1. TREND-CENTRIC DESIGN STYLES
Kitchens work best when they're welcoming and calm, and the overall design style you opt for has a big impact on how the space makes you feel. It's important to go in with a plan of action so when all is said and done, you're left with a room you love.
2. WHITE AND GRAY COLOR SCHEMES
Color trends seem to come and go on the daily, but certain color schemes are clear giveaways for dated kitchens. While white kitchens were all the rage for a while, Amber says the style is now 'taking a backseat.'
3. COOL-TONED CABINETS
Color, material, and detailing all contribute to up-to-date cabinetry, and the correct combination of all three makes this prominent kitchen feature shine. When it comes to color specifically, many of the full-kitchen color schemes that look out of date apply to the kitchen cabinets, too.
4. OUT-OF-THE-BOX HARDWARE
Little details go a long way, and the hardware and plumbing finishes you choose for your kitchen can make the room look dated in an instant. Jenny Keenan, principal designer and founder of Jenny Keenan Design, says to stick with the classics to ensure expensive plumbing or high-end hardware doesn't go out of date.
5. GRANITE COUNTERTOPS
When it comes to kitchen countertops, the consensus is that granite makes for an old-school space: 'While granite countertops were once highly popular, they can now contribute to a dated appearance. Modern kitchens tend to feature materials like quartz or marble for a sleek feel,' says Amber.
6. HARSH LIGHTING
Lighting has a massive impact on any space, and the kitchen is no exception. Kyle O'Donnell and Christopher Sale, founder and senior project manager of New York City-based Gramercy Design, says that 'halogen puck lighting and dated can lights all over the ceiling instantly divulge a kitchen's age.'
7. IN-THE-WAY APPLIANCES
A kitchen without appliances isn't worth much, but designers say that hiding them away is one of the best ways to avoid an old-fashioned design scheme. Placing clutter-causing appliances in a butler pantry or appliance garages are growing in popularity for a clear countertop look, says Audrey.