6 Kitchen Features That Are So Outdated, According to Designers

Although kitchen design and decor ultimately come down to your own personal taste, there are some telltale signs of an out-of-date space worth having on your radar.

We want kitchens that feel cozy and nostalgic—not antiquated. So from impractical appliances to trends taken too far, interior designers are here to spill on all the outdated kitchen features they’re ready to leave in the past.

Overly Industrial Spaces

Kitchen trends come and go—and while the metallic elements of an industrial kitchen once reigned as ultra-modern, designer Dominique Bonet says going too far with the look can start to feel sterile.

“The cold, factory-inspired look has been overdone, and homeowners are craving warmth and character,” Bonet explains. “High-shine stainless steel and chrome look stark and dated, and designers are now favoring softer, more natural textures.”

Instead of overusing metal materials, you can bring a sense of home back to your kitchen space through fresh, on-trend cabinetry in warm, earthy paint colors or cozy natural wood finishes.

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Dark Granite Countertops

Dark and moody colors are trending, and since countertops are a focal point in kitchens, you might think it makes sense to incorporate the trend through your surfaces—but interior designer Judi Cooper says there’s a certain old-school material that brings the room down instead of building atmosphere.

“Today’s kitchens lean toward warmth, lightness, and a sense of air and ease,” she says. “Dark granite, with its heavy-handed presence, is more dominating than a design statement—plus, it’s hard enough to keep a kitchen clean without chasing streaks and fingerprints across a glossy black countertop.”

For a countertop or island that will bring an inviting feeling to the space, consider a wooden butcher block, lighter variations of granite, or uniquely grained materials such as marble and quartz.

Double Islands

We all want kitchens that look and feel expensive, and although some moves, like installing curtains or extending your cabinetry to the ceiling, can do the trick in a timeless way, there’s one bold kitchen island look that feels less quiet luxury, and more outdated and over-the-top.

“The double island was supposed to be a sign of opulence, a ‘look how much space I have’ kind of thing,” Cooper says. “But good cooking—real cooking—is a dance, a rhythm. You move from the fridge to the stove, the stove to the sink, and the sink to the counter. Having a double island forces you to weave through unnecessary barriers like you’re running a culinary obstacle course.”

Above-Stove Microwaves

When working with a smaller-sized kitchen, one of the first tips you’ll often hear for making the space feel bigger is to utilize vertical space. But designer Richard Somerby warns stacking your microwave above the stovetop is an instant sign of an outdated kitchen, and could even prevent proper ventilation while cooking.

“I hate the look of over-the-stove microwaves that double as vent fans, and are hardly ever actually vented to the outside,” he says. “I always design kitchens with microwaves behind cabinet doors, and exhaust hoods that vent to the exterior when possible.”

Swapping out the microwave for a range hood has both aesthetic and practical benefits, and if your appliance needs a new place to call home, consider integrating it near your oven, into the kitchen island, or even placing it on your countertop.

Brightly Colored Fridges

Although Cooper is a fan of injecting the “wow” factor through sophisticated colors in countertops, cabinetry, or backsplashes, she believes brightly-colored large appliances, like retro-style refrigerators, catch eyes in all the wrong ways.

“Bright red, green, yellow appliances are too much for a working space, and throw off the balance of a well designed interior,” she says. “Stick with stainless steel or cabinet panels that look harmonious with the design of the kitchen.”

Another way to integrate your appliance for a sleek and modern look is through a built-in fridge look, which can be achieved through custom cabinetry or some clever DIYs.

Spinning Spice Racks

There are very few kitchen organization moments more satisfying than sorting out your spices— but Somerby says the once-popular tiered lazy Susans and rotating spice racks are officially out of date.

“Spinning spice racks take up much-needed space in kitchens, and don’t feel particularly sophisticated,” Somerby says. “You want to have easy access to the spices you regularly use, without having to spin one of these cumbersome contraptions.”

Luckily, this is a super-easy element to update. Instead of allowing an organizer to clutter up your countertop, opt for a drawer with dividers or install open shelves beside your stove to display your spices on.