Every range hood vacuums up steam, smoke and odors from the kitchen. But when it comes to style, designs vary widely: Some are kitchen-defining statement pieces, while others almost disappear.

“Oftentimes, the inclination is to have some beautiful sculptural element over the cooktop,” said Melissa Baker, who founded the New York-based architecture firm Pulltab with Jon Handley. “But we usually try to hide them instead.”

One of the firm’s favorite approaches is to install a slide-out hood that is mostly concealed in a cabinet above the range, with a retractable shield that extends while you’re cooking. But for homeowners who prefer the look of a professional chef’s kitchen, Pulltab sometimes specifies big stainless-steel models that look as if they were pulled out of a restaurant.

Regardless of your preference, the most important part of owning a range hood is remembering to use it.