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Colors That Date A Kitchen

Have you ever walked in a kitchen and just thought that it looked old, and not in a trendy vintage way either? If so, the reason could be due to using colors that date a kitchen.

That’s right. The colors you choose to use could be making your kitchen look old, even if it’s newly remodeled.

If you want to avoid this look, there are several colors you might want to think twice about using. This includes on your walls, for appliances and kitchen cabinets.

Anything Temporarily Trendy

Trends come and go, with an emphasis on “go.” Some trends will stand the test of time, but if the latest kitchen remodeling trend is to paint your cabinets fuschia, it’s probably better to skip it. Many colors that a date a kitchen come from trends. As soon as the trend fades away, anyone who sees your kitchen knows exactly how old it is.

That being said, if you absolutely love the trend, even after it’s been over for decades, then keep those colors. After all, it’s your kitchen and if it makes you happy, stick with it.

Stark White

White may not seem like one of the colors that date a kitchen, but it’s actually a color that decreases the value of your home. In fact, experts found it decreased the value of a home by $1,400 because it seemed too difficult to clean.

Of course, this is part of the reason why it dates your kitchen. It goes back to a time when either a parent stayed home and cleaned all day or you had a maid to help out. Now, you want something easier to clean than white. While it can brighten the room, maybe go with an off-white or at least add some type of colorful trim and some wood-tone cabinets to get away from an everything white type of kitchen.

Dark Woods

Dark cherry looks great, but it’s not the best color for your kitchen. Instead of a nice place to cook and eat, it feels more like a dark office. Dark and red-toned woods are best left for furniture, such as a dining room table and chairs, versus all your kitchen cabinets.

If you do want to use darker woods, use them in moderation. Too much makes your entire kitchen look dim and drab.

Pink Hues

Pink hues are definitely among the colors that date a kitchen. In the 1950s, pink dominated when it came to bathrooms, kitchens and even living areas. Sadly, we’re not living in the area of the Pink Ladies anymore. All that pink just makes your kitchen look well over 50 years old.

If you still love pink, you don’t have to give it up. Instead, use it as an accent color. It can be part of a backsplash or a pattern on your walls.

Burnt Umber

If you were around in the 1970s, you may very well have had a burnt umber kitchen. This earthy tone just screams dated and old. Even though retro colors might be reappearing in kitchen appliances, it doesn’t mean your entire kitchen theme needs to use colors from the 60s and 70s. Let’s face it, burnt umber wasn’t even a great color back then.

Tuscan Colors

If you’ve ever dined at an Olive Garden, you know this look. It’s filled with colors that date a kitchen. Odd shades of off-white and cream, darker browns and even hints of green show that your kitchen hasn’t had a makeover in a long time. While you can pull off a Tuscan theme, it’s not easy. In the end, it looks more cheesy than anything else.

Rules To Remember

First of all, remember it’s your kitchen and as long as you’re happy with the style and colors, that’s all that matters. However, if you want to avoid a dated look, there are a few things to keep in mind, such as:

  • Stick with more neutral, natural tones for the overall color
  • Leave bright, bold colors for accents
  • Don’t do anything just because it’s trendy
  • Stick with colors you’ll enjoy for years

Also, try to go with timeless colors, such as lighter shades of brown and gray. Yellow is also a popular color that gives a timeless feel.

Interested in remodeling your kitchen and giving it a fresh, yet timeless look? Start by contacting Edgewood Cabinetry today!

Image: Oleksandr Kurchev

Many people want to renovate their kitchens, but what usually holds them back is the idea of how much it would cost.
While it’s true that kitchen renovations can often get quite expensive, they don’t have to be.  There are ways to cut down on the amount of money you spend on kitchen remodeling, without cutting down on quality.
The following budget advice for kitchen remodels will give you some ideas on how to save money as you give yourself your dream kitchen.
Make the best use of the space you have.  If you want a larger kitchen, expanding the size of the room isn’t the only solution to giving yourself more space.  Any remodeling project that involves tearing down walls and extending the kitchen’s size is going to put a significant dent in your budget.  To save thousands of dollars, you can keep your kitchen at its current size, but just maximize the space.  For instance, installing custom-made cabinets, tailored to your kitchen, allows you to use the existing space without wasting any of it.  The result will be a lovelier and less cluttered kitchen with more room in it.
Don’t cut corners by going for low-quality material.  As you search for materials for cabinets, tiles, and other basic kitchen components, you’ll come across an array of cheap options.  These might seem attractive, especially if you’re trying to save money.  However, they’ll wind up costing you more money in the long run.  Within a short amount of time, they’ll be more likely to fall apart, crack, or disintegrate, and you’ll just need to replace them.  For items in your kitchen that get regular use, such as faucets and cabinets, you want durability to be a prime consideration, along with a pleasing aesthetic appearance (which is also something you won’t get with cheaper products).
Keep your remodeling more simple.  Remodeling your kitchen doesn’t necessarily mean changing everything about it.  For instance, if you don’t absolutely need to move the kitchen sink, keep it where it is; moving a sink to a new location and redoing the plumbing would just pile on the costs.  For a fresher look, what your kitchen may need are just a few smaller-scale changes.  Replacing some of the worn out cabinetry and changing the color scheme to something lighter and more airy could be enough to give your kitchen more space and a bright new look.
To discuss strategies for remodeling your kitchen, contact us.  We offer high-quality designs that aren’t exorbitant in cost, allowing you to enjoy a beautiful kitchen while saving on money.