Embarking on a kitchen renovation can be a truly exciting endeavour, although it requires time, patience, and money. For this reason, you want to make sure that everything will turn out as you envision it and avoid small mistakes that will make your renovation an unmitigated disaster. 

When it comes to the way you design your kitchen, there are a few aesthetics that are going out of style this year, and you should steer clear of them so that your space doesn’t become outdated. Not all designs are meant to endure, and since a kitchen renovation can be pretty costly, it’s essential to approach this project with thoughtfulness and make decisions you won’t immediately regret.

Without further ado, here are some of the kitchen styles to skip this year and a few alternatives to consider instead. 

The All-White Kitchen

All-white kitchens have been all the rage among homeowners for quite a long time. If you have a small space or want to make a larger space feel brighter, opting for this colour scheme is a no-brainer; however, when it comes to practicality, this kitchen trend doesn’t necessarily offer the best results.

While it may seem beautiful and seamless, a white kitchen comes at a major upkeep cost, as the surfaces tend to show all the stains, spills, and smudges, requiring frequent cleaning to preserve their look. For homeowners with a busy household or young children, opting for an all-white kitchen can become a nightmare, causing a lot of frustration. 

Luckily, many alternatives to all-white kitchens allow you to balance beauty with functionality. Some of the hottest colours to consider for your kitchen renovation include sage green, soft taupe, forest green, deep blue, and cobalt blue, which are all tried-and-true hues that designers swear by and are guaranteed to turn your kitchen from boring to breathtaking. Even cheap kitchens can look sophisticated and give the impression that they are expensive with the right colour palette, so be sure to give thorough attention to this decision. 

Uniform Cabinetry & Shiny Finishes

If you’ve been keeping an eye on trends this year, you may know that upper cabinets are losing the popularity they once enjoyed. This is because they create a closed-in and bulky feel in the kitchen, especially if you have a smaller space. Instead of uniform cabinetry, homeowners are embracing a mix of closed storage and open shelving, as this is key in balancing style and functionality. Rather than opting for ultra-modern, high-gloss finishes, you can choose warmer, textured materials, as they can add character and depth to your culinary space, making them a better choice that will ensure a timeless look. 

Natural materials such as unlacquered brass, honed stone, and hand-glazed tiles are unique because they bring texture and warmth, and as a result, they can make the space feel more inviting. 

Perfectly Polished Design

Over the last year, the idea of a warm, lived-in kitchen has grown in popularity, and as a result, perfectly polished kitchens are no longer in style. The truth is that this type of kitchen can look unrealistic and doesn’t match the vibe of a space that is the heart of the home. A kitchen is a place where you gather with your loved ones, and it is often a little messy rather than flawless.

If you want to take this approach in your kitchen, a good way to do this is to bring in top-quality appliances and stunning decorative accents; however, you shouldn’t hesitate to be relaxed and authentic as well.  

Orange-Toned Wood Kitchen

Wood kitchens are still trendy nowadays, and for good reason, as they are among the most timeless materials for your scheme. However, not all tones of wood are still worth considering for your renovation this year. For instance, you want to avoid extremely warm, orange-toned wood, as it will make your space look outdated. Instead, it’s a good idea to opt for paler, more natural finishes, including bleached oak. Or you can consider deeper, richer wood stains, which are more inviting and sophisticated. 

As a general rule, more neutral wood tones, such as light oak or dark brown, are more enduring in the kitchen and also pair beautifully with different materials, colours, and finishes.  

An Overly Cluttered Style

Say goodbye to the cosy kitchen clutter vibe this year. While some kitchens can look good with the re-cluttering trend, if you have a cosier, smaller scheme, it’s best to avoid this style, because it will make your space look disorganised and messy, instead of the lived-in aesthetics you’re probably dreaming of. 

Try this instead: be more considerate about what you keep on display in the kitchen. For instance, you can introduce elevated kitchenware that can also serve as a piece of décor while offering a tidy finish. 

The Shabby Chic Trend

Gone are the days when the shabby chic trend was the go-to option for homeowners who wanted to add textural interest and rustic charm to their spaces. Overly distressed cabinets can feel contrived, so instead, you want to go for a more refined approach, which will allow the materials to age gracefully. For instance, you can’t go wrong with hand-painted cabinetry in grounding hues or a softly patinated timber finish that is timeless. 

You should also consider texture, which shouldn’t feel overly done or forced. Opting for fluted glass, richer earthy hues, and natural materials such as stone and wood will create visual interest timelessly and organically, making this a better approach for your kitchen renovation. 

The Bottom Line

No one wants a kitchen that feels dated, which is why it’s important to take your time when embarking on a renovation project for the heart of your home. One of the most important things to begin with when renovating is deciding on the style, and knowing what to avoid is as helpful as knowing what type of kitchens are in style this year. Ultimately, the goal is to create a space that you will never tire of, so keep in mind this advice to feel more confident about the decisions you’ll be making about the renovation.