We often talk about the kitchen features coming in and out of fashion, from the cabinets and countertops to flooring and color. However, one area of consideration often overlooked is the cabinet details that could be dating your kitchen.
They might seem like minor details, but they have a huge impact on your kitchen cabinet ideas, and while you may have added them while they were 'on-trend' and coveted, they are features that make a kitchen look dated.
But what should you be looking out for – and avoiding? We've asked interior designers which kitchen cabinet details could be making your space look dated and how to amend them for an up-to-date scheme.
4 cabinet details that make your kitchen look dated
Something as simple as kitchen cabinet details needn't be the reason your entire scheme feels dated. According to designers, these are the most common dated details they see and their best advice on what to do instead for a more timeless look.
1. Partial overlay cabinet doors
When you think of kitchen cabinet details, moldings, hardware, and even finish probably comes to mind. But the way your cabinets are installed is just as important if you want a kitchen that feels timeless rather than dated.
'A partial overlay cabinet (where the door is on top of the frame, but leaves a visible gap between doors) is the surest sign of an out-of-date kitchen. Partial overlay doors haven't been popular for decades and most cabinet makers don't even sell them anymore,' says interior designer Bethany Adams.
'These days, we're used to seeing either an inset door (where the door is flush with the frame and sits inside it) or a full-overlay door (where the doors completely cover the frame),' she adds.
2. High-gloss finishes
Finish is a really important consideration when designing your kitchen. Specifically, the kitchen cabinets and how the finish you choose wears over time. Turns, out, high-gloss can be a more dated look, and they age and wear badly too.
'Ultra-shiny cabinetry can feel stark and impractical, showing every fingerprint and smudge. A more timeless alternative is a matt or satin finish, allowing natural materials and textures to take center stage,' says interior designer Lauren Gilberthorpe.
In this back kitchen, the more matte finish on the gray kitchen cabinets feels chic, classic, and more hardwearing than a shinier finish would. Paired with the dark countertops and hardware, it feels utterly timeless.
3. Cathedral arch details
For many, introducing unique details to kitchen cabinets involves adding moldings, but some styles feel rather outdated and will instantly make your kitchen look as though it needs an update.
'Some cabinet details can instantly date a space, making it feel stuck in the past. For example, old-style doors with cathedral arches often recall the country kitchens of the '70s and '80s, and while some modern takes exist, the original versions have never really made a comeback,' says Charlie Smallbone, founder at Ledbury Studio.
'A better alternative? A modern take on Shaker cabinetry with minimal frames – this keeps the classic look but with a cleaner, more contemporary aesthetic, like the Hampstead kitchen,' he suggests.
4. Stippled paint effects
We always talk about adding layers and texture to a kitchen for visual interest. But not every approach is a winner – especially if it's a detail that makes your kitchen cabinets look dated or unfinished.
'Another dated feature is painted doors with a dragged or stippled effect, once used to add interest but now looking outdated. Instead, opt for painted doors with a flat finish,' says Charlie.
'This retains the charm of hand-painted cabinetry, where subtle brush strokes add character, but without excessive texture. Kitchens like Ledbury Studio’s Bruton [pictured above] or Muswell Hill are great examples of this refined approach.'
Have any of these details helped you figure out what's making your kitchen feel dated? There are, of course, some dated kitchen trends making a comeback, but others really should stay in the past. Whether your paint feels too reflective or your doors simply have a dated molding design, these designer-approved fixes will help you give your cabinets a refresh in no time.
