Avoid Trends and Say YES to Timeless Kitchen Designs Now

Obviously the question posed cannot be answered quickly or fully in a single blog post. Yet that won’t stop us from attempting to unpack and demystify a portion of the answer. Images have a way of enlightening and informing. When you’re after a beautifully evergreen design for your kitchen–one that pleases you today and will function for modern life now and for years to come–it is worth taking time for exploration. Timeless Kitchen Designs: Why Avoid the Trendy? begins the discussion and such exploration.

Beautiful French country kitchen with blue accents including range, tree mural behind it, and gingham fabric on shades - via Style Secrets Magazine. #frenchcountrykitchen #bluekitchens
Style Secrets Magazine – an elegant luxury range can set a tone and add miles of traditional style.

Timeless Kitchen Designs: Seeing Beyond Trends

We’re living in an age where there is a steady flow of trendy kitchen content from social media feeds, design blogs, magazines, influencers on television (HGTV, stylish sets on streaming series), and even non-virtual sources such as kitchen showrooms.

Classic and luxurious white kitchen designed by Sherry Hart for the Brookhaven project. #whitekitchens #kitchendesign #classickitchen #traditionalkitchen
Sherry Hart – luxurious materials and custom quality are important timeless design ingredients.

Distinguishing Timeless from Trends

In the marketplace, it seems we’re always being shown the new and improved kitchen design features that will improve daily life, boost property value, and thrill our senses.

Beautifully rustic English country timeless kitchen design in the UK by deVOL has Shaker style cabinetry, farm sink, and a serene palette. #englishcountry
deVOL kitchens – bespoke cabinetry, original architecture, subtle color and aged finishes in a beautiful English country timeless kitchen.

Modern farmhouse kitchens are still trending in the 2020s which means Shaker style cabinets, floating shelves, shiplap, and subway tile is everywhere in the marketplace, media, and consciousness of mainstream America.

Hello Lovely's light grey and white modern French kitchen with Muse quartz, farm sink, Calacatta marble backsplash and Staub French oven.
Hello Lovely – subway tile may still be all the rage and budget-friendly, but it feels classic and works in a variety of timeless kitchens.

But trends come and go, and what’s temporarily hot may be deemed “over” in just a couple of years.

They come with risk. What’s more, modern farmhouse may not be the most appropriate style for your home’s architecture.

Brick tiled wall in serene timeless kitchen design in stunning French inspired luxury home in Houston.
White cabinets, pale counters, tumbled subway tile backsplash, and a traditional range hood and pendant light fixture in a beautiful white kitchen with floating shelves, brass hardware and kitchen island.

Do Timeless Designs Cost More?

They typically do since they are more customized and require more planning, design help, and high quality materials built to last.

BM Dark Olive kitchen cabinets in Kate Marker's 1920 white stucco Barrington Hills, IL Home (160 N. Buckley Rd) with modern, serene, unfussy, timeless interiors. #bmdarkolive @thedawnmckennagroup #katemarkerhome
Kate Marker – Buckley House

House flippers seem to especially love trendy kitchen designs since what’s trending is readily available and cheaper. Since they want to appeal to wide range of buyers, they are safer choosing popular finishes and sticking to trends.

Simple yet sophisticated white elegant kitchen with brass hardware, waterfall island, and farm sink - Park and Oak.
Park and Oak – an antique rug can bring traditional charm and a timeless quality to new kitchens

They essentially date the kitchen so there’s no doubt it’s full of what’s new! While flippers may splurge on certain trendy design elements, those elements may not be wise investments…is that gold grouted backsplash that feels utterly WOW and NOW going to feel relevant later?

Traditional and elegant white farmhouse kitchen with grey and brass accents - The Fox Group. #timelesskitchens
The Fox Group (Photo: Lindsay Salazar) – Upper cabinets need not have doors, and stainless steel appliances need not read cold when the décor is this stunning. White countertops, checkered floor, and white backsplash (wood paneling) add age to this timeless unforgettable kitchen.

Trendy options can be less costly, but choosing them could cost more in the long term. Kitchens are expensive to re-do…trust me!

Benjamin Moore White paint color on cottage kitchen Palmetto Bluff by Lisa Furey.
Lisa Furey – Coastal elements in this mostly white space with white countertops and white marble include blue pops of color from a handmade tile backsplash and white kitchen cabinets reflecting a modern farmhouse trend.

Timeless designs are an investment in time, creativity, and expense now to avoid demo and remodels later.

Romantic all white French country kitchen by French Nest Interior Design Co with farm sink flanked by sconces, linen curtain panels, and simple classic cabinetry. #frenchcountrykitchen #frenchkitchen #timelesskitchens
The French Nest Co Interior Design – Soft white countertops, white kitchen cabinets with marble backsplash, and a gorgeous bridge faucet give this space an heir of luxury.

Is a Timeless Kitchen Boring?

Timeless design isn’t just for conservatives or practical types. It’s also not about creating something old fashioned, unfashionable, generic, plain, dull, or without an identifiable style.

Beautiful white modern farmhouse kitchen with black accents, farm sink, and herringbone wood flooring - Simple Offerings.
Simple Offerings – A white space need not feel one-note when wood flooring (what a gorgeous herringbone pattern!) and rich texture from natural accents and a wood ceiling add dimension.
Inspirational quote about endurance on Hello Lovely Studio. #quotes #inspirationalquotes

Pretty timeless kitchens have style for miles!

Blue and white kitchen breakfast nook with Schumacher's Montecito Medallion paisley print fabric (a collab with @markdsikes_interiors)Design: @mungerinteriors/Photo: @michaelhunterphoto
Schumacher 1889 – Design: @mungerinteriors; Photo: @michaelhunterphoto – Blue and white kitchen with Schumacher’s Montecito Medallion paisley print (a collab with @markdsikes_interiors)

But they often require specialized labor or materials, handmade elements, skilled craftsmanship, and patience.

English country kitchen with beautiful bespoke design by deVOL. Rustic wood ceiling beams, custom Shaker cabinetry, and timeless style. #timelesskitchens
deVOL

Successful projects take shape from a deeper sense of history, quality, thoughtfulness, and design confidence.

Breathtaking, elegant, and rustic luxe English country kitchen by deVOL kitchens in the UK with bespoke cabinetry, AGA stove, steel windows and doors, woven pendants, and copper accents. Interior design by Susie Atkinson.
deVOL Kitchens – Timeless Kitchens: Ideas to Spark Your Imagination

If you have never designed a kitchen, your confidence may be low. This is why it is essential to partner with professional kitchen designers and interior designers who understand timeless design and have years of experience designing kitchens for a variety of personalities.

Classic, Shaker style kitchen with navy blue island, blue area rug, blue porcelain accents and traditional style - Citrine Living.
Citrine Living – see ideas for blue kitchens HERE

Tips for Timeless Kitchen Design Planning

Understand your home’s architecture and style to begin the process of imagining a timeless kitchen design to harmonize with the rest of your interiors.

French Nest Co Interior Design beautiful timeless kitchen with Moroccan style backsplash and creamy warm whites. #frenchkitchens
Interior Design: The French Nest Co Interior Design; SEE more HERE. White cabinetry, French accessories, white tiles, cane back counter stools, and Carrara marble, and Old World style contribute a luxury feel.

For example, if your home is a cottage, there are all sorts of timeless directions you could explore design-wise. While timeless design is often understated and sophisticated, it may be appropriate to lean into casual, country simplicity more than say a formal, traditional, more elegant direction.

Beautifully rustic English country kitchen in the UK by deVOL has Shaker style cabinetry, farm sink, and a serene palette. #englishcountry #timelesskitchens #bespokekitchendesign
deVOL

Once you find a kitchen style that appeals to your aesthetic and feels appropriate for your home, you can explore that design style’s details more deeply to note the elements you want to include.

Benjamin Moore Decorators White on cabinet in a beautiful kitchen with blue Lacanche range - Elizabeth Walker Raith. #benjaminmooredecoratorswhite
Elizabeth Walker Raith – Do the floating shelves strike you as trendy or timeless?

Whether you’re working alone or with a designer, use Pinterest to curate inspiring images of cabinet styles, appliances, flooring, color stories, countertops, sinks, and hardware.

Lovely coastal white kitchen breakfast nook with Saarinen style table, banquette, wicker Headlands pendant, and Parisian bistro chairs from Serena & Lily. #breakfastnook
Serena & Lily – Lovely timeless kitchen designs (Headlands Bell Pendant and Roman shade window treatments offer homeowners a cozy place for meals.)

Educate yourself about the durability, longevity, and quality of materials for flooring, cabinets, trim, doors, and windows. For example, wood flooring products that are 1/2″ in thickness cannot be refinished as many times as 3/4″ thick flooring.

Schumacher 1889 fabric on roman shades in a beautiful white kitchen with farm sink, little girl in polka dot dress, and vase of limelight hydrangeas. #timelesskitchendesign
Schumacher 1889 – find ideas for blue fabric for timeless kitchen designs from Schumacher HERE

Take your time finding a local design professional who has experience creating timeless designs. Your diligence now will be worth it in the end.

John Ortberg love quote on Hello Lovely Studio. #lovequotes

What Makes Timeless Kitchen Designs Timeless?

There is a wealth of design and architectural intelligence undergirding timelessness. Knowledge of traditional, enduring, and classic principles will guide your choices for materials, finishes, and even color.

The Fox Group timeless kitchen with chevron wood floor, pizza oven, and butcher block countertop. #timelesskitchendesign #oldworldstyle #whitebrick
Photo, Architecture, and Design: The Fox Group.

Think about popcorn ceilings or avocado appliances that are a dead giveaways that a kitchen was created in the 1970s!

Funny quote about being awesome on Hello Lovely Studio. #doghumor #dogquotes

Materials and design elements for timeless kitchen designs tend to age well. For example, unlacquered brass has gained popularity in recent years but is fitting for a timeless kitchen because it not only lasts but also develops an attractive patina with age.

Like the idea of clear glass shelves? I found THESE glass shelf options.

Happiness quote on Hello Lovely Studio by John Harrigan.

The color palette for a timeless kitchen is also important and neutrals are commonly selected since they feel understated and natural.

Navy blue kitchen cabinets in a pantry with beautiful patterned tile on backsplash and an under the sea motif - Maine House Interiors (Photo: @lisacohenphotography). #bluekitchencabinets #navybluekitchen
@mainehouseinteriors (Lisa Cohen Photography)

Are white kitchens the safest choice for a timeless kitchen?

John O'Donohue quote and blessing of encouragement on Hello Lovely Studio. #blessingquote #gracequote

White kitchens have staying power for sure. White feels clean, bright, and not tied to a particular era or decade.

Incorporating Antiques, Architecture & Handmade into Timeless Designs

There are so many great books on this topic, and antiques are such an important part of finishing any interior.

Beautifully rustic English country kitchen in the UK by deVOL has Shaker style cabinetry, farm sink, and a serene palette.
deVOL – Timeless kitchen ideas for renovations, new construction, and remodeling.

When everything in a space is new, things can feel dull and ordinary.

Elegant timeless kitchen design by The Fox Group with soaring ceiling, brass hardware, white oak floors, and white Shaker cabinets.
The Fox Group – Find classic decor photos and a magnificent home tour RIGHT HERE!

Artwork, accessories, seating, and lighting offer opportunities to shop for vintage or antique items.

Beautifully rustic English country kitchen in the UK by deVOL has Shaker style cabinetry, farm sink, and rugged stone walls. #devolkitchens #oldworldstyle
deVOL

Architecture can also play a starring role in a timeless kitchen whether it be existing or new.

20 Kitchen Design Ideas to Inspire your own kitchen renovation, makeover, DIY, spruce up, or brand new kitchen! Score decorating ideas and style inspiration on Hello Lovely Studio. #kitchendesign #kitchenremodel #kitchenideas
Hello Lovely Studio – see more of my kitchen with shopping resources HERE.

Is there an opportunity to add crown molding, a built-in, or a special ceiling treatment?

Even details like tongue and groove for walls can add a richness and tradition.

A mix of whites in my timelessly tranquil kitchen with European country decor, Viatera Minuet quartz, and Belgian linen - Hello Lovely Studio. #minuetquartz #viateraquartz
Hello Lovely Studio – My collection of old English marmalade jars and earthenware crocks is a cherished one – they are a quiet way to decorate and add function since they easily become votive holders and vases.

Handmade and hand-crafted design elements often join the mix in a timeless kitchen.

Inspirational quote on Hello Lovely Studio  - stay close to the things that make you come alive. #inspirationalquotes #lifequotes

Bespoke cabinets, for example, or hand-forged hardware.

White oak wood floor in white English farmhouse kitchen by The Fox Group. #timelesskitchens #bespokekitchendesign
The Fox Group – grey paint color in mud room is BENJAMIN MOORE Trout Gray. Lighting: Visual Comfort – FIND HERE; Brass Kitchen Cabinet Hardware: Emtek – FIND HERE.

Hand-applied plaster finishes for walls or hardwood flooring finished on site by hand are also examples of such commitment to artful quality over commercial mediocrity.

Rugged stone walls in a rustic English country kitchen in the UK by deVOL with Shaker style cabinetry, farm sink, and a serene palette. #devolkitchens
deVOL

Obviously, there is much more to say about approaches to a timeless kitchen design project. In my own recent kitchen renovation, I strived to bring together timeless elements I love:

Muted colors, high quality fixtures, gilded iron for lighting, marble for walls, farm sink, and plaster finished custom range hood. (The cooktop is a dead giveaway this is a modern renovation though, and I wasn’t up for having a custom panel made for the existing dishwasher!)

Rugged rustic wood ceiling in a timeless European country and modern French kitchen by Desiree Ashworth of Beljar Home. #frenchkitchens #timelesskitchens
See more of this home HERE – Design & Photo: Decor de Provence.
Funny cake quote on Hello Lovely Studio. #cakequotes #bakingquote

Photo Gallery With Moments of Timeless Kitchen Beauty

Vivi et Margot waffle weave kitchen hand towel in pink on white Ilve range in a French kitchen with cabinets painted Green Smoke (Farrow & Ball). #vivietmargot #frenchkitchens
Waffle Weave Kitchen Hand Towel (pink), Vivi et Margot
Timeless white kitchen with dark hardwood floors and blue porcelain accents - The Fox Group.
See more from The Fox Group in this story HERE.
French Nordic timeless kitchen by My Petite Maison with antiques and white decor with a Swedish feel.
Design & Photo: My Petite Maison See more of this home HERE.
Kindness quote on Hello Lovely Studio. #kindnessquote #quotes #inspirationalquotes
English country kitchen with harvest table and Maine Coon cat - Atlanta Bartlett of Beach Studios.
Design: Atlanta Bartlett & Dave Coote of the Beach Studios and Locations
Robert Frost quote about the best way out on Hello Lovely Studio. #strugglequotes #robertfrost
Beautiful English country bespoke kitchen by #devolkitchens #englishcountry
deVOL
Modern yet timeless Parisian apartment kitchen with polished navy tile floor and white cabinetry - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio – see the Paris apartment we rented HERE.
English country kitchen with putty painted cabinets and English country timeless bespoke style by deVOL.
deVOL
Robert Frost quote EARTH IS THE RIGHT PLACE FOR LOVE on Hello Lovely Studio. #robertfrost #earthquotes

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing