These 12 Kitchen Trends Are On Their Way Out (Plus 10 Timeless Looks To Stick With)

Kitchen trends come and go faster than a new recipe on social media. What once felt fresh can quickly start to age your space and I’ve seen plenty of homeowners get stuck trying to figure out what’s still in style and what’s already on the way out.

The key? Knowing which looks are fading and which ones actually hold up over time. With a little insight, you can avoid costly regrets and design a kitchen that feels both current and lasting. If you’re planning a remodel, this guide can help you cut through the noise and choose wisely.

1. All-White Everything Is Fading Fast

Remember when every kitchen makeover show featured those pristine white cabinets, counters, and backsplashes? That sterile look is losing its appeal fast. While it once photographed beautifully, the maintenance reality has hit home for many owners.

The clinical feeling lacks warmth, and white cabinets show every fingerprint and coffee splash. Many homeowners are now introducing warmer elements and contrast to create more livable, personalized spaces that don’t require constant cleaning.

2. Open Shelving Losing Its Charm

The Instagram-worthy open shelving trend is finally revealing its practical flaws. Those picture-perfect arrangements require constant styling and dusting to look good, and not everyone has a collection of matching dishware worth displaying.

Cooking grease and dust combine to create a sticky film on rarely-used items. More homeowners are returning to practical upper cabinets with doors, perhaps keeping just one small section open for display of their most beautiful pieces.

3. Farmhouse Style Overload

Shiplap, barn doors, and rustic signs declaring “EAT” are officially oversaturated in the design world. What started as charming and homey has become predictable and even a bit cliché after years of HGTV exposure.

The fake-distressed finishes particularly feel contrived in modern homes. Designers are now incorporating just subtle farmhouse elements rather than the full-blown theme. A cleaner, more authentic approach to rustic charm is emerging that focuses on quality materials rather than decorative tropes.

4. Industrial Chic Getting Tired

The warehouse-inspired look featuring exposed pipes, metal fixtures, and concrete countertops is losing its edge. What once felt edgy and urban now often comes across as cold and uncomfortable in family homes.

Those Edison bulb fixtures and metal stools don’t provide the comfort most families want in their gathering spaces. The new direction embraces softer industrial touches paired with warmer elements, rather than turning your kitchen into what feels like an abandoned factory cafeteria.

5. Granite Countertops No Longer the Default

After decades as the upscale countertop of choice, granite is losing its must-have status. The busy patterns and flecks that defined early 2000s luxury kitchens now look dated compared to cleaner alternatives.

The maintenance requirements—regular sealing and concerns about bacteria in porous surfaces—have also diminished its appeal. Homeowners are gravitating toward quartz, soapstone, and even butcher block for more distinctive looks that better reflect personal style rather than following the crowd.

6. Tuscan Kitchens Saying Arrivederci

Those terra cotta colors, ornate scrollwork, and Mediterranean-inspired details that dominated upscale kitchens in the 2000s look increasingly dated. The heavy, dark cabinetry and faux-finished walls create spaces that feel unnecessarily gloomy by today’s standards.

Grape and olive motifs now read as themed rather than elegant. Modern interpretations of Mediterranean style focus on clean lines with thoughtful touches of character through tile work or lighting, rather than overwhelming decorative elements at every turn.

7. Pot Racks Hanging It Up

Those ceiling-mounted pot racks once signaled serious cooking credentials, but they’re increasingly viewed as dust collectors that create visual clutter. In practice, they make grabbing heavy pots awkward and potentially dangerous, especially for shorter cooks.

The exposed collection of mismatched cookware rarely enhances kitchen aesthetics. Smart kitchen planners are instead incorporating deep drawers specifically designed for pot storage, making cookware more accessible while keeping counters and sightlines clean.

8. Overly Themed Kitchens Getting Stale

Beach-themed kitchens with seashell cabinet knobs or rooster-festooned country kitchens are feeling increasingly forced and dated. These heavily themed designs tend to age poorly and limit your decorating flexibility.

They can also make your home harder to sell when tastes inevitably change. The fresher approach incorporates subtle nods to favorite themes through easily changeable accessories, while keeping the permanent elements like cabinets and countertops more timeless.

9. Appliance Garages Closing Shop

Those roll-top bread box-like cabinets designed to hide toasters and coffee makers are falling out of favor. They often waste valuable counter space and end up collecting crumbs in hard-to-clean tracks and corners.

Many homeowners find they simply leave appliances out anyway for convenience. The trend now favors dedicated appliance walls or thoughtfully designed alcoves that keep frequently used items accessible but visually contained, without the fussy doors and awkward corners of traditional appliance garages.

10. Distressed Cabinets Looking Too Stressed

Artificially distressed cabinets that were once the height of rustic chic now often look contrived and dated. The intentionally chipped paint and faux wear marks that were supposed to convey character instead look like poor maintenance.

Homeowners are gravitating toward natural materials that age gracefully on their own. Clean-lined cabinets in authentic finishes are replacing the pretend-old look, allowing kitchens to develop genuine character through use rather than manufactured imperfections.

11. Chevron Overload Zigzagging Out

The zigzag pattern that dominated backsplashes, floors, and kitchen textiles for years has reached peak saturation. What once felt fresh and graphic now reads as a clear timestamp of the 2010s, much like avocado green appliances scream 1970s.

The angular busyness can make smaller kitchens feel chaotic rather than designed. Today’s approach favors more subtle patterns or solid colors for permanent fixtures, bringing in geometric interest through easily changeable items like towels or art if desired.

12. Microwave Over Range Placement Heating Up Criticism

Mounting microwaves above ranges was once a space-saving standard, but this arrangement is increasingly recognized as problematic. Short cooks struggle to reach hot food safely, and the placement creates ventilation issues since over-range microwaves typically have weaker exhaust capabilities than proper range hoods.

The trend is moving toward tucking microwaves into islands, pantries, or dedicated appliance walls at counter height. This improves accessibility for all family members while allowing for proper ventilation above cooking surfaces.

13. Classic White Subway Tile Remains Timeless

While trendy patterns come and go, simple white subway tile continues to stand the test of time. Its origins in early 20th century public spaces lend it an authentic historical character that doesn’t feel forced or themed.

The clean lines work in virtually any kitchen style from traditional to modern. You can easily update the look by changing grout color or pattern layout. This affordable option maintains its appeal because it creates a perfect neutral backdrop that lets other elements shine.

14. Shaker Cabinets Never Go Out Of Style

The simple, clean lines of Shaker-style cabinets have remained in style for over a century for good reason. Their straightforward design with recessed panel doors strikes the perfect balance between plain flat fronts and overly ornate raised panels.

They work beautifully in nearly any kitchen style from farmhouse to contemporary. The versatility of Shaker cabinets means they can be updated with new hardware or paint colors over time without requiring complete replacement, making them both stylish and practical for long-term value.

15. Hardwood Flooring Stands The Test Of Time

Natural hardwood floors have graced kitchens for centuries and continue to be a sound investment. Unlike trendy concrete or patterned tile, hardwood creates warmth and character that ages beautifully, developing a patina that adds to its charm.

The versatility of wood means it works with any design style. Even as it gets scratched or dented through years of use, hardwood can be refinished rather than replaced. This sustainability factor, combined with its timeless appeal, makes it a perennial favorite among designers and homeowners alike.

16. Marble-Look Quartz Offers Lasting Luxury

The elegant look of marble without the maintenance headaches makes marble-look quartz a smart long-term investment. Unlike real marble that stains, etches, and requires regular sealing, engineered quartz gives you that coveted veining with superior durability.

The classic white marble aesthetic has remained desirable for centuries in European kitchens. Modern technology now allows this timeless look to be practical for busy families. The subtle pattern works with virtually any cabinet style or color, ensuring your countertops won’t look dated even as other trends come and go.

17. Simple Stainless Steel Appliances Remain Steadfast

While appliance trends swing between black, white, and colorful options, stainless steel continues as the professional choice that doesn’t date itself. The neutral silver tone works with any cabinet color or kitchen style, from traditional to ultra-modern.

The slightly industrial look signals quality and durability. Though fingerprints can be an issue, newer finishes have improved this problem. Unlike trendy colored appliances that quickly reveal their age, stainless maintains its relevant, timeless appeal through decades of kitchen fashion changes.

18. Pendant Lighting Creates Enduring Appeal

Well-chosen pendant lights over islands and sinks add functional task lighting while creating visual interest that rarely dates. Unlike recessed lighting alone, which can feel flat, pendants create depth and personality in the kitchen landscape.

Simple glass, metal, or ceramic pendants in classic shapes offer the most staying power. The beauty of pendants is they can be updated relatively inexpensively compared to major kitchen elements. This allows you to refresh your kitchen’s look without undertaking a complete renovation when tastes evolve.

19. Neutral Color Palettes Provide Lasting Backdrop

Kitchens in soft whites, warm grays, and natural wood tones create a versatile foundation that adapts to changing tastes. Unlike bold color trends that quickly identify a kitchen’s age, neutrals allow for easy updates through accessories and smaller elements.

These calming palettes also make smaller kitchens feel larger and more open. The timeless appeal of a neutral kitchen lies in its ability to serve as a canvas for your changing style preferences, allowing colorful cookware, artwork, or seasonal décor to take center stage without competing with permanent elements.

20. Undermount Sinks Offer Timeless Functionality

The clean look of undermount sinks has maintained its appeal while other sink styles have come and gone. Without a lip or edge sitting on the countertop, undermounts allow for easy cleanup by letting you sweep crumbs directly into the sink.

Their simple, unobtrusive design puts the focus on your countertops rather than the sink itself. The timeless functionality and sleek appearance work equally well in traditional and contemporary kitchens, making undermount sinks a safe bet for longevity in kitchen design.

21. Pull-Out Faucets Combine Form And Function

The practical design of pull-out or pull-down faucets has earned them a permanent place in well-designed kitchens. Unlike fixed-spout faucets that limit your range of motion, these flexible options make filling large pots and cleaning the sink significantly easier.

Available in countless styles from traditional to ultra-modern, their functionality transcends passing trends. The ergonomic design addresses real cooking and cleaning needs rather than just aesthetic concerns. This perfect marriage of practicality and style ensures pull-out faucets will remain relevant for decades to come.

22. Classic Cabinet Hardware Offers Subtle Sophistication

Simple knobs and pulls in finishes like brushed nickel, bronze, or black have remained in style for generations. Unlike trendy shapes or colors that quickly reveal a kitchen’s age, these understated choices blend seamlessly into any design.

Hardware is also one of the easiest and most affordable elements to update. Choosing classic styles for your initial design ensures your kitchen won’t look dated before its time. When you do want a refresh, swapping out hardware gives you a new look without the expense of replacing cabinets.