10 Ohio Kitchen Trends That Are Falling Out Of Style
Kitchen styles evolve constantly, especially in the Midwest where practicality meets design. Ohio homeowners have embraced many kitchen trends over the years, but some once-popular choices are now fading away.
I’ve noticed big changes while visiting homes across the Buckeye State, from Cleveland to Cincinnati and everywhere in between.
1. All-White Everything
Remember when every Ohio kitchen showcased pristine white cabinets, countertops, and backsplashes? This clinical look is rapidly losing favor among homeowners who crave more personality.
Many families now prefer adding warm wood tones or bold accent colors to create visual interest. The maintenance hassle of keeping everything spotless has also contributed to this shift – those white surfaces show every speck of tomato sauce and coffee splash!
2. Tuscan-Inspired Decor
Heavy Mediterranean vibes once dominated Ohio kitchens with their ornate scrollwork, dark iron fixtures, and faux-painted walls. The old-world charm that captivated homeowners in the early 2000s now feels cluttered and dated.
Busy grape and olive motifs are disappearing from backsplashes across the state. Modern Ohio families prefer cleaner lines and simpler aesthetics that make spaces feel larger and more functional without the theatrical Tuscan village atmosphere.
3. Granite Overload
For years, granite countertops were the crown jewel of Ohio kitchens – especially those busy, speckled patterns in brown and beige. You couldn’t sell a home without them! Now, these busy stone surfaces are losing ground to sleeker alternatives.
Homeowners are gravitating toward quartz, butcher block, or even concrete countertops with cleaner appearances. The high-maintenance sealing requirements and dated look of traditional granite has pushed this once-must-have feature into the “yesterday’s news” category for many Columbus and Cleveland renovators.
4. Over-the-Range Microwaves
Once considered the height of kitchen efficiency, bulky microwaves mounted above stoves are rapidly disappearing from Ohio homes. These appliances often block sightlines and ventilation while looking chunky and outdated.
Hidden microwaves in pantries or tucked into islands have become the preferred option. Many Cincinnati and Toledo homeowners are replacing these eyesores with sleek range hoods or microwave drawers that provide a more streamlined look while freeing up valuable visual space in the cooking area.
5. Cherry Wood Cabinets
Those reddish-brown cherry cabinets that dominated Ohio kitchens for decades are finally losing their grip. The distinct red undertones that once signaled luxury now make spaces feel dark and dated, especially in Cincinnati’s older homes.
Lighter woods like oak (making a comeback with new finishes) and maple are taking center stage. Many Akron and Dayton homeowners are even painting over their cherry cabinets with modern colors or replacing them entirely with more contemporary styles featuring cleaner lines and less ornate detailing.
6. Kitchen Desks
Those built-in desk nooks that were all the rage in 1990s and 2000s Ohio homes have become clutter magnets and wasted space. Originally designed for paying bills or checking recipes on bulky desktop computers, they’ve outlived their purpose in our mobile device world.
Homeowners across Toledo and Youngstown are ripping these awkward spaces out to make room for more practical storage or extended countertops. The pandemic’s work-from-home shift emphasized the need for dedicated office spaces elsewhere in the house, not squeezed into an already busy kitchen.
7. Pot Racks Hanging From Ceilings
Those suspended pot and pan racks that once showcased cooking prowess are vanishing from Ohio kitchens faster than buckeyes in fall. While they seemed practical, they’ve become dust collectors that make spaces feel cramped and busy overhead.
Cleveland and Columbus homeowners now prefer storing cookware in deep drawers or well-designed cabinet organizers. The visual clutter of hanging pots disrupts the clean lines modern kitchens strive for, not to mention the safety concerns of heavy copper pots dangling over food prep areas in earthquake-prone zones.
8. Fluorescent Box Lighting
The harsh, institutional glow of those rectangular fluorescent light boxes is finally fading from Ohio kitchens. These unflattering fixtures cast a clinical light that makes even the freshest food look unappetizing and creates an office-like atmosphere.
Homeowners throughout Cincinnati and Dublin are replacing them with recessed lighting, pendant fixtures, or stylish chandeliers. The new lighting choices not only improve the ambiance but create more even illumination for cooking tasks while adding personality to the space – something those old fluorescent panels never managed.
9. Themed Rooster Decor
The rooster-themed everything trend has finally flown the coop in Ohio kitchens! From cookie jars to wall clocks, potholders to paper towel holders, these barnyard birds once ruled Midwest kitchen decor with an iron claw.
Farm-themed kitsch in general has declined as homeowners in Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights embrace more subtle decor. The country kitchen aesthetic that dominated for decades feels too busy and dated for younger homeowners and empty nesters alike, who prefer more timeless and restrained decorative elements that won’t feel passé next year.
10. Builder-Grade Oak Cabinets
Those golden oak cabinets that dominated new construction across Ohio subdivisions from the 1980s through early 2000s are finally getting the boot. Their orange-yellow tone and cathedral arch designs scream “dated tract home” to today’s buyers.
Homeowners in Dublin and Powell are painting, replacing, or refacing these ubiquitous cabinets with more contemporary styles. The heavily grained appearance that once signified quality now looks busy and distracting compared to the cleaner aesthetic preferred in modern Ohio kitchens, where simplicity and subtle texture are valued over prominent woodgrain.
