Stop! Don't Use These 8 Kitchen Cabinet Trends If You Want a Modern Look
As a new homeowner, I was eager to update my dated, 90s-era kitchen. But while house hunting I saw some real horrors - knotty pine everywhere, weird mismatched paint jobs, and enough ornate carved details to make my head spin. I realized I needed to educate myself on cabinet trends to avoid if I wanted a timeless, modern kitchen.
Whether you're doing a full remodel or just swapping out a few elements, steer clear of these trends stuck in the past.
Outdated Kitchen Cabinet Finishes to Avoid
During certain eras, many well-intentioned homeowners opted for cabinet finishes that seemed stylish at the time but very quickly looked outdated and worn. When selecting any finish, it's smart to think long-term.
Laminate and Linoleum
Laminate finishes involve adhering a plastic-like laminate layer over a substrate like particle board. But because the laminate isn't actually bonded to the surface, it is prone to peeling and chipping over time. Even when flawless, standard laminates have a distinctly dated, dingy appearance.
Similarly, linoleum adhesive finishes tend to yellow and deteriorate. Once associated with colorful, retro dinette sets, linoleum cabinets will make your kitchen look stuck in the past.
Painted Finishes
During the rise of HGTV and Fixer Upper's Chip and Joanna Gaines, painted cabinets surged in popularity. But certain painting techniques and finishes can appear very out-of-date very quickly.
For example, knotty pine cabinets treated with a dark glaze result in a messy, muddled effect. And intentional distressed paint finishes meant to look antique tend to read as artificially worn and chippy.
Mismatched painted cabinets with different colors on base and uppers look haphazard rather than collected. To avoid looking dated, opt for classic, evenly painted cabinets in timeless hues.
Cabinet Styles to Avoid
Certain cabinet shapes and details evoke very specific eras that read as outdated today. Stay away from styles defined by heavy ornamentation or kitschy finishes.
Ornate and Carved Cabinets
Victorian, French Provincial, and Tuscan style cabinets are marked by intricate carved details, inlays, and decorative accents. The ornate look tends to appear cluttered, particularly in smaller kitchens. Clean, simple lines feel more fresh and modern.
Shaker Style Cabinets
Shaker style cabinets with flat, recessed panel fronts and minimal ornamentation originated with Shaker religious minimalism. But today, the pared-down style can read as too plain and basic for most contemporary kitchens.
Simple flat slab cabinets with metal bar pulls offer a more updated take on the Shaker look.
Wood Types to Avoid
Certain wood species like knotty pine and oak were extremely popular for kitchen cabinets in decades past. But today, they evoke very strong retro vibes.
Knotty Pine
Knotty or rustic pine with visible knots was beloved in the 1970s for its laidback, cabin-like look. But beyond appearing dated, pine can be quite soft and splintery. The wood also doesn't take stain well, often appearing splotchy.
Oak
Likewise, oak reading as quintessentially 80s and 90s may be hard to overcome. For a warm, natural look that appears more current, consider wood species like cherry, maple, hickory, or walnut.
Colors to Avoid
Just as with clothing and home decor, certain kitchen cabinet colors scream "dated!" While personal taste matters most, some hues just don't have a timeless quality.
Avocado Green
Avocado green first gained popularity in the 1960s and 70s during the advent of avocado green appliances. But today, the strong green tone appears very dated and drab. For a touch of earthy green, try more modern hues like sage instead.
Dated Brights
Vibrant blues, oranges, and yellows tend to appear trendy in the moment but quickly look outdated. Colors lacking nuance generally don't stand the test of time. Opt for a more flexible palette of whites, blacks, grays, and natural wood tones.
When designing a kitchen meant to look modern for years to come, avoid cabinet finishes, styles, wood types, and colors with heavy retro vibes. Trends like knotty pine, laminate, and distressed paint try too hard to be clever.
Focus on clean, simple lines and a muted color palette for a timeless look. While temporary trends come and go, classics like Shaker-style cabinets in neutral hues will always remain in style.