6 kitchen design choices that instantly age your home—and what designers say to do instead

You may want to rehink that countertop choice.

In terms of both scale and budget, kitchen updates are some of the biggest projects homeowners take on. From appliances to backsplash to flooring, cabinetry, and beyond, every little detail comes together to create the finished project. After all that effort and money spent, the last thing you want is to look at your space in a couple of years—maybe even less—and feel like it’s already dated. To build out a stunning space that remains timeless, heed these interior designer warnings about common kitchen design decisions that can quickly date your space.

Related: 15 Things That Can Make or Break Your Kitchen Remodel, According to Realtors and Designers

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Going With Overt Themes

It seems like every decade has a kitchen theme (or two) that defines the era. Over the years, we’ve seen rooster kitchens, Tuscan flavor, vineyard motifs, apple overload, and goose mania—just to name a few. Anytime you go with a very rigid theme, especially based on a current trend, you risk an instantly dated kitchen. 

“While these elements can look appealing when the trend is at its peak, the space can quickly feel locked into a specific moment in time as design preferences shift,” warns Robert Aumann, luxury real estate advisor and interior design expert. “A better approach is to build the kitchen around timeless materials such as natural wood, stone, and classic cabinetry profiles, then incorporate one or two current trends through lighting, hardware, or decorative accents.” 

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Choosing Human-Made Countertops

Speaking of organic materials, a quick way to age a kitchen is to use human-made materials for your countertops. It may feel like a trendy choice or be a more budget-friendly option, but organic, timeless materials ultimately endure. 

“It was laminate in the ‘80s and ‘90s, and then quartz came onto the scene in the 2000s,” says interior designer Nicole Spurlock. “While these materials are attractively priced, the look just doesn’t hold up as well as their naturally occurring counterparts.” 

She steers her clients toward natural stone surfaces and reminds them that the oldest buildings in the world are decked out in stone that still looks stunning, even with an aged patina. 

03 of 06

Adding Showy Plumbing

Yep, even plumbing fixtures can succumb to the trend dilemma. And the problem is that these trendy showpieces are sold front-and-center, making them easy to grab and install. Peter Spalding, interior designer and co-founder of Daniel House Club, says people overestimate the importance of having the most show-stopping plumbing features. 

“You want something well-made, yes, but you don’t need a faucet that has a wheel like it is some kind of barn pulley, or whatever today’s equivalent to that is,” he says. “Be simple here and pick something in a common finish with nice lines. It doesn’t need to be 18 inches tall either, unless you really are cooking at an industrial scale.”

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Hanging Over-the-Top Light Fixtures

Similarly, light fixtures that practically double as art can make your kitchen look dated pretty quickly. These are fortunately easy to swap out if you do like the look, but if you want to start in a more timeless place, then Spalding says to skip ‘em.  

“I enjoy a good lighting package, but I stay away from choices where you walk into the room and your focus goes immediately to the light fixtures,” he says. “You may love your selection today, but I guarantee it’ll top the list of reasons you feel the impetus to call a designer for a whole makeover in less than a decade.”

05 of 06

Installing Cheap Appliances

Cheap appliances are a poor choice for kitchens for several reasons. Their mechanics aren’t as durable, which means they’ll go kaput more quickly and lead to usage headaches in the interim. They also tend to look more trendy versus timeless, Spurlock says. 

“I will always recommend reputable, well-made over cute. While I do think colored appliances have a time and a place, choosing a set of all white or all black appliances can scream ‘trend’ faster than it takes milk to spoil,” she says. “Stainless steel is timeless in most kitchen settings, and panel-ready is the higher-end, sleek option.” If you want color, she says to splurge on a high-quality range that suits your kitchen.

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Opting for a Wild Backsplash (Without Context)

Your kitchen backsplash is actually a great place to infuse a little drama and personality, but the key here is making sure it’s cohesive with everything else. Not just in the kitchen itself, but also within the context of your home. 

“The features your home already possesses, not your absolute favorite personal preferences, are the best cues to pay attention to when you’re planning something new,” Spalding advises. “Natural materials are pretty often long-term successes, but whatever is new, hot, and a little experimental is likely to be out before you know it.” 

Read the original article on Real Simple