There are many different trends that have come and gone when it comes to kitchen decorating.
Some trends have been out of style for quite a while, such as harvest gold appliances and avocado green Formica countertops.
Learn about the kitchen trends that are out of style, going out of style, and classic that should not go out of style.
photo courtesy of The Residences at Manda flickr.com/photos/moresidencesatl/19696578075
Here is a list of more common kitchen decorating trends that are out of style.
Wallpaper or wallpaper borders
Unless you have installed an ultra glamorous and trendy wallpaper in the last 5 years, then chances are your kitchen walls are out of style.
Remove the wallpaper, texture, and paint.
Fake greenery on top of your kitchen cabinets
I know you may feel the need to cover every surface with a decorative item, but it is really unnecessary.
Fake greenery just collects dust that flies into your food and on your countertops every time you close your upper cabinets - yuck!
Clutter
Clutter in the kitchen has never really been in style or trendy, but it can definitely make even the most up to date and stylish kitchen out of style.
You do not need a sculpture of a rooster, a decorative plate that will never be used, or decorative jars of oil that will just get in the way.
Unless you use a particular small appliance at least once per week, take it off your countertops.
Kitchen items that are trendy, but NOT timeless
Here are a few items that are currently trendy, however probably not timeless.
If you choose to decorate using these items, expect that they will most likely go out of style in the next 5 - 10 years.
Trendy items include barn doors, pot racks, mason jars, inspirational phrases, faux finishes, over the range microhoods, distressed cabinets, and upper & lower cabinets or an island of different colors.
Timeless and trendy kitchen items
Lighting
If you want to decorate with something on top of your kitchen cabinets, add above cabinet and below cabinet lighting.
Add different lighting zones to your kitchen for different activities.
Make sure you can get your kitchen extremely bright for cleaning, but put your lights on dimmers to set an appropriate mood per your desired activity.
Functional accessories
If you want to add some color and texture through accessories in your kitchen, use accessories that are both functional and beautiful.
You can use clear glass jars for your sugar, flour, rice, beans, pasta, spices, or whatever you want to display.
Just make sure to fill your jars with items that you will actually use so they don't collect dust and take up valuable kitchen real estate.
You can also decorate with a trendy decorative tray or pretty basket to hold fruit on your kitchen island.
Natural materials
Man made materials are more likely to go out of style faster than natural materials.
Trendy laminate, ceramic tile, and other man made materials are made to be stylish, but can give away their age after a few years.
Decorate with natural stone or real wood if you want the style to be more timeless.
A large wood or bamboo cutting board propped up against a backsplash is a great way to have a natural functional accessory.
Green
Not the color green, but the eco-friendly trend to be more kind to mother nature.
Green kitchen trends include energy efficient appliances, eco-friendly floors, and no VOC paints.
Classic Materials
There are a few classic materials that have been used for many years and proved that they are somewhat timeless.
These items include standard sized white subway tile, medium brown stained wood floors, countertops made of granite or marble, natural lighting, and under cabinet lighting that illuminates kitchen countertops.
For more kitchen decorating ideas, see the video below:
