Just like paint colors and denim styles, kitchen appliance trends come and go. While we're not suggesting expensive replacements every season, design experts typically recommend renovating your kitchen every 10 to 15 years. When it's time for your next renovation, it's important to choose state-of-the-art appliances that reflect not only how you use your kitchen, but also your personality. Choose long-lasting, stylish options and incorporate them wisely in ways that make cooking and cleaning a breeze. Avoid appliances that feel worn out or outdated.
Style is subjective, and one person's outdated trend may be another's new favorite, but we asked designers and kitchen appliance experts what to avoid and what to avoid. We spoke to the stylish alternatives you should consider instead.
stainless steel
Stainless steel appliances have been mainstream for decades. But you can say goodbye to this special cleaning spray (and good riddance). This finicky finish has lost its luster. It is prone to fingerprints, discoloration, rust, and is difficult to maintain.
Alternatives: Panel-enabled appliances or color appliances
customized finish: Panel-ready appliances, whose fronts are covered with custom cabinet doors and are designed to seamlessly match cabinets, are just one of the finishes taking the industry by storm. “Kitchen aesthetics continue to change dynamically as consumers seek customized finishes that reflect their style,” said Mark Hottenroth, executive director of industrial design for GE Appliances. says. GE's CAFÉ brand offers glass fronts, matte color palettes and customizable options to meet that demand, he added. “This allows customers to customize products to their liking rather than buying bulk items off-the-shelf,” he explains.
color story: In addition to matte white and black, bold, dark colors like emerald green home appliances are gaining popularity. Colin Chee, creator and creative director at Never Too Small, a media company specializing in space-saving design, says that you can match your appliances and cabinetry, or use contrasting colors and materials to It also states that you can create a unique focal point.
rose gold and copper hardware
Appliance manufacturers from CAFÉ to La Cornue have been offering knobs, pulls and handle options in rose gold and copper in recent years. But more exciting options are pushing these metals to the fringes.
Alternative: statement accent
metals in demand: Rose gold may be fading, but other metals like gold, brass, nickel, and oil-rubbed bronze are still mainstream in matte, satin, and brushed finishes. For example, Monogram, GE's luxury appliance line, features designer collections with sustainably sourced custom hoods, handles, and finishes in warm statement metals such as brass and titanium, says Monogram. said Richard T. Anuszkiewicz, creative director of luxury home appliances. These jewelry-inspired metals can be paired with solid-colored cabinetry and appliances for a cohesive look.
person who attracts attention: “Consumers want to maintain the aesthetic of their preferred style with hardware finishes that seamlessly match the rest of their kitchen, so color and unique metal finishes will continue to have a bold presence in kitchens in 2024 and beyond.” ,” says Anuszkiewicz.
gas oven
Manufacturers and home cooks are starting to rethink gas appliances. Not only is gas more expensive, it emits fumes that can negatively impact air quality and make it difficult to clean. “Some countries have taken steps or proposed plans to phase out gas appliances, such as the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Australia and some parts of the United States,” Chee said. Although most of the attention has been focused on stoves, ovens are also being reconsidered as part of gas ranges.
Alternative: electric wall oven
less fluctuation: This appliance allows for more precise cooking than cooking with gas, which is a big reason why many cooks and bakers prefer this appliance. Wall-mount your single or double oven so you don't have to bend over to remove a turkey or other heavy dishes. If you choose a double oven, you can cook different dishes at the same time.
size matters: To get the most out of your investment (and make future updates easier), choose a 30-inch electric wall oven, says Metin, CEO of Designer Appliances in Montclair, NJ. Ozkuzey says. Some manufacturers are discontinuing his 27-inch option.
traditional electric stove
“Electric coil stoves are obsolete,” Ozkuzy says. Traditional electric burners boil water faster than gas burners, but let's be honest: Scraping up burnt spills can be a pain, they're easy to scratch, and you might accidentally burn your hand on the coil. They are also less energy efficient than induction stoves.
Alternative: IH cooker
smart and simple: “Induction cooktops are gaining popularity and attention among beginners and professional chefs alike, as they allow them to create amazingly dynamic dishes with outstanding efficiency and ease,” says Hottenroth. said, noting that Monogram is expanding its professional range to 30 products. inch and 36 inch induction models. He added that high-end design and connectivity features make induction appliances the focal point of the kitchen, taking the guesswork out of cooking.
environmentally friendly: Induction cooktops are fast, accurate, easy to clean, and often affordable as well. The Inflation Control Act, which took effect in 2023, also provides rebate funding for households that install new appliances, including the latest induction stoves. “What I don't like about gas burners is that they are a much more sustainable option than gas burners,” Chee says.
commercial size refrigerator
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Sub-Zero and KitchenAid are among the many top brands that offer 48-inch French door models (more on these later). But bank-vault-style refrigerators aren't the only option, and that's not always the case, experts say. The most functional one for your family.
Alternative: Multiple small cooling appliances
small but mighty: Instead of one large refrigerator, some industry experts suggest purchasing a full-size refrigerator and a space-saving under-counter refrigerator/freezer drawer or beverage refrigerator on top. Some people do. “Don't let the size fool you; the drawers can hold a lot of items,” says Chee. He points out that you can also build a countertop over two bar heights or an under-counter refrigerator or freezer, which increases work space in a small kitchen.
Other benefits: Kids can get their drinks without getting in the way of the cook, and leftovers won't be hidden behind tons of condiments.
Above/below the refrigerator
Neither cutting-edge nor practical, single-door refrigerators with freezer compartments on top (or drawers on the bottom) are being overtaken by more functional multi-door models.
Alternative: French door refrigerator
pantry style: Many manufacturers offer models with French doors at the top and a freezer drawer at the bottom for their refrigerators. More door space for condiments and fresh items placed at eye level. The width of the door swing is also halved, allowing for more clearance if there is an island in front of the door. Opening the refrigerator door wide feels like opening the window of a luxury hotel.
4 or more: Oh, if you don't mind. more Look for configurations with four or five doors, and some manufacturers' models include temperature-controlled zones.
basic small home appliances
Getty / Liudmila Czernetska
Although not necessarily obsolete, small, single-function appliances such as toasters and toaster ovens are being replaced by more capable, microscopic appliances.
Small multi-purpose home appliances
Multifunctional: “Small countertop appliances with full-size functionality remain popular,” Hottenroth says, adding that the GE Profile Smart Oven (No Preheat) has 11 no-preheat cooking modes, including air frying, roasting, and pastry. It refers to multitasking functions such as. , pizza, high temperature.
time saving: “We expect these streamlined, compact appliances to continue to drive the industry forward and cater to consumers' on-the-go lifestyles,” he says.
kitchen triangle
Lourdes Balduk/Getty Images
For a long time, a triangle with a straight line between the sink, stove, and refrigerator has been the cornerstone of kitchen design. But instead of yesterday's solo home-cooked meals, the triangle has become obsolete as several family members prepare and lounge in the kitchen.
Alternative: Island with cooking zone
elbow room: Open-concept kitchens, especially those with multifunctional islands that incorporate appliances such as induction cooktops, allow more cooks to cook in the kitchen, as well as provide additional counter space and multiple cooking zones. can.
cooking zone: “When choosing an induction cooktop, choose one with a variety of cooking zones of different sizes, including an extra-large zone, a flexible zone (expands to accommodate any size pot), and a mini-cooking zone.” says Chee. .
