Are you planning a kitchen renovation? One of the fears many people have when they’re planning a big renovation is the concern that the kitchen will feel dated soon after they complete the renovation. It can be very daunting to lay out the money for an extensive renovation and then consider that you might be doing it again in just a few years.
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To help you in your planning and design process: Here are the top things that date your kitchen:
- A Trendy/Patterned Backsplash: Don’t follow backsplash trends (trust me here… this is THE FASTEST way to date your kitchen). Both material and pattern date the backsplash. Unless you’re flipping a house, skip the trendy stuff. Plain white subway tile is a safe choice, as is brick. Ignore me at your peril: if you do something trendy, you’ll be updating this every couple of years.
2. Arches and Busy Woodwork. If your thick, wood doors have an awful 80s/90s era arch on them, there is simply no fixing that. If there’s an arch/bridge over the kitchen sink, just take the whole thing down. As for the cabinets themselves: If you stick with basic rectangular doors you can always update those, but you can’t undo an arch. Also, if you MUST have fancy woodwork on your cabinets, adding appliques that can be removed later is your best bet (anyone who has those grape inlaid cabinets is giving me a silent high five right now).
3. Trendy/Patterned Floors: You’ve seen it: The vinyl planks, the wood-look-alike tiles, etc. None of them stay in style very long. Instead, think of classic materials: travertine, limestone, brick, wideplank wood floors, terra cotta tiles. Any of these are classic choices that last! Try them in herringbone or antique formations (travertine) that will make them look as if they’ve always been there and are forever chic. As a rule of thumb, I avoid anything that has the word “faux” in front of it (remember the original Corian? It cracks and melts under abuse). If you go with authentic materials and shapes, you’ll be happier in the long run.
4. Shiplap. Skip it. (Trust me here, there are going to be oodles of ladies cursing Joanna Gaines in a few years when they have to undo all that faux shiplap they put up). Don’t get me wrong, even though we have VERY different design styles, Joanna Gaines is a design superstar, and if she’s anywhere close to as cool as she appears on her media, I’m a big fan of her as a person. I’m a little bummed that she singlehandedly ruined shiplap. Shiplap was a classic element in coastal homes (especially on the East Coast), with a white wash or watery white wash… it was beautiful. Now it is faux farmhouse and COMPLETELY overdone. It is dying a slow death from over-popularity. It’s going to be the 2010s equivalent of seventies porn panelling in a few years. Just trust me!
5. Trendy Appliance Finishes: This can be tricky, because we all remember when white appliances were the ONLY thing, then black came along, then stainless, dark stainless, copper, etc. If you can’t decide on a finish, choose a commercial-kitchen-looking option (stainless, stainless, stainless). Stainless was introduced to the residential arena a LONG time ago and the most expensive brands are still sporting the look. Why? It’s what commercial kitchens use, and when we’re designing kitchens, everyone’s a wannabe chef/foodie. We want what the pros use. (The exception: If you have a retro or mid-century house, the sky’s the limit… you can do colorful or plain, and it all works).
6. MDF Painted Cabinets. Do you remember when painted cabinets weren’t a thing? Solid wood cabinetry was very popular once (it was sort of the only game in town) and is still around. It’s very versatile… if you don’t like it you can paint it. Want it to be stained again? Strip the paint and stain it again. I know they’re cheaper, but, if you opt for MDF painted cabinets those can’t be stripped and stained. You’re going to have to replace the cabinets, or at least the doors if you tire of painted cabinets.
7. Any cabinet style that is not inset or full overlay. For all of you that painted your 80s or 90s cabinets, the appraiser can tell that you did a very “mini” flip on your kitchen. How? The cabinet style. If you can see the frame around the outside of the cabinet doors, the cabinets are old. Full overlay is the cheaper of the two timeless choices and you can get away with it… probably forever. For a pricier option: Inset cabinets were found in historic homes and have stayed in style for cottages and period homes for the duration. This is my choice for something that may NEVER be dated. Less expensive that completely replacing your cabinetry? Try a cabinet door company. With careful measurements they can help you build a full overlay look that will look like you’ve done a complete gut on your kitchen.
8. The Wall and Cabinet Colors. Seriously. Just paint it! Is your kitchen still stuck in a deep red faux Tuscany phase? It’s time. Go on Pinterest and search for kitchen paint colors. There are some really talented ladies that will tell you which wall colors best complement your cabinetry (if you’re planning on painting your cabinets, skip the paint brush and check out our article on How To Use An Inexpensive Paint Sprayer For Painting Cabinets or Furniture).
9. Your window treatments. If you’re looking at them right now and pondering, chances are they need to come down. Heavy, dark window treatments, broken blinds, vertical blinds, and valances (unless you live in a multi-million dollar home, take it down) need to come down. You can thank me later. Every one of your windows is better off naked than with outdated window dressings.
10. That weird soffit over the cabinets that serves no purpose whatsoever. First, please check to make sure that it’s not housing plumbing, venting, or electrical. Then, rip it out! For some great ideas of what to do in that newly opened up space, check out our post on The Best Ways To Transform An Outdated Kitchen On A Tiny Budget.
That doesn’t mean that your new kitchen has to be boring, it’s just that if you keep the bones of your kitchen neutral-ish and classic, you’ll avoid design mistakes that will end up costing you money again.
Trendy things you can purchase for your new kitchen (that are easier and inexpensive to swap out later):
- Kitchen faucets and fixtures
- Hardware
- Pendants/lighting
But, as for the rest of it… keep it classic, keep it in historic home color families, and you’ll never have to do a full renovation again.
What are some kitchen elements that date your kitchen?
Cheers and check out more of our great content over on the blog!
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