12 Once-Popular Kitchen Trends That Won't Be Coming Back Anytime Soon

As with all trends, interior design fads come and go. However, while some vintage kitchen trends are making a comeback in 2024, others are definitely staying in the past where they belong. Kitchen trends of decades past range from functional and no-nonsense to whimsical and downright absurd. We're talking about busy-patterned Formica countertops, mosaic tile backsplashes, and enough clashing colors to make your head spin. Other hallmark features of an outdated kitchen prioritize ease of access, such as over-range appliances, closed-off layouts, and frying pans swinging from the ceiling. What all of these former trends have in common is that they likely will not be making a major comeback any time soon.

If your kitchen resembles any of the ones on this list, don't fret. There are many ways to give an old kitchen a contemporary upgrade without extensive remodeling. For example, natural hardwood shaker cabinets may be out of style, but a tasteful paint job or dark stain could be all it takes to breathe new life into the space. Plus, for every naysayer, you will always find a handful of others who believe that certain trends will never fall out of favor. After all, interior design is subjective and always a matter of personal taste. If you love your groovy vinyl linoleum floors, the fashion police won't come knocking at your door. Let's take a walk down memory lane with 12 once-popular kitchen design trends that we've said goodbye to over the years. 

White remains a popular choice in many kitchens for its timeless and clean appeal. However, choosing an all-white theme for your kitchen, down to the countertops, floors, and appliances, is a trend that has definitely fallen out of favor. All-white motifs are one of the dated kitchen trends that HGTV stars are over seeing in homes. Not only is it overwhelming for the eye, especially in brightly-lit spaces, but it is also impractical as it showcases every stain and dirty fingerprint. White appliances, in particular, are a tell-tale sign of a dated kitchen as they rose to popularity back in the 1980s.

Hardwood shaker-style cabinets are a fixture of many outdated homes. Just seeing them may remind you of your grandmother's kitchen. Honey-colored oak cabinets, especially, are a symbol of 1980s and 1990s decor. While shaker cabinets are still very much in style, the natural wood finish is being phased out. The good news is that there are many ways to make your oak cabinets more contemporary, such as staining them a darker shade or a matte finish. You can also give your cabinets modern upgrade with a two-tone paint job.

Let's face it, no kitchen trend is more passé than Formica countertops. Formica is a type of laminate that became all the rage in the 1950s. Back then, Formica was celebrated for being cost effective, low-maintenance, and visually versatile. It was available in a variety of bright designs and colors that suited the bold interior design trends of that time period. Today, laminate countertops are a sign of a dated kitchen. Although it's more affordable than the alternatives, The Property Brothers warn to avoid it as it could set your kitchen back a few decades.

Tiled backsplashes can be a beautiful and contemporary statement choice, or they can stand out for being the most outdated feature in your kitchen. Tile backsplashes with ornate contrasting patterns and decorative accent tiles are practically synonymous with the 1970s and 1980s. Busy kitchen decor has long been out of style, and that applies to busy backsplash tiles as well. Ceramic subway tiles became a popular fixture in the early 2000s. Subway tile backsplashes remain popular today, but some homeowners are opting for glass instead of ceramic.

Speckled granite was considered a must-have feature in homes throughout the 1990s and 2000s. This pattern often contained multiple colors within it, such as black, white, brown, burgundy, beige, blue, and cream, to complement the natural wood or all-white cabinets, of course. Today, it is a countertop style that may make your home look dated. Granite countertops remain a popular choice for homeowners who love the look of high-end natural stone. However, the busy speckled design is a relic of a bygone era.

Over-the-range microwaves, a.k.a. OTR microwaves are a staple of many outdated kitchens. This trend simply refers to integrating the microwave above the stove, a functional design feature that just made sense for many years. However, this prominent display of the microwave is considered out of style. These days, OTR microwaves are being replaced with range hoods and double ovens with microwaves. Freestanding microwaves also are placed discreetly on lower shelves.

The once-popular fad of hanging all of your pots and pans on the ceiling is now considered outdated. Today's kitchen trends are focused on minimizing unnecessary clutter, and it's safe to say that this design feature takes away from that aesthetic. Not only that, but standing on your tiptoes just to access your cookware is unnecessarily inconvenient. The good news is that it's far more fashionable to stow your pots and pans out of sight in a cabinet that is easy to reach. That's not to say that you can't make hanging frying pans look chic. The key is to keep it minimalist.

We must return to the subject of tile backsplashes as there are other variations that are also past their prime. Both linear mosaic tiles and 1x1-inch square mosaic tiles are not as fashionable as they used to be. In-trend tile backsplash colors are always changing may become outdated much faster than neutral colors, which tend to be more timeless. Other experimental design choices, such as tile accent strips and contrasting patterns, are other kitchen backsplash trends that are no longer in vogue. 

While some people believe tile countertops are coming back in style, the world of interior design has largely left this kitchen trend in the 1980s, and for good reason. Though affordable compared to other materials, ceramic tiles can be high maintenance. The grout lines must be sealed frequently to prevent the buildup of bacteria and germs, which is especially important on surfaces where food is prepared. Plus, ceramic tile is prone to chips and cracks. Some homeowners may be taking a chance on tile countertops again, but it's safe to say that this trend is not making a roaring comeback. 

Closed kitchens, or kitchens that are walled-off or separated from the rest of the home, are a hallmark feature of an outdated living space. Today's kitchens occupy a larger footprint and are combined with shared spaces such as the family room and dining room. However, in homes built prior to the 1950s, it's not uncommon for kitchens to be tucked away in seclusion. Although there are benefits to keeping kitchen messes out of sight, especially while entertaining guests, there is nothing modern about a kitchen relegated to a lonely corner. 

There was a time when fluorescent bulbs were a common choice for household lighting. In the mid-1900s, fluorescent lights were widely believed to be more energy-saving than incandescent lightbulbs. By the 1970s, they were a fixture in many North American homes. Today, fluorescent bulbs are being phased out across the continent due to the risk of mercury exposure.  In addition to the possible health and environmental risks, this once-popular lighting option casts an unpleasant harsh glow that definitely does not belong in the kitchen. 

Splashes of color are encouraged in contemporary kitchen design. But, there is definitely such thing as too much color in the kitchen. Experimental color schemes were all the rage in the 1970s, with clashing wallpaper, appliances, countertops, and floor tiles competing for attention. While bold and oversaturated tones once invited homeowners to "taste the rainbow," this once-popular kitchen design trend now feels more outdated than ever. Today, timeless neutrals, earth tones, and carefully chosen accents are the go-to color palette in the kitchen.