Some kitchen trends were never meant to last.
They had their moment. Maybe they made the kitchen feel cozy or playful or just a little more Pinterest-worthy. But today, most homeowners want something more grounded. More functional. More personal. That means letting go of a few well loved trends of the past.
Here are five kitchen trends we’re happy to leave behind, and what’s showing up instead. Note, to illustrate these trends, we used images generated from AI instead of real kitchens.
Because while we think these trends should go, we know there are many happy homeowners who love their kitchens just the way they are.
1. Overly Matching Finishes
Think all gray. All warm wood. All white.
Matching every surface used to feel like a safe choice. But when the floors, cabinets, backsplash, and counters all blend together, the kitchen starts to feel flat. And not in a minimal way.
Mixing materials adds depth and interest.
Try a soft white perimeter with a warm wood island. Add black hardware for contrast. You can still keep a simple palette, but with a mix of tones, textures, or sheens to make it feel layered.
Kitchen Trend Design Tip:
Change just one thing. A countertop with bold veining, a textured tile backsplash, or a statement finish on your island can shift the whole space.
2. Themed Kitchens
Chickens, lemons, sunflowers, wine. They’ve all had their time.
And we’re not just talking about a cute dish towel. Themed kitchens often include wallpaper, matching accessories, and even coordinating floor mats. Everything is picked to match the theme.
It might feel nostalgic, or maybe it’s easy to run to Target and buy everything from one collection, but themes can date a kitchen fast.
Kitchen Trend Design Tip:
Designers today help homeowners pick a style instead. That could be traditional, contemporary, farmhouse, or a blend. The focus is on how the kitchen looks, feels, and works—not how many matching items are on display.
Skip the motifs. Choose a direction.
A clear design style will always last longer than a trend.
3. Cheap Finishes
Laminate counters that pretend to be stone. Peel-and-stick brick walls or tile. Or worse, DIY’s that give landlord special instead of style.
Cheap finishes might look okay in photos, but they rarely feel good in person. They scratch, fade, peel, and often call more attention to what they’re imitating.
The cheaper and easier the solution, the worse it is bound to look.
Kitchen Trend Design Tip:
Keep design choices simple and elevated. Prioritize quality when you can, especially in large footprint items like cabinetry.
4. Upper Cabinets on Every Wall
For a long time, this was the go-to layout. Storage everywhere.
But lining every wall with uppers can make a kitchen feel boxed in, especially in smaller homes or spaces with lower ceilings. It crowds the walls and blocks the light.
More designers are opening things up. You can still have plenty of storage, just in smarter ways. Try tall pantry cabinets, wide base drawers, or even lift-up wall cabinets in key spots.
Kitchen Trend Design Tip:
Leave space for tile, floating shelves, or even just a clean wall. It brings more light and breathing room into the kitchen.
Storage alternatives that work well:
Drawers instead of doors
One wall of full-height pantry storage
Appliance garages to keep counters clear
5. Word Signs and Labels
“Kitchen.”
“Eat.”
“Live Laugh Love.”
You know where you are. You don’t need a sign to say it.
Text signs were everywhere for a while, but they’re on their way out. Kitchens are becoming more personal, more intentional, and a little less scripted.
Instead of filling space with words, people are choosing things that actually add meaning or texture. That might be vintage pottery, a simple art piece, or just a great light fixture.
Kitchen Trend Design Tip:
What to display instead:
Everyday items you love using
Open shelves with dishes or plants
Meaningful artwork or photos
- Interesting decorations with different colors and textures
The Kitchen Is Evolving
And it should.
You want your kitchen to feel thoughtful, calming, and useful. Not like it’s chasing trends from five years ago.
Let the themes go. Take down the signs. Choose real materials and leave a little room to breathe.
A better kitchen starts when you stop designing around trends and start designing for how you live.
