6 Kitchen Items That Bring Down Your Look And 6 That Instantly Upgrade It, According To Designers

Your kitchen isn’t just a place to cook – it’s the heart of your home where style matters just as much as function. I’ve talked with top designers about which kitchen items might be secretly sabotaging your decor and which ones can transform your space instantly.

Ready to discover what might be holding your kitchen back and the simple swaps that can elevate your entire home?

1. Outdated Appliances With Mismatched Finishes

Nothing screams ‘kitchen makeover needed’ louder than a refrigerator in white, a stove in black, and a dishwasher in stainless steel. These mismatched appliances create visual chaos that even the prettiest countertops can’t disguise. Most designers agree that consistency creates calm.

When each appliance looks like it came from a different decade or design era, your kitchen feels disjointed and unplanned. If a complete appliance overhaul isn’t in your budget, consider appliance paint or peel-and-stick coverings that can create a more unified look until you’re ready for replacements.

2. Cluttered Countertops Full Of Small Appliances

Counter space is precious real estate! When every inch gets taken up by toasters, coffee makers, blenders, and air fryers, your kitchen looks smaller and feels chaotic. Even high-end appliances create visual noise when they’re all competing for attention.

I’ve seen stunning kitchens completely undermined by this common mistake. The problem isn’t the appliances themselves but their permanent display status. Consider which items you truly use daily and find creative storage solutions for everything else. Appliance garages or dedicated cabinets can keep occasional-use items accessible without sacrificing your kitchen’s style.

3. Paper Towel Rolls On Display

That cardboard tube standing at attention on your counter? It’s basically a billboard advertising ‘this is a functional rather than beautiful space.’ The bright white roll with printed patterns draws the eye for all the wrong reasons. Many homeowners don’t realize how this seemingly innocent item undermines their kitchen’s aesthetic.

Even the fanciest marble countertops lose their luster when topped with household paper products. Try mounting a paper towel holder under a cabinet or inside a pantry door. For a designer-approved solution, transfer paper towels to a beautiful ceramic holder or basket that complements your decor while keeping them handy.

4. Plastic Dish Draining Racks

Remember that flimsy plastic dish rack with the mysterious stains and perpetual puddle underneath? It’s silently sabotaging your kitchen style. Those bright-colored plastic trays with separate utensil holders scream ‘college apartment’ rather than ‘sophisticated home.’ Water tends to collect underneath these racks, potentially damaging your countertops over time.

The worst offenders are those in bright colors that clash with everything else in your kitchen. If hand-washing dishes is part of your routine, consider collapsible silicone options in neutral tones or sleek stainless steel racks that complement your sink and faucet while providing the same functionality.

5. Promotional Refrigerator Magnets

Your refrigerator isn’t a scrapbook! Those pizza delivery magnets, vacation souvenirs, and cartoon characters create a chaotic collage that instantly downgrades your kitchen’s appearance. Even expensive refrigerators look cheap when covered with this kind of clutter. Kids’ artwork and important reminders often find their way to this magnetic bulletin board too.

While practical, this habit creates visual noise that designers immediately notice when evaluating a kitchen. If you need a place for notes and schedules, consider a dedicated message center in a less prominent location or a single, stylish magnetic board that contains the chaos while adding intentional design.

6. Dated Cabinet Hardware

Those oak cabinets might not be your favorite, but it’s often the shiny brass knobs from 1992 that are the real culprits! Cabinet hardware is like jewelry for your kitchen – when it’s outdated or mismatched, everything looks cheaper and less intentional. Ornate, overly decorative handles that were popular decades ago instantly age your kitchen.

Similarly, plastic knobs or builder-grade basic pulls suggest a space that hasn’t been thoughtfully designed. The good news? Replacing hardware is one of the most affordable kitchen updates with maximum impact. Modern matte black, brushed nickel, or even leather pulls can transform even the most basic cabinets into something special.

7. Statement Pendant Lighting

Lighting is the jewelry of your kitchen! Well-chosen pendant lights above an island or dining area create instant focus and elevation. I’m always amazed at how dramatically these fixtures transform even the most basic spaces. The right pendants serve as functional art pieces that draw the eye upward and create a designed feeling.

They define zones in open-concept kitchens while adding personality that basic recessed lighting simply can’t match. Look for fixtures that complement your kitchen’s style without matching everything exactly. The best pendants create conversation and interest while providing the perfect light for cooking and gathering with loved ones.

8. Unified Countertop Accessories

A matching set of olive oil bottles, salt and pepper mills, and utensil holders creates an instant high-end feeling! These everyday items become intentional design elements when they coordinate without being identical. Natural materials like wood, marble, or ceramic in complementary tones elevate your kitchen’s look while maintaining functionality.

The key is choosing pieces that relate to each other through color, material, or style. I recommend selecting a limited palette – perhaps whites with natural woods or black with brass accents. This approach allows necessary items to remain on display while contributing to your kitchen’s overall design rather than looking like random clutter.

9. A Quality Chef’s Knife On Display

Nothing says ‘serious cook’ like a beautiful knife displayed on your counter! A quality chef’s knife on a stylish wooden or magnetic holder transforms a basic tool into a statement piece that elevates your entire kitchen. Beyond practicality, this display signals intentionality and appreciation for craftsmanship.

The combination of wood and metal creates visual interest while keeping your most-used tool within easy reach. For maximum impact, choose a knife with distinctive features – perhaps a Damascus steel blade with unique patterns or a handle in an unexpected material. The knife becomes functional sculpture that adds character to your cooking space while reflecting your culinary passions.

10. Natural Textile Touches

Fabric softens the hard surfaces dominating most kitchens! Quality linen tea towels draped over an oven handle or a simple runner on the island adds warmth instantly. The texture creates welcome contrast against stone, tile, and appliances. I love how these textiles can introduce color and pattern in low-commitment ways.

They’re perfect for seasonal refreshes without major renovations. Choose natural fibers like cotton, linen, or wool in colors that complement your existing palette. Even in neutral kitchens, textiles with subtle texture or minimal patterns create dimension and interest that makes the space feel more thoughtfully designed and comfortable.

11. Decorative Cutting Boards

Leaning a few beautiful cutting boards against your backsplash creates instant character! These functional pieces double as art when not in use, especially when you mix materials and sizes for visual interest. I recommend combining a round marble board, a rectangular wood one with interesting grain, and perhaps a uniquely shaped serving board.

The varied textures and organic shapes soften kitchen lines while remaining completely practical. For maximum impact, choose boards with distinctive features – perhaps one with a leather hanging strap, another with a live edge, or one in an unexpected material like slate. This simple styling trick adds depth and personality without cluttering valuable counter space.

12. Glass Storage Containers

Matching glass containers filled with pantry staples transform ordinary ingredients into design elements! When rice, pasta, flour, and beans move from mismatched packaging to uniform glass jars, your kitchen instantly looks more organized and intentional. The transparency creates a pleasing visual rhythm while allowing you to see what needs restocking.

For maximum impact, choose containers with simple shapes and minimal hardware. I particularly love how sunlight plays through these containers, especially when filled with colorful items like red lentils or colorful pasta. Beyond aesthetics, this storage solution reduces packaging waste and keeps ingredients fresher longer – a perfect blend of form and function.