The kitchen is arguably the most important room in the house, and there are endless kitchen designs to choose from. Two-toned cabinets, bright paint colors, intricate backsplashes. Some elements of design stand the test of time while others fall short and will look dated a few years down the road.
It’s in your best interest to choose timeless design elements when you’re upgrading your kitchen, especially if you plan to sell your house in the future. Kitchens are generally the largest determining factor in whether buyers will be interested in your home or not. And if your kitchen looks like it was designed ten or twenty years ago, you might have a hard time gaining traction in your home sale. Even if you’re planning to keep your home, nobody wants to live with a dated kitchen. Instead, stick with designs that will look good for years to come.
Here’s a look at some popular kitchen styles and design elements and whether they are trendy or timeless.
Trendy: Statement Lighting
Statement lighting can elevate a room, but it needs to be used cautiously and sparingly. The kitchen has so many opportunities for lighting. Fixtures can be installed over the island, above the table, and in the pantry. Using a single statement piece in a room is a great choice. But overdoing it can lead to too much visual complexity and will make your kitchen look overly trendy.
Keep your lighting timeless by opting for simple light fixtures that complement each other rather than competing for attention. Using recessed lighting in the kitchen can help eliminate the visual clutter of too many light fixtures.
Timeless: Neutral Colored Cabinetry
You may have seen a brightly colored kitchen in a magazine and fallen in love with it. Bright pink and bold yellow can stand out in photographs and look happy and summery. But when it comes to real life, bold-colored kitchen designs are extremely trendy and will need to be updated much sooner than neutral-colored cabinets.
So when you’re picking colors for your kitchen cabinets, go with something that’s tried and true. Classic colors like white, black, grey, and earthy tones are all great choices. These will blend well with any countertops and will complement the rest of your home without sticking out like a sore thumb.
Trendy: Intricate Backsplashes
Chevron was all the rage in the early 2000s. Girls were wearing chevron everything and bulletin boards across the nation were decked in chevron patterns. This fad even worked its way into home designs and several kitchens fell prey to chevron backsplashes. It didn’t take long for that trend to pass, and now most people wouldn’t be caught dead with chevron patterned tile in their home.
The same is true of most intricate patterns in home design. Just like in lighting, simpler is better when it comes to backsplashes. Stick with something that looks clean and classic and won’t go out of date a few years down the road. White subway tiles are a classic look, and so are marble and granite backsplashes.
Timeless: Stone Countertops
Stone has long been the standard in kitchen countertops. Granite, marble, and quartz countertops are elegant, durable, and easy to maintain. They look good with a variety of cabinet colors and designs and are the focal point of many kitchens.
Not all stone countertops are timeless, though. Think of the brown granite countertops that were trending 20 years ago. They are drab and dark looking and don’t quite have that timeless feel. Stick with countertops that are subtler and more neutral. Avoid any on-trend countertops with bold colors since these will look dated far sooner than you’d like, and replacing a countertop is a big job.
Trendy: Open Shelving
Many home designers are opting for no upper cabinets in the kitchen and instead filling the space with open shelving. This trend looks fabulous in photographs and magazines, but it’s not a look that’s here to stay. Why? Functionality. Dishes on open shelves get filled with dust and everyone can see what’s stored there. Many people try to decorate the shelves, leaving no extra room for dishes and cookware. Not many kitchens can afford to give up that kind of space. That’s why it’s best to veto the open shelving and stick with upper cabinets.
Timeless: Metal Fixtures and Fittings
Matching metal handles, facuets, and knobs is a great way to add character to your kitchen without getting trendy. You can’t go wrong with black, brass, silver, or even gold. The type of metal you choose for your fittings and fixtures is far less important than the fact that they all match. It’s important to keep everything in the space cohesive. Additionally, make sure the color of the metal complements your countertops and cabinets and doesn’t blend in with them. The attention to detail here will instantly make your home and kitchen feel more elegant.
Explore New Kitchen Designs With Mountain States Kitchen and Bath
Are you ready to upgrade your kitchen to a beautiful, timeless design? Mountain States Kitchen and Bath is here to help. Our experienced team will help design a kitchen that will stand the test of time, complete with beautiful custom cabinetry and stunning countertops.
So, when you’re ready to make a change to your home, Mountain States Kitchen and Bath is here to help every step of the way. We have everything you’ll need to create the kitchen, mudroom, office, or bathroom of your dreams, from custom cabinetry to granite countertops and everything else you need for your remodel.
We specialize in remodeling kitchens and bathrooms across the Wasatch Front, from Spanish Fork to Salt Lake City, Utah, and everywhere in between. Contact us today to learn more about what we have to offer, or swing by our showroom in Lehi, Utah, and see some of our beautiful options and kitchen designs for yourself.
We’ll be happy to answer any questions or schedule an in-home consultation with you. Let us help you design the home of your dreams. We can’t wait to work with you!
