Kitchen Design Expert Reveals 4 Outdated Trends That Make Your Home Look Dated
Interior design expert Looeeze Grossman has shared four kitchen trends that are now going out of style, potentially leaving your home looking dated and in need of a refresh. As a kitchen specialist and founder of The Used Kitchen Company, with two decades of experience trading used and ex-display kitchens, Grossman is an authority on home design trends. Her insights, originally reported by the Express, highlight key shifts in kitchen aesthetics that homeowners should consider for a modern update.
High Gloss Finishes Are Finished
After years of dominance, high gloss kitchen cupboards are heading for the exit. Sophisticated matte finishes are gaining popularity, offering a refined appearance that is also easier to maintain. There is reduced necessity to perpetually remove fingerprints and smudges that trouble high gloss doors, making matte options a practical choice.
Looeeze Grossman explained, "The softer, velvety finish creates a more upscale look that works with any décor and feels modern without all the upkeep. It's a smarter, more grown-up approach to kitchen design, and it's transforming homes up and down the country." This shift reflects a broader trend towards understated elegance in home interiors.
Breakfast Bars Are No Longer on Trend
Freestanding breakfast bars, once essential in contemporary kitchens, are now falling out of favour. Designed for relaxed mealtimes and convivial cooking sessions, these surfaces often end up as cluttered catch-alls for items like house keys, letters, and other daily essentials brought in from outdoors.
Currently, preferences are shifting towards built-in banquette seating, expandable dining tables, and ingeniously crafted peninsulas that preserve valuable floor area. According to Looeeze, the classic dining table is making a comeback in contemporary properties, replacing quick-bite breakfast bars for a more functional and stylish setup.
Scrap the Spotlights for Layered Lighting
Ceiling-fitted spotlights, previously a staple in contemporary kitchens, now represent an outdated approach to illumination. Looeeze Grossman noted, "They create harsh, flat lighting that doesn't do your kitchen any favours." Instead, today's kitchens require layered lighting schemes that mix spotlights with eye-catching pendant lights over islands or dining areas, adding depth, atmosphere, and real style.
Thanks to smart bulbs controllable via voice or phone, sophisticated lighting is easier and more affordable than ever, allowing adjustments in mood and brightness throughout the day. Additionally, switching to energy-efficient LEDs can provide significant financial benefits, making this update both stylish and economical.
Conceal Your Appliances for a Streamlined Look
Standalone appliances like fridges, cookers, or dishwashers on display can instantly age a kitchen. The trend now favours tucking away appliances for a streamlined, integrated appearance. Homebuyers desire polished kitchens with built-in appliances hidden behind cabinetry or sliding doors, which deliver sleek aesthetics and an air of sophistication that standalone units cannot match.
Even compact gadgets such as kettles and coffee makers should be concealed within cupboards. Looeeze Grossman advised, "If your dishwasher stands out like a sore thumb and your countertop is covered in clutter, it's time for a change. Forget just keeping up with the trends, it will create a space that feels expensive, functional and built to last."
Make It Practical with Strategic Storage
Kitchens dominated by floor-to-ceiling storage units might appear stunning in design studios, but the shortage of worktop space can quickly prove problematic. While such cabinetry provides ample room for storing groceries, it often leaves little space for food preparation.
Looeeze Grossman noted, "The most functional kitchens use tall units strategically, not lining entire walls, to ensure there is plenty of room for real cooking and living." If you find yourself constantly hunting for a spot to chop vegetables or rest a hot pan, those tall units may not be working effectively for your needs.
