perfect fit: sleek, durable, and timeless. The stainless finish also ties in with their pro-style appliances, giving the kitchen a cohesive, high-functioning vibe that still feels true to the mid-century roots of the home. It’s a workhorse, yes…but also a statement piece in its own right.
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Tips & Trends:
Stainless hoods are timeless and can work with any aesthetic.
Clean lines = minimal visual clutter, especially in open-concept spaces.
Just be ready to wipe it down—fingerprints happen.
Plaster or Drywall Hoods
Smooth, sculptural, and seriously chic—plaster hoods are having a moment. This kitchen at project Casa de Cinco wasn’t a full gut remodel, we just added some fun personality with a few smart upgrades. The bold backsplash behind the range brought in a pop of color, and for the hood, we used a foam base and finished it with plaster. It’s one of our favorite hacks for getting that grand, custom look without the weight (literally) of a solid plaster hood.
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Tips & Trends:
These work beautifully in Mediterranean, modern, or even farmhouse-inspired homes.
You can play with shape! Try arched, tapered, or even ultra-minimal boxy styles.
A great choice if you want your hood to feel architectural, not like an appliance.
Copper Hoods
Want your hood to be a total showstopper? Copper brings the DRAMA in a good way. In this French-inspired traditional kitchen from project A Grand Gathering, we wanted something timeless, with a touch of old-world charm. A custom copper hood felt like the perfect choice. Not only does it bring warmth and depth to the space, but it also nods to classic European kitchens where craftsmanship and patina are celebrated.
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Tips & Trends:
Copper hoods pair beautifully with warm-toned woods, earthy tile, or marble counters.
Patina can be your friend! Let it age naturally or seal it to stay shiny.
Pricey, but worth it if you’re going for artisan, high-end vibes.
No Hood (Downdraft Option)
Sometimes the best design decision is knowing when not to add something. At project Island for Days we made the intentional choice to skip a range hood over the island, and it made all the difference. With a massive 15-foot island as the centerpiece, keeping the sightlines open was key. Adding a drop-down hood would have visually cut into the openness and obstructed the beautiful flow of the space. By relocating the cooktop and opting for a sleek, streamlined layout, we preserved the airy feel and allowed the island to shine as both a gathering space and centerpiece of the room!
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Tips & Trends:
Down draft options are perfect for islands or kitchens where you don’t want anything blocking the view.
Not as powerful as traditional hoods, so best for low- to moderate-heat cooking.
Downdrafts are meant for cooktops, not ranges.
Thanks for reading!
We hope you now feel inspired to give your hood’s design the attention it deserves!
Thanks for reading, and as always, if you’re dreaming of a home that feels as good as it looks, we’d love to help you bring it to life.
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