Designers Fervently Hopes to Avoid These 7 Outdated Kitchen Trends Reemerging
Rewind and Rework: Time-Worn Kitchen Trends to Steer Clear of
Eager to cook up a fresh, trendy kitchen? Steer clear of these seven outdated designs to ensure a contemporary and eye-catching culinary hub. Here's why they've lost their luster:
Out-of-date Tuscan Tasts
Designers have had their fill of Tuscan-inspired designs, according to Adam and Amber Ford of A.A. Ford Interiors in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tuscan elements hold more charm when aged and roofed in sunny Tuscany itself. Jen Baxter of Baxter Hill Interiors in Savannah, Georgia, shares the sentiment, frustrated with brown speckled granite and heavy wrought iron accents. Rebecca Merritt from Merritt Design Co in South Florida agrees, finding Tuscan-style kitchens akin to cooking in a dim dungeon filled with dark cabinets, ornate corbels, and strange faux finishes.
Monotone Maladies
While nobody craves gloominess, all-white kitchens aren't the solution, Merritt points out. "White on white on white, paired with chrome or black hardware creates a sterile hospital atmosphere," she notes. Inject some color to bring warmth to your cooking space.
Multi-tiered Mishaps
Baxter believes that multi-level islands should be left in the past. "Multi-level islands break the flow of the space, increasing the chances of something tipping off the upper ledge," she warns. A single, spacious work surface is far more functional (and refined) in her view. Esther Ellard of Effortless Designs in Athens, Georgia, dislikes multi-level islands with raised bar tops, finding they visually chop the surface into sections, limiting conversation and counter space.
Storage Snafus
Baxter suggests avoiding wall-to-wall upper cabinets, which can make a kitchen feel overwhelming and confrontational. Instead, opt for floor-to-ceiling cabinets to create a cohesive look. As for cluttered open shelving, resist the urge to display pots and pans, Baxter advises, as it only adds mental noise. The ideal kitchen should feel serene, not cluttered.
Baffling Backsplashes
Mosaic backsplashes, while trendy, are now considered a visual distraction, according to Michael Mitchell of Michael Mitchell in Charleston, South Carolina. He favors distinct patterns and textures but advises against mosaics for fear of creating chaos. Instead, go for harmony.
Orange Awkwardness
Orange-toned woods majorly age a kitchen, Esther Ellard asserts, clashing with the soft, neutral tones that have become popular in recent years. To keep your kitchen vibrant and modern, lean towards natural, earthy wood tones instead.
Bland Pulls Perplexity
The right cabinet pulls can make or break your kitchen experience. Merritt criticizes T-shaped pulls for catching pockets and clothing, finding them uninteresting. She refers to T-shaped pulls as the "subway tile of hardware."
7 Home Decor Updates that Should Stay Behind
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Avoid these seven outdated kitchen trends in 2025 for a contemporary and fashionable kitchen:
- Granite Countertops
Once popular, granite countertops are prone to staining and require significant maintenance. Modern alternatives like quartz, marble, or concrete offer more practical, durable, and easy-to-maintain options[1].
- Subway Tiles
Subway tiles were widely used but have now lost their charm. Designers recommend exploring trendy alternatives like texture-heavy hexagonal or herringbone patterns or matte finishes to add character[1].
- Glass Doors on Upper Cabinets
Glass doors on upper cabinets were previously a popular choice for displaying dishes but are now deemed impractical because of dust, fingerprints, and visibility issues[1].
- Face-Framed Cabinetry
Face-framed cabinetry is giving way to frameless cabinetry, due to its sleeker, cleaner design and better use of space[1].
- Popcorn Ceilings
Popcorn ceilings are now being replaced by smooth surfaces due to their outdated appearance and challenges in cleaning and repair[1].
- Stainless Steel Appliances
Stainless steel appliances, while once luxurious, have become commonplace, and their fingerprint magnet surfaces can appear unclean[1]. Alternatives like black stainless steel, matte black, or copper contribute a contemporary touch to kitchens.
- Brass Fixtures
Brass fixtures have fallen out of favor because of their yellowish tint, in contrast to the clean, sleek, and modern brushed nickel or matte black finishes[1]. Stick with these options to create a cutting-edge appearance.
- Incorporating a southern living-inspired kitchen design might not be the trendiest choice for a contemporary culinary hub, as outdated Tuscan designs have lost their luster according to experts.
- For a more warm and inviting home, opt for kitchen designs that avoid monotone maladies, such as all-white kitchens or monochromatic color schemes, which can create a sterile hospital atmosphere. Instead, consider incorporating home-and-garden colors to bring life to your kitchen lifestyle.
