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Ventilation is often underestimated in kitchen and laundry design. Yet it’s one of the most critical elements for maintaining air quality, managing moisture, and ensuring long-term durability of your home. Choosing the right system can transform both how your spaces look and how they perform.
Rachel from Kitchen Things highlights a wide range of options now available. Built-in range hoods, power packs, off-board motors, and downdraft systems are all becoming more common. The latest trend includes integrating extraction into the cooktop itself, perfect for island benches and open-plan living, where overhead hoods can block sightlines.
Off-board motors are particularly useful in reducing noise. Rachel explains that moving the motor to the ceiling or outside wall helps maintain peace inside the home while improving extraction strength. This is especially helpful in homes where the kitchen and laundry are connected or close to living areas.
In laundries, proper ventilation prevents mould, protects cabinetry and paintwork, and supports appliance efficiency. Heat pump dryers contribute less humidity, but a well-vented space is still important for longevity and health. Choosing ducting routes with minimal bends and short lengths enhances performance significantly.
Rachel also talks about how poor ducting choices, too many turns or excessive length, can render even a great range hood ineffective. It’s a reminder that ventilation should be planned early, in collaboration with designers and installers.
Ultimately, smart ventilation is not just about aesthetics or noise, it’s about building a healthier, more resilient home. Make the investment in ducting, extraction power, and design integration, and your kitchen and laundry will repay you for years to come.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a podcast featuring insights from experienced professionals and is intended for general information and inspiration only. While we aim to share valuable guidance, please seek personalised advice from qualified professionals before making decisions about your property, finances, or renovation plans.
Ventilation is often underestimated in kitchen and laundry design. Yet it’s one of the most critical elements for maintaining air quality, managing moisture, and ensuring long-term durability of your home. Choosing the right system can transform both how your spaces look and how they perform.
Rachel from Kitchen Things highlights a wide range of options now available. Built-in range hoods, power packs, off-board motors, and downdraft systems are all becoming more common. The latest trend includes integrating extraction into the cooktop itself, perfect for island benches and open-plan living, where overhead hoods can block sightlines.
Off-board motors are particularly useful in reducing noise. Rachel explains that moving the motor to the ceiling or outside wall helps maintain peace inside the home while improving extraction strength. This is especially helpful in homes where the kitchen and laundry are connected or close to living areas.
In laundries, proper ventilation prevents mould, protects cabinetry and paintwork, and supports appliance efficiency. Heat pump dryers contribute less humidity, but a well-vented space is still important for longevity and health. Choosing ducting routes with minimal bends and short lengths enhances performance significantly.
Rachel also talks about how poor ducting choices, too many turns or excessive length, can render even a great range hood ineffective. It’s a reminder that ventilation should be planned early, in collaboration with designers and installers.
Ultimately, smart ventilation is not just about aesthetics or noise, it’s about building a healthier, more resilient home. Make the investment in ducting, extraction power, and design integration, and your kitchen and laundry will repay you for years to come.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a podcast featuring insights from experienced professionals and is intended for general information and inspiration only. While we aim to share valuable guidance, please seek personalised advice from qualified professionals before making decisions about your property, finances, or renovation plans.
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Furniture designed for life. Ethically made dining and living furniture and accessories by international and New Zealand designers where refined elegance meets sleek, contemporary form. Explore our extensive range of designer furniture via our Christchurch showroom or browse online.
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Plumbing World is New Zealand’s most prominent 100% Kiwi-owned national plumbing merchant, operating over 50 branches from Kerikeri to Invercargill. Plumbing World offers a wide range of bathroom, kitchen, laundry, heating, and hot water products, catering to trade professionals and homeowners.
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Founding directors Paul and Debbie Clarke established Landmark Homes in 1977. Their vision was to offer “something more exciting” than the average home: a home that made creative use of space but was also beautiful to live in.
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Poggenpohl is a premium German kitchen brand known for its innovation, timeless design, and precision craftsmanship, offering bespoke kitchen solutions that blend luxury with functionality.
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Mastercraft was the brainchild of Murray Belz, a Chief’s supporter with an eye for design, a tonne of ideas and a passion for excellence.
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Kitchen Things is a 100% locally owned and operated family business that pioneered European cooking in 1986. We specialise in high quality, premium European cooking appliances and our cooking range is complemented with dishwashing, refrigeration, laundry, sinks, taps and small appliances.
Portfolios
View Industry Specialists
Askö
Furniture designed for life. Ethically made dining and living furniture and accessories by international and New Zealand designers where refined elegance meets sleek, contemporary form. Explore our extensive range of designer furniture via our Christchurch showroom or browse online.
Plumbing World
Plumbing World is New Zealand’s most prominent 100% Kiwi-owned national plumbing merchant, operating over 50 branches from Kerikeri to Invercargill. Plumbing World offers a wide range of bathroom, kitchen, laundry, heating, and hot water products, catering to trade professionals and homeowners.
Landmark Homes
Founding directors Paul and Debbie Clarke established Landmark Homes in 1977. Their vision was to offer “something more exciting” than the average home: a home that made creative use of space but was also beautiful to live in.
Poggenpohl
Poggenpohl is a premium German kitchen brand known for its innovation, timeless design, and precision craftsmanship, offering bespoke kitchen solutions that blend luxury with functionality.
Mastercraft Kitchens
Mastercraft was the brainchild of Murray Belz, a Chief’s supporter with an eye for design, a tonne of ideas and a passion for excellence.
Kitchen Studio
At Kitchen Studio we are very proud of the fact that we are been voted the most trusted kitchen brand in New Zealand for the ninth year running, and there are good reasons why more Kiwis trust us to transform their kitchen than anyone else.
Kitchen Things
Kitchen Things is a 100% locally owned and operated family business that pioneered European cooking in 1986. We specialise in high quality, premium European cooking appliances and our cooking range is complemented with dishwashing, refrigeration, laundry, sinks, taps and small appliances.