Don’t Give Your Kitchen’s Age Away

By Paulette Sodemann

The kitchen design industry is always evolving with design concepts and products to tempt us to remodel our kitchen from the floor to ceiling.  While I’m not against embracing the new and finding ways to keep a kitchen updated and functional, I believe you can’t go wrong with a timeless design.

What is timeless kitchen design?  As its name suggests, it’s a design that never goes out of style.  The key element in timeless design is a functional layout of the space.  You can have the most beautiful granite countertops or the most finely crafted millwork, but if the layout doesn’t allow for good flow, it is not timeless.  So before you splurge on expensive upgrades, make sure the floor plan is working for you.  Sometimes, homeowners want to save on their remodel by just making cosmetic changes.  But inevitably, they won’t be happy without functionality.

Once the kitchen layout is determined, the cabinetry and countertops are the dominant elements of the kitchen.  If you want a classic look, stay away from the overly ornate and trendy finishes.  Instead keep them neutral in color and with simple lines.  Cabinets in a warmer wood, such as cherry, have staying power.  Opt for cabinet door styles that are simple with a square (vs. arch) shape.  Use less detail on the doors and less decorative accents like corbels or carvings, which will date it over time.

When it comes to countertops, neutral is still the best choice for longevity.  There are beautiful variations in all countertop materials, even laminate.  With veining and movement (and even sparkle), countertops do not have to look bland to be timeless.  One color for granite countertops I have been using recently is ubatuba.  This is a green shade, but it can be a neutral because with its darker base tone, it complements many wood species.

Another classic is hardwood flooring, which never goes out of style.  It’s long lasting and with a hardwood, you do have the opportunity to change the stain or finish when you want to do something different.

One area where you can get creative with color and design is the kitchen backsplash.  Keep in mind that the more decorative or ornate accents you add to it will date it over time.  However, if you do want to display your flair, a backsplash is not an expensive piece to replace when you tire of it in five or 10 years.

Another way to add punch is with paint and accessories.  Your neutral main pieces will make the perfect backdrop for a splash of color.  Chair cushions, window treatments, even cabinet hardware and faucets are easily changeable and won’t break the budget when you want something to reflect current color or style trends.  A note about faucet finishes: a classic has always been chrome, as it’s never out of style.

To achieve a timeless kitchen, remember to keep a happy medium between looking gaudy or ornate and something so streamlined that it looks inexpensive.  An experienced kitchen Sales Design Consultant will help you choose pieces that will suit your style and that you will not grow tired of.