I spend a lot of time in the kitchen, cooking, chatting, even just standing around with a cup of coffee. So when something in that space starts feeling off, I definitely notice.
And it turns out, a few common items we all have lying around might be quietly dragging the whole room down. According to top designers, some things can instantly cheapen your kitchen’s vibe, even if everything else is spotless.
If you’ve ever looked around and thought, Why doesn’t this space feel as nice as it should?, you’re not alone.
1. Mismatched Appliances
Nothing screams ‘unplanned kitchen’ like a white fridge next to a black stove and a stainless steel dishwasher. Professional designers always recommend sticking to one finish throughout.
If budget concerns prevent a complete overhaul, try painting older appliances with appliance-specific paint. Some companies even make peel-and-stick stainless steel covers that can create a cohesive look without breaking the bank.
2. Fake Fruit Displays
Those dusty plastic grapes might have been trendy in the 90s, but they’re now the hallmark of outdated decor. Fake fruit collects dust and immediately signals ‘fake’ to anyone who enters your kitchen.
Fresh fruit not only looks genuine but serves a practical purpose too! A bowl of real apples or lemons brings natural color and can be used in your cooking. Plus, you’ll never have to dust them – just eat and replace!
3. Cluttered Refrigerator Doors
Your collection of magnets, children’s artwork, and expired coupons might hold sentimental value, but they’re giving your kitchen a chaotic, messy appearance.
Designers universally agree that clean appliance surfaces look more expensive. Want to display those precious memories? Create a dedicated gallery wall elsewhere or use a bulletin board in a less prominent area.
Your fridge will instantly look more sleek, and your kitchen more intentional.
4. Outdated Cabinet Hardware
Those oak-and-brass knobs from 1992 are aging your kitchen faster than anything else. Hardware is like jewelry for your cabinets – when it’s outdated, everything looks cheap.
Switching out knobs and pulls is one of the most affordable kitchen upgrades with massive visual impact.
Modern matte black, brushed nickel, or even leather pulls can transform your space overnight. Measure your existing hardware first to ensure new pieces fit the same holes.
5. Visible Paper Towel Rolls
Paper towels might be necessary, but they’re essentially advertising on your counter. Those bright packages with bold logos instantly downgrade your kitchen’s aesthetic.
Consider hiding them in a pull-out drawer or investing in a stylish holder that complements your decor.
Some designers even recommend switching to cloth towels for everyday use, keeping paper towels hidden away for major spills. Your kitchen will immediately look more curated.
6. Over-The-Range Microwaves
Though convenient, that bulky microwave hanging above your stove is a designer’s nightmare. It creates visual heaviness and screams ‘builder-grade kitchen’ to anyone who visits.
Modern kitchens tuck microwaves into pantries, islands, or dedicated microwave drawers. If reconfiguration isn’t possible, at least choose a sleek, low-profile model in a finish that blends with your range.
Your kitchen will instantly appear more custom and less cookie-cutter.
7. Excess Countertop Appliances
Your bread maker, juicer, air fryer, and stand mixer might show off your culinary prowess, but they’re making your kitchen look cluttered and small.
Designers recommend displaying no more than 2-3 appliances. Store occasional-use gadgets in cabinets or a pantry.
If storage space is limited, consider which appliances truly earn their counter real estate based on daily use. Your countertops will suddenly appear larger, cleaner, and more luxurious.
8. Dated Light Fixtures
That flush-mount ‘boob light’ or 90s brass chandelier is telling everyone exactly when your kitchen was last updated. Lighting is like the earrings of your kitchen – when they’re outdated, everything else looks old too.
Updating overhead fixtures is surprisingly affordable and creates instant impact. Look for simple pendants or semi-flush mounts with clean lines.
Modern farmhouse, industrial, or minimalist styles offer timeless appeal that won’t look dated next year.
9. Themed Decor
Your collection of rooster figurines or that ‘Live Laugh Love’ sign might feel homey to you, but designers say themed kitchens look instantly cheap and dated.
Specific themes make spaces feel like a caricature rather than a sophisticated cooking area. Instead of going all-in on wine decor or farmhouse chickens, incorporate subtle nods to your interests.
A single vintage wine opener displayed artfully or one quality rooster painting makes more impact than dozens of themed items scattered throughout.
10. Rugs That Don’t Fit
That tiny 2×3 rug floating in front of your sink looks like an afterthought, not a design choice. Undersized rugs make kitchens look unplanned and haphazard.
For kitchen rugs, go bigger than you think – at least 3×5 for smaller spaces and 5×7 for larger areas. The rug should anchor the space, not drift in it.
And while we’re talking rugs, those plastic-feeling synthetic ones or anything with cutesy sayings should be the first to go!
11. Exposed Trash Cans
Nothing says ‘budget kitchen’ like a visible garbage bin. Even the most expensive trash can is still… trash. Modern kitchens conceal waste bins in pull-out cabinet systems or dedicated trash cabinets.
If renovation isn’t possible, invest in a slim, neutral-colored can with a tight-fitting lid that blends into your kitchen’s color scheme. Your kitchen will instantly feel more intentional and clean.
12. Excessive Open Shelving
While a few open shelves can look stylish, too many transform your kitchen into what looks like storage unit. Not everything deserves to be displayed, and maintaining perfect shelf styling is practically a part-time job.
Designers recommend limiting open shelving to 1-2 areas maximum. Display only your most attractive dishes and glassware, grouped by color or type.
Everything else belongs behind cabinet doors where real-life messiness can hide!
13. Countertop Dish Drainers
That plastic dish rack permanently stationed by your sink broadcasts ‘I don’t have a dishwasher’ – even if you do! Visible dish-drying stations make kitchens look unfinished and utilitarian rather than designed.
If you wash by hand, consider a roll-up dish drying rack that can be stored when not in use. Another option is an in-sink dish rack that disappears when you’re done. Your counters will look instantly cleaner and more purposeful.
14. Fluorescent Lighting
Those harsh overhead tubes are the fastest way to make your kitchen feel like a 1980s office break room. Fluorescent lighting casts unflattering shadows, makes food look unappetizing, and buzzes annoyingly.
Replace outdated fixtures with recessed can lights, pendants, or flush mounts using warm-toned LED bulbs. Under-cabinet lighting adds another layer that makes kitchens feel custom. Your space will instantly feel more welcoming and modern.
15. Vinyl Stick-On Backsplash
Those peel-and-stick ’tiles’ might have seemed like a budget-friendly solution, but designers spot them immediately.
They bubble at the edges, collect cooking grease in their seams, and generally look exactly like what they are – a temporary fix.
If real tile isn’t in the budget, consider beadboard, thermoplastic panels, or even a coat of semi-gloss paint. Your kitchen will look more intentional and less like a quick DIY project gone wrong.
16. Get Rid ASAP: Plastic Bag Collections
That bulging stash of grocery bags stuffed into another grocery bag (or worse, a special plastic bag holder) is the ultimate kitchen eyesore. They spill out, collect dust, and scream ‘clutter’ to anyone who visits.
Keep only a small number of bags in a drawer if you reuse them. Better yet, switch to reusable shopping bags and eliminate the collection entirely. Your kitchen will instantly feel more organized and intentional.
17. Get Rid ASAP: Countertop Clutter
Mail piles, random keys, loose change, and that collection of sauce packets from takeout orders are making your kitchen look like a junk drawer exploded.
Horizontal surfaces naturally attract clutter, but designers say this is a top cheap-looking offender. Create a dedicated drop zone elsewhere for daily items.
A small bowl for keys is fine, but paperwork and miscellaneous items should have homes outside the kitchen. Your counters will suddenly look twice as spacious.
18. Get Rid ASAP: Expired Pantry Items
Those ancient spices and mystery boxes at the back of your pantry aren’t just potentially unsafe—they’re taking up valuable space and creating visual chaos.
Expired food items make even expensive kitchens look neglected. Schedule a seasonal pantry purge to remove outdated items. Invest in clear containers for staples like flour and sugar.
Your pantry will function better, and if it has glass doors, it’ll actually become a design feature rather than something to hide.
19. Get Rid ASAP: Fridge Chaos
Open your refrigerator – what do you see? If it’s a jumble of half-empty condiments, mystery containers, and produce slowly turning to liquid, designers say this hidden chaos affects your whole kitchen vibe.
Even though the fridge interior is mostly hidden, its organization reflects your kitchen’s overall function.
Clear out expired items weekly. Use bins to group similar items. Your kitchen will feel more purposeful, and you’ll waste less food too!
20. Get Rid ASAP: Worn Dishtowels
Those stained, fraying kitchen towels hanging from your oven handle might be functional, but they’re dragging down your kitchen’s appearance faster than you realize.
Textiles are like the finishing touch in kitchen design. Replace dingy towels with fresh ones in colors that complement your kitchen. They’re inexpensive but make a noticeable difference.
Bonus tip: solid colors generally look more expensive than patterns with cutesy sayings or themed holiday designs.