Winston‑Salem Kitchen Advice 6 Elements To Ditch For A More Elegant Look And 6 To Keep Instead

Looking to give your Winston-Salem kitchen a more sophisticated makeover? The secret to an elegant kitchen isn’t always about spending big bucks on a complete renovation.

Sometimes, it’s about knowing which outdated elements to remove and which timeless features to embrace.

I’ve put together this guide to help you transform your kitchen into a space that feels both modern and classically elegant without breaking the bank.

1. Laminate Countertops (Ditch)

Those yellowish, worn laminate countertops instantly age your kitchen by decades. While budget-friendly, they scratch easily, develop unsightly burn marks, and often feature that telltale black seam line that screams “outdated.”

Winston-Salem homeowners are increasingly finding that laminate’s imitation stone patterns look artificial under kitchen lighting. The material absorbs stains from coffee, wine, and cooking oils that become impossible to remove over time.

If you’re still holding onto these relics from the 90s, it’s time to say goodbye. Modern alternatives offer better durability, cleaner aesthetics, and surprisingly comparable price points when you factor in laminate’s short lifespan.

2. Overly Ornate Cabinetry (Ditch)

Heavily carved cabinet doors with scrollwork, fluting, and applied moldings create visual clutter that feels fussy rather than fancy. Winston-Salem kitchens burdened with these ornate cabinets often appear smaller and more cramped than they actually are.

Dark, cherry-toned finishes typically accompany these elaborate designs, further dating your space to the early 2000s Tuscan-inspired era. The intricate details also collect grease and dust in hard-to-clean crevices, making maintenance a constant challenge.

Many local homes still feature these ornate monstrosities with their curly corbels and cathedral arches. Replacing them with simpler designs instantly modernizes your kitchen while making it feel more spacious and serene.

3. Fluorescent Lighting Panels (Ditch)

Remember those large rectangular boxes with plastic diffusers that cast an unflattering, institutional glow across your kitchen? These fluorescent fixtures not only look commercial but also emit a harsh, bluish light that makes food and people look sickly.

The constant humming and occasional flickering add to their unpleasant nature. Plus, the yellowing plastic covers that inevitably develop over time create an instant time capsule to the 1980s not in a charming, retro way.

Winston-Salem designers have long abandoned these energy-inefficient eyesores. They create shadows in all the wrong places while failing to provide adequate task lighting where you actually need it for food prep and cooking.

4. Fake Wood Vinyl Floors (Ditch)

Vinyl flooring that unconvincingly mimics wood grain fools absolutely no one. These floors typically feature unrealistic patterns that repeat too frequently and have a plastic sheen that instantly signals “budget renovation.”

In Winston-Salem’s humid climate, cheap vinyl tends to curl at the edges and separate at the seams over time. The material also dents easily under heavy appliances and furniture, creating permanent impressions that can’t be repaired.

Many local homeowners installed these floors as a quick fix, but they ultimately detract from your home’s value. The thin material feels hollow underfoot and often makes an annoying clicking sound when walked on hardly the hallmark of an elegant kitchen worthy of your Winston-Salem home.

5. Heavy Window Valances (Ditch)

Those poufy fabric valances with swags, jabots, and tassels are collecting more dust than compliments in Winston-Salem kitchens. Often made from dated patterns or faux-silk materials, these heavy window treatments block natural light and make windows appear smaller than they actually are.

Kitchens in our area benefit from maximizing the beautiful North Carolina light. Yet these ornate window toppers, especially when paired with equally heavy side panels, create a stuffy, formal look that contradicts the welcoming atmosphere most homeowners desire.

Food odors and cooking grease inevitably permeate fabric window treatments in kitchens. The elaborate folds and pleats become impossible to clean properly, harboring years of cooking residue that no amount of fabric freshener can disguise.

6. Mismatched Appliance Finishes (Ditch)

A black refrigerator, white dishwasher, and almond-colored stove create a disjointed, unplanned appearance that instantly downgrades your kitchen’s elegance. This mix-and-match approach often results from replacing appliances one at a time as they break down, without considering the overall aesthetic.

Winston-Salem homes with cohesive design schemes consistently appraise higher. The visual chaos of different finishes makes even the most expensive appliances look like afterthoughts rather than intentional design choices.

Beyond just color, mixing different eras of appliance styles like a sleek modern refrigerator alongside a 90s-style range—creates an even more jarring effect. This hodgepodge approach signals to guests that your kitchen lacks thoughtful planning, the opposite of elegant design.

7. Quartz Countertops (Keep)

Quartz delivers that coveted marble look without the maintenance headaches, making it a favorite among Winston-Salem homeowners who entertain frequently. Unlike natural stone, these engineered surfaces resist staining from red wine, tomato sauce, and other kitchen culprits that would instantly damage marble.

The variety of patterns available now is truly impressive. From subtle veining that mimics Carrara marble to bold dramatic patterns that make a statement, there’s a quartz option for every design preference in our local market.

Durability is where quartz truly shines in busy family kitchens. It withstands our humid North Carolina climate without sealing, resists scratches from everyday use, and maintains its beauty for decades with minimal care—making it both practical and eternally elegant.

8. Clean Shaker Cabinets (Keep)

Shaker cabinets have earned their place as a Winston-Salem kitchen staple because of their chameleon-like ability to complement any style. Their simple, clean lines work beautifully whether your home leans farmhouse, modern, traditional, or transitional.

White shaker cabinets remain the most popular choice locally, but don’t overlook other options. Soft grays, navy blues, and even two-tone combinations (dark base cabinets with light uppers) are gaining traction in our area’s most stylish homes.

The beauty of this cabinet style lies in its versatility with hardware. The same shaker cabinet can look completely different when paired with brass cup pulls versus sleek modern handles. This adaptability means you can update your kitchen’s look years later simply by changing the hardware—a budget-friendly refresh.

9. Recessed LED Lighting (Keep)

Strategic placement of recessed lighting transforms Winston-Salem kitchens from dim caves to bright, functional workspaces. Unlike dated central fixtures, properly installed can lights eliminate shadows on countertops where you’re chopping vegetables or reading recipes.

Modern LED options offer tremendous flexibility with color temperature. Warmer lights (2700-3000K) create a cozy ambiance for evening entertaining, while cooler tones (3500-4000K) provide task lighting that helps you see true food colors when cooking.

Energy efficiency makes these fixtures especially valuable in our region’s older homes. Many Winston-Salem homeowners report significant savings after switching from outdated lighting. The slim profile of today’s recessed lights also works well in kitchens with lower ceilings, creating the illusion of more height without sacrificing illumination.

10. Real Hardwood or High-Quality Vinyl (Keep)

Authentic hardwood floors bring warmth and character that instantly elevates Winston-Salem kitchens. Oak remains the local favorite for its durability and ability to hide minor scratches, but walnut and hickory are gaining popularity for their distinctive grain patterns.

If hardwood exceeds your budget, today’s luxury vinyl planks (LVP) offer a surprisingly convincing alternative. The best options feature realistic embossed textures that actually feel like wood grain underfoot. Winston-Salem’s climate fluctuations make LVP particularly practical as it won’t expand and contract with humidity changes.

Both materials create a seamless flow when extended from the kitchen into adjacent living spaces. This design strategy makes smaller homes feel larger and more cohesive a smart approach in many of our area’s charming but compact historic properties.

11. Simple Roller or Roman Shades (Keep)

Clean-lined window treatments allow Winston-Salem’s beautiful natural light to take center stage while still providing privacy when needed. Unlike fussy valances, these minimalist options frame your windows without overwhelming them.

Practical benefits abound with these simpler styles. Both roller and Roman shades can be easily raised completely out of the way during the day, maximizing our region’s abundant sunshine. When lowered, their smooth surfaces resist trapping cooking odors and grease a significant advantage in kitchens.

Neutral fabrics with subtle textures work best in most Winston-Salem homes. Consider light-filtering rather than blackout materials for kitchens to maintain a bright, airy feel even when the shades are drawn. For added elegance, custom-fitted shades that mount inside the window frame create a tailored, architectural look that stock sizes can’t match.

12. Coordinated Stainless Appliances (Keep)

Matching stainless steel appliances create a cohesive, professional look that instantly communicates thoughtful design in Winston-Salem kitchens. The neutral metallic finish complements virtually any cabinet color or countertop material, making it the most versatile choice for long-term satisfaction.

While some predicted stainless would fade as a trend, it has instead become a modern classic. The fingerprint-resistant versions now available address the main complaint about traditional stainless, making maintenance much easier for busy households.

Local real estate agents consistently report that coordinated stainless appliances help Winston-Salem homes sell faster and for higher prices. If budget constraints prevent replacing all appliances at once, prioritize the refrigerator and range the most visible pieces and replace others as finances allow while maintaining the consistent finish.