Simple Design Choices That Never Go Out of Style

Today’s kitchens are a focal point of your home’s style and family life. We not only cook, but also dine, entertain, and relax with family and friends in the kitchen. Kitchens are often connected spaces that are either part of an open-plan first floor or else connect to adjacent living areas with open doorways. This means your kitchen’s style should also reflect your home’s design aesthetic, rather than being a purely functional space.

Since the kitchen is so visible and such a center for activity within the home, it is important that you select a style that fits your personal style but also will last for years to come. This is also essential since a complete kitchen remodel is truly an investment in your home’s value and in your lifestyle. You want to get the best return on this investment by choosing durable materials and a timeless design style that will be as relevant and high functioning in the years to come as it is on the day installation is complete.

Our guide to simple design choices that never go out of style is an ideal place to get inspired for your classic kitchen design. We have an experienced kitchen design team that can help you through the entire design process, from design concept to installation. If your remodeling plans require more than just a kitchen design, we can help you with a multi-space home remodel that will transform your living spaces into your dream home.

What is a classic design style?

While trends come and go, classic styles are here to stay. This doesn’t mean your kitchen design style will be boring, as classic styles provide a foundation for a home that will never go out of style. To keep it interesting you can layer some of the latest trends onto this classic foundation by changing accessories or other easy-to-alter design items.

By choosing a layout that works for your home and family and quality materials that are as durable as they are beautiful, you can be sure that your kitchen will fit your family’s needs for years to come. Make sure that you future-proof this by considering your family in 10-15 years’ time as well as today and aim to develop a kitchen design that can change as your family evolves over that period of time.

Unless you are really committed to an ultra-modern or ornate traditional look, then your best bet is to select simple styles and a base neutral color palette that have a timeless appeal. This means that items that are not as easily changed, such as cabinetry, flooring, tile, and countertops will always be in style and will fit your home’s design vibe even when you paint your living room and get a new couch. Dress this up with cabinet hardware, decorative items, towels, and more that add a touch of color and personality to your space. These items can be changed as often as you like to update your room’s aesthetic.

Lay a foundation for your classic design.

Layout: The layout is the foundation of any kitchen design, as it establishes the position of key work zones and the flow of traffic throughout your space. The kitchen layout determines where your cabinetry is positioned, how much storage you have, and where you will prepare food, cook, and clean up. This is also the point at which you decide if your existing kitchen footprint is sufficient for your needs. If it is not, then you might consider knocking down or moving a wall, or even bumping out a wall, to expand your kitchen.

If you get this step right, then the rest of your kitchen design decisions will fall into place more easily. An experienced kitchen designer can help you find the ideal layout that utilizes your space to create a kitchen that will meet your needs for years to come. Start by examining what you like and don’t like about your existing kitchen layout. Think about what you do in your kitchen, who uses the kitchen, and how you like to work in your kitchen. Make sure you accommodate these requirements in your new kitchen layout. Your layout should be personalized to how you plan to use your kitchen. If you love to bake, why not create a baking zone with room to roll out cookie dough, a mixer lift, and handy storage for all your baking supplies? If you entertain regularly, consider seating for guests and a beverage center.

Open-plan layouts are ideal for creating a truly multi-functional kitchen design that is connected to the rest of your home. An open-plan design facilitates an easy flow of traffic throughout your first floor and lets you chat with guests or keep an eye on the kids while you prepare food in the kitchen. Decide your personal style and find a layout that meets your needs.

Storage: no kitchen is complete without storage, and today’s kitchen storage is more customized than ever. By creating storage for all your needs, you will ensure that your classic kitchen design will be easy to clean and maintain over the years. Customized storage simplifies clearing up, which means your countertops remain clutter-free. It makes it easier to unpack groceries, and to see what items you need when preparing a shopping list. Storage solutions mean you can find the rainbow sprinkles or chocolate chips when you want to bake cookies and don’t have to go digging at the back of a disorganized pantry.

After you have decluttered, examine what you need to store in your kitchen. This is also the time to consider what you could store elsewhere, such as seasonal items that could be kept in the attic or a hall storage closet. You should also think about where you want key items stored. Do you want a separate, walk-in pantry or would you prefer to have pantry cabinets where everything is within arm’s reach?

Once you know what you need to store, find the ideal storage accessories to meet your needs. These storage solutions include deep drawers, drawer divider systems, pullouts, rollouts, tray dividers, corner storage solutions, trash can pullouts, and more. You could also balance closed storage with some open storage, such as floating shelves set against a ceiling-height backsplash.

Color Scheme: Neutral color schemes are always popular for kitchen designs, and it’s easy to see why. There is a range of neutral tones that are classic and versatile choices for kitchens, including white, off-white, beige, gray, and wood tones. These color choices work with any kitchen design style and also provide a perfect foundation for adding colorful touches with accessories.

A neutral color palette is far from boring but instead creates a classic style in a relaxing space.  If you decide to stick to a neutral color scheme, you could add depth to your design with texture and pattern. For example, choose a white countertop that has veining in an accent color such as gray, black, or gold. Select white or cream subway tiles for your backsplash but change it up by arranging them in a herringbone pattern or by choosing tiles with a textured surface.

If you feel that a completely neutral color scheme will be too flat for your personal style, consider changing this up by selecting one item in a bold accent color. For example, you could bring the two-tone cabinet trend into your kitchen by choosing island cabinetry in deep blue or sage green, set against classic white perimeter cabinets. Another option is to include a tile feature that draws attention to one section of your kitchen, such as the cooking area. If you opt for an accent color, be sure to select a color that you love and can live with for years to come, not one that happens to be in fashion this year.

Choose durable products that will never go out of style.

The products you choose for your kitchen design define your room’s style, functionality, durability, and ease of maintenance. For a timeless kitchen that has staying power, choose quality products that are durable and will stand the test of time.

Cabinetry: Cabinetry determines your kitchen’s layout and work zones and visually dominates your kitchen’s style. Select a classic style made from top-quality materials and construction techniques and your cabinetry will not disappoint! Shaker-style cabinetry has been popular for over a century and has not gone out of style during that time. Its simple lines fit any design style and make it easier to clean and maintain.

If you prefer a more modern style, go for slab doors but soften this modern look with natural wood tones rather than a glossy finish. Choose quality wood and components, such as hinges, for your cabinetry to be sure it lasts as long as your simple design style does.

Countertops: In a well-planned kitchen design your countertops can remain clutter-free and therefore stand out as a style focal point, serve as a place to create favorite meals, and offer room for casual dining or a glass of wine with friends. Since everything from hot items to sharp knives, grease splatters, and kids’ crayons hits your countertop, it pays to choose a quality material that is durable and easy to maintain. 

You can’t go wrong with engineered quartz for its nonporous, heat-resistant surface that can withstand almost anything you can throw at it. It comes in a wide range of colors and styles, so select a classic look such as white with veining that accents your color scheme and will never go out of style.

Sink: Kitchen sinks are the workhorse of the kitchen, where you clean food, wash hands, rinse dishes, wash pots and pans, and go for a drink of water. Sink styles have varied over time, from drop-in to undermount, single bowl to double, and in different materials.

When choosing a sink style with a timeless quality, a large, single-bowl sink will always work for any kitchen design. This could be a large, deep undermount sink or even a farmhouse, both of which work with a wide range of design styles. Stainless steel is a classic material for kitchen sinks, but white farmhouse sinks are also a popular choice that won’t go out of style.

You could take your sink one step further with a Galley Workstation. This multi-functional kitchen tool transforms your sink area into a revolutionary workspace that easily takes you from food prep to serving to clean up, with accessories that slide in and out. There are a range of Galley Workstations to fit your kitchen’s size and accessories in different materials to accent your design aesthetic.

Appliances: Appliances are essential to a busy kitchen design, where you need to store, cook, and reheat food, plus clean up dishes and silverware every day. If you are replacing your appliances as part of a kitchen remodel, it pays to choose quality models that meet your needs and will last. Look at the warranty available with different options when making your final choice.

Appliances also influence your kitchen’s style with their size, finish, and extra features like smart displays. Stainless is a classic option that is always in style, so you can’t go wrong with all stainless appliances throughout your kitchen design. Another classic choice is paneled appliances, where your appliances are covered by a panel that matches your kitchen cabinets. This gives your kitchen a cohesive look and ensures your appliances will be in style for at least as long as your cabinets are!

Backsplash: While your kitchen backsplash is essential to protect your walls from splashes and splatters, it also sits right at eye level and therefore influences your kitchen design style. Quality materials with a classic style are ideal for a backsplash, as well as surfaces that are easy to clean and maintain.

Tiles are a top choice for backsplashes, with subway tiles a front runner that has been around for over a century. Natural materials like stone tiles are a timeless choice, but keep in mind they do need to be carefully maintained and resealed over time.

Another top option that doesn’t seem to be going out of style any time soon is a slab backsplash. This surface has no seams, making it simple to wipe clean and leaving no grout lines to maintain. Choose a slab that matches your countertop for a cohesive look, especially in quartz as it will withstand every food splatter and be easy to maintain over the years.

Create a Timeless Kitchen with Simple Design Choices!

To create a kitchen design that will be durable, easy to maintain, and always in style, choose a simple style that has a timeless appeal. Start with a layout that works for your home and family, select quality materials and a neutral color palette that is always in style, and include design elements that are timeless such as Shaker cabinetry and quartz countertops. With a simple kitchen style that lasts, you will enjoy your new kitchen design for years to come!