Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM NOVEMBER 2017 28 T he current Consumer Confidence Index is up and, likewise, remodeling activity hit a new high this past summer according to the latest Residential Remodeling Index. Consumers are feeling more confident to spend on both their wants and needs. And much of these investments are going towards the kitchen, considered the heart of the home. When designing the ultimate kitchen, today's consumers are considering functionality and aesthetics and they are putting money towards one of the most important appliances in the room—the range hood. Although the range hood's main purpose is to remove cooking contaminants from the kitchen, consumers now more than ever are making it the focal point in their kitchen design. The range hood is an opportunity to showcase one's unique style and give the kitchen a special wow factor. Vent-A-Hood ® has long been a leader at providing customized hoods with our designer series, whether with minor modifications to existing products or more substantial technological and aesthetic innovations including special dimensions, finishes, and attachments. The following are some popular range hood trends that we are seeing in today's kitchen remodels: SIMPLE AND CLEAN DESIGN Stainless steel continues to be the most popular finish. It provides a clean, minimalist look and can subtly blend in with the rest of the room. A stainless steel hood can also be accented with decorative bands, lip treatment, or pot rail. A POP OF COLOR Another trend we are seeing is colorful range hoods that pop in a kitchen. From standard to custom powder coat finishes, the range hood becomes the focal point in an otherwise neutral kitchen. OVERLAY FINISHES A customer can also choose a full overlay in real brass, real copper, real hammered copper, antiqued copper, and antique hammered copper. LINER INSERTS Homeowners may choose to hide the range hood inside of an enclosure made of matching cabinetry wood or other materials to create a dramatic design statement. CUSTOMIZATION AT YOUR FINGER TIPS In response to consumer's increased desires to customize their range hood, last year we launched our advanced Build-A-Hood portal, which our customers can use to design the range hood of their dreams and then export images, drawings, and specifications on demand. With so many options for personalization, kitchen ventilation can be both fashionable and functional for years to come. M A N U F A C T U R E R [ N O T E S ] WHEN VENTILATION MAKES A FASHION STATEMENT Trends in range hood design RO

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