How to Design a Timeless Kitchen You’ll Love Forever
The new normal is rapid design, much like rapid fashion. Remember that farmhouse sink that everyone was talking about a few years ago? An integrated marble countertop and washbasin have entirely replaced it. Home renovations, however, are costly, labor-intensive, and emotionally exhausting—similar to exchanging your fitted trousers for a fashionable pair of wide-legged jeans. Engaging in room renovation, just to dismantle it after a few years, is an undesirable endeavour for anybody.
That is why it is so shocking how quickly kitchen and bathroom finishes become outdated these days. Maybe it’s because of all the fresh home décor ideas that crop up on social media or how fast stores can produce designs that sell out. “In today’s world, it’s very hard to avoid trends because we are subconsciously being fed imagery that has been circulated a thousand times over,” explains Studio Seiders’ Emily Seiders, a designer based in Texas. Should you actually update your kitchen with scalloped shelves? Very unlikely. Not only is it inefficient, but following trends often results in settings that lack originality. “I’m starting to see a lot of homes look exactly the same, and it’s boring,” according to Seiders.
That’s why it’s crucial that your design choices are durable. But how can you design a bathroom or kithttps://www.homesandgardens.com/news/timeless-kitchen-design-elementschen that will be popular in ten or fifteen years from now, when fashions come and go? Along with our lightning-fast algorithms, we polled industry experts to find out how they create enduring places.
Focus on Functionality
Do you know what will always be in vogue? Astute layout. Because it is where most families spend their time together, it is particularly relevant there. Alfredo Paredes, a designer and former VP and chief creative officer of Ralph Lauren, says, “Everyday routines can feel simple, natural, and artful all at the same time” when describing a well-organized kitchen. Spend some time imagining how you and your family will use the room before you make any design decisions, he says. Seiders goes down to the nitty-gritty with customers to determine the flow, taking into account everything from the way they cook and if they want to keep the island appliance-free to the exact spot they would reach for the sugar in the morning to sweeten their coffee.
For a loo, the procedure is similar but simpler. Consider this: would you want a single washbasin or two? In the shower, where do you typically lay your towel? Do you like a tub or not? You may extend the life of a room by making it fit your lifestyle.
Keep It Real
Put those tiles created by machines aside. The use of natural materials is essential, says designer Emily Barry, if you want your style to last. “It’s the manmade materials that tend to go out of style quicker,” explains Barry, co-founder of Rehabitat Interiors with her mother Diane Schmunk. They adore using soapstone and unlacquered brass together to make a statement in bathroom design.
Plaster, wood, marble, terra cotta, and other organic materials not only provide character and warmth to a room, but they are also timeless. According to Seiders, it is why zellige tile will remain popular despite its current popularity. “There is nothing that compares to the movement and imperfection of handmade ceramics to add character to a space,” according to her. Upholstered leather barstools and salvaged wood flooring are quick fixes that can turn an ultra-modern, clinical white kitchen into a warm and welcoming living room. Natural materials also provide a relaxing effect, which Paredes enjoys. When it comes to bathroom walls and flooring, he always chooses Belgian bluestone.
Mix New and Old
In preparation for Live Auctioneers, prepare your eBay reflexes. Spaces are kept appearing new, intriguing, and classic by contrasting styles and eras. “If you do all traditional or all modern, it’s going to date the space faster than if we mix the traditional elements with some modern pieces,” explains Barry. “It’s a great way to have a space that endures.”
Incorporating a freestanding antique cabinet into your modern kitchen or transforming a historic table into a vanity or island are two examples of ways to blend styles. Another option is to combine contemporary lighting with more conventionally styled cabinets.
Buy What You Like
“First and foremost, it’s important for people to buy what they like—not what social media tells them to like,” according to Seiders. Put your money into things you’re interested in because you really like them. In other words, if red is your energy colour, don’t be a wallflower and go for the daring style that’s all the rage on Pinterest right now.
“If you follow that tenet, your home will reflect you and will stand the test of time,” according to her. On the other hand, Instagram photos might creep into our minds at random moments. “If it’s something you’re seeing a lot, move on because it’s going to have a short life span.” That’s the golden rule according to Jenna Chused of Chused & Co., a designer headquartered in Brooklyn. Actually, she favours the inverse method when planning a kitchen. “I never want to do something that I’ve seen, so I really make a concerted effort to think of a super-interesting way to design it,” according to her. Her designs are often innovative because she pushes these creative boundaries.
Layer Neutrals
Our preferences will change over time, regardless of how classic the design is. The neutral palette of creams, browns, inky blues, and sage greens is Seiders’ go-to for when she needs a safety net.
“Typically, when we’re doing tile and countertops—things that are attached to the house that are harder to switch out—I like to do something a little bit quieter so that you have the option later in life to go, ‘Okay, I’m going to paint my cabinets yellow now,'” according to her. An additional perk of going with a neutral background is that it lets your furniture, accessories, and artwork take centre stage, all of which are easy to switch out for new looks whenever you choose.
