22 Signs Your Kitchen Is Outdated

“For example, English cottage style is becoming popular because of TV shows like Downton Abbey and Bridgerton. Chip and Jo Gaines single-handedly changed the cultural design world with their modern farmhouse aesthetic,” says Jones.

Before you start a massive kitchen renovation, there are a few ways you can easily update your space.

Denise Davies, the founder of D2 Interieurs, suggests that one of the quickest ways to update a kitchen is to replace the dated stainless steel blower hood with a statement piece that transforms the kitchen’s appearance, says

“Additionally, modern kitchens focus on minimizing clutter, with custom-built solutions that provide designated storage for everything, making the space both functional and stylish,” she adds.

And you should think about starting your kitchen with a timeless foundation.

“Elements like artwork, lighting, furniture, and even hardware can be updated over the years,” adds Davies. “However, keep the cabinets clean, light, and flat-paneled to maintain a timeless balance between form and function.”

Wondering if your kitchen is outdated? We asked interior designers to share the 22 biggest signs that your kitchen is due for an aesthetic refresh.

Sign #1: Knotty Pine or Orange Oak Cabinetry

Nothing screams 1970s more than this—it is the immediate sign of a dated kitchen, says Vicky Floros, founder of Vicky Floros Styling.

“These types of wood tones are not in line with the more neutral and muted timber people are opting for these days, which is easier to combine with many other natural materials like stone and quartz and feels a lot more zen,” she adds.

Sign #2: Closed-Off Spaces

Floros notes that while open-concept living isn’t as popular as it once was, a kitchen that is entirely closed off from the rest of the home is very dated.

“While the reasons used to be purely practical for having a separate kitchen, these days we crave connection, and the kitchen is the heart and soul of every home,” adds Floros. “Having it open to share the space with friends and family is a sign of modern living.”

Sign #3: Quirky Decorative Details

Outdated kitchens tend to have quirky decorative details such as corbels, columns, and cut-outs that may have been en vogue at the time of construction but no longer reflect the current residents’ tastes.

“Clients are looking for a sleek and minimalist look,” says Davies.

Sign #4: High Barstools and Countertops

The height of your kitchen’s countertops and barstools may make it look more outdated.

“Kitchens with high barstools and high countertops (42 inches) are outdated,” says Elana T. Cline, founder of Carta Creatives. “While nice to feel perched at the counter, having different levels with no visibility and view obstructions feels cluttered and not streamlined. More updated kitchen designs have lower, streamlined countertops (approximately 36 inches).”

This kitchen from Sam Sacks Design is both stylish and welcoming, thanks to its counter stools in a comfortable height. Guests can comfortably sit without towering too high and there is no visual obstruction of the stovetop area.

Sign #5: Upper Cabinetry

Modern kitchens are ditching upper cabinetry.

“Stylish kitchens these days do not have upper cabinetry,” says Davies. “Update the space by taking down the upper cabinets and replace them with artwork or photography. Since many of us are using kitchens as true living spaces, artwork will start a conversation.”

Sign #6: Dropped Ceilings With Fluorescent Lighting

The actual ceiling design of your kitchen may also be making it look outdated–specifically, dropped ceilings. And if you have fluorescent lighting in your kitchen, it’s another sign it’s time to modernize.

“Replace those outdated light fixtures and add task lighting. New pendant lights above the island and under mount lights add not only a warm glow but also a modern, updated touch,” says Davies. “Installing your lights on a dimmer can help set the mood and increase the life of your lightbulbs. When in doubt, always go for scale–bigger is better.”

Sign #7: Not Enough Counter Space

Not having enough counter space makes even a spacious, airy kitchen feel dated and less appealing to use.

“You want to ensure you have enough room for food prep as well as space for utensil holders,” says Cline. “Having beautiful decor and a few essentials out on the counter can also help your kitchen feel more thoughtfully designed.”

Sign #8: Having a Visible Microwave

Concealed microwaves have become more trendy compared to visible ones.

“Oftentimes microwaves are up high and right in your line of vision,” says Cline. “New appliance drawers that can be hidden under counters make them less visible from key viewpoints.”

Sign #9: Tiled Backsplashes

Intricately tiled backsplashes with great detail used to be in high demand.

“In recent years, clients like the sleek look of using a slab of marble, stone, or quartz that corresponds with the countertops,” says Kellie Sirna, founder of Studio 11 Design. “It creates a seamless look with the added benefit of being easier to maintain. An ornate tiled backsplash would be outdated.”

Sign #10: Granite Countertops

Although granite countertops were once a staple of luxury kitchens, now they are outdated, according to Sirna.

“The preference now is the look and durability of quartz or quartzite countertops,” she says. “These newer options are sleek, minimalist, and easier to maintain but still have that high-end luxe feel.”

Sign #11: Laminate or Tile Countertops

It’s not just granite that might be dating your kitchen.

“Countertops made from outdated materials like laminate with wood trim or tile with visible grout lines are clear indicators of an older kitchen,” says Ilaria Barion, owner and CEO at Barion Design. “Modern kitchens often feature materials like quartz or solid surface countertops for a more updated and sophisticated look.”

Sign #12: All-White Shaker Cabinets

While white is a classic kitchen color, this style of cabinets peaked in the early ‘10s.

“This style screams 2010, the peak of HGTV DIY kitchens where every kitchen had white shaker style cabinets and 3-by-6-inch subway tile with gray grout. The style quickly became overused and lacking in warmth and personality,” says Heather Vercellino, an interior designer based in Detroit, Michigan. “The use of soft wood tones like white oak and walnut mixed with a soft off-white is a beautiful combination to create a bright, inviting, and warm kitchen.”

Sign #13: Word Signs

Word signs like “live, laugh, love” are a dated style that cheapens the aesthetic of the kitchen, says Vercellino.

“The word signs feel gimmicky and signs are typically found at department stores on clearance racks,” she says. “As a designer, I would recommend finding unique pieces of artwork that speak to you and reflect your personal aesthetic.”

Sign #14: Oversized Can Lights

Can lights are still a popular choice for kitchen lighting, but it’s their size that may make your kitchen appear outdated.

“Functional lighting is needed in a kitchen, but turning your ceiling into Swiss cheese with 6-inch can lights dates back to the ’90s,” says Vercellino. “With modern technology and new LED applications, I recommend no larger than 4-inch can lights.”

Sign #15: Outdated hardware and fixtures

Over the years, trends with hardware and kitchen fixtures have evolved.

“The small details matter, and outdated hardware, such as brass handles, ornate faucet designs, or mismatched metal finishes, can instantly age a kitchen,” says Ginger Curtis, founder and CEO at Urbanology Designs. “Modern kitchens embrace sleek, minimalist hardware in finishes like matte black, brushed gold, or polished nickel. Additionally, fixtures that offer functionality, such as touchless faucets or soft-close cabinets, are now expected, and anything less can make a kitchen seem out of touch with contemporary design.”

This kitchen, designed by Liz Bonesio Interiors, stays true to its rustic roots thanks to the aesthetically consistent dark metal hardware featured throughout. It’s a streamlined detail that still manages to evoke coziness.

Sign #16: Hanging Pot Racks

Sorry Nancy Meyers fans, it’s time to put those pots and pans away for a more updated kitchen.

“There was a time when these were seen as a practical solution, but now they can make a kitchen feel a bit chaotic and cluttered,” says Malak Bellajdel, in-house interior design expert at Interior Moderna. “Modern designs have clean lines and hidden storage. Plus, this way your pots don’t get dusty.”

Sign #17: Intentionally Distressed Cabinets

Sleek paint is more on-trend than worn, distressed paint in the kitchen these days.

“The distressed look on painted cabinets screams early 2000s and needs to be updated,” says Mimi Meacham, founder and principal designer at Marian Louise Designs. “Kitchen design trends are now leaning toward cleaner lines and finishes. Luckily, it’s easy to refresh your cabinets with a new coat of paint and some updated hardware.”

Sign #18: Lack of Integrated Appliances

Integrated appliances that blend seamlessly into the counters and cabinetry are now a hallmark of contemporary kitchens, says senior designer Alexander Adducci with 210 Design House in Chicago, Illinois.

“In the past, standalone appliances were common, which could disrupt the visual harmony of a space,” he notes. “Today, the trend is toward a seamless appearance where appliances are paneled to match the cabinetry for a clean and cohesive look.”

Sign #19: Having a Homemaker’s Desk

This tiny nook not only takes up valuable space but also can give your kitchen an outdated appearance.

“Not only is the name sexist, it’s almost always taking up valuable real estate that is needed for pantry space, doesn’t include the charging stations that we need with today’s devices, and has become a dumping ground for everything that doesn’t have a home,” says Kathryn Murphy, interior designer at Kathryn Murphy Interiors. “I have yet to encounter a family that needs a tiny desk in their kitchen—but they always need more storage.”

Sign #20: “Hearth-Style” Vent Hoods

Oven vents in this style are no longer on trend.

“Wide, Tuscan or ‘hearth-style’ vent hoods are from days past,” says Bambi A’Lynn Bratton of Bambi A’Lynn Interior Design. “They make a kitchen look clunky and take up valuable ceiling real estate, where you want to let the kitchen breathe. Instead of a clunky vent hood, I like a more streamlined design that draws the eye upward toward the light.”

Sign #21: Traditional Dining Areas

The formal dining room has increasingly been replaced by more casual, integrated dining areas within the kitchen.

“A kitchen that still adheres to a strict separation between cooking and dining areas may feel outdated,” adds Curtis. “Modern kitchens often incorporate casual dining spaces like breakfast nooks, eat-in counters, or banquette seating that promote a more relaxed, communal atmosphere. A traditional dining area that is rarely used can make the kitchen feel disconnected from the way people live today.”

We love the idea of offering multiple seating options within one kitchen space—especially if you frequently entertain. This airy eat-in kitchen designed by Nicole Cohen has a grand terrazzo dining table along with counter stools to accommodate both formal and casual meals.

Sign #22: Lack of Cohesive Materials

Streamline all of the materials in your kitchen to keep it modern.

“When materials don’t harmonize—like mismatched countertops and cabinetry—the kitchen can feel disjointed and outdated,” says Mary Catherine Jones of In Site Designs. “Enhance the character of your kitchen by selecting a cohesive palette of materials that complement each other. Blend natural stones, metals, and woods for a look that’s both timeless and true to the space’s unique personality.”

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Emily Shiffer has worked as a writer for over 10 years, covering everything from health and wellness to entertainment and celebrities. She previously was on staff at SUCCESS, Men’s Health, and Prevention magazines. Her freelance writing has been featured in Women’s Health, Runner’s World, PEOPLE, and more. Emily is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she majored in magazine journalism at the Medill School of Journalism and minored in musicology. Currently residing in Charleston, South Carolina, Emily enjoys instructing barre, surfing, and long walks on the beach with her miniature Dachshund, Gertrude.