A beautiful kitchen isn’t just about high-end finishes or pricey appliances – it’s often the small details that make or break the look.
According to interior designers, certain everyday items can quietly drag down your kitchen’s style, even if the rest of the space is well-designed. On the flip side, a few strategic swaps can instantly elevate the entire room.
If you’re aiming for a kitchen that feels polished and pulled together, knowing what to ditch (and what to add) is key. Here are 8 items that make your kitchen look cheap – and 8 that bring instant style.
1. Outdated Cabinet Hardware
Nothing screams “time capsule kitchen” quite like those brass knobs and pulls from decades past. When your cabinet hardware looks like it’s from another era, it drags down the entire room’s appearance.
Most design professionals recommend swapping these dated pieces for something more contemporary. Simple matte black, brushed nickel, or even leather pulls can instantly modernize your space without breaking the bank.
2. Fake Plants Collecting Dust
Ever walked into someone’s kitchen and spotted that dusty faux fern sitting atop the refrigerator? Artificial greenery that hasn’t been cleaned in months is a major designer pet peeve.
While live plants bring vibrant energy to your kitchen, their plastic counterparts often look tacky, especially when they’ve become dust collectors. If you can’t maintain real plants, designers suggest quality preserved options or simply going without.
3. Mismatched Appliances
Walking into a kitchen with a stainless steel refrigerator, a black microwave, and a white dishwasher creates an immediate sense of visual chaos. This hodgepodge approach to appliances screams “replaced as needed” rather than thoughtfully designed.
Interior experts suggest committing to one finish throughout your kitchen whenever possible. If budget constraints prevent a complete overhaul, consider appliance paint or peel-and-stick coverings as temporary solutions until you can achieve cohesion.
4. Cluttered Countertops
You might love displaying every gadget you own, but design professionals cringe at countertops overflowing with air fryers, blenders, and coffee makers.
This kitchen equivalent of hoarding makes even spacious areas feel cramped and chaotic. The solution? Be ruthless about what deserves precious counter real estate. Store rarely-used appliances in cabinets and leave out only daily essentials. Even luxury kitchens look bargain-basement when they’re drowning in clutter.
5. Visible Paper Towel Rolls
That cardboard tube of paper towels standing at attention on your counter might seem practical, but designers consistently rank it among the biggest visual offenders in kitchens. It’s essentially advertising household cleanup in your culinary space!
For a more sophisticated look, consider under-cabinet mounted dispensers or decorative holders that blend with your décor. Some design-forward homeowners have even switched to stylish cloth alternatives stored in attractive baskets.
6. Dated Light Fixtures
Remember those fluorescent box lights with the yellowing plastic covers? If they’re still illuminating your kitchen, designers unanimously agree they’re aging your space dramatically. Lighting sets the mood and can either elevate or downgrade your kitchen’s entire aesthetic.
Modern pendant lights, recessed fixtures, or even statement chandeliers can transform your culinary space from builder-grade basic to magazine-worthy. Even budget-friendly options from big box stores can look high-end when carefully selected.
7. Refrigerator Magnet Collections
While those souvenir magnets might hold precious memories from your travels, the visual chaos they create makes designers wince. Your refrigerator isn’t meant to be a scrapbook display, especially in today’s open-concept homes where kitchens are visible from living areas.
If you can’t bear to part with your collection, consider displaying just a few favorites or creating a dedicated memory wall elsewhere. Many high-end kitchens now feature panel-ready refrigerators specifically to eliminate this eyesore.
8. Exposed Microwave Placement
Plopping your microwave on the countertop might be convenient, but it’s a design faux pas that instantly cheapens your kitchen’s appearance. That bulky box eats up valuable work space while screaming “afterthought” rather than “intentional design.”
Contemporary kitchens typically incorporate microwaves into cabinetry, islands, or specialized built-ins. If renovation isn’t in your budget, consider a microwave shelf or dedicated cart that integrates better with your overall kitchen design.
1. Artisanal Wooden Cutting Boards
Those chunky wooden boards leaning against your backsplash aren’t just for chopping vegetables. When displayed as a collection, handcrafted cutting boards become instant kitchen art. Designers recommend mixing shapes, wood types, and sizes for visual interest.
Walnut, maple, and olive wood create stunning natural contrasts that scream ‘curated luxury’ rather than ‘kitchen tool’. The rich wood tones add warmth while the craftsmanship signals quality.
2. Copper Cookware Collection
Nothing whispers ‘serious cook with exquisite taste’ quite like copper pots and pans hanging from a ceiling rack. The warm, rosy glow of copper instantly elevates any kitchen from ordinary to extraordinary.
French chefs have sworn by copper for centuries, and designers love how the material develops a unique patina over time. Even a single statement piece – perhaps a large copper stockpot or vintage saucepan – can transform your space.
3. Moroccan Hand-Painted Ceramic Canisters
Forget those basic glass jars! Designers are obsessed with vibrant Moroccan ceramic canisters for storing kitchen essentials. These hand-painted beauties bring an unexpected pop of color and global sophistication to countertops.
The intricate patterns and jewel-toned glazes create instant visual interest. Their artisanal quality signals that you’re someone who appreciates craftsmanship and travels with an eye for unique treasures. Use them for storing coffee, tea, or spices – or simply as decorative objects.
4. Vintage Crystal Decanters
Who says crystal belongs only in dining rooms? Designers are placing vintage crystal decanters in kitchens to hold everyday cooking oils and vinegars. The unexpected elegance creates instant luxury. Light catches these faceted vessels magnificently, casting prismatic rainbows across countertops.
Even inexpensive olive oil looks like liquid gold when housed in a weighty crystal vessel. For maximum impact, group three different shapes together near your cooking zone.
5. Oversized Potted Citrus Tree
These living sculptures bring instant Mediterranean villa vibes to even the most ordinary spaces. Meyer lemon, calamondin orange, or kumquat trees in substantial terracotta pots create height, texture, and unexpected luxury.
The glossy leaves provide year-round structure while seasonal blossoms fill the air with an intoxicating fragrance.
6. Handblown Glass Pendant Lights
Mass-produced lighting screams builder-grade basic. Artisanal handblown glass pendants, however, function as functional art that transforms your kitchen into a custom showpiece. Each bubble, swirl, and slight irregularity in handblown glass tells the story of its creation.
Designers particularly love organically shaped fixtures in amber, smoke, or sea glass hues suspended over islands or sinks. Unlike perfectly matched sets, slightly varied handblown pendants create a collected-over-time aesthetic that wealthy homeowners pay decorators thousands to achieve.
7. Antique Silver Ice Bucket
The secret weapon in designer kitchens? An antique silver ice bucket repurposed as a utensil holder. This unexpected luxury item instantly elevates plastic spatulas into a sophisticated collection. Silver develops a gorgeous patina over time that signals heritage and history.
The tarnished finish actually works in your favor, creating depth and visual interest. Hunt estate sales for champagne buckets, trophy cups, or julep vessels – the quirkier the provenance, the better.
8. Framed Vintage Botanical Illustrations
Kitchens typically feature predictable art – if any at all. That’s precisely why designers love installing framed vintage botanical illustrations of herbs, fruits, or vegetables in unexpected places. These scholarly drawings bring historical gravitas and unexpected color to utilitarian spaces.
Frame them in simple black gallery frames for modern kitchens or ornate gold for traditional spaces. The key is creating a thoughtful grouping rather than a single lonely print. Source authentic 18th and 19th-century botanical plates from vintage bookshops or online print archives.