The One DIY That Makes Your Kitchen Look Instantly Dated, According to Pros

Dream kitchens come in all shapes and sizes, from sleek industrial-style spaces to warm and cozy cottage-style ones. Whatever your dream kitchen looks like, though, there’s one word you probably don’t want to hear it described as: dated.

So what’s the difference between a kitchen that feels too of-its-time and one that feels timeless? Usually, it comes down to features that were made super popular for a brief amount of time, rather than features that have remained popular for long stretches.

If you’re thinking of making some changes in your kitchen that you’ll still love years from now, you probably want to avoid flash-in-the-pan trends and instead gravitate toward features that feel a little more timeless (and more you!). Here’s the one kitchen DIY designers say you should skip, and what to do instead.

The Dated DIY: White Cabinets Paired with Matte Black Hardware

Angular black hardware is popular, particularly when paired against white cabinetry and other finishes. It’s minimal, it’s striking, and it plays on a tried-and-true color combination. But according to Janelle Jordan, the Los Angeles, California-based founder of Deako Studios, this hallmark of modern farmhouse decor is an easy way to instantly date your home.

“Ten years from now everyone will know you redid your kitchen in 2019,” she says. “To be fair, this can be said of most niche kitchen trends in any period,” she adds, but says that the jarring contrast of black and white might not look as timeless as other combos.

Taylor Simon, an interior designer in Brooklyn, New York, agrees. She also understands why the DIY became popular, given that it’s relatively easy to layer on a few coats of paint and swap out existing cabinet hardware.

“I saw it starting back around 2019 when white, minimal spaces were all the rage,” she says. “Black as a neutral seemed like a safe choice and provided contrast against the all-white kitchens that were so popular.”

That doesn’t mean you need to completely repaint your white cabinets! Instead, try swapping out the hardware, which is a super easy DIY. If you want to try something that feels a little fresher, both designers are fans of metal tones, like a brushed-steel sink or a brass drawer pull. And if your heart is set on your angular black handles, Jordan recommends mixing up your metals throughout your kitchen to soften the overall look.

“I would make sure they are paired with warmer elements and various other textures,” she says. “For example, if you’re doing a matte black faucet, do not install black metal light fixtures as well.”

What Most Dates Your Kitchen: A Style That’s Different from the Rest of Your Home

The DIY that most instantly dates your home, though? The one that doesn’t feel like it fits. Mixing furniture and decor styles can create an eclectic space that feels very personal, but Los Angeles-based designer Maria Michelle, the founder of Mi Casa To Casa Studio, warns that DIYing based just on what’s trending — and not thinking about how the kitchen will flow with the rest of your home — will make the space instantly look dated.

“Remodeling a kitchen in a different style using inexpensive materials that don’t match the home’s original architectural design looks outdated,” she says. “Over time, it often creates a disconnect in the overall design of the home.”

Your kitchen doesn’t need to be a time capsule, but if you live in a 1940s Cape Cod, you might consider a more cottage-style approach to any kitchen upgrades; in an 1890s Victorian, you might want something that’s a little more ornate to match other details in your home.

“Creating spaces that stand the test of time is crucial, rather than constantly redoing them as new trends emerge,” says Michelle, who recommends taking time to think your more permanent renovations through and ask yourself, “Do I love this, or is this a trend?” If the answer is both, that’s okay, too! But skip anything that doesn’t feel like it fits you or the general style of your home.

One other piece of wisdom from Michelle: It’s OK to take your time. “Renovations should be slow, thoughtful, and guided by a vision that curates a proper functional space with a unique and lasting story,” she says.

Further Reading

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Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Article’s DTC Furniture

See How a Stager Used Paint to Transform a 1950s Living Room