16 Items That Make Your Kitchen Look Cheap, According To Professionals (Plus 8 To Get Rid Of ASAP)

Your kitchen isn’t just a place to cook – it’s the heart of your home where family and friends gather. But some common items can make this important space look outdated or cheap without you even realizing it.

I’ve talked with interior designers and kitchen experts who shared their honest opinions about what’s dragging down your kitchen’s style factor.

Let’s explore what professionals say makes your kitchen look less than stellar, and which items should be shown the door immediately.

1. Mismatched Appliances

Nothing screams ‘piecemeal kitchen’ like a white fridge, black microwave, and stainless steel dishwasher all living together. When you collect appliances from different decades or color families, your kitchen instantly loses that cohesive, designed look professionals strive for.

If a complete matching set isn’t in your budget right now, try focusing on the most visible appliances first. Even painting smaller appliances the same color can help create visual harmony until you’re ready for a full upgrade.

2. Countertop Dish Drainer

A permanent plastic dish rack broadcasts that your kitchen lacks proper storage solutions. The calcium deposits and water stains that inevitably form around these utilitarian pieces create an instant impression of messiness.

Consider an in-sink or roll-up dish drying rack that can be stored when not in use. For a more polished look, a sleek stainless steel option with a drip tray looks intentional rather than makeshift. Better yet, embrace the convenience of your dishwasher for daily loads.

3. Cluttered Countertops

Counter space overwhelmed with small appliances, random mail piles, and miscellaneous kitchenware creates an instant impression of chaos. Professional kitchens maintain clean work surfaces for good reason – it signals organization and intentionality.

Keep only daily essentials visible, like your coffee maker or a beautiful fruit bowl. Store occasional-use items like blenders and food processors in cabinets. This simple change costs nothing but transforms how your kitchen feels and functions.

4. Visible Paper Towel Rolls

That jumbo pack of paper towels sitting out on your counter broadcasts “convenience store” rather than “thoughtfully designed space.” Even worse is the standard plastic paper towel holder that comes free with multi-packs.

Mount a stylish holder under a cabinet to free up counter space. Or consider a beautiful standing holder that elevates this everyday item to intentional decor. Some designers even suggest switching to cloth napkins for everyday use, keeping paper towels hidden for occasional messes.

5. Over-the-Stove Microwave

Designers cringe at over-the-range microwaves – they interrupt the clean lines of a beautiful kitchen and scream “builder-grade.” These bulky boxes draw attention to themselves in the worst way possible and often become grease magnets.

Consider relocating your microwave to a built-in cabinet, pantry, or island. Microwave drawers are also gaining popularity. This switch opens up space for a stunning range hood that serves as a focal point rather than an eyesore.

6. Fluorescent Box Lighting

Those rectangular fluorescent ceiling fixtures cast a harsh, unflattering light that makes everyone and everything look sickly. They’re the hallmark of outdated commercial spaces, not welcoming homes where you want to gather.

Replace them with recessed lighting, pendant lights over islands, or even a statement chandelier. Modern track lighting can also work well. The right lighting creates ambiance while illuminating work areas properly – it’s functional art for your ceiling.

7. Outdated Cabinet Hardware

Those shiny brass knobs from the 90s are silently aging your kitchen. Hardware is like jewelry for your cabinets – when outdated, it brings down the entire look, no matter how nice your cabinets might be.

Modern matte black, brushed nickel, or even leather pulls can dramatically update your kitchen’s appearance for relatively little money. It’s one of the quickest weekend projects with major visual impact, costing as little as $2-5 per piece.

8. Fake Plants Collecting Dust

Artificial greenery that’s never been dusted is a dead giveaway of neglect. Faded, dusty fake plants make your kitchen look like a forgotten doctor’s office waiting room from 1995.

Opt for real, low-maintenance plants like pothos, snake plants, or herbs that thrive in kitchen environments. If maintenance is truly impossible, choose high-quality silk plants and commit to regular dusting. Better yet, a bowl of actual fruit provides changing color without any dusting required.

9. Faux Granite Contact Paper

The bubbling edges and unrealistic patterns of stick-on countertop coverings fool absolutely no one. These temporary fixes actually draw more attention to the counters you’re trying to disguise, making them look worse than embracing what you have.

Save up for real stone, quality laminate, or butcher block instead. If you’re truly on a tight budget, painting existing countertops with specialized kits gives a more convincing finish than peel-and-stick options. Quality always speaks for itself.

10. Refrigerator Magnet Collection

Your fridge isn’t a scrapbook or bulletin board. Magnets from every vacation destination, children’s artwork from three years ago, and expired coupons create visual chaos in what should be a serene space.

Edit down to just a few meaningful pieces, or consider moving the collection to a less prominent area like a utility closet door. For a truly polished look, embrace a clean refrigerator front – modern kitchens treat appliances as sleek, uninterrupted surfaces.

11. Vinyl Flooring That Mimics Tile

Those peel-and-stick vinyl tiles with faux grout lines aren’t fooling anyone. The uniform repeat pattern and hollow sound when walked on immediately signal budget compromises, especially when they start curling at the edges.

If real tile isn’t in your budget, consider luxury vinyl plank flooring without fake grout lines. Modern vinyl and laminate options in wood patterns tend to look more convincing than stone imitations. The technology has improved dramatically in recent years.

12. Dated Backsplash

Those 4-inch matching countertop backsplashes or beige square tiles scream 1990s builder-grade kitchen. A dated backsplash ages your entire kitchen, no matter how updated other elements might be.

Consider classic subway tiles, trendy zellige, or even a modern single slab continuation of your countertop. Peel-and-stick backsplash tiles have come a long way and can provide a convincing temporary update. The backsplash is a relatively small area with outsized visual impact.

13. Exposed Food Packaging

Cereal boxes, snack packages, and bread bags sitting out on counters create instant visual clutter. Food manufacturers design packaging to grab attention in stores – exactly what you don’t want in a sophisticated kitchen.

Transfer pantry staples to matching containers or baskets. Clear glass jars work beautifully for pasta, grains, and baking supplies, while creating a cohesive, organized appearance. This simple change transforms chaotic packaging into intentional decor elements.

14. Sink Sponge and Dish Soap Display

Nothing says “I don’t care about design details” like a grimy sponge and half-empty plastic dish soap bottle on full display. These utilitarian items create a visual interruption in your otherwise thoughtful space.

Store cleaning supplies in a caddy under the sink when not in use. If you prefer keeping them accessible, consider transferring dish soap to a decorative dispenser and hiding sponges in a designated holder. Small ceramic dishes can elegantly corral these necessities while still keeping them handy.

15. Cheap Builder-Grade Oak Cabinets

Those orange-toned oak cabinets with cathedral arches were everywhere in the 80s and 90s, and they instantly date your kitchen. Their distinctive grain and yellowish finish scream “builder-basic” rather than “thoughtfully designed.”

Paint transforms dated cabinets more affordably than replacement. White brightens while darker colors add sophistication. For a modern twist, try two-tone cabinets with darker lowers and lighter uppers. Even just updating the doors while keeping the boxes can dramatically refresh your space.

16. Excessive Valances and Curtains

Heavy, ornate window treatments trap grease, block natural light, and collect dust in the kitchen. Those scalloped valances with matching curtains create a fussy, outdated feel that designers avoid in modern kitchens.

Opt for simple roller shades, sleek blinds, or no window coverings at all if privacy isn’t a concern. If you want softness, consider a clean-lined Roman shade in a washable fabric. The kitchen should feel airy and clean – not weighed down by unnecessary fabric.

17. Garbage Can in Plain Sight (GET RID OF ASAP)

An exposed trash can is perhaps the quickest way to downgrade your kitchen’s appearance. No matter how clean you keep it, a visible garbage bin suggests your kitchen lacks proper planning and integration.

Invest in a pull-out cabinet trash solution or a decorative bin with a tight-fitting lid. Some stylish options look more like furniture than utilitarian trash cans. This simple change immediately elevates your kitchen’s functionality and appearance without major renovation.

18. Outdated Appliances with Wood Paneling (GET RID OF ASAP)

Those 1980s appliances with faux wood grain panels are the kitchen equivalent of wood-paneled station wagons – charming in nostalgic photos but hopelessly dated in real life. They signal to visitors that your kitchen is frozen in time.

Replacing appliances provides both aesthetic and efficiency upgrades. If budget is tight, focus on the refrigerator first as it’s usually the most visible. Many manufacturers offer affordable models with sleek, contemporary finishes that instantly modernize your space.

19. Inspirational Word Art (GET RID OF ASAP)

Those mass-produced “Kitchen” signs and “Bless This Mess” wall hangings have become the ultimate kitchen cliché. Designers unanimously agree that generic word art feels impersonal and lacks the character that makes a space feel thoughtfully curated.

Replace with actual art that speaks to you – a small painting, vintage advertisement, or framed photograph. Even a simple mirror or architectural salvage piece adds character without resorting to overused phrases. Your kitchen deserves decor that reflects your personal story, not store-bought sentiments.

20. Fake Fruit Displays (GET RID OF ASAP)

Dusty plastic apples and waxy bananas that never ripen are hallmarks of outdated decor. These artificial arrangements often look unconvincing, especially when they’ve faded from years of light exposure.

Replace with actual fresh fruit that doubles as healthy snacks and natural decor. A bowl of lemons or apples provides vibrant color that changes naturally. If maintenance is a concern, opt for beautiful ceramics, wood bowls, or small plants rather than pretending with fake produce.

21. Decorative Plates You Never Use (GET RID OF ASAP)

Collections of decorative plates that never serve food take up valuable space and collect dust. Those themed holiday plates or commemorative sets often lack cohesion with your actual kitchen design and read as clutter rather than curated decor.

Keep only what you truly love and actually use. For special occasion dishes, consider storing them elsewhere until needed. If you want to display plates, limit to a few statement pieces that complement your color scheme rather than competing seasonal collections.

22. Outdated Light Fixtures (GET RID OF ASAP)

That brass and frosted glass chandelier from 1992 is dragging down your entire kitchen. Lighting fixtures date themselves quickly, and hanging onto outdated styles signals that your kitchen hasn’t been thoughtfully maintained.

Updating light fixtures delivers impressive impact for relatively modest investment. Modern pendants, industrial-inspired fixtures, or even simple recessed lighting instantly refreshes your space. Look for fixtures that provide both task lighting for cooking and ambient lighting for dining and socializing.

23. Excessive Refrigerator Clutter (GET RID OF ASAP)

Using your refrigerator as command central with schedules, children’s artwork, and shopping lists creates an impression of disorganization. Professional designers always clear refrigerator fronts in kitchen photoshoots for good reason – the cluttered look cheapens even high-end kitchens.

Create a dedicated command center elsewhere using a bulletin board or digital solution. Keep important papers in a designated drawer or folder. Your refrigerator should be a clean, uninterrupted surface that allows your kitchen to feel intentionally designed rather than haphazardly assembled.

24. Visible Cords and Outlets (GET RID OF ASAP)

Tangled appliance cords snaking across countertops create an instant impression of disorder. Similarly, outlets with multiple plugs and power strips suggest your kitchen lacks proper planning for modern needs.

Use cord organizers to tame necessary connections. Consider installing outlets with built-in USB ports to reduce adapter clutter. Some newer kitchens feature outlets hidden under cabinets or inside drawers specifically for charging devices. Keeping technology connections contained maintains the clean lines that define polished kitchen design.