We all know Design Trends Trends tend to come and go, reflecting technological innovations and shifts in the cultural zeitgeist. As a brand, VERANDA has never advocated for a heavy reliance on a single “look” to shape an entire design scheme. We strongly prefer timeless and unique designs that don't go out of style, which would make every home look the same. (This brand filter is House Tour That said, as editors, we take seriously our responsibility to introduce new products and ideas, as long as they meet our standards of beautiful, high-quality design.
Our special approach is timeless and timeless. kitchen, Maximum investment space For most homeowners, this is a given, so we asked the designers who subscribe to our Designer Newsletter: Trade Secretsthey share the kitchen design ideas they love so much. (You can sign up for their newsletter for free. here) If you're planning a kitchen expansion or remodel anytime soon, here are 13 design ideas to ditch lest your space look outdated, out of style, or look like every other kitchen you saw on Instagram last week.
Double Island
As the kitchen becomes the home's primary gathering place, some luxury homeowners are designing their kitchens with two separate islands, one for cooking and the other for serving, eating and relaxing. Lisa SimopoulosThe Northern California-based company believes the increased focus on islands is going too far.
“A double island can feel like it divides the kitchen and makes you feel like you have to make a big hop to get around,” she says. “The problem is that 99.9% of us don't have a kitchen large enough to make a double island work, so go back to the basics of a practical, usable layout and have fun with the design and selection.”
Over Island Pendant Light
Until a few years ago, it was almost unthinkable to light a kitchen island with anything but a pendant light — usually multiple pendants, and often oversized. But designers are eschewing pendant lights over islands, favoring flush mounts, which are more discreet and have a less industrial feel.
“Sometimes a pendant over an island can feel like a heating station,” says the Austin-based interior designer. Kristen Nicks“There are cooler ways to light a kitchen with mono point lighting, small flush mounts, or single pendants that don't hang in pairs or sets of three.”
West Elm x PBK Stripe Ceramic Flush Mount
Isamu Noguchi Akari pendant lamp
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Pot Filler
This fixture has never been a favorite of designers, and is cited by many as an element they would like to eliminate from kitchen designs, mainly due to its questionable practicality in residential cooking spaces and the significant associated costs (such as additional plumbing).
“Although I've installed pot fillers in many projects over the years at the request of my clients, I have to admit that I never fully understood why a residential kitchen, especially a seasonal home, needed a pot filler,” says the Nantucket-based designer. Kathleen Hay“Sure, they help you fill the pots, but you still have to drag the heavy containers of boiling water over to the sink and drain them.”
That inconvenience could lead to less frequent use, maybe just a few times a year, says the Chicago-based designer. Tom Stringer“Have you ever filled a pot with water from a tap you haven't used in a year? Not a good idea,” he adds.The potential damage from leaks only complicates things, say designers in the San Francisco Bay area. Cory Alisa Ferris“If a leak occurs in the future, it could damage or destroy your stove.”
Accent Backsplash
Designers surveyed want to move away from accent or “statement” backsplashes behind the stove. Over the years, backsplashes have come in all different shapes, sizes and patterns, which is why designers are looking to ditch them. Backsplashes tend to “just make the kitchen look dated and don't really add impact,” says the Los Angeles-based designer. Linda Hayslettrecommends choosing tile or stone for the backsplash throughout your kitchen.
Similarly, New York-based designer Elizabeth Setser Sesser of Kligerman Architecture & Design advises against using murals for your kitchen backsplash: “You often see them in French country kitchens, with hand-painted tiles depicting bouquets of flowers or cornucopia. While beautiful, the artwork is unusual and won't stand the test of time,” Sesser says.
Touch-operated home appliances
Over the years, home appliances have become increasingly “smart.” Countertop appliances like refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, and even coffee makers can now be connected to smartphones and controlled remotely. This has led to an increase in the use of touchscreen controls and buttons. But according to some designers, these hyper-connected appliances come at the expense of aesthetics and feel.
“I prefer analog to digital,” says architect John Icke. Ike Baker Felten“I like knob ovens, not push buttons. Same with stoves. I don't like electronic taps.”
Instead, add colour and character to your kitchen with vintage or retro-inspired appliances and fixtures, which will add instant charm to an otherwise utilitarian space.
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Kingston Brass Antique Brass Faucet
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Unique Appliances Classic Retro Refrigerators
Open Shelf
This may seem harsh, but many designers strongly dislike open shelves in the kitchen. Nancy ParrishIn the end, it becomes less a question of aesthetics and more a question of cleanliness and maintenance.
“One of the biggest issues is the constant struggle to keep open shelves organized and clutter-free,” she says. “Unlike enclosed cabinets, which keep things out of sight, open shelves require meticulous de-cluttering to stay tidy. Not to mention, items on open shelves get dusty and oily more easily, so they need to be cleaned more frequently.” Stringer adds: “Who wants to eat a bowl of Cheerios that's full of dust?”
Waterfall Islands
Another design element that may be harder to dismiss than others is the waterfall island, with a stone countertop that extends down the sides to the floor. This style has been hugely popular in luxury kitchen design since the 2010s, but some designers are ready to take the next step.
“The basic waterfall island is outdated,” says the Chicago-based designer. Wendy LabrumInstead, he sees an opportunity to try something new: “There are still so many interesting design elements that can be created with marble and stone. As this trend tires, it will force designers, along with manufacturers, to get more creative.”
Double sink
Just because you know it doesn't mean it's the best design today, and that's how designers feel about the Double Sink sink.
“Some people insist on split sinks, but that's often because they grew up with them and are used to them,” says Ferris. “When the topic comes up, I always vehemently disagree because there's nothing good about them. They look cluttered, and unless you have a dishwasher, you don't need one.”
KOHLER Apron Front Single Basin Sink
Kraus Undermount Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink
DeerValley Fireclay Workstation Kitchen Sink
Glass arched hood
Designers are ready to do away with the glass-arched hoods that were once a symbol of cutting-edge contemporary design. “They're no longer as modern as people believe them to be. They make the space feel outdated and like it's 20 years old,” says Hayslett. “I love John Hughes movies, but I don't like my projects looking like they came from them.”
All brass finish
Designers (and design editors!) have long championed the idea of mixing finishes on kitchen hardware and fixtures. But while this is easy for some homeowners to embrace, it's hard for others to embrace. Designers are happy to see their clients favor warm tones like copper and brass, but some worry that an all-brass look is overdone.
“Recently, I've been feeling like I have too much brass in my kitchen,” says interior director Mia John. Kligerman Architecture & Design“Brass accents can be timeless, but if used on all the hardware, plumbing, light fixtures and hoods, it can become overdone and tiresome quickly.”
Instead, mix and match polished nickel fixtures, brass pulls and sculptural knobs to keep things interesting. Antique and vintage finishes are also great additions to your kitchen. Mix and match different finishes to create a more cohesive, layered look.
Face Knobs (Pack of 4) Mike Ruiz Serra
Atlas Homeware Victoria Collection Pull, Polished Nickel
Basic Subway Tile
Designers agree that classic subway tile will always be around. That said, many are ready to retire the white ceramic 3″ x 6″ version for kitchen backsplashes. “While the look is undoubtedly classic, by being classic it has become 'safe' and no longer reflects the homeowner's unique perspective or style or the home's architecture,” says the San Francisco-based designer. Emily Munro.
The designer encourages clients to consider subtle tweaks, like using colored grout (“We got great results with pink grout and white tile!”) or swapping out ceramic tile for a different material. “Thassos marble adds elegance and even a subtle shine in some places,” she says.
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Thassos White Marble Octagon and Blue Celeste Clover Tile
Bond Tile Southampton Ceramic Subway Wall Tile
Mahogany Cabinet
Recently, designers have been kitchen cabinet paint colors But I'm ready to move on from the dark stained mahogany cabinets.
“These types of cabinets always make a space feel smaller than it actually is and less inviting and warm,” says Hayslett. “In fact, they make the space feel more formal and less inviting to lounge in, so I would opt for something more interesting, like a tasty green or soft serve ice cream, rather than this type of cabinet.”
Built-in coffee machine
Coffee connoisseurs may balk, but designers are seriously questioning the wisdom of installing built-in coffee or espresso machines, and for good reason: installing such a big investment locks homeowners in.
“In my experience, customers prefer to freely embrace the latest advancements in these machines, and incorporating that is a long-term commitment that no one needs or wants,” Stringer says.
Instead, invest in a freestanding coffee or espresso machine that will last you for years to come (and that you can take with you if you ever move).
Smeg Espresso Coffee Machine
Jura E8 Automatic Coffee Machine
Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine
Steele Marcoux is Editor-in-Chief of VERANDA, covering design trends, architecture and travel for the brand.
