6 Surprising Things That Are Making Your Kitchen Look Outdated, According to Designers
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
The kitchen might be the heart of your home, but it's also a major selling point. According to the National Association of Realtors, upgrading your kitchen is one of the most valuable investments you can make because it'll significantly increase the value of your home. In fact, the organization says sellers can often expect to have as much as 67 percent of the renovation fees recovered.
Even if you have zero interest in listing your home, sprucing up your kitchen will make your time cooking more considerably more enjoyable. Regardless of your level of culinary expertise, you likely spend a lot of time in your kitchen, so why settle for a subpar backsplash or a dishwasher that's on its last legs?
A beautiful kitchen can work wonders for your home, but don't forget that an outdated space can do the exact opposite: Not only can a musty, old-school kitchen drive your home's value down, but it can also make a task as simple as reheating leftovers feel burdensome. While rickety appliances and cracked tiles might be associated with a decrepit space, there may be some more subtle features you don't even realize are dating your home.
To help, we asked several designers to share the details that instantly make any kitchen look outdated—plus, how to fix them. Though their insights run the gamut between out-of-touch finishes and an old-school color scheme, one thing's for sure: You're just a few tweaks away from creating a timeless kitchen.
Outdated Appliances
While high-end appliances can make everything from meal prep to cleanup a lot easier, they can fall out of fashion rather quickly. "Nothing ages a kitchen faster than outdated appliances," says Colorado-based designer Emily Tucker. "With technology advancing so quickly, modern models can often replace two or three separate machines, making older designs feel instantly obsolete."
If you don't want to replace your refrigerator every few years, Tucker recommends paneling some larger appliances for a barely-there effect. Or, if you're looking to update your kitchen on a budget, Tucker recommends cleverly concealing your smaller gadgets. "Call me old-fashioned, but I love the idea of tucking a freestanding microwave inside a cabinet," she shares. "It keeps the space looking clean and uncluttered while still being easy to access when needed."
Lackluster Lighting
Never underestimate the power of good lighting—especially in your kitchen. Beyond flattering lighting, Cate Gutter of CWG Design says that the fixtures themselves can have some major sway in how timeless (or timed-out) your kitchen appears. For the Charlotte-based designer, hanging a bunch of smaller pendants above an island is so early-aughts. To keep up with modern times, Gutter recommends experimenting with scale.
"Swap them for two large, statement-making pendants or a sleek linear light for a more streamlined, modern look," she shares. If you'd like to give you fixture some more personality, Gutter recommends looking for pieces with a pop of color or a fabric shade. "It’s a quick and affordable way to brighten up your space and create a kitchen that feels warm, inviting, and ready to impress," she adds.
Piaf Oversized Chandelier
Overly Matchy Details
If you ask Caitlin Creer, matching every last detail of your kitchen—be it the countertops with the backsplash or your café curtains with your table linens—feels outdated and "boring." She says, "Think of your kitchen as a recipe and each ingredient should enhance the flavors and make something interesting and delicious. I always tell clients, we are trying for things to match, we want them to coordinate, there is a big difference."
To toe the line in style, consider sticking with a cohesive color palette but incorporating different textures through the backsplash, cabinets, and accessories. "Swap out ornate hardware for something sleeker, introduce natural textures like woven barstools or a softer stone," Chicago-based designer Tom Stringer says. "Think of it like accessorizing—sometimes, less really is more."
Nathan James Cohen Mid-Century Modern Leather Bar Stool
Silver Hardware
According to New York-based designer Thomas Jayne, a kitchen's timeliness lies in the details. "Hardware—especially kitchen faucets—can easily age a kitchen," he says. "Outlet covers are usually an afterthought, but white plates are also pretty noticeable and can feel a bit tired." While certain silhouettes can make the room feel outdated—for example, Jayne says angular "boomerang" pulls are out—the finish also matters.
If you want to make your kitchen feel modern, stay away overly shiny silver hardware like chrome, which is falling out of fashion in 2025. "You can go more simple or more decorative depending on the style, but I usually opt for subtle, timeless and antiqued finishes like aged brass," he recommends. "It can complement a variety of styles without becoming too much of a focal point." While you're at it, pick up some outlet plates in a matching finish for a chic, cohesive touch.
Overly Ornate Hoods
While a range's hood can improve air quality, reduce odors, and add some style, an old-school one will give your kitchen an antiquated look. "I often feel like kitchen hoods are so noticeably terrible, or ostentatious," Claire Staszak of Centered by Design. If you want to switch things up, Staszak says replacing or even removing a hood will "drastically change the overall feeling of a kitchen." She adds, "Aside from painting cabinets, it's a pretty actionable option with a big impact," she adds.
Sleek, ceramic hoods are having a moment now, but a metallic option like the one Staszak used above has timeless appeal.
A Bland Color Palette
When it comes to outdated kitchen features, designers agree that a poor choice of color is the biggest offender. "A monotone palette lacking depth or layers can drain a space of warmth and character, leaving it feeling uninspired and outdated," says Martha Lord of Boland Lord Design in Denver, Colorado.
Meanwhile, Creer says all-white kitchens are particularly stuck in yesteryear. "When a kitchen is white on white on white, for example, I think you miss out on the opportunity to create an original space that is actually designed," she says.
A simple switch? Repaint your cabinets. While a bold emerald green or a moody navy are great choice for a color-loving maximalist, even a warm cream can bring some extra depth to an otherwise all-white room.
You Might Also Like
