6 Kitchen Design Styles That Are No Longer Trendy, Designers Share

If you’ve set a goal this year to tackle a kitchen remodel, you might be trying to figure out what styles and aesthetics speak to you. There are certainly an endless amount of kitchen design ideas available, but not all of them are in style, and some that once were in style have been passed up by time.

We spoke to several interior designers for the six kitchen styles they say are outdated to help you shift your focus to a personalized modern space.

All White Kitchens

In case you didn’t already know, the all white trend is severely outdated now. Especially in the kitchen.

“Although the clean slate look is appealing, there has been a lack of character in homes that people are trying to find again,” says interior designer Emily Hunter. “While the all white palette is always an option, homeowners are starting to add more color into their kitchen with backsplashes, island cabinets, rug runners and more to bring in the much-needed character.”

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Tuscan Overload

Remember those kitchens everyone seemed to have in the early 2000s that made you feel as if you were visiting Italy in your very own home? Yeah, those are greatly out of style now.

“While once considered luxurious, the heavy, opulent feel of this style now feels dark, busy, and overly detailed,” says interior designer Niki Cheng. “Today’s trends lean toward lighter, more minimalistic kitchens that embrace simpler, brighter colors with less ornate decoration.”

1990s Farmhouse Kitchens

Like the all white kitchens, today’s interior design trends are drifting far away from the widely popular farmhouse aesthetic everyone loved a few years ago.

“This style now feels overly nostalgic and outdated, as homeowners today favor more streamlined, modern aesthetics that are less cluttered and more functional. The orange-toned oak and busy patterns have fallen out of favor in favor of cleaner lines and neutral tones,” Cheng says.

But if you still love the farmhouse style, don’t worry—it’s not completely outdated. Now, the aesthetic has shifted to a modern approach that makes spaces feel more homey and cozy with natural textures and rich color palettes for a beautifully-styled kitchen.

Kitchens With Open Shelving

While practical, Hunter says one trend she’s starting to see dissolve in kitchens are those with open shelving, though it depends on how they’re used.

“Shelving units might seem like great storage space, but when they are open to the entire kitchen, they become a decorative element, meaning you can’t just put your Tupperware up,” she says.

Because of this need to maintain order in a space that will inevitably hold items you wish to hide, Hunter says she’s seen homeowners convert these open shelves with frosted glass panels to provide a little bit of chic privacy with less maintenance needs and dust.

2000s Cherry Wood and Granite Kitchen

While darker stained kitchen cabinets are coming back in style, the reddish tones from cherry wood cabinets are not what designers are using anymore.

Remember the once sought-after kitchen style from the early 2000s that featured dark cherry wood cabinets and granite countertops? Our experts say this style is best left in the past.

“The deep red tones of cherry wood now feel dated, and the vibrant granite doesn’t mesh well with the current preference for lighter, cleaner designs,” Cheng says. “Homeowners are opting for lighter wood tones and more neutral, solid-surface countertops to create brighter and more modern kitchens.”

Subway Tile Backsplashes

Lastly, one kitchen style our experts say you should ditch are those subway tiles you might still have as your kitchen backsplash. Why? Because they’re so widely used it takes away from giving your kitchen a custom look.

“Whenever I see this, it makes me think that the homeowner just settled on the first thing they saw in a tile shop,” says interior designer Melissa Fields. “You see subway everywhere and there are so many other tile options available that can be used for a unique and beautiful look.”