10 Kitchen Looks That Are Losing Popularity In Pennsylvania (With 10 That Still Shine)
Pennsylvania kitchens are evolving faster than ever, with homeowners trading outdated styles for fresh, functional designs. What was once the height of kitchen fashion is now being replaced by more practical and aesthetically pleasing alternatives.
We’re diving into the kitchen trends Pennsylvania’s ditching (farewell, Tuscan grapes) and the timeless styles locals still swear by.
1. Dark Cherry Cabinets
Remember when these rich, mahogany-toned cabinets dominated every kitchen magazine? The once-coveted dark cherry finish is rapidly fading from Pennsylvania homes.
Homeowners are finding these cabinets make spaces feel smaller and darker than desired. The reddish undertones that were once considered luxurious now date a kitchen instantly, with many renovators specifically requesting their removal during updates.
Local designers report clients consistently moving toward lighter, airier alternatives that brighten spaces and create a more welcoming atmosphere.
2. Tuscan-Style Décor
Faux-finished walls and terra cotta tiles are heading for the exit door. The Mediterranean-inspired look that swept through Pennsylvania in the early 2000s has lost its appeal.
Tuscan kitchens with their heavy wrought iron accents, grape motifs, and burnt orange color palettes now feel cluttered and thematic rather than timeless. Pennsylvania homeowners are abandoning the elaborate Old World aesthetic for cleaner, more contemporary designs.
Real estate agents note that these kitchens often require significant updating before selling in today’s market.
3. Overly Ornate Cabinetry
Goodbye to all those scrolls, corbels, and detailed carvings! Cabinetry with excessive ornamentation is quickly disappearing from Pennsylvania kitchens.
These elaborately detailed cabinets with their fluted columns and acanthus leaf carvings collect dust and make spaces feel busy and chaotic. Modern Pennsylvania residents prefer cleaner lines that create a more peaceful cooking environment.
Local cabinet makers report a dramatic decline in requests for these labor-intensive designs, with most customers seeking simpler profiles that won’t look dated in five years.
4. Granite Countertops With Heavy Movement
Those busy, multi-colored granite slabs are losing their grip on Pennsylvania kitchens. The once-popular heavily veined and speckled patterns with gold, burgundy, and brown swirls are increasingly viewed as visually overwhelming.
Granite countertops with dramatic movement tend to clash with other design elements and limit decorating options. Pennsylvanians are growing tired of these high-maintenance surfaces that require regular sealing and can harbor bacteria in their porous surfaces.
Kitchen designers across the state report fewer requests for these statement-making stones in favor of more subtle alternatives.
5. Traditional Tile Backsplashes
Is your backsplash more chaos than charm? Across Pennsylvania, residents are pulling the plug on complex mosaic tiles and diagonal installs faster than you can say “pass the grout brush.” Once considered stylish, these intricate designs now feel more like a cleaning commitment than a design choice.
Tumbled stone with decorative inserts? Locals say it looks more like kitchen confusion than character. With grout lines multiplying like rabbits and demanding constant scrubbing, many are opting for cleaner, simpler styles that offer beauty without the battle.
Tile installers across the state report a sharp drop in demand for these high-maintenance looks. And honestly, their elbows thank you.
6. Black Appliances
Once considered sleek and modern, black appliances are rapidly disappearing from Pennsylvania kitchens. Their dark surfaces show every fingerprint, dust particle, and water spot, creating a maintenance nightmare for busy homeowners.
Black appliances tend to absorb light rather than reflect it, making kitchens feel smaller and more confined. Pennsylvania residents are increasingly replacing these light-sucking machines with brighter alternatives that help spaces feel more open and inviting.
Appliance retailers across the state report black finishes accounting for less than 10% of current sales.
7. Fluorescent Overhead Lighting
Harsh, flickering, and unflattering, fluorescent box lights are being switched off for good. Those recessed rectangular fixtures with their clinical glow are rapidly disappearing from Pennsylvania kitchens.
Fluorescent lighting casts an unflattering bluish tint that makes food look unappetizing and people appear sickly. Pennsylvania property owners are increasingly aware of how lighting affects mood and atmosphere, prompting a shift away from these institutional-feeling fixtures.
Lighting specialists report almost no requests for fluorescent options in residential kitchen renovations across the state.
8. Wall-To-Wall Cabinetry
Cramming every available inch with storage is no longer the Pennsylvania way. The wall-to-wall cabinet approach that maximized storage at the expense of style is quickly losing favor across the state.
These cabinet-heavy designs create a boxy, confined feeling that makes kitchens seem smaller and more claustrophobic. People are finally aware that sometimes less truly is more, with strategic storage solutions proving more effective than simply adding more cabinets.
Local designers report clients specifically requesting the removal of upper cabinets to create more open, breathable spaces.
9. Matching Kitchen Sets
Cookie-cutter perfection is losing its appeal faster than you can say “showroom display.” The matchy-matchy approach of identical cabinets, counters, and backsplashes purchased as a single coordinated set is rapidly falling from favor.
Matching kitchen sets often lack personality and create a generic, catalog-ordered appearance. Pennsylvania homeowners are increasingly seeking more individualized spaces that reflect their unique tastes rather than looking like they came straight from a big box store display.
Design professionals across the state report clients specifically requesting mixed materials and finishes to create more authentic, collected-over-time aesthetics.
10. Closed-Off Kitchens
Walls separating kitchens from living spaces are coming down all across the Keystone State. The isolated cooking zones that kept food preparation hidden away are rapidly disappearing from Pennsylvania floor plans.
Closed kitchens create disconnected homes where the cook remains separated from family and guests. Folks in Pennsylvania increasingly value connection and togetherness, prompting the removal of barriers between kitchen and living areas.
Contractors report that wall removal is among their most requested renovation services. Families are seeking more inclusive, interactive home environments.
11. Shaker Cabinets
Clean lines never really go out of style! Shaker cabinets continue to dominate Pennsylvania kitchens with their simple, recessed panel design that bridges traditional and contemporary aesthetics.
These versatile cabinets work beautifully in various design schemes, from farmhouse to modern minimalist. Pennsylvania homeowners appreciate their timeless appeal and ability to serve as a neutral backdrop that allows other design elements to shine.
Cabinet manufacturers across the state report Shaker styles accounting for over 60% of current sales, confirming their enduring popularity.
12. Quartz Countertops
Practically maintenance-free and stunningly beautiful. Engineered quartz continues its reign as the countertop champion in Pennsylvania kitchens.
Quartz surfaces offer the perfect blend of form and function with their non-porous, stain-resistant properties. Pennsylvania families particularly value their durability and easy care, with no sealing required and exceptional resistance to scratches, heat, and bacteria.
Stone fabricators throughout the state report quartz installations outpacing all other materials combined. There’s particularly strong demand for subtle, marble-look patterns that offer elegance without the maintenance headaches.
13. Subway Tile Backsplash
Why do classic subway tiles still line the walls of so many Pennsylvania kitchens? Because some styles never go out of fashion, they just evolve.
These rectangular staples offer timeless charm with endless flexibility, adapting effortlessly through color shifts, finish upgrades, and creative layouts like herringbone or vertical stacking.
Across Pennsylvania, residents continue to choose them for their budget-friendly nature and easy refresh potential. While glossy white tiles still reign supreme, retailers report a rise in demand for muted tones that add subtle character without overwhelming the space.
14. Farmhouse Sinks
Deep, wide, and wonderfully practical! These apron-front beauties continue to capture Pennsylvania hearts with their blend of nostalgic charm and modern functionality.
Farmhouse sinks provide generous space for washing everything from large pots to garden vegetables. Pennsylvanians are drawn to their distinctive appearance that creates an immediate focal point in the kitchen.
Plumbing suppliers throughout the state report consistent demand for these statement pieces, with white fireclay versions leading sales. However, concrete, copper, and stainless options are gaining popularity thanks to their distinctive character and ability to complement a wide range of kitchen styles.
15. Warm Neutrals
Harsh whites are out, warm, welcoming hues are in. In Pennsylvania, more and more kitchen dwellers are trading in sterile shades for soft beiges, greiges, and cozy warm whites that turn their cooking spaces into true comfort zones.
These subtle tones strike the perfect balance, clean without feeling cold, and stylish without trying too hard. They play beautifully with wood cabinets, stone counters, and even bold accent colors. Plus, they’re way better at hiding life’s little messes than those blindingly bright whites ever were.
Local paint shops are seeing a spike in requests for “just-right” neutrals that bring warmth without overwhelming the room. Turns out, the secret to a timeless kitchen might be a soft shade of not-quite-white.
16. Wood Flooring
The fact is, natural beauty underfoot never goes out of fashion. Hardwood and wood-look flooring continues to be the top choice for Pennsylvania kitchens, bringing warmth and character to the heart of the home.
Wood floors create visual continuity when extended throughout main living areas. Pennsylvania residents particularly value the comfort factor. Wood is warmer underfoot than tile and provides some cushioning when standing for long cooking sessions.
Flooring specialists throughout the state report engineered wood options gaining ground for their stability and moisture resistance.
17. Brass Or Matte Black Fixtures
Forget plain and polished, Pennsylvania kitchens are embracing metals with personality. Hardware and fixtures in warm brass or matte black now top the trend charts.
These eye-catching finishes bring contrast and charm to even the simplest designs, acting like statement accessories for cabinetry and sinks. Local remodelers say design-conscious residents love how these metals elevate a space without overpowering it.
Suppliers across the state confirm that brass and black continue to lead sales, especially when mixed for a layered, designer-curated look.
18. Kitchen Islands
These are the central gathering spots with serious staying power. Kitchen islands remain the most requested feature in Pennsylvania renovations, serving as the true heart of the modern home.
Islands provide valuable workspace while creating natural gathering spots for family and guests. Pennsylvania householders increasingly request islands with varied functionality, from built-in microwave drawers to dedicated baking stations.
Contractors report rising demand for oversized or double islands in spacious kitchens. Many now favor island seating over formal dining.
19. Open Shelving
Tired of a wall-to-wall cabinet takeover? Many Pennsylvania residents are embracing open shelving as a stylish way to lighten up their kitchens and show off personality at the same time.
These airy, accessible shelves break the monotony of solid cabinetry and offer space to display everyday essentials or seasonal favorites. From handcrafted mugs to grandma’s pie dish, it’s all about blending function with charm.
Designers throughout the state suggest using open shelving in moderation. Two to three shelves near a window or above the stove often hit the sweet spot, adding just enough visual interest without inviting a full-time dusting job.
20. Pantries And Smart Storage
Tired of playing Tetris with your kitchen gadgets every time you cook? Across Pennsylvania, local residents are prioritizing smart storage and dedicated pantry spaces to bring order, and style, to their kitchens.
From appliance garages to vertical dividers and custom spice drawers, well-designed storage systems are helping eliminate countertop clutter while maximizing every inch of space.
Cabinet makers across the state are seeing rising demand for pull-out organizers and hidden compartments, while walk-in pantries have become the top must-have in new builds.
