Is your kitchen vent pipe visible and unsightly? Does this make you uncomfortable?
You need not worry; many homeowners are in a similar dilemma.
A kitchen vent pipe is essential in ridding the kitchen of smoke, heat, and odors. In fact, statistics show that the Range Hood Market size in America went over USD 15 billion in 2021, and the demand keeps rising.
Source: gminsights.com
However, an unsightly vent pipe can be an eyesore. Moreover, it can collect grease and dirt, which might eventually clog it. Even more annoying is that it makes your kitchen less attractive.
The good news, however, it’s possible to hide your venting system. I have put together fabulous ideas for you to help you achieve this and retain the aesthetic value of your cooking area.
JUMP TO: Hiding Kitchen Vent Pipes | Problems With Exposed Vent | Pros & Cons of Hiding Vent
Ways of Hiding Kitchen Vent Pipes
You can add a little creativity to hide the exposed kitchen vent pipe, whether yours is a new or an old kitchen. Here are several ways that interior designers have approved and which you can use.
Soffits or Columns
Source:kitchenmagic.com
How do you use a soffit to hide your kitchen vent?
A soffit entails fixing a box around the vent pipe. This method is ideal, especially if you have a large kitchen.
Research by MarketWatch projects that by 2028, the global soffits market size will reach multi-million. This figure gives a glimpse of the growing popularity of soffits among homeowners.
But is soffit growing in popularity by day?
There are several advantages associated with soffit. They include:
- Soffits come in different colors; therefore, you can match them to your kitchen decor
- They are resistant to moisture
- They are of durable materials; thus, they last long
- It is nontoxic and incombustible
- They are light, therefore easy to assemble
- It doesn’t require maintenance, painting, or renovation
- These are quite cheap
- They are easy to install
On the flipside, soffit also has some downsides.
- PVC soffits expand and contract under heat, causing deformation, especially if no gaps were left during installation to allow for the changes
- Their installation usually generates a lot of waste.
Install False Cabinets
Source: Pinterest
False cabinets are another sure way of hiding your kitchen vents.
Are false cabinets readily available?
Yes, you can get backless ones from most kitchen design outlets. Ensure you get those that resemble your kitchen cabinets.
But keep in mind that you must consider the length and orientation of your vent pipe on the wall. These two factors greatly determine whether you can use false cabinets or not.
False cabinets come with several advantages, which include:
- They allow enough ventilation
- It traps grease and other contaminants, thus improving the quality of air in your kitchen.
- They provide you with additional storage space.
Install a Bulkhead
Installing a bulkhead has been a common method of covering kitchen vents for a long. However, it seems that the tide has quickly gone against this method.
Some of the downsides associated with bulkheads include:
- They are not appealing to look at. They mess up with the aesthetics of your kitchen.
- In most cases, pipes will show through bulkhead doors. Consequently, it becomes difficult to open or close the doors.
- They take up a lot of space in your kitchen.
- The bulkhead wall might become loose with time, causing pipes to disconnect or fall out of place.
- They limit your design options.
Route the Pipe Through the Ceiling or Another Hidden Area
Source: us-appliance.com
Are the aesthetics of your kitchen close to your heart?
If yes, you may consider routing the kitchen vent pipe through the ceiling. This helps significantly in improving your kitchen’s aesthetics.
Isn’t this process complicated?
No, it’s not. With the right tools and proper guidance, it’s a DIY procedure.
An island range vent is the most popular when installing air vents through the ceiling. You should mount this freestanding kitchen fan above your island.
Important note: Ceiling kitchen vents should be Installed 54-60” above the cooktop.
Although this method of hiding your vents offers a streamlined way of releasing steam, it also has cons.
For example, cleaning means that you have to climb a ladder, take down the filter, clean it then return it. Moreover, steam and fumes tend to dissipate before reaching the vent.
False Wall
Are you familiar with false walls?
They are part of interior design, primarily for dividing a large room into smaller ones. Moreover, they help to create an illusion of space in a house.
However, you can use false walls to cover the air vent
How do you do this?
You simply create a false wall in front of your vent pipe. Building it correctly can create a seamless look, integrating the kitchen vent into the cabinetry.
Decorative Molding or Trim
You can also try molding or trim cover for your kitchen vent pipe.
I found this method mazing for it greatly improved the outlook of my kitchen. Moreover, my kitchen became more energy-efficient.
That’s not all; molding and trim are effective in reducing noise from the kitchen vent pipe. As such, your kitchen becomes a pleasant place to be.
Wallpaper
Source: Countryliving.com
Do you want to be unique?
You can cover your kitchen vent with beautiful wallpaper. This addition will go a long way in adding decoration to your kitchen.
And the good news here is that you need not look for a color similar to your kitchen’s décor. Not all.
All you need is to look for a different color that complements your decor.
For example, you can opt for a green and yellow garden scene or a print that is Asian-inspired.
Paint and Accessories
Sometimes, it can be hard to cover the vent pipe because of its design or your cabinets’ layout. In such cases, the only way out is to paint it.
People paint their kitchen vent pipes primarily to make them less visible and cover them up.
Advantages
You can paint your kitchen vent pipe in a color that matches your kitchen walls or cabinets. This will cause it to blend into the background for a more seamless look.
It helps to keep rust at bay. However, ensure that you use a paint formulated for use on that particular metal surface for best results.
It’s inexpensive and an easy way to enhance the appearance of the pipes. Talk to a professional painter to ease the work and get perfect results.
Disadvantages
Painting can be time-consuming and needs a lot of patience to get the work done.
You will need the correct paint and a professional painter to get excellent results.
Tapestry or Curtains
One of the best ways to hide a kitchen vent pipe is by hanging a curtain or a tapestry over it. This method is inexpensive, straightforward, and does not require renovation.
When you use a curtain around an open vent, it will look like it’s part of your window. As a result, nobody will notice the vent.
The Problem with Exposed Kitchen Vent Pipes
A vent pipe is excellent for removing smoke, odors, and heat from the kitchen. However, it has some downsides, which include:
- A high-quality kitchen vent pipe is costly. The most affordable options in the market can cost over $100 and may lack some essential features.
- It is challenging to find a vent pipe that is compatible with your current stove setup. In most cases, you will need to do some piping renovations before installing a new pipe.
- Cooking with a pilot light is a dangerous and sure way to damage the vent pipe. Constant exposure of an uncovered pipe to high temperatures can cause it to warp or melt.
- You may not realize your vent pipe is damaged until it’s too late. A blockage that was not detected earlier could cause a fire.
- It can collect grease and dirt over time, clogging the vent if not correctly maintained.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Hiding Vent Pipes
Hiding the kitchen vent pipe is helpful but also has some downsides. Here is a comparison of the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
It improves the overall appearance of your kitchen | It can be challenging to clean a hidden pipe |
It helps prevent grease and dirt buildup on the vent | It can be difficult to repair the pipe if it gets damaged |
Ensures that focus is on kitchen cabinetry and not the appliance itself | It somehow inhibits the ability of the vent to suck smoke up |
Meta Description
You can hide your kitchen vent pipe by use of soffits, false wall, curtains or by painting.