Whether you’re looking to design a kitchen in a new-construction home or are planning a remodel on your existing home’s kitchen, one fact remains: you want to make design choices that you’ll appreciate not just in the short term but years from now. Unfortunately, when you opt for kitchen design elements that are overly trendy, you can end up with a kitchen that looks outdated just a few years down the road.
The good news? Designing a timeless kitchen doesn’t have to be impossible. In fact, there are a number of simple steps you can keep in mind to give your new kitchen design a timeless look and feel while still having a little fun and inject some of your unique personality into it.
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1. Stick With Neutral Cabinets
One of the biggest purchases you’ll make when it comes to any kitchen design is your cabinetry. Not only is this an expensive purchase, but it will be among the most difficult to change if your kitchen begins to look outdated down the road. This is where it really pays off to stick with more neutral and classic cabinetry choices.
Consider shaker-style cabinetry, for example, which has been around for years and still delivers a beautiful and functional look. Rather than going bold with a different style of cabinetry, sticking to something tried-and-true can keep your kitchen looking timeless. The same applies to the colors you choose for your cabinetry; neutral colors (including whites, grays, and browns) will be the safest bet if you don’t want your cabinets to look outdated in just a few years.
2. Don’t Overlook the Layout
Ultimately, even the most beautiful kitchens will fail to stand up to the test of time if the overall layout/design doesn’t work well. This is why it’s so important to focus on creating a functional layout and making the most practical use of space in the earliest stages of your kitchen design project.
No matter what size space you’re working with in your kitchen design, try to stick to the design principles of the “kitchen triangle,” which consists of the sink, refrigerator, and oven. The idea here is that these three components should more or less be arranged in a triangular layout, creating an anchor of sorts that enables functionality in the kitchen.
Suppose you have a more complicated kitchen space to work with (such as a narrow galley kitchen or an L-shaped kitchen). In that case, you may benefit from working with a professional designer to ensure your layout is optimized before you go any further in the planning process.
3. Choose a Classic Flooring Material
Quality materials will go a long way in keeping your kitchen timeless and avoiding the need to make major repairs or renovations in the near future. This is especially true when it comes to your kitchen flooring. You’ll definitely want to choose something waterproof, as drips and spills are simply an everyday occurrence in most household kitchens.
Wood, stone, and porcelain are classic kitchen flooring options that you may want to consider. Wood provides a naturally beautiful look and feel to any kitchen, though it will require some maintenance and upkeep to protect it from the elements.
If you’re looking for a flooring option that’s just as timeless but more durable than wood, consider porcelain and stone flooring for your kitchen space. These are available in many styles and sizes, ranging from larger slabs to smaller tiles. Even porcelain and ceramic tiles are designed to look like wood, which can help you achieve that warm look and feel without having to worry about spills and moisture damage.
4. Keep Countertops Classic
Countertops are another important element of any kitchen design. To keep things timeless, it’s generally best to stick with classic and traditional countertop choices that will age well. This also means shying away from countertop choices that are bold in nature or color. You can’t go wrong with classic granite or marble for a timeless look. Butcher block is another material to consider for a more cost-effective countertop option that will stand the test of time.
Whatever you choose, you’ll want to make sure that your countertops will not only look great as the years progress but that they’ll also be durable enough to last in your kitchen. This is why natural stone and engineered Quartz stone countertops are such practical choices, as they require very little maintenance but are also resistant to heat, chipping, and other damage.
5. Opt for a Subtle Backsplash
When it comes time to select a backsplash for your kitchen, stick with something a little more subtle that will age gracefully. White subway tile is just one example of a backsplash material that has been popular for many years (and will likely not go out of style anytime soon). Another timeless design option to consider is running your stone countertop material seamlessly up the wall as a backsplash of its own.
As tempting as it may be to go with a bold tile for your kitchen backsplash, this isn’t a good idea if you’re trying to achieve a timeless kitchen design.
6. Get Creative With Fixtures and Accessories
Ultimately, designing a timeless kitchen boils down to sticking with tried-and-true styles and materials. Of course, this doesn’t have to take the fun and creativity out of the design process. Remember that you can always get more creative and adventurous with things that can be easily changed down the road. This includes:
- Fixtures (such as faucets and even lighting)
- Hardware (such as drawer pulls and cabinet knobs)
- Textiles (such as rugs and drapery)
- Artwork
These accessories can help you add your unique style and personality to your kitchen without detracting from its overall design or function. Plus, these things are relatively inexpensive to swap out as your own tastes change.
The Bottom Line on Designing a Timeless Kitchen
As you can see, there’s a lot to keep in mind when it comes to designing a kitchen that will withstand the test of time. By coming up with a timeless kitchen design, however, you’ll keep your space looking great for years to come while saving yourself a lot of money on renovations in the process.
Author Bio
Since 1988, Genrose has been working together with homeowners, architects, and designers to bring home, kitchen, and bathroom design ideas to life across New England and New York. Our core product offering includes tiles, slab stone, granite, quartz, pavers, and installation products.
