If you love cooking, your kitchen is probably your happy place. It’s where you can get creative with meals. It’s where you entertain guests for small meals. And is there anything more delicious than the smell that emanates when something’s on the stove?

That said, kitchens can get stuffy fast. Cooking aromas stick around for hours. Smoke drifts up from the stove all the time. That ends up making the air in the room feel stale.

Thankfully, there are plenty of design choices you can adopt to improve ventilation here. Check out these six design tweaks that let air flow naturally throughout the kitchen.

1. Get Windows That Open Wide

Kitchens often trap heat from the steam of cooking. The smells from your dishes also stick around long. These can make your culinary space uncomfortable.

The easiest way to get rid of the low-quality air from your kitchen is by opening the windows. But if your windows don’t open all the way, the air won’t circulate. Consider upgrading to windows that open fully. That way, they push tons of air out. At the same time, they’ll let more fresh air in.

When upgrading windows, always choose a trusted brand. For example, if durability is your top priority, talk to an Andersen window supplier. Ask about newer models with large and wide panels. Windows like those make it easy to let maximum air in.

2. Install a Range Hood Over the Stove

Tired of smoke filling up your space after preparing a meal? Constantly annoyed by the strong smells that linger? A range hood hits two birds with one stone by getting rid of both.

A range hood essentially sucks up smoke and smells. Then, it vents these airborne elements directly outside your home. As a result, your kitchen feels fresh. Pro-tip: keep the range hood turned on while you cook. That way, it eliminates low-quality air as you make your food.

If you want a sleek look, opt for a concealed range hood. If you’re going for something more industrial, feel free to keep it visible. The important thing is that the hood is right over the stove to catch all that smoke.

3. Add an Arched Doorway to the Dining Room

When kitchens are closed off, airflow slows down. Hot air is trapped in the room. And those cooking smells? They’ll be stuck there for hours.

One way to encourage more air movement through the house is with an open doorway. Connect the kitchen to the dining room with an arched doorway. This allows fresh air from other parts of the house to circulate through the kitchen.

An open doorway will make the kitchen and the dining area both look larger. It creates a sense of flow between the rooms. And it makes total sense. Their roles in the home are tied together after all.

4. Place the Back Door Near the Cooking Area

Kitchens without a nearby exit can feel stuffy fast. If you’re renovating your space soon, rethink where to put the back door. It’s smart to place it right by the cooking area. That way, you can simply open it every time you cook. The hot air and odors can then escape directly outside. And your kitchen? It will be left cool and breezy, exactly how you like it.

This layout supports thoughtful kitchen design. It makes the flow between indoor and outdoor spaces more practical for cooking. Plus, it makes bringing groceries into the kitchen much easier from outside!

5. Add a Stylish Ceiling Fan

Many kitchens feel really humid and heavy. This is especially the case when you’re cooking a big meal with multiple dishes.

One way to kick the moisture out is with a ceiling fan. It moves the air up and out, improving ventilation effortlessly. Because it beats humidity, a ceiling fan can also prevent condensation on your windows. 

Choose a fan that matches your kitchen’s style. A slim, modern fan works well in contemporary spaces. For a farmhouse vibe, get a fan with wooden blades for a rustic touch. And in a minimalist kitchen, go low-profile with a small, sleek, black or white fan.

6. Use Glass-Front or Open Shelving Cabinets

Solid upper cabinets can block airflow. This can make your kitchen feel more closed in than it is. If you hate that feeling, consider switching up your cabinets. Go instead for something with open shelving. This allows air to circulate around better. No more heat and moisture trapped in closed cabinets. 

This type of shelving also gives you a chance to display your favorite food-related decorative items. You could show off your favorite cookbooks. Displaying jars full of pasta or grains is also a charming idea for this.

Don’t dig the look of open shelf cabinets? You can also consider glass-fronted kitchen cabinets. The glass panels let air travel more freely than solid doors. And even if they’re closed, they create a sense of openness in an otherwise stuffy kitchen. It’s also a stylish way to display dishes and glassware. 

Conclusion

Better ventilation can completely change how your kitchen feels. With the right design choices, it can stay airy and smoke-free. And those odors? Good riddance!

Choose from the tips above to see what fits best with your kitchen’s design. Before long, you’ll feel air moving freely in the space. You might even notice that smells disappear within minutes. Your kitchen will stay fresh, no matter what you’re cooking.

Our writers like to blog about the home and garden. We launched the award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2015 and the luxury property and interior decor blog www.alltheprettyhomes.com in 2024 to cover all your interior design, travel and lifestyle inspiration needs.