35+ Infamous Kitchen Design Choices to Skip

In the realm of home improvement, the kitchen often takes center stage, becoming a magnet for trendy design choices and cutting-edge accessories. While it’s tempting to dive headfirst into the latest design fads, remember that the appeal of today’s trends can quickly fade, leaving you with an outdated cooking space you might regret.

Striking a balance between style and functionality is key. Instead of giving in to fleeting fashions, aim for a kitchen design that’s not just visually stunning but also timeless and practical. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the most commonly made design missteps you should avoid, ensuring that your kitchen remains a paragon of both function and style for years to come.

Brass Cabinet Handles

Do brass cabinet handles bring back a sense of nostalgia? Perhaps, but not the kind that says, “Oh, I’m effortlessly trendy.” These handles are more like the kitchen equivalent of a tacky ’80s sitcom. The brass tint makes them stick out like a disco ball in a minimalist room. Over time, their gleam fades, revealing wear and tear in all the wrong places. You can literally see which cabinets get raided for midnight snacks!

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What to do instead: switch to stainless steel handles. They’re sleek, stylish, and as enduring as your love for good food. Plus, they’ll harmonize with any modern kitchen, making your culinary space a true masterpiece.

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A Microwave Above Your Oven

Imagine the microwave above the oven as the villain in a kitchen drama. It’s always in the wrong place at the wrong time, suffering from heat strokes and grease attacks. Seriously, it’s like giving a front-row sauna ticket to an electronic device. The result? A microwave that not only loses its lifespan but also becomes a cleaning nightmare.

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That’s not even mentioning the fire hazard potential! What to do instead: Do yourself a favor and install an exhaust fan or a stylish range hood above the stove. It’s practical, it’s elegant, and most importantly, it won’t require a weekly grease scrubbing session.

Time To Ditch The Chevron

The chevron pattern is like that one-hit-wonder band from the 2000s—popular for a moment but not built to last. With its sharp angles and loud aesthetic, it screams “warning sign” more than “welcome home.” Besides, fashion is cyclical, but some cycles are better left in the past.

Kristin Lomauro Interior Design via www.yelp.com

Your kitchen should be a sanctuary, a place of comfort and style. What to do instead: Opt for more neutral, classic shades. Think earth tones or pastels, something that will stay in vogue regardless of the design trends du jour. These timeless colors offer an inviting vibe that turns your kitchen into everyone’s favorite room.

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Faux Fruit

Ah, faux fruit—the silent testimony to a bygone era where fake was fashionable. It’s like hanging onto VHS tapes in a streaming world. Why settle for plastic when nature’s bounty offers a beautiful, aromatic, and edible alternative?

What to do instead: Real fruits make for an inviting countertop display that’s a feast for the eyes and the stomach. And hey, there’s an added bonus—no one will attempt to take a chomp out of a foam apple. Real fruit says, “Yes, I adult successfully.” Faux Fruit says, “Welcome to the museum of outdated trends.”

Don’t Save Your Empty Bottles

Empty bottles lined up on a shelf may have had a ‘cool’ factor back in college, but now? It’s the decor equivalent of sporting a mullet—definitely questionable. And let’s be real: no one is impressed by your ability to consume liquids.

These bottles collect more dust than admiration. Plus, they’re essentially taking up valuable real estate where you could display something much more meaningful or stylish. What to do instead: Recycle those glass bottles. Your kitchen should be a showcase of your culinary prowess and good taste, not a glass graveyard.

Toss The Plastic

Remember those superhero-themed plastic plates from childhood? Ah, the memories! But let’s face it—unless you’re hosting a kid’s birthday party, those plates have no place at your dinner table. Picture serving a romantic dinner on a Spider-Man plate. Mood killer? Absolutely. Not to mention, plastic dishware contributes to environmental woes.

What to do instead: Invest in a set of classic white dishes. They’re versatile, affordable, and best of all, they let your culinary skills shine—not your affinity for caped crusaders.

TV Really Isn’t For A Home Kitchen

Think of your kitchen as a social hub—a sanctuary for family chats, culinary adventures, and memory-making. A TV in this space is as out of place as a bull in a china shop. Imagine trying to enjoy a heartfelt conversation over dinner, only to be interrupted by blaring commercials or a breaking news alert.

What to do instead: consider allocating entertainment zones elsewhere, like an outdoor patio for game-day thrills. Your kitchen should inspire conversations, not compete with reruns of reality shows.

Old Food Containers

Vintage tin containers might evoke a sense of nostalgia or even a “Mad Men” vibe, but let’s be real—your kitchen is not a 1960s ad agency. These containers lack practicality; they’re lidless, often rusting, and clash with any modern kitchen aesthetic.

What to do instead: If you’re a fan of vintage, consider repurposing them as garden planters or stashing them in the pantry. But keep them off your countertops unless you want your kitchen to look like a flea market.

Paper Plates Aren’t For Everyday Use

Paper plates are the one-night stands of tableware—convenient but not something to commit to. While they may be handy for picnics or backyard BBQs, relying on them daily screams, “I’m avoiding adulthood.” It’s neither classy nor eco-friendly.

In fact, it makes you look like you’re allergic to your dishwasher. What to do instead: For the love of the planet and your personal growth, let’s agree to reserve paper plates for special outdoor occasions and stick to reusable dishware inside.

Leave Window Valances In The Past

Remember those window valances that Grandma loved? They’re like the kitchen equivalent of a vintage perm—charming in old photos but cringeworthy today. Plus, they pose practical problems: they’re dust magnets and potential fire hazards.

With modern alternatives like chic blinds or window tints available, there’s no reason to drape your kitchen in dated decor. What to do instead: Go for something sleek, easy to maintain, and, above all, non-flammable. Your kitchen will look and feel lighter for it.

Luna Pearl Granite Counters

Luna Pearl granite, once a popular choice for kitchen countertops, is increasingly being viewed as a dated and unappealing option in modern kitchen design. Characterized by its speckled mix of gray and white, with small flecks of black, this material can give kitchens a busy, cluttered appearance. The high contrast in its pattern tends to overpower other design elements, making it difficult to achieve a cohesive look.

Moreover, Luna Pearl granite can appear cold and uninviting, lacking the warmth that many homeowners seek in their kitchen space. With contemporary kitchen design leaning towards minimalism and seamless aesthetics, Luna Pearl granite counters often stand out for the wrong reasons, clashing with both modern and traditional cabinetry. The trend is shifting towards solid colors or subtle veining, leaving Luna Pearl granite as a less favored choice for those seeking a stylish, contemporary kitchen.

Dark-Stained Wood Floors

Dark-stained wood floors, once a hallmark of luxury and elegance, can now come across as outdated and impractical in modern kitchens. While they aim to add a touch of sophistication, they often end up overpowering the room, especially in smaller spaces. These floors are notorious for showing every speck of dust, scratch, and footprint, demanding constant upkeep to maintain their appearance.

The dark hue can also make the kitchen feel smaller and less inviting, absorbing rather than reflecting light. As kitchen design trends move towards a brighter, airier aesthetic, dark-stained wood floors clash with the preferred palette of lighter woods and neutral tones. This choice can also limit your ability to update the kitchen in the future, as the floor’s imposing presence dictates the room’s color scheme and style. For a timeless, versatile look, lighter wood tones are increasingly favored, offering a more welcoming and low-maintenance option.

Tumbled Marble Isn’t A Great Look

Let’s talk about tumbled marble—those tiles made to look like they’ve survived a century. Maybe it’s okay for a rustic bathroom but in the kitchen? It’s a hard pass. Tumbled marble screams, “I’m trying too hard to look vintage!”

Besides, this finish doesn’t play well with cleanliness. You can’t scrub it like a whiteboard without ruining the grout. It’s like buying pre-ripped jeans, but worse—you wouldn’t want your kitchen surfaces to look ‘distressed,’ would you? What to do instead: Stick to classics like solid-colored tiles that bring elegance without the faux battle scars.

Lace Anything

Ah, lace! The epitome of 16th-century style, it is perfect if you’re staging a period drama but not if you’re trying to impress with your modern kitchen. Lace curtains may evoke a Victorian charm, but they’re flammable and a dust magnet.

Ever tried cleaning lace? Not fun. There are better ways to decorate your kitchen than to drape it in an outdated, fire-hazard fabric. What to do instead: Go for a clean, functional look that actually complements your 21st-century lifestyle.

Don’t Sand Your Cabinets

Remember when distressed cabinets were the height of kitchen chic? Time has moved on, but those scuffed cabinets haven’t. Psychology tells us that chaotic patterns can be stress-inducing. Do you want to feel like you’re in a thriller movie every time you reach for a snack? Probably not.

What to do instead: Treat your kitchen cabinets as you would the walls of your living room—solid, calming, and anything but distressed. Let’s reserve the drama for our Netflix queue, shall we?

Kitchen Desks

Okay, who had the brainwave to put a desk in the kitchen? If you did, no judgment, but it’s time to rethink that decision. A kitchen isn’t a WeWork space; it’s a sanctuary for cooking, eating, and making memories.

Between the clatter of pots and pans, it’s the last place you’d want to calculate your taxes. What to do instead: Why not transform that awkward desk space into something more functional? Perhaps a liquor cabinet or extra storage. Anything’s better than a clutter-collecting desk you’ll never use.

Doilies

Oh, the humble doily—those delicate, lacy relics that remind us of a time when sipping tea was a formal affair. Fast-forward to today and doilies are the home decor equivalent of an ’80s mullet: nostalgic but completely out of place.

Seriously, what purpose do they serve in a modern kitchen? Not only do they collect dust like a magnet, but they also give off strong “grandma’s house” vibes.What to do instead: If your goal is to protect your countertops or your wooden table, there are far better options: coasters, placemats, or even a simple kitchen towel will do the trick. Let’s keep our kitchens current and clutter-free; reserve the doilies for history books and vintage shops.

Revamp Old Wooden Cabinets

Don’t let your kitchen’s appearance be dragged down by wooden cabinets that haven’t seen an update in over a decade. Wood styles and finishes cycle in and out of trend frequently, meaning that your cabinets’ wood grain and stain may now be relics of the past.

Though a complete kitchen makeover might be tempting, it’s an expensive and time-consuming endeavor that depends greatly on your wood type. What to do instead: A quicker, more cost-effective solution is a fresh coat of neutral-colored paint. This will revamp the look and blend well with your existing decor.

Microwave Too Low

Have you ever noticed a microwave placed so low that it’s practically mingling with the hand towels? Yes, that’s a thing—a glaring oversight in kitchen design that screams inconvenience. Imagine the scene: you’re bending over or, worse, on your knees, just to heat up last night’s pizza. It’s not just a hassle; it’s a recipe for a kitchen design disaster. This arrangement doesn’t just test your patience; it also questions the functionality of the space. Your kitchen should be a haven of efficiency, not a limbo of awkward postures.

What to do instead: Elevate your microwave to a more accessible height. Aim for a setup where convenience meets modern aesthetics. An eye-level built-in microwave saves you from the unnecessary squat and seamlessly blends with your kitchen’s chic design, ensuring that heating up your gourmet leftovers is nothing short of a breeze.

Cabinet Not At The Right Height

Low-hanging cabinets, while seemingly convenient for easy access, often result in a visually cramped kitchen space. Sure, grabbing a plate becomes a breeze, but at what cost? The illusion of a reduced ceiling height and the consequent claustrophobic ambiance can transform even the most spacious kitchens into a suffocating box. Furthermore, this arrangement severely limits the counter space below, making your culinary creations a cramped affair. It’s a classic case of short-term convenience clashing with long-term design sensibility.

What to do instead: Opt for raising your cabinets. This simple yet transformative move not only enhances the overall sense of space but also infuses your kitchen with an airy, open vibe. Elevated cabinets extend the vertical lines of your kitchen, making it appear larger and more inviting. Plus, the additional counter space gained is a boon for both daily use and those ambitious weekend cooking projects. Elevate your cabinets, and watch your kitchen expand in both form and function.

Subway Tile

Subway tile as a backsplash? It’s the go-to trend for a quick kitchen facelift, but here’s the catch: it doesn’t always guarantee the aesthetic upgrade you’re hoping for. Perfect above marble countertops, its charm often diminishes when paired with wood surfaces. The stark contrast between the sleek, urban vibe of subway tiles and the warm, organic essence of wood can create a disjointed look, disrupting the kitchen’s cohesive design. It’s a classic example of a design solution not fitting every problem.

What to do instead: Ensure your backsplash complements your countertops. Rather than defaulting to subway tile for its popularity, consider the material and color of your counters. A harmonious backsplash enhances your kitchen’s design, unifying the space. For wood countertops, consider tiles that echo the warmth and natural texture of wood, or opt for a solid, neutral color that bridges the materials together. The right match will elevate your kitchen from a mix-and-match of trends to a seamlessly stylish culinary haven.

Rethink Wine-Themed Decorations

The vino-themed decor, otherwise known as wine-related decoration, can actually serve as a detriment to your kitchen’s aesthetic. Though you might think it adds a touch of sophistication, it often does the opposite, casting you in a light similar to someone with a dependency on evening drinks.

Furthermore, the use of oversized text or lettering on the walls is a decor faux pas that distracts rather than enhances. What to do instead: Reconsider this choice if you’re aiming for a more polished look.

Say No to All-White Appliances

While all-white appliances may seem like a clean, minimal choice, they are notoriously difficult to maintain. Every little stain, from spills to fingerprints, becomes immediately visible, requiring constant cleaning.

Furthermore, they exude a ’90s vibe, making your kitchen look dated and less luxurious. What to do instead: Stainless steel appliances are a modern alternative, offering a sleek look while being significantly easier to clean. Consider this upgrade the next time you’re appliance shopping.

Ditch Office-Style Fluorescent Lights

The sterile, harsh lighting provided by fluorescent bulbs may be suitable for an office setting, but it has no place in a kitchen. Such lighting casts an unflattering glow, making both the food and people in the space look less appealing.

What to do instead: Switching to warmer, softer lighting options can significantly enhance your kitchen’s ambiance. Plus, making this change doesn’t have to break the bank but will certainly be a valuable investment for any social events you host.

Replace Linoleum Flooring

Linoleum, the heat-resistant material that was once a go-to for kitchen floors and countertops, has lost its appeal. The material often comes off as cheap and outdated, especially if you have linoleum tiles that resemble a rubber mat. These tiles are also prone to water damage, leading to warping and separation over time.

What to do instead: If you’re fond of your linoleum’s design, many modern materials offer similar patterns but with vastly improved durability. A particularly worthy upgrade would be hardwood floors, which, although pricier, offer longevity and the ability to refinish.

Avoid Multiple Patterns

Patterns can add visual interest to a room, but in a kitchen, it’s usually best to approach with caution. A single pattern could soon go out of style, but combining multiple designs can be especially disastrous. The multiple patterns can clash and create a chaotic look, making your kitchen feel disorganized and overwhelming.

Moreover, the contradictory patterns can take attention away from the more functional aspects of your kitchen, like good lighting or ergonomic design. What to do instead: it’s wiser to choose solid, complementary colors that create a unified appearance, making the kitchen more inviting and easier on the eyes.

Limit Chandelier Usage

Chandeliers can provide a luxurious element to your kitchen. However, using more than one could easily be overkill, especially in smaller spaces where they can feel overpowering. Excess chandeliers can also create an imbalance in your lighting scheme, making everyday tasks harder.

Furthermore, chandeliers are notoriously difficult to clean, requiring regular dusting and occasional dismantling.What to do instead: Unless you’re prepared for this maintenance, limiting yourself to one chandelier and supplementing with more practical lighting solutions like recessed lights or under-cabinet lighting for a well-rounded and functional lighting plan is best.

No Need for Hanging Pots

The idea of hanging pots might seem like an appealing, chef-inspired design choice. However, unless you’re a professional in the kitchen, this look can come off as try-hard or pretentious. Besides adding visual clutter, hanging pots also accumulate dust and grease easily, presenting a less-than-appetizing sight for anyone entering your kitchen.

What to do instead: This style might work in professional kitchens where function outweighs aesthetics, but pots are best kept behind cabinet doors in a home setting. You’ll achieve a cleaner, more streamlined look that focuses on comfort and practicality.

Choose Uniform Chairs

When it comes to chairs, mismatched collections might seem creative, but they often detract from the dining experience. Different chair heights can make for awkward social dynamics, while differing styles can clash, creating visual disarray. Furthermore, unique or unusually shaped chairs might look interesting but can compromise comfort—a crucial factor during meals or social gatherings.

What to do instead: Stick to a more uniform chair style that complements your overall kitchen theme. The key here is to balance creativity with comfort and practicality, ensuring that everyone has an equally comfortable and aesthetically pleasing place to sit.

Stick to Coordinated Paint Colors

It’s easy to get carried away with a color wheel, but using multiple paint colors can overwhelm the kitchen space. Too many colors can feel chaotic, clash with your furnishings, and affect your mood adversely.

What to do instead: Stick to two or three complementary or neutral shades to create a harmonious atmosphere. This will make your space look more cohesive and prove to be more timeless, reducing the need for future makeovers. Neutral shades like beige, grey, or soft pastels can work beautifully in achieving a balanced look.

Skip Descriptive Signs

Descriptive signs, often seen in farmhouse or industrial styles, can sometimes come off as pretentious or unnecessary in a standard kitchen setting. These signs, while charming in a magazine layout, can consume wall space that could be used for artwork or functional shelves.

More importantly, these signs don’t usually add any valuable information; your guests already know they’re in a kitchen. What to do instead: Consider using that space to showcase beautiful utensils, artworks, or even a well-placed shelf with cookbooks and potted herbs for a more polished and functional decor approach.

Avoid Tuscan-Style Kitchens

With their warm hues and rustic finishes, Tuscan-style kitchens have been all the rage in upscale home construction. While they may evoke the ambiance of the Italian countryside, the fact remains that most people aren’t living in Tuscany. This design choice often seems disingenuous and can even come off as tacky, particularly when used in homes that have no architectural connection to Mediterranean aesthetics.

On the financial side, these kitchens are also usually more expensive to create in terms of materials and labor. What to do instead: For the investment required, you could likely opt for a more authentic and durable design that aligns with your actual locale and lifestyle.

Steer Clear of Half-Done Backsplashes

A backsplash serves a functional purpose in the kitchen, protecting the walls from spills and splatters. So, installing a short or half-done backsplash defeats the very purpose it is supposed to serve. Not only does it look unfinished, but it also gives an impression of cutting corners, potentially lowering the value of your home.

What to do instead: If you’re considering a backsplash, commit fully to it. Make sure it’s complete, reaches an appropriate height, and complements your kitchen’s overall design. The additional investment will pay off in terms of aesthetics, long-term durability, and ease of cleaning.

Skip the Industrial Kitchens

With its stainless-steel finishes and large appliances, the industrial kitchen trend may look modern, but it can easily veer into pretentious territory. You don’t need such massive installations unless you’re running a commercial-scale catering service from your home. They take up valuable space and are often less comfortable or functional than traditional designs.

What to do instead: For example, industrial-style chairs are generally less comfortable than their cozier counterparts. Instead of going full-on industrial, focus on creating a kitchen that combines both form and function in a balanced way, making it a more inviting place for everyone.

Don’t Overpopulate with Ferns

Plants can add a touch of freshness to your kitchen, but there’s a fine line between tasteful and excessive. Overloading your kitchen with ferns or any plant can crowd the space and create a cluttered appearance.

Additionally, plants can attract dust and may shed leaves, adding to your cleaning tasks. What to do instead: If you’re keen on incorporating greenery, consider low-maintenance options like succulents or herbs that you can actually use in cooking. Limit the number to one or two strategically placed plants that enhance rather than overwhelm the space.

Say No to Sliding Barn Doors

Sliding barn doors have become a trendy alternative to traditional doors, particularly in rural-themed or bohemian decors. However, these doors can seem wildly out of place unless your home has a farmhouse aesthetic. The function of a door in a kitchen is to offer privacy and compartmentalization, something easily achieved with a standard door.

Barn doors can sometimes compromise privacy and take up wall space where you might have placed furniture or art. What to do instead: Stick to a traditional door, perhaps with a glass panel to allow some light through, for a look that complements most interiors without seeming forced.

Avoid Travertine Tiles

Travertine tiles may have had their moment in the early 2000s, but their outdated look can make your kitchen appear stuck in time. These tiles not only have an old-fashioned aesthetic, but they are also highly porous.

This means they can easily absorb water, becoming a potential breeding ground for bacteria. The beachy, resort-like vibe they bring might be good for vacation homes but is generally not recommended for everyday kitchens. What to do instead: If you want a kitchen that screams modernity, it’s time to say goodbye to travertine tiles and opt for something more current.

Too Many Appliances on Counters

Countertop space is valuable real estate in a kitchen. Cluttering it with too many appliances not only looks messy but also limits your working area. If you’re guilty of keeping every gadget within arm’s reach, it’s time for a re-evaluation.

Reserve the counter space for appliances that you use daily, and put the rest away. It takes mere minutes to retrieve them when needed. Besides, mismatched appliances can disrupt your kitchen’s visual harmony. What to do instead: Prioritize function over convenience, and your kitchen will instantly look more organized.

Say No to Kitchen Figurines

Kitschy kitchen figurines may seem like harmless decor, but they can quickly make your space look tacky and cluttered. These decorative items serve no functional purpose and take up valuable counter or shelf space.

What to do instead: If you have sentimental figurines, consider storing them away and only displaying them during relevant occasions or when certain guests visit. A minimalist approach to kitchen decor lets your culinary skills shine and keeps the focus on functionality.

Using Mason Jars as Decorations

While mason jars are great for canning and even as drinking glasses, using them as decorations is a trend that has seen its day. Overutilizing mason jars for diverse purposes, from flower vases to light fixtures, can make your kitchen seem contrived or even tacky.

What to do instead: Keep your mason jars for what they were intended for—food storage and preservation. Opt for more suitable and stylish containers for other purposes.

Reconsider Speckled Granite

Speckled granite countertops can give your kitchen an outdated feel. The busy pattern tends to camouflage dirt and stains, making it difficult to maintain proper cleanliness. And if you have faux speckled granite, you’re not doing your kitchen any favors either.

It’s less durable than the real deal and can look artificial upon close inspection. What to do instead: If you’re going for a countertop change, explore other durable and chic options like quartz, polished granite, or even solid surfaces to give your kitchen a cleaner, more modern look.

Tiled Counters

Tiled countertops may evoke a sense of nostalgia for some, but unfortunately, they often resemble a bathroom more than a kitchen. The grout lines between the tiles are notorious for trapping food particles and becoming a breeding ground for bacteria.

Frequent scrubbing might remove the grime but also wear down the grout over time, creating a vicious cleaning cycle. What to do instead: With plenty of modern, hygienic options, like granite or hardwood, there’s no reason to choose tiled counters anymore. Make the switch for a sleeker and cleaner kitchen.

Open Shelves

Open shelves seem appealing for their minimalist aesthetic, but the reality is far less glamorous. Dust and grime quickly accumulate on openly displayed dishes or decorations, making them unsuitable for immediate use. The exposed setup also means it’s easy for the kitchen to look cluttered and disorganized.

The additional chore of frequent cleaning can be avoided by installing more cabinets, which offer cleaner and more functional storage. What to do instead: Cabinets allow you to stow away kitchenware easily, keeping them clean and ready for use without the extra fuss.

Produce or Farm Signs

While farm-style signs may initially seem charming, they often amount to nothing more than trend-driven clutter. These signs contribute little to the space unless you’re operating a farmer’s market from your kitchen.

They’re more likely to end up as short-lived decor that you’ll replace during your next kitchen renovation. What to do instead: Opt for a cleaner, less cluttered space instead. If you still desire a touch of personality, consider rotating seasonal decor that can be easily updated, offering a fresh look without committing to a permanent fixture.

Brightly Colored Fridges

Brightly colored refrigerators can bring a retro vibe to your kitchen but are not always a good fit. If the color scheme isn’t perfect, a colored fridge can become an eyesore rather than an accent piece. Even when the color fits, a brightly colored fridge can overpower other design elements, monopolizing attention in a space where the focus should be more balanced.

What to do instead: consider sticking with stainless steel or other neutral options. These are timeless choices that offer flexibility, allowing you to update your kitchen’s smaller decor items without worrying about clashing with large appliances.