5 kitchen design choices that will never go out of style

You’re ready to remodel your kitchen, but which elements need saving and which scream for the scrap heap? If your kitchen features any of these classic design elements, consider keeping them around for the long haul. You’ll miss them once they’re gone because they’re timeless and add tons of appeal to the heart of your home. 

1. Architectural Detail

Kitchen islands or workstations that stand on decorative legs, crown molding above upper cabinets, and paneled range hoods — all decorative elements that never go out of style. Classic, yet beautiful, architectural elements stand the test of time and make your kitchen feel as though it was built a century ago. You can change out everything about your existing kitchen, but beautiful and classic details like these are keepers. 

Here are some additional examples and ideas for incorporating timeless architectural details in your kitchen design:

• Corbels and Brackets: Consider adding intricately designed corbels or brackets beneath your kitchen countertops or shelving to create a sense of visual interest and historical charm. Brands like Osborne Wood Products and Federal Brace offer a variety of decorative corbels and brackets suitable for different design aesthetics.
• Cabinet Columns: Integrate cabinet columns or pilasters on either side of your cabinetry to evoke a classic and luxurious appeal. Manufacturers such as Omega Cabinetry and Wellborn Cabinet offer customizable options for incorporating elegant column designs into your kitchen space.
• Wainscoting and Beadboard: Install wainscoting or beadboard paneling along the walls of your kitchen to infuse a touch of vintage elegance. Explore options from companies like Metrie and Elite Trimworks, known for their high-quality wainscoting and beadboard paneling products.
• Classic Molding Profiles: Choose timeless crown molding, baseboards, and chair rails from reputable manufacturers such as Fypon and Ornamental Moulding & Millwork to add a touch of sophistication and refinement to your kitchen space.
• Vintage-Inspired Range Hoods: Consider installing vintage-inspired or custom-designed range hoods from companies like CopperSmith and Vent-A-Hood to create a focal point that exudes timeless character and style.

2. Light-Colored Cabinetry

Dark-colored cabinets are trendy, but fleeting — especially for uppers. Plus, they make your kitchen feel smaller and more cramped. They’re also more difficult to pair with appliances, countertops, and flooring. Light-colored cabinetry, conversely, makes a nice, neutral palette around which your designer can easily build. Light-colored cabinetry is easier to paint, also. So, if you do tire of it eventually, changing colors will be less of an ordeal. 

Embrace hues like Swiss Coffee, Classic Gray, or Alabaster for a timeless and airy feel that effortlessly enhances the overall ambiance of your kitchen space.

3. Statement Hardware

If you’ve ever changed the hardware on your drawers and cabinets, you’ll understand this next element of classic design. Replacing the hardware that came with your cabinetry is the most economical way to modernize (or antique) your kitchen design. Hardware makes a huge statement for a relatively small price. But if you replace drawer pulls and cabinet knobs kitchen-wide, you’ll be blown away by how much of a difference they make in appearance and mood. 

Explore trending hardware options such as matte black pulls and knobs from companies like Top Knobs and Amerock, or opt for sleek and contemporary designs from brands like Emtek and Baldwin Hardware to add a touch of sophistication and style to your kitchen space. By investing in high-quality, well-designed hardware, you can elevate your kitchen’s charm and functionality with minimal effort and cost.

4. Easy-Care Countertops

Everyone loves natural stone because it’s beautiful, but countertops that require minimal care and upkeep will always be classics. Using quartz instead of marble or concrete in place of granite will net you that same gorgeous expanse of countertop without the hassle of sealing and resealing. Classic countertops crafted from quartz or concrete offer the same expansive and elegant appeal as their natural stone counterparts without the need for frequent sealing and resealing. Non-porous and resistant to scratches and stains, these durable surfaces ensure effortless usage and effortless clean-up, making them an ideal choice for any kitchen.

Explore options from leading manufacturers such as Cambria and Silestone for a wide range of colors, patterns:

• Britannica Gold: A striking design featuring warm gold veins and delicate gray marbling, evoking a sense of luxury and sophistication.
• Ella: A timeless and versatile option with a soft white background accented by subtle gray veining, creating a serene and elegant ambiance in any kitchen.
• Blackpool Matte: A bold and dramatic choice with a matte black surface showcasing minimal speckles, adding a modern and sleek touch to your countertop.

Silestone:

• Calacatta Gold: Emulating the luxurious appeal of natural Calacatta marble, this design boasts a white base with elegant gray veining, delivering a timeless and opulent aesthetic to your kitchen.
• Lagoon: Featuring a delicate blend of soft whites and gentle gray veins, this design exudes a sense of tranquility and refinement, adding a subtle yet sophisticated charm to your countertop.
• Kensho: With a contemporary gray backdrop and subtle white veins, this design offers a sleek and modern look that seamlessly complements various kitchen styles, creating a harmonious and inviting atmosphere.

These selections from Cambria and Silestone represent a diverse range of colors and patterns, allowing you to find the perfect countertop solution that not only enhances the visual appeal of your kitchen but also ensures long-lasting durability and easy maintenance.

5. Tons of Natural Light

Natural light makes small spaces feel bigger and improves your mood, too. Kitchens that feature lots of windows, a skylight, or even a solar tube will never be lacking in sunlight, even during the shortest days of winter. When your kitchen features a generous helping of outdoor light, it’s destined to become the family gathering space. You may change many design elements in your kitchen, but rarely do homeowners want to sacrifice an abundance of natural light. This makes natural lighting a classic design element that survives from generation to generation. 

When you’re ready to jump headfirst into your new kitchen remodel, partner with a designer or contractor who can help you decide which elements should stay. An outdated kitchen is depressing for sure, but losing design elements you love is an even bigger tragedy. And if your existing kitchen has nothing you feel is worth redemption, consider adding in these classic elements to create a timeless appeal you’ll love forever.