Choose the Best Wood Range Hood to Match Your Kitchen's Style

Does your kitchen need an upgrade in the style department? Installing a stunning wood range hood over the cooktop is one of the best ways to elevate your kitchen's design aesthetic. Not only do wood hoods provide eye-catching visual interest, they also improve air quality by venting out smoke, grease, and odors. But with so many options on the market, how do you pick the perfect wood hood to complement your decor?

We'll discuss different materials, mounting styles, sizing considerations, special features, and more. Read on to learn insider tips for choosing a wood range hood that seamlessly matches your cooking space.

Different Types of Wood Kitchen Hoods

Wood hoods come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs. Here are some of the most popular styles to consider:

Island Range Hoods

For open floor plans with a kitchen island, an island-mounted range hood is a great choice. Island range hoods hang from the ceiling over the central island cooktop, providing ventilation while making a bold visual statement. Opt for an island hood with beautiful exposed wood finish on the bottom and stainless steel or painted interior. The wood pairs nicely with the open surroundings.

Wall Mount Range Hoods

Wall mounted range hoods are installed on the wall above the cooktop or stove. They take up less space compared to island hoods. For a wood accent, look for wall mount range hoods that come with optional wood covers that go over the exposed stainless steel portion. This allows you to add a touch of wood while maintaining the powerful venting efficiency of stainless.

Chimney Range Hoods

Chimney range hoods are a popular style defined by a large hood with a vertical chimney-like vent. Opt for a wood and stainless steel combo chimney hood to get the best of both materials. The upper chimney funnel has exposed stainless steel inside while the exterior hood box has wood finishes like oak or maple.

Under Cabinet Range Hoods

For a more discreet option, under cabinet range hoods mount to the underside of kitchen cabinets closest to the cooktop. While mostly hidden, some under cabinet hoods feature stylish wood panels or trims along the bottom to tie in with the overall kitchen design.

Materials and Design Styles

From reclaimed wood to sleek modern, there are endless design possibilities for wood hoods:

Wood Species and Finishes

Hoods are commonly made from solid wood like oak, maple, and cherry. Opt for finishes like stained, painted, reclaimed, or distressed wood. Match other wood details like kitchen cabinets for a cohesive look. Unfinished wood allows you to coat or seal it yourself.

Modern and Sleek

For contemporary styled kitchens, look for wood range hoods with clean, simple lines in lighter wood tones or matte lacquered finishes. Stainless steel or metal trim accents add nice contrast against the wood.

Rustic and Farmhouse

Wood hoods with reclaimed, salvaged, or hand-scraped wood instantly give traditional kitchens cozy farmhouse character. Go for deeper wood grains and natural distressing. Include architectural details like exposed beams or mantel-like trim.

Matching Architectural Details

Incorporate custom wood corbels, brackets, or trim to perfectly coordinate your hood with other kitchen details. Reflect cabinet trim, exposed ceiling beams, or crown molding profiles.

Choosing the Right Size Wood Hood

Range hoods need the right proportions and power to best match your cooking space:

Measure Your Space

First, measure your kitchen counters, cabinets, and stove to find the right fit. Account for all clearances in traffic zones. Make sure to match the hood's airflow (CFM) rating to the size of your kitchen too.

Hood Width

For ventilation coverage, your wood hood should be at least as wide as your cooktop or span across multiple burners. Standard range hood widths start at 30 inches.

CFM Needs

CFM stands for "cubic feet per minute" and measures a hood's venting power. Size your CFM to the BTUs (British Thermal Units) of your stove, allowing around 100 CFM per 10,000 BTUs. Larger kitchens need more CFM to keep air clean.

Ducted vs. Ductless

Ducted range hoods route air outside through exterior venting. They work best but need ductwork space. Ductless hoods recirculate air through filters with some limitations.

Special Features to Look for

From lights to handy accessories, wood hoods offer great extras:

Ventilation Fans and Blowers

Quieter, low noise fans keep open kitchens peaceful. Look for multiple internal fans or blower speed options designed for efficiency.

Filtration System

Baffle filters trap grease better than mesh. Add charcoal filters for smoke and odor removal. Seek out dishwasher safe and flame retardant filters.

Lighting

Many wood hoods include built-in LED lights for ambient lighting or cooktop task lighting. Opt for adjustable dimmable lights.

Accessories

Choose factory-matching wood trim kits or cover panels. Opt for vent duct covers or professional hood cleaning kits.

The perfect wood range hood ties your whole kitchen together into a cohesive design story. Keep these tips in mind to find wood hood style, size, and features tailored to your cooking space and decor goals. With the right wood hood choice, you can completely transform the look, functionality, and ambiance of your kitchen.