Over-the-Range Microwaves
Those bulky over-the-range microwaves your parents installed in the 90s are now screaming “dated kitchen.” Over-the-range microwaves are a staple of many outdated kitchens, and this prominent display of the microwave is considered out of style. These days, OTR microwaves are being replaced with range hoods and double ovens with microwaves.
Over-the-range microwaves disrupt the visual flow of kitchens, and modern design emphasizes integrated, seamless appliances. In some cases, people don’t want things to just work properly; they want them to be hidden unless needed, too. Think about it like wearing a fanny pack to a fancy restaurant – technically functional, but completely wrong for the vibe you’re going for.
Single-Function Countertop Appliances
If you have a small cooking area, it’s best to avoid purchasing single-use countertop appliances, as they take up too much space in the kitchen. However, unlike space-saving multifunctional appliances, single-use countertop appliances are almost never worth the space they take up in small kitchens.
As cool as a popcorn popper or air fryer may be, chances are, you won’t use them nearly often enough to justify the counter space they’ll take up. When your counter space is at a premium, you can’t afford to waste it on gadgets and appliances you rarely use. Even countertop decor items may be hard to justify if they have too large a footprint. Your kitchen isn’t a showroom for every gadget that caught your eye on late-night shopping channels. Having a small space prevents you from wasting money and mindlessly filling your kitchen with expensive gadgets you’ll rarely or never use.
All-White Kitchen Everything
All-white kitchens became all the rage in the early 2020s, just as the realities of the pandemic took hold. People not only wanted airy, bright spaces to lift their moods, but also sterile rooms that felt especially clean and pristine. As the pandemic years are now behind us, folks are craving more natural, warmer elements to make the home feel cozier.
If you haven’t already heard, the all-white kitchen is out of trend for 2025. Gone are the days when full runs of stark cabinetry reigned supreme – instead, opting for warm neutrals or even wood finishes is the go-to. While timeless in theory, an entirely white kitchen can feel stark and lack depth. It’s like living inside a dental office – clean, yes, but hardly inspiring for your culinary adventures. All-white kitchens can feel sterile and impersonal, lacking the warmth and character that other design choices can bring. White surfaces also show dirt, fingerprints, and spills more easily, making upkeep challenging, especially in high-traffic areas.
Granite Countertops
Granite countertops were once considered the gold standard for luxury kitchens. While granite is durable and adds a natural look to the kitchen, its popularity has started to fade in favor of materials that are more versatile, lower-maintenance, and sustainable.
The truth is, granite requires more babying than a toddler having a meltdown. Marble countertops scream luxury… and stress. Sure, they’re beautiful, but they scratch, stain, and require more care than a spoiled house cat. Their impracticality has homeowners trading them in for materials that look just as sleek without the high maintenance. Quartz is leading the charge as the modern alternative.
Farmhouse Sinks
When Joanna Gaines took the world by storm in the early 2010s with her shiplap walls, reclaimed wood kitchen islands, and Americana flea market finds, people quickly followed suit. Whether you lived in the Midwest or the East Coast, fans of the style scrambled to recreate a decidedly Southern aesthetic. It didn’t matter that you lived in a condo in Ohio or a McMansion in Vermont — if you wanted your home to look like a southern farmhouse, you could use Gaines’ staples to recreate that look. And part of that look was using large farmhouse sinks.
But as more people move towards more contemporary designs (including Gaines herself!) the farmhouse sink is beginning to fall out of favor. Farmhouse sinks are losing popularity as their bulky design can dominate the kitchen space and doesn’t fit well with more modern, sleek designs. Nowadays, people want the sink to blend in with the room rather than stand out in it, which leads to an interesting design replacing the large basins. These oversized basins are like that friend who always dominates the conversation – impressive at first, but eventually you realize they’re taking up way too much space.
Glass Mosaic Tile Backsplashes
Glass mosaic tile was at the height of its popularity around a decade ago. That narrow, horizontal tile in varied sizes and colors offered an artistic feel and color or tone variation. Today, it’s tempting to continue using glass mosaic tile due to its affordability, making it easier to cover more square footage for less cost. A more current and stylish alternative to this widely available tile is glass subway tile.
Tiled backsplashes can be a beautiful and contemporary statement choice, or they can stand out for being the most outdated feature in your kitchen. Tile backsplashes with ornate contrasting patterns and decorative accent tiles are practically synonymous with the 1970s and 1980s. Busy kitchen decor has long been out of style, and that applies to busy backsplash tiles as well. Your backsplash shouldn’t look like a kaleidoscope exploded behind your stove.
Open Shelving
Open shelving was once the go-to design choice for creating an airy, modern kitchen with a rustic touch. Initially, it was seen as a way to display stylish dinnerware, decorative items, and sleek glassware. However, this trend has not aged well in terms of functionality and upkeep.
Open shelving often leads to clutter, as dishes, pots, and other items are left on display. It also makes cleaning more challenging, as dust, grease, and moisture accumulate on exposed items. For those with busy lives, the need for constant organization can feel like more of a burden than a benefit. Open shelving can be beautiful if styled aesthetically and for those who can maintain the dust and accumulation of clutter. For many, however, this concept is not sustainable. Unless you’re running a museum-quality kitchen where everything stays perfectly pristine, open shelving becomes a daily source of stress rather than style.
Traditional Orange Oak Cabinets
Like everyone else, we used to be obsessed with orange oak cupboards because of their natural appearance and warmth. Now, they look outdated and are hard to match to other features. You’re limited with the furniture you can integrate into these kitchens because the wood needs to match the cabinets for a harmonious feel.
Hardwood shaker-style cabinets are a fixture of many outdated homes. Just seeing them may remind you of your grandmother’s kitchen. Honey-colored oak cabinets, especially, are a symbol of 1980s and 1990s decor. While shaker cabinets are still very much in style, the natural wood finish is being phased out. These cabinets are like wearing your high school graduation outfit to a job interview – technically still clothing, but everyone can tell exactly when you peaked.
Over-the-Range Hood Fans
Current kitchen trends are shying away from large, traditional hoods and instead leaning into a more modern appearance. Hoods are disappearing, says Jennifer Dainelli from KDS. You’ll see them integrated into the wall finishes, and downdrafts will be big. Designers are taking the focus off the hood and making them seemingly disappear.
Those massive stainless steel range hoods that look like they belong in a commercial kitchen are becoming as outdated as those chunky cell phones from the early 2000s. Modern design is all about seamless integration rather than making a statement piece out of your ventilation system. It’s the difference between a subtle, sophisticated whisper and someone shouting “LOOK AT MY KITCHEN HOOD!” every time you walk into the room.
