Kitchen trends come and go, but some looks have a way of circling back when we least expect it.
Lately, designers are seeing a renewed love for traditional kitchens – think timeless details, craftsmanship, and warm, welcoming vibes. But not every throwback style is making the cut this time around.
Curious which classics are back in favor and which ones are staying in the past? Here are 8 traditional kitchens experts say are rising again, plus 7 that are fading fast.
1. Farmhouse Sinks with Modern Twists
Remember those deep, white apron-front sinks your grandmother cherished? They’re making a spectacular comeback, but with contemporary updates that make them even more practical.
Today’s farmhouse sinks come in materials ranging from fireclay and copper to natural stone, offering both durability and style. Many homeowners are pairing these statement pieces with modern fixtures for a perfect blend of old and new.
2. Butler’s Pantries for Extra Storage
What once served the staff in grand homes is now the secret weapon for today’s entertaining enthusiasts. Butler’s pantries—those dedicated prep and storage spaces between kitchen and dining areas—are experiencing a renaissance.
Unlike their utilitarian ancestors, modern versions feature glass-front cabinetry, specialized wine storage, and secondary sinks. These functional spaces keep the main kitchen clutter-free while providing dedicated areas for serving pieces and party essentials.
3. Freestanding Kitchen Islands
Gone are the days when every kitchen island needed to be built-in and matching. Freestanding islands that resemble furniture pieces are stealing the spotlight in today’s home design circles.
These movable workstations often feature antique or repurposed tables, baker’s cabinets, or custom pieces with turned legs and contrasting finishes. The unfitted look creates visual interest and flexibility, allowing homeowners to rearrange their kitchen layout as needs change.
4. Plate Racks and Open Shelving
Hiding away your beautiful dishes? Not anymore! The charming tradition of displaying everyday ceramics and special occasion china is returning to kitchens everywhere.
Built-in plate racks, either vertical or horizontal, showcase collections while keeping them easily accessible. Open shelving, particularly when crafted from warm wood or featuring decorative brackets, adds character that sterile cabinets simply can’t match.
5. Vintage-Inspired Ranges and Appliances
Sleek stainless steel is taking a backseat to appliances with personality and nostalgic charm. Manufacturers are responding to consumer demand with ranges and refrigerators that combine old-world aesthetics with modern technology.
Think colorful enamel finishes, brass or copper accents, and rounded edges reminiscent of 1940s and 50s kitchens. Even better? These retro-looking workhorses pack all the high-performance features today’s home chefs demand.
6. Walk-In Pantries with Custom Organization
Before the era of built-in cabinetry dominated kitchen design, dedicated pantry rooms were essential for food storage. Now they’re back—and better than ever!
Modern walk-in pantries feature custom shelving, countertop space for small appliances, and sometimes even sinks or coffee stations. Designers are incorporating traditional elements like screen doors, beadboard walls, and bin storage systems that recall general stores of yesteryear.
7. Separate Breakfast Nooks
While open concept has reigned supreme for decades, the cozy breakfast nook is staging a triumphant return. These intimate eating spaces carved out near windows or in kitchen corners provide charm that islands can’t replicate.
Built-in banquettes, pedestal tables, and pendant lighting create inviting spots for morning coffee or casual family meals. Many homeowners are incorporating vintage elements like wainscoting, bay windows, or cushioned bench seating to enhance the traditional feel.
8. Scullery-Style Utility Spaces
Doing dishes isn’t glamorous, but it can happen in a space with historical character! Sculleries—once the hardworking backrooms where the messiest kitchen tasks took place—are finding new relevance in luxury homes.
These secondary spaces typically feature deep utility sinks, extra dishwashers, and ample countertops for meal prep and cleanup. By separating these functional areas, homeowners can maintain a pristine main kitchen while embracing the practical wisdom of traditional home design.
1. Overhead Pot Racks with Copper Collections
Remember those dangling copper pots suspended from ornate ceiling racks? Kitchen experts now consider them dust collectors extraordinaire. The polished copper that once gleamed with pride now represents hours of maintenance and cleaning nightmares.
Modern kitchens favor streamlined storage solutions that keep cookware hidden yet accessible. Plus, those hanging pots created visual clutter that made kitchens feel smaller and more cramped than they actually were.
2. Wallpapered Soffits with Fruit Motifs
Fruit-patterned wallpaper adorning kitchen soffits was once the pinnacle of kitchen decoration. Cherries, apples, and grapes paraded around upper cabinets in homes across America, often paired with coordinating curtains and dish towels.
Contemporary kitchens embrace clean lines and cohesive design elements. Those fruit-festooned soffits now signal to potential homebuyers that a kitchen renovation is urgently needed.
3. Fluorescent Box Light Panels
The harsh, institutional glow of fluorescent box lighting once illuminated countless American kitchens. These plastic-covered ceiling panels were considered practical solutions for overall kitchen lighting, despite their unflattering blue-tinged light.
Modern kitchens feature layered lighting plans with recessed lights, pendants, and under-cabinet solutions. The era of cooking under lights that make food and people look equally unappetizing is firmly behind us.
4. Country Blue and Mauve Color Schemes
The 1980s and early 90s brought us kitchens drenched in country blue and mauve – from cabinets and countertops to appliances and floor tiles. This dusty color combination reigned supreme, often accompanied by heart-shaped cutouts and goose decorations.
Designers now place this color scheme firmly in the “never again” category. The specific, dated nature of these hues immediately time-stamps a kitchen to a particular era.
5. Telephone Desks Built Into Cabinetry
Built-in telephone nooks – those small desk areas carved into kitchen cabinetry – were once considered essential for the household command center. Complete with a pullout writing surface and cubby for the phone book, these mini-offices occupied prime kitchen real estate.
Cell phones have rendered these spaces completely obsolete. Homeowners now scratch their heads wondering what to do with these awkward cabinet interruptions that are too small for modern needs.
6. Under-Cabinet Televisions with VHS Players
Remember those clunky flip-down televisions mounted under kitchen cabinets? Often combined with a VHS player, these space-age innovations allowed cooking shows to be viewed while preparing dinner – if you could tolerate the neck strain.
Technology has rendered these specialized appliances completely obsolete. Their bulky appearance and limited screen size make designers cringe at old kitchen photos featuring these once-coveted additions.
7. Faux Ivy Vines Above Cabinets
Artificial greenery once flourished in American kitchens, particularly dusty fake ivy vines draped across cabinet tops. This attempt to bring “life” into kitchens ironically resulted in lifeless, dust-coated plastic that fooled absolutely no one.
Design experts unanimously reject this dated decorative trick. The space above cabinets is now either eliminated entirely with cabinets that reach the ceiling, or left intentionally clean and minimal.