Author: normandy

Making the selections for your kitchen remodel is a happy time filled with beautiful options for countertops, cabinets, backsplash, and appliances. It’s the adult version of being a kid in a candy shop. Knowing where to make a splash and when to pull back a bit is the best way to arrive at a balanced kitchen design you’ll love.

“When you want to take a step back, look at the kitchen hood,” said Normandy Designer Jackie Jensen. She adds, “When you keep the hood a little quieter from a design perspective, it lets other design elements shine. For instance, we’re seeing a lot of patterned tile backsplashes right now. They naturally draw the eye and become a focal point of the room. A busy range hood would compete with that and really take away from the beauty of both.”

The same can be said of an island painted to be a pop of color or a spectacular coffered ceiling or unique lighting fixtures.

If you’ve gone big, bold or otherwise beyond with other elements in your kitchen, the hood can be a place to pull back and let those other choices take the spotlight.

Jackie says industrial elements in the kitchen like stainless steel appliances can nudge families toward a simple hood. “A stainless canopy hood balanced with balanced with  cabinetry above blends the hood in with the rest of the kitchen and does not seek attention.”

On the flip side of that equation, if you have an armoire style refrigerator and have concealed your other appliances behind cabinetry, a stainless steel hood can distract from all that beautiful millwork. Jackie says, “This would be a great time to incorporate a wood mantle style hood that completely conceals anything stainless.”

Your hood will naturally scale up or down with the size of your range. If you’re on either side of the spectrum, with either a small kitchen and small range or a large kitchen with an oversized cooking surface, you might consider a streamlined hood.”Think about unifying the hood into the cabinetry. It helps with the scale of space and creates a beautiful overall look.”

Another clever option to keep the hood proportional is an acrylic hood. This style hides in plain sight, offering a fresh airy look that’s great over an island or just where you want to keep an open feeling.

Creating your dream kitchen involves making choices of where to go bold and where to opt for something more subtle. There are incredible ornate hoods out there, but sometimes simple is just right.

Are you thinking about a new kitchen and wondering how to balance all the choices? Set up a time to talk with Jackie about the possibilities. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out the Normandy Remodeling photo galleries. We share lots of design inspiration on Instagram and Facebook, follow along and find your style.