Twelve Kitchen Elements that Immediately Reveal Their Era
Modernize your kitchen to banish its outdated charm! Kitchens serve as the soul of your home, hosting breakfasts, family gatherings, and get-togethers. But a dated kitchen can turn those joyous moments into a daily grind, with dingy countertops and old appliances wearing you down. This guide identifies twelve fixtures that scream "obsolete" and provides suggestions to breathe new life into your culinary hub.
Dated Fixtures to Avoid
Microwave Over the Range
While a microwave above the range can be a space-saving measure in small kitchens, it doesn't equate to modernity. Dana Tucker, a home designer at Bella Tucker in Franklin, Tennessee, shares that microwaves above the range, along with two-tiered high-top bars and multicolored granite, are common features that instantly date your kitchen. Opt for a microwave in a drawer or along the wall for a more integrated and streamlined appearance.
Fluorescent Lighting
Harsh fluorescent lighting has no place in a modern kitchen. It can make your space feel cold and uninviting. Swap out the old lighting for warmer, more inviting alternatives, such as recessed lighting or pendant lights over an island.
Corian Countertops
Once an affordable alternative to natural stone, Corian countertops have lost favor in recent times. In place of these artificial-looking surfaces, explore new options like quartz which can closely mimic the appearance of natural stone while offering a more dynamic energy.
Centerset Faucets
For a contemporary feel, simplify your sink by choosing a single-hole pull-down faucet instead of centerset or widespread faucets that can date a kitchen. Streamline your washing tasks by eliminating the hassle of balancing hot and cold water between multiple knobs.
Uneven Landscape of Upper Cabinets
Contrary to popular belief, staggered upper cabinets won't lend visual interest to your kitchen – they just exude an erratic appearance. To improve storage and create a seamless, high-end feel, take your cabinets all the way to the ceiling.
Exposed Outlets
There was a time when exposed outlets in the backsplash were the norm, but not anymore. Modernize your kitchen by cleverly hiding outlets in upper cabinetry or incorporating pop-up outlets in the countertops.
Backsplash That Stops Short
A hard stop at the base of the cabinet for your backsplash can give your kitchen a timewarped look. By extending the backsplash material to the ceiling, you can avoid an outdated appearance.
Blocky Islands
Gone are the days of kitchen islands that look like cutoffs. For an integrated appearance, consider exposing the sides of the island and finishing its back and ends with natural stone, tile, or reeded panels.
Ornate Lighting
Modern kitchens exude a crisp, clean feel. Heavy, ornate lighting from the early 2000s isn't in line with this aesthetic. Go for sophisticated, modern alternatives that are lightweight and minimal.
Bulkheads
Implementing unnecessary bulkheads can make your kitchen look outdated. To avoid this look, consider removing those bulkheads and opting for taller upper cabinets and taller crown molding instead.
Built-In Kitchen Desks
Built-in kitchen desks were popular in the late '90s and early 2000s. Today, they take up valuable square footage that could be better utilized with a modern coffee bar, pantry storage, or display hutch.
Matching Everything
When everything in your kitchen matches, it feels dated and predictable. Introduce an element of surprise by choosing hardware and fixtures that contrast with your existing design.
Modernize Your Kitchen with Ease
By swapping out these dated fixtures, you can transform your kitchen into a warm, inviting, and modern space. With a few simple changes, you'll banish their timewarped charm and embrace the contemporary, functional kitchen of your dreams.
- To truly modernize your kitchen, avoid the outdated fixtures mentioned in SouthernLiving's guide, such as microwaves above the range.
- Incorporating timeless design elements, like a single-hole pull-down faucet, can help to sure that your kitchen doesn't date quickly.
- Updating your kitchen's lighting, like swapping fluorescent lighting for recessed or pendant lights, can significantly reduce risks of the space feeling cold or uninviting.
- Keeping an open mind to new kitchen design trends, like quartz countertops instead of Corian, can help ensure your kitchen remains a standout feature of your home and not a dated fixture.
