No area of the home is quite as hyped as the kitchen. Given that it's where people cook, eat, socialize, open mail, and more (we'd wager some would sleep there if they could), it makes sense that people obsess over their kitchens being just right. And that means stocked with the right appliances and designed to reflect the latest and greatest styles.
And therein lies the rub: Jumping on board every trend (or sticking with an outdated look for too long) could be the death knell for your kitchen. For one, you may not really need a farmhouse sink or chef-level appliances; for another, these pricey purchases may be on their way out—and work against you once you put your home on the market.
All of which is a long-winded way of saying that having a kitchen designer chime in is worth its weight in gold ... and, to whet your appetite, and suggest some of the things that they know, here are some kitchen features they really wish you would ditch, either because they're outdated, impractical, or just terrible ideas altogether. Allow them to explain:
Enormous islands
Kitchen islands are still all the rage, but building one that's way too big is a mistake, notes Beverly Solomon, creative director of the eponymous design firm. "The islands I've seen are so huge they'd have names if they were in the ocean," she says. An island sized for everyday food prep and seating for a few people is sufficient. "Make this kitchen detail fit for a yacht, not an aircraft carrier."
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Restaurant-grade appliances
Sure, La Cornue is droolworthy, but not if you're an older couple who barely cook. "Grotesquely huge kitchens with opulent appliances are fine if you're making daily gourmet meals for a family of 35, but not for most of us who use the kitchen to slop out a bowl of cereal, make a sandwich, and heat up pizza," says Solomon. Instead, save your cash and carefully plan this room to be as midsize as possible, she suggests. "Get real—for the one or two meals a year when you're cooking for a lot of people, use the money you didn't spend on an enormous stove, and have the event catered."
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An all-wood design
Photo by Mike Smith / Artistic Kitchens
Less is more when using wood in the kitchen, says Nicola Croughan, an interior designer with Roman Blinds Direct. "A wooden workspace does look great against a plain white cabinet, and wood flooring warms the room and has charm, but all-wood cabinets are too hard to clean and will look dated fast," she explains.
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Too many gadgets
A standing mixer, toaster oven, rice cooker, steamer, and a pasta maker? "Investing in too many gimmicky appliances and gadgets will clutter your kitchen design and hog precious work space," says Croughan. Keep your kitchen looking functional and simple, putting out only the tools you use every day.
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White subway tile
Photo by Keough Stearns Interiors
Sure, it's clean and not too expensive to install, but subway tile has just about run its course, say the experts. "This look is overused in the kitchen—more people today want unique patterns and color to make a bigger impact in the space," says Jenny Gericke, an interior designer with Gather Home Design.
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Open shelves
Photo by Alice Lane Home Collection
One or two small open shelves as an accent are fine, but an entire kitchen full of them isn't workable, says Gericke: "This design isn't practical in most kitchens, because you lose storage space and end up struggling to keep everything superclean."
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Microwaves as ventilation
Homeowners need to get away from putting the microwave above the stove and using it as a ventilation system, states Sara Chiarilli, an interior designer with Artful Conceptions in Tampa, FL. "The microwave doesn't vent—it recirculates—so it's better to install a double oven with a convection microwave or put in a cabinet microwave elsewhere," Or skip the microwave completely! "With a return to cooking, millennials don't want this device taking up valuable space in the kitchen," says Gericke.
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Busy granite counters
"Patterns like Santa Cecilia have given way to more subtle looks and solid quartz counters," according to Jamie Gold, a San-Diego based certified kitchen designer. And whatever you do, don't put 12-inch tiles on your countertops. "It basically says, I wanted granite, but didn't want to pay for it," says Gold.
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Radiant cooktops
Photo by Darren James Interiors
The smooth surface looks sleek and appealing, but the design is fast becoming obsolete in today's kitchen, says Gold. "These electric appliances deliver no performance to the cook nor resale value for your home." Plus, they can be hard to clean. "Gas and induction have largely replaced radiant cooktops, with induction being the best choice, as it works as a professional-caliber replacement for electric," she adds.
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