11 Outdated Kitchen Trends In Kentucky, And 9 Classics That Never Go Out Of Style
The kitchen might be the heart of your home, but some Kentucky kitchens are stuck in a time warp, still clinging to outdated trends that belong in the past.
From neon-colored appliances to tile patterns that scream “vintage” (in all the wrong ways), it’s time for an upgrade. Luckily, it’s not all doom and gloom, there are timeless design elements that will never let your kitchen lose its shine.
Now, let’s take a look at what needs to go and what should stay, ensuring your kitchen remains as fresh as a sweet tea on a summer afternoon.
1. Fruit Motif Backsplashes Have Spoiled
Remember those apple and grape tile borders that dominated Kentucky kitchens in the 90s? Honey, they’ve fermented past their prime! Nothing dates your kitchen faster than these fruity scenes dancing behind your countertops.
Homeowners once flocked to these designs thinking they’d add charm and color. Now they just scream “time for a renovation.” Kentucky’s contemporary homes have moved toward cleaner aesthetics that don’t compete with the actual food you’re preparing.
2. Overly Glossy Laminate Cabinets Are Blinding Us
Those high-shine laminate cabinets reflecting more light than your bathroom mirror? They’re giving me flashbacks to 80s music videos! Kentucky homes deserve better than these fingerprint magnets that show every smudge and scratch.
The ultra-glossy finish once symbolized modern luxury but now looks cheap and dated. Most Kentucky homeowners have wised up, trading that plastic-fantastic shine for cabinets with depth and character.
3. Faux Wood Paneling Should Stay In The Forest
Lord have mercy on the Kentucky kitchens still sporting that dark faux wood paneling! This trend from the 70s makes spaces feel like a cave rather than a cooking haven. The fake grain patterns fool absolutely nobody.
Many folks inherited these woodland nightmares with their older Kentucky homes. Though some attempt to paint over it, the telltale grooves always give it away.
Modern Kentucky kitchens have embraced authentic materials that don’t pretend to be something they’re not.
4. Wall-To-Wall Carpet In Kitchens Is A Recipe For Disaster
Whoever decided carpet belonged in Kentucky kitchens clearly never cooked a proper Sunday dinner. This puzzling trend somehow gained traction despite being completely impractical for spaces where spills happen constantly.
Carpet traps food odors, stains, and moisture, creating a petri dish under your feet. Kentucky’s humidity only compounds these issues.
Thankfully, most homeowners have ripped up these absorbent nightmares in favor of surfaces that can handle real life.
5. Bright Primary Color Appliances Look Like Toys
Those fire-engine red refrigerators and cobalt blue stoves seemed so fun when they first appeared in Kentucky kitchens. Now they just look like oversized Fisher-Price toys that wandered in from the playroom.
Boldly colored appliances quickly became the regretful purchase of many. They limit design flexibility and scream specific decades. Kentucky kitchens have largely returned to appliances that complement rather than dominate the space.
6. Drop-In Cooktops With Clunky Vent Hoods Create Kitchen Eyesores
Bulky drop-in cooktops with the massive overhead vent hoods were once the pride of Kentucky kitchens. Now they look like industrial equipment that crashed through your ceiling.
The proportions always seemed off, tiny cooking surface, enormous metal canopy overhead. Modern Kentucky homes have embraced sleeker cooking solutions that don’t require dedicated support beams.
Your kitchen should feel like a culinary workshop, not a factory floor.
7. Busy Patterned Linoleum Flooring Makes Heads Spin
Remember those dizzying geometric patterns and faux-brick linoleum floors that once ruled every Kentucky kitchen? They were meant to hide dirt, but instead, they created optical illusions that had you second-guessing your eyesight, especially after a glass of bourbon!
Kentucky homeowners thought they were adding character, but in reality, that character’s name was probably “Eyesore.” The material would curl at the edges and yellow over time, making even the cleanest floors look like they’d been through a mudslide. Talk about a floor of deception!
8. Fluorescent Ceiling Lights Cast Unflattering Shadows
The humming fluorescent box lights that made everyone look like they needed medical attention… I’m sure we all know what I’m talking about. Kentucky kitchens were once bathed in this harsh institutional lighting that flickered ominously during storms.
The unflattering blue-green glow made food look unappetizing and turned family gatherings into zombie movies. Plus, they attracted every bug within a five-mile radius.
Kentucky homes deserve lighting that enhances rather than detracts from both people and food.
9. Matchy-Matchy Kitchen Sets Create Museum Displays
The perfectly coordinated kitchen sets where the table, chairs, hutch, and even canisters all matched precisely! Kentucky kitchens weren’t rooms, they were furniture showrooms where nothing could be moved without disrupting the grand design.
These matchy-matchy collections lacked personality and looked like nobody actually lived there. Kentucky’s best kitchens now embrace thoughtful mixing of complementary pieces that tell a family’s story rather than a manufacturer’s catalog number.
10. Counter-Height Bar Seating Without Proper Legroom Causes Discomfort
Counter-height stools where your legs dangle awkwardly or crash into cabinets, sound familiar? Kentucky homeowners embraced this trend without factoring in the basic physics of sitting.
The lack of proper knee clearance meant guests would take a seat, then quickly escape to more comfortable options. In fact, many Kentucky kitchens still feature these impractical setups, where conversations happen standing up because no one can stomach sitting there for a whole meal.
11. Overuse Of Oak Wood Tones Creates Honey-Colored Overload
Kentucky kitchens drowning in honey oak everything, cabinets, floors, trim, and tables! This wood took over homes like kudzu, creating monochromatic amber caves that absorbed all available light.
The yellowish finish clashed with most other design elements and darkened further with age. While oak itself isn’t the problem, the uniform application created spaces lacking depth or contrast.
Nowadays, Kentucky homes with the most character use wood more strategically rather than submerging the entire kitchen in a honey bath.
12. Subway Tile Backsplash Offers Timeless Appeal
Classic white subway tiles have graced Kentucky kitchens for generations without ever feeling stale. Their simple rectangular shape provides visual interest without overwhelming your senses.
The clean lines complement any cabinet style from traditional to modern. Kentucky homeowners appreciate how these tiles can flex between farmhouse charm or urban sophistication simply by changing the grout color.
Their affordability and durability make them practical for Kentucky’s family-focused homes.
13. Matte Or Satin Finish Cabinets Exude Subtle Elegance
Cabinets with matte or satin finishes bring sophistication to Kentucky kitchens without shouting for attention. These subtle surfaces hide fingerprints and minor imperfections while creating depth that glossy finishes can’t match.
Kentucky’s practical homeowners appreciate how these finishes age gracefully rather than showing every scratch. The soft light reflection creates a warm, inviting atmosphere perfect for the state’s legendary hospitality traditions.
Another important thing is that these finishes work beautifully with both painted and natural wood cabinets.
14. Natural Stone Or Quartz Countertops Stand The Test Of Time
The fact is, kitchens with natural stone or quartz countertops never seem to age. These surfaces connect modern homes to the state’s geological heritage while providing unmatched durability for busy families.
The natural variations in stone bring visual interest that manufactured surfaces struggle to replicate. Kentucky residents appreciate how these materials develop character over time rather than wearing out.
Their heat resistance suits serious cooks who don’t want to worry about trivets for every hot dish.
15. Open Shelving Showcases Kentucky Hospitality
Want to show off your Kentucky hospitality? Open shelving is the perfect way to put your gorgeous dishware and family heirlooms front and center! It turns everyday items into decorative elements while keeping them easy to grab.
Many Bluegrass residents use these shelves to display everything from their prized bourbon collections to grandma’s china, because why hide a good story in a cabinet? The openness adds a sense of spaciousness to kitchens of all sizes.
Sure, it takes a little more organization than closed cabinets, but the visual payoff? Worth every extra minute!
16. Under-Cabinet Lighting Illuminates Work Without Shadows
Strategically placed lighting beneath kitchen cabinets transforms Kentucky kitchens from functional to inviting. These fixtures eliminate shadows on work surfaces, providing the perfect light for precision tasks like chopping and dicing.
Cooks across Kentucky love the focused illumination, which makes preparing family recipes easier and more enjoyable. Beyond its practicality, under-cabinet lighting creates a cozy ambiance during evening gatherings, offering a softer glow when harsh overhead lights are too much.
With modern LED options, installation is simpler and more energy-efficient than ever.
17. Farmhouse Or Apron-Front Sink Honors Kentucky’s Agricultural Roots
The farmhouse sinks connect Kentucky kitchens to the state’s rich agricultural heritage! Their deep basins handle everything from washing garden vegetables to soaking Thanksgiving roasting pans with equal ease.
The forward-facing design eliminates the countertop lip that collects grime in traditional sinks. We particularly appreciate how these statement pieces blend historical charm with modern functionality. Available in materials from fireclay to copper, they develop unique patinas that tell the story of family meals prepared over the years.
18. Warm Wood Accents Bring Natural Balance
Incorporating natural wood touches honors Kentucky’s forest heritage while softening kitchens that might otherwise feel cold or sterile. Strategic additions like cutting boards, island tops, or open shelving bring rich texture to the space without overwhelming it.
Bluegrass folks love how these elements connect their kitchens to Kentucky’s stunning outdoor landscapes. The natural warmth of wood makes even sleek, modern kitchens feel inviting and cozy.
Unlike the heavy, all-wood designs of the past, today’s approach uses wood as a complementary element, adding warmth and character without taking over.
19. Pendant Lighting Over Islands Creates Focused Brilliance
Ever noticed how pendant lights over kitchen islands have illuminated Kentucky gatherings for generations?
These fixtures direct light exactly where it’s needed while creating visual anchors in open floor plans.
Design-savvy Kentuckians love how pendants define cooking and conversation areas without the need for walls or partitions. With a wide variety of styles, they seamlessly complement everything from charming farmhouses to sleek, modern kitchens.
Their adjustable heights offer the perfect balance of task lighting and ambient glow, making them as functional as they are stylish.
20. Simple, Functional Hardware Provides Everyday Elegance
Well-designed cabinet hardware proves that Kentucky kitchens don’t need flashy gimmicks to shine. These small metal details serve as jewelry for cabinetry, enhancing rather than competing with the overall design.
I hope we all have learned that quality knobs and pulls feel substantial in the hand, creating small moments of satisfaction dozens of times daily. Their simplicity ensures they won’t look dated as trends change.
Classic finishes like brushed nickel or aged brass develop character over time rather than wearing out.
