5 Dated Kitchen Appliance Trends That Are Ruining Your Decor

Is something feeling off about your kitchen design? If the answer is yes, it’s worth checking to see if any of these dated kitchen hardware trends are dragging down the look of your kitchen. Your hardware may be a small detail in your space, but it has a huge impact on the overall look of your designs.

While recent kitchen trends have favored more timeless designs, this hasn’t always been the case. Especially when it comes to kitchen hardware ideas, some popular styles have fallen out of favor very quickly over the years, and for good reason. From style and design to finish and scale, there’s a lot to consider when choosing the right kitchen hardware and knowing which kitchen trends to avoid.

To find out if your hardware is the source of your woes, we asked interior designers and kitchen experts which outdated kitchen hardware trends could be disrupting your design—and what you could replace them with.

5 Dated Kitchen Appliance Trends You Should Avoid

Designing a kitchen is all about creating a space that you love and that reflects your taste, but some features are worth avoiding. According to interior designers, these hardware trends and styles are making your space feel dated – with a few suggestions for alternative ideas.

1. Handles for cups

Blue shaker kitchen with gold T-bar handles

(Image credit: Naked Kitchens)

In some cases, a hardware style can feel good in some schemes, and dated in others. It’s all about choosing the right combinations, and in some kitchen designs, cup handles can make the space feel like it needs an update.

“Kitchen cabinet hardware is a super important design consideration and can make or break the final look of a kitchen. Handles should never be too busy or oversized, which can overwhelm the sleek design. Cup handles used to be the go-to handle for a shaker kitchen, but they can look dated. Cup handles don’t always work well in a design, especially when used vertically,” says Jayne Everett, Creative Director at Naked Kitchens.

‘T-bars look much more trendy and modern. When using goblet pulls, the finish is essential to ensure they look good. Warm aged brass works well, but the goblet pull should be used in conjunction with a knob for base and wall units and more practical bar pulls for tall units,’ she adds.

2. Ultra-modern designs

Wooden kitchen cabinets with gold textured hardware

(Photo: Dmar Interiors/Shelby Bourne Photography)

This year’s trends are embracing more characterful interiors, in both traditional and modern schemes, and hardware is no exception. Choosing something too stark and modern can make your space feel dated and lacking in personality, so opt for something with a bit more interest.

“Selecting the right hardware for your kitchen cabinets shows that you’ve paid attention to all the details. The perfect hardware shows that you care about more than just the utilitarian function of the space. Great hardware is a bit like jewelry, you can have fun with it and elevate the whole room,” says Mollie Ranize, Founder and Lead Designer at Dmar Interiors.

“There is a time and place for most designs, but in general I find that hyper-modern, overly linear hardware looks very dated. Right now it’s fun to add a bit of detail and charm through thoughtfully shaped hardware. You can still select modern hardware, but having a bit of fun with scale, finish, texture or shape is a must,” she adds.

Gold ribbed kitchen cabinet handles

COTYKILEY Golden Serrated Kitchen Cabinet Handles

JIASENBAO Antique Brass Kitchen Cabinet Handles

antique brass kitchen cabinet knobs

JIASENBAO antique brass kitchen cabinet knobs

3. Use only one hardware format

Two-tone kitchen cabinets with green upper cabinets and a dark blue cooking island

(Image credit: Naked Kitchens)

Gone are the days of using one size handle or knob on every drawer and cabinet. Scale is so important in interior design, especially when it comes to your kitchen cabinet hardware.

‘Small, elegant cabinet knobs can get lost on wide drawer fronts, and long, thick appliance handles can be overwhelming in smaller spaces, so the size of your hardware should also be considered,’ says Paul Clifford, managing director at head.

For example, consider a kitchen with drawers, standard-sized cabinets, and large cabinets for pantry storage. Using a small knob on every door not only looks a little odd, but it’s also not very practical. Instead, size your hardware to the size of the door or draw its opening.

4. Industrial style hardware

Black and white kitchen with gold and black fittings

(Image credit: Davonport)

Dark, industrial kitchen accessories are just as bad as sleek, modern designs that give your kitchen a dated look. They can give your kitchen the impression that it needs a thorough update.

“Overdone industrial hardware is on its way out and instantly dates a kitchen. About a decade ago it was one of the go-to choices, particularly cup handles because it was different and added an edgy flair to kitchens, but that’s not the case anymore,” says Richard Davonport, managing director at Davonport.

‘If you want a dark metal alternative or a goblet handle, other options offer a more modern take. We’ve seen added texture and ribbed designs add further trends that prevent these types of handles from dating the kitchen,’ he adds. Opt for a textured design or embrace a more timeless style like brushed chrome or antique brass.

5. Statement Styles That Clash With Your Kitchen Aesthetics

A modern kitchen with marble countertops and backsplash, and a large bronze dome lamp

(Image credit: Industville)

Over the years, we’ve seen kitchen hardware come in bright colors and playful designs. And while people enjoyed adding an eclectic mix of patterned knobs and pulls for a while, it can look out of place and a bit cluttered if the aesthetic of your kitchen doesn’t match the mood.

‘Nowadays, hardware comes in all shapes, sizes and finishes, so considering the style of your hardware, whether it suits a modern kitchen or a traditional farmhouse kitchen, can make a huge difference to how your overall design fits together seamlessly,’ says Paul.

Instead, lean on styles that are textured and tactile to add interest to your space. ‘Opting for quality when choosing frequently touched items is key to longevity, so choose cabinet pulls and pulls with an interesting pattern and design for a luxurious finish with a difference,’ he adds.

The key to making this more playful design style still feel chic is to opt for a consistent finish, even when you’re mixing up the shapes of your hardware. “A warm finish, like dark bronze or satin brass, can warm up cooler-colored cabinets and pair beautifully with wood, while clients with an ultra-modern kitchen design may be more likely to opt for a black finish. Using the same finish throughout your kitchen hardware creates a harmonious flow, elevating the entire design scheme.”

Small but mighty: choosing the right hardware is key to ensuring your kitchen has a luxurious look. Avoiding these dated trends is a good place to start.

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