No, it's the manufacturers that need to change styles to tempt consumers with new offerings to increase their revenue. A good designer will have business either way. A good designer does not tell the customer what to buy, they help the client define the look that the client wants, giving them expert advice along the way. I literally spend weeks with my clients sorting out exactly what THEY want. I offer my thoughts on the durability of products and the longevity of their choices, but always tell them that ultimately it is their own opinion and wants that matter most. Perhaps you've never employed or encountered one, but any GOOD designer does exactly the same. The designer gets paid whether the client buys a 40-year old style or a cutting edge just released style. My ultimate goal is to give the client an attractive, functional, long lasting kitchen of THEIR choosing, no matter their style choices.
To me, no upper cabinets is just stupid. "Let's do LESS with the space we have." I guess if you don't actually ever use your kitchen, then go for it. But no one who uses their kitchen can be this silly
Actually this trend originated with European kitchens such as in France or Italy. Few countries have full built in cabinetry in their kitchens. I know in some European countries such as Belgium that people move with their kitchen cabinets and appliances.
I did a renovation on my kitchen-no uppers-I personally love it and I put my dishes small appliances and other kitchen necessities. I do use pretty symmetrical dishes etc. for cohesion and aesthetics. I LOVE ❤️ it! I use my dishes regularly so it’s not just pretty but it’s functional too. As a tall person I can reach higher places and this design give me way more head room/space and it liberates the space and feels bigger/minimalist and progressive lol! To each his own though- enjoy your day
Let's be honest, the upper levels of the upper cabinets are always empty because no one can reach the height without a little stool. If you are using a stool to reach something frequently you are most likely doing it wrong. Secondly, most people already have TONs of storage spaces just by the lower cabinets, upper cabinets provide zero values to me. Personally, filling my kitchen with so many huge upper cabinets that are only half-usable at best while taking up so much spaces and making the kitchen feel so much more confined is what I consider a waste of spaces. Upper cabinets themselves are not a practical design in the first place, the lower levels are so low that they always get in your way when you are trying to do something on the countertop, whereas the upper levels are so high to be even considered usable.
@@brenda121143I’m 5’2” and have 10’ ceilings. I’m only able to use the bottom shelf and the front of the second shelf of my cabinets without taking out a ladder, so the two top shelves aren’t used at all. I’ve also struggled with deep lower cupboard where you have to pull everything out to get what you need if it’s at the back. What puzzles me is why we’ve put up with the same non-functional kitchen designs for decades when the way we live and the way we cook has changed so much over time.
I don't care what they say is the trend, I choose things based on my personal preferences and practicality that works in my kitchen. I've loved white kitchens, white walls, white countertops, light honey oak floors, very unlikely what anyone predicts as trends will change my mind. Things I never liked such as black hardware, herringbone backsplashes and open shelves, very unlikely I'll ever change my mind about them either. It's my kitchen, it needs to work and please me, not others.
Amen. White kitchens with white subway tile are timeless. Mine will also have soapstone countertops. I'm jazzing it up with my turquoise retro-style fridge and possibly a stained glass cabinet door.
Absolutely, I like what I like👍 unless you just buy a house every couple years to flip it then do the trendy thing. But, if your “house” is your “forever home” them do what you love because that’s what you want to live in and like 👍
I'm still scratching my head at the trend of shelving replacing cabinets. Shelving simply collects dust and particles, and I wouldn't dream of utilizing such important space as another trophy board. Glass cabinets simply add so much more if wanting that feel.
Agree with you re: upper cabinets. I elected to have 2 glass doors out of 8 cabinet doors to use as my “ China/ show case “ cabinet . I think these 2 glass cabinet doors elevated the style of my all white kitchen .
I picked open shelving on my large wall of my L kitchen for several reasons. My house has a spectacular view. Not having cabinets next to my kitchen windows emphasizes this. My kitchen is not small. I still have tons of space, more than most. I knew that my use of the shelving would be limited to colorful fiesta dishes that I love, maybe a few limited pieces of decor. We were able to get wood cabinets for the same price as our previous particle board cabinets, because we have fewer. The other wall of my kitchen is two uppers adjacent to the cooktop then two floor to ceiling cabinets, one of which has a wall oven. Now if we lived in a HCOL area and I had a small kitchen, definitely wouldn't get shelves just for the aesthetic.
A lot of design you mention is for the wealthy with large kitchen spaces. Most of us just want a functional kitchen that is pleasing to the home it’s in. Kitchens are not meant to be show rooms. They are work spaces. I think it’s fun to have a pretty kitchen, but I am not interested in waterfall granite counters, or open shelving. I also am not interested in tearing out my kitchen every ten years.
It's the "work space" aspect that prevents me from ever considering a white kitchen. Timeless? Sure. Impractical? Hell yes. White shows every little fingerprint/stain, and I cook in and use my kitchen.
White isn't hard to keep clean, in my opinion. I will always love white. Hard to keep clean..black stove tops and all stainless steel. My white kitchen appliances are easy peasy. Unfortunately, you really can't get them anymore. They've been replaced with stainless. 😒
@@ashleys637 I honestly don't understand this objection. A white kitchen doesn't get any dirtier than any other kitchen. My white cabinets don't show fingerprints, and if there's a stain, I want to be able to see it and get rid of it.
@@deborahh2556 YES. I hate stainless appliances. They show fingerprints, and when you clean them, you have to use stainless cleaner. I say bring back porcelain enamel appliances! And black is much harder to clean than white, IMO.
I have a white kitchen. Was happy when installed, happy now and happy in the future. Timeless, classic, beautiful. Not a trend. White kitchens are the Hallmark.
One thing I wish they would address is the one level island vs the raised bar top. I had been feeling bad that my 2011 kitchen has the raised bar top, but I’ve come to realize I prefer it in order to hide the sink and have a space for 2 plugs and the disposal switch.
I still have the raised top too and don’t want to remodel because my husband wants to get rid of it. It helps create separation from the living room. I actually get compliments on it often, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes a trend again
When we remodeled our kitchen in 2011 I made choices based on what best honors the esthetic of our 1915 Craftsman. It relieved much of the burden of choice and will always look right in this particular house. Thirteen years later I’ve had to replace the range and the dishwasher, but everything else still makes me happy.
1916 craftsman here and remodeled in 2005. Since updated appliances and countertops but everything else is perfect for this house. The house told us what to do.
Did the same with my 1930 Spanish revival. I matched my kitchen cabinets to the original built in cabinets in the breakfast nook. It still looks “right” to me years later. I say, let the home’s architecture guide your choices. It doesn’t have to be slavishly historically accurate. But it should have plenty of aesthetic elements of the era in which it was designed and built.
Perfect! Except for having to replace all your appliances in 20 years. I still expect them to last at least 30+ years....but i know my sister has had to replace her dishwasher twice, range, and washer and dryer in 20 years.
Right???!!! That may be what discount sellers are pushing, but I always steer my clients to cabinetry with a thick, all-plywood box. The problem is that most consumers don't know that once mdf gets wet, it is ruined. A lot of people shop only by price, especially house flippers, who aren't concerned with the longevity of what they're installing. Mdf cabinets are great for those buyers. If price is your only concern, then go for the mdf. For people wanting a longer lasting kitchen, skip the mdf cabinetry. While Mdf is preferable in cabinet doors that have a center panel, the rest of the cabinet should always be made of wood. If a cabinet door becomes damaged, it's usually not extremely difficult to replace. However, If your sink or dishwasher leaks, a cabinet made entirely of mdf will need to be replaced vs a cabinet made from wood. Also, as you've suggested, stone countertops are HEAVY!!!! For a tiny percentage more, smart buyers will buy cabinets with a sturdy, all-plywood box, that can withstand both weight and moisture.
Thank you! I defaulted to BM Chantilly Lace OC-65 perimeters to-the-ceiling cabinets with light walnut islands all topped with black soapstone. As much as I was interested in “trying” the midtown colors, I was forced to pick interior window trim (I had PLENTY of time, but was “stuck” committing.) that included the interior muntins/trim. Decided I wanted it all the same. It’s not a huge space-rather narrow and long. I get bored with colors and patterns after a while, so I will swap out accessories and accent colors at whim or by season. Kitchen not installed, yet, so I hope I don’t regret the white (west facing kitchen, so it gets warm in the afternoon.)
White kitchens are absolutely a trend. They're trending out now - people are exhausted of it. Contractors still use white because home buyers see it as a blank canvas to do what they want with. But white kitchens weren't a "thing" in the 70s, 80s, 90s, early 2000s, or literally any decade prior.
Yes I see the pattern here. Forbes Magazine, who is not us, and who knows nothing about the way we live is dictating the way our kitchens should look. That’s crazy to me. It’s about sales right or am I too jaded? As one of your commenters said, an $80,000 kitchen remodel should not have trends. It’s an investment. And I agree. I just bought a very small house (710 square feet) and the kitchen needs some spiffing up shall we say and I’m following no trend at all, I’m following what my heart is telling me to do. To be fair, I’m doing what my heart is telling me to do after watching your UA-cam channel, Mark, for 6 months so I’m not going in blind. 😊Thank you for the great information!
When I was younger I cared more about trends. After living through a bunch of different styles, I know what I like and why it works for me. It's more about practicality and choosing things that are useful.
I love my white kitchen because it is bright, cheerful, and adaptable to any color I want to add for pop. My friend's kitchen is darker and moody and technically more "stylish" and high end, but I find it depressing and dreary. I will take cheerful and light over being considered "in style" any day. Sounds like I'm not alone.
I lived in dark and moody for to many years. Grew up on a ranch with a farm kitchen and white. That's what I like. Now I live on a farm and will have farm kitchen again.
My 1992 home has solid wood yellow/orangish wood cabinets that are beautiful. Totally “out of style.” Would I ever paint them? Never! Ever! Who gets hardwood cabinets in a modestly priced home? Not many. Lucky me!!
This house was remodeled in the early 1980's they replaced the 1950's style hardwood cabinets with oak plywood. After 40 years, the plywood had deamination . In 2020, they got heavily sanded and a nice thick coat of white paint. 😂
My wonderful father made my solid oak kitchen cupboards and was so ahead of his time he put drawers in the base units over 40 years ago. We have since painted the golden oak off white and it looks fantastic. The hardware is antique brass that’s visible and looks like a British bespoke kitchen with creamware and Portmeirion accents. I have Asian blue and white fabric mixed in. I will never change my kitchen and I feel happy when I’m cooking and baking.
I think of painted faux finishes. I've also seen people using epoxy to make faux marble. Our apartment has white Formica counters that get coated with some kind of flecked pattern whenever the unit is turned over. After 5 years, much of that paint is gone. leaving a splotchy counter top. I wonder how management will classify what is normal wear-and-tear to make us pay the "damages" when we move out.
I have a laminate countertop with a marble look that is 42 years old. One tiny chip, extremely easy to keep. I have no complaints. I’ve changed lots of things over the years but kept that countertop and dark oak cabinets.
My plumber made it clear: matte black faucet finishes chip easily. Chrome will live forever, without being treated delicately. If you really use your kitchen and don't have extra cash, be trendy with something else.
I house sit quite often which allows me to study hardware in others’ kitchen and bathrooms. Most black matte hardware I see in these homes clearly show toothpaste splatter and water spots. Also, the metal shows water corrosion. As a result of seeing these issues, this hardware never appears to be clean to me.
I want open shelves, mainly to display the pottery collection that’s a joy for me to look at. I have ten foot ceilings and cabinets that go all the way up, and at 5’2, that’s a problem for me. They’re going and won’t be replaced. Although the shelves are shallow, I can’t reach the back of the second shelf without a ladder. The two top shelves have been empty since I moved in. What I do want is counter space, counter space, counter space and lots of outlets for the appliances I use instead of the oven I never use. Pots, pans, cutlery, etc. belong in drawers. Food should be in a pantry, preferably one where temperature and humidity are lower than the rest of the room. Dishes and glasses work best in a cabinet, preferably with glass door, near the table where you sit down to eat. Finally, I live alone, and that means cooking, eating and socialising around my kitchen table in the centre of the kitchen, which is open to the dining room that I use only as an office. I’d love to knock down the wall between it and the so-called “living room” which is actually more of a library/den where I read and watch TV. I don’t need privacy and am sick of constantly moving from room to room. I would like to see the combination stovetop/oven disappear because, as I’ve said, I don’t need it. I have a great toaster oven, air fryer, microwave, slow cooker and steamer, all which work better when you’re only cooking for one or two. But I couldn’t go back to anything else after using an induction cooktop. Except for pantries, which I consider essential, I also hate built-ins. I’d rather buy standalone solutions that I could buy for life and take with me whenever I move.
Here's a different take on kitchen 'trends'. We are restoring a 1949 Mid Century (Modest) Ranch style home (restoring, NOT remuddling) and what we had to do--for many various reasons--was take the entire kitchen down to the studs. New wiring, plumbing, you get the picture. My choice was to recreate a 1949 kitchen with a few minor nods to modernity. I spent an entire winter stripping, sanding, priming and painting ALL the original (wood) cabinetry, in a two tone color palette. Put back original chrome hardware. The cabinets are spectacular. I would NEVER get rid of these cabs! We went with quartz counters (instead of Formica) well, one of the nods to modernity. This kitchen gets so many compliments and I love working in it.
@@kristinegeddes9038 My husband had to remind me (WHY I wonder, LOL). You can see a story about our kitchen restoration in the April 2023 edition of Old House Journal. They did a story with pictures, before and after. I think you can see it online. AND what we did in the bathroom. Same thing, down to studs and complete redesign (1949 style).
I agree that, due to space considerations, OTR microwaves will always be a choice that is offered. But, my preference, whenever there is room, is a countertop microwave. If you don't like the look it can be easily hidden by beautiful cabinetry. A countertop microwave doesn't require the bending that a microwave below the counter does, and most importantly, it doesn't force you to be removing steaming hot foods and scorching hot liquids at eye level. Glass bowls and containers exploding after being microwaves is a well documented thing. As a 5'3" tall woman, the above the range microwave, or any microwave mounted above shoulder level,.seems like a horrible accident just waiting to happen. I had one in a rental once, and though very convenient, it always made me uneasy to be removing glass and steaming hot liquids at eye level.
@@nannem9716I would love to have microwave on the countertop but I don’t have enough countertop space. And I don’t want it in the cabinet because I need landing space for that hot plate.
Trends are just a way for the creators of trends to capitalize (i.e., designers, big box stores, builders)! Do what you love, what makes you happy, and don't worry about what is "trending"
This. When I finally get my kitchen remodel I am going to do it to what I love not some future sale that may or may not happen while I’m alive. I want to love my kitchen because I love it.
I asked a designer what is the last color you would ever design a kitchen in? She said she would never use purple. I now have a beautiful kitchen painted light purple (amethyst cream)with light maple cabinets and a grey toned Corian countertops. Been that way for over ten years now, and I still get compliments on it every time someone new enters my home.
I went to a holiday home tour and a home had purple kitchen cabinets (kind of dusky purple medium tone) and it was beautiful!! Black granite countertops. Quite cozy.
With a very tiny kitchen, I need to keep everything I can off of my counter, so I will need to keep my microwave up above my stove. Not all of us live in huge homes.
Yeah whenever I hear people talk about don't put the microwave above the stove, I am like, that is a privilege. I doubt that most people with the space and budget are intentionally choosing an above stove microwave.
@@vickicali there was a UA-camr named Garrett LeChic who I kid you not blocked me because he got all huffy when I pointed this out. My comment was pretty similar to what I replied to you. Im like dude really this is the hill you wanna die on? His vid was on something like safety concerns in design. It's like ok, it is good to be aware of being careful in removing items from the microwave, but with everything there are tradeoffs. Like my kitchen is upstairs and my microwave is downstairs (I have a 48" cooktop and a powerful hood above, didn't want to pay for or have microwave be above wall oven or in a lower cabinet) This means if I am in the kitchen and I wanna use the microwave, I go downstairs. Meaning I have more risk of tripping and falling. Or if you get a drawer microwave and it breaks and you don't have the money to replace, you might use a more dangerous alternative that also creates risk. I could think of countless scenarios.
@@lauralaforge558 Oh wow. That is ridiculous. A lot of times they assume everyone has similar size kitchens, designs and budgets. This Garrett dude needs to chill and be flexible!
For years I had a microwave on the countertop. Pain in the ass, takes up too much room, pain to clean around, behind, under. When I moved into a house with an over the range microwave…lovin’ it!
Granite is more work! Sealing, pampering, taking care of... I just put quartz countertops in my kitchen a couple years ago. They're great! Wouldn't live without them again!
@@LisaKessler-o1q I quite agree. I would never have granite again. It chips easily & I clean it with Lysol then have to polish it with alcohol. The MDF worktops were great to maintain!
15:23 NEVER put a wall oven under your cooktop. That was part of y plan for my kitchen until I saw the arrangement in a display at Home Depot. With the cooktop at standard height, the oven was so low I couldn't use the bottom rack, or more accurately, couldn't get up from using the bottom rack. I'm not as young as I used to be.
That one made me laugh too. Like... by definition, "contemporary aesthetics" have always been going out of style and will always be going out of style.
I don't think white is going out of style, but the white-on-white-on-white is over its peak popularity I think. To me it always looked cheap, especially the no-handle flat-front doors and drawers combined with the subway or square shiny tiles... I'm happy to see wood and colour is coming back in style, even the new-development housing market is stepping away from the safe all-white kitchen here in EU lately and we were probably more into it than you guys ever were. Open concept won't go anywhere, but it being the default and only good way to have a kitchen is. Many people have got their chance to experience the open concept kitchen, a lot of people including me don't care for it at all and are happy to see the closed-off or semi-open kitchen becoming an acceptable option again. I rebuilt the wall a previous owner demolished and I haven't regretted it for a second despite everyone telling me I dated and devalued my house.
Agreed! I'm searching for salvaged doors that match the ones the previous owner took out of my 1939 house that block off the kitchen and the dining room from the living room. It's a small house and I love making curry, but I hate my sofa smelling like it.
It's not the matte black hardware that needs to go, but those bar handles shown for that segment. They snag & tear your clothes & can be deadly to toddlers & small children to smack their heads on because of their strong, defined edges.
I have a cache of forty oil-rubbed bronze finish bar handles for my planned remodel, but instead of the finials sticking out to catch the dog's collar and strangulation risk, mine have a quarter-turn radius end. nothing to snag the clothes, nothing to stab the kids, cylindrical in section so they have no sharp edges.
@@jpjp3873 Deadly. Some years ago I got home from work and found my dog's collar hanging off a poorly designed cabinet pull finial. If he hadn't managed to slip his collar, I would have found the dog hanging off the poorly designed finial. Deadly.
1) Why do we talk about trends when it comes to a kitchen? If I'm investing that much money, I want timeless, not trendy. 2) In a tiny kitchen, I will ALWAYS use an OTR microwave. Why would I waste valuable counter or cabinet space when the micro could replace a standard exhaust vent?
Exactly! And vent hoods aren't generally any better-looking than a microwave. Also, I'm 5'4" and I don't have any issues with the height of the microwave, and I definitely would have been concerned with having a microwave at counter height when my daughter was small.
White kitchens are timeless and hence not a "trend." Dark, light, medium toned woods go in and out but a painted kitchen can always be repainted. I did have to laugh that an 18th-19th century "shaker" style is now considered contemporary. Again, shaker style has been around for more than a century so again not likely to "go out of style." And I would NEVER have wall ovens after watching my mom spill hot ham juice down her blouse when pulling it out of an elevated wall oven (normal 'chest' height not upper). The experts just want people to spend more money on things that will go out of style. Great video.
I had a wall oven in one place I lived and really miss it. Because of it I actually enjoyed cooking with an oven. I’m much more nervous bending down and taking a heavy item out of a conventional oven. One of the reasons I prefer using small countertop appliances is that I’m less likely to get burned.
@@polishthedayI agree! It’s almost impossible for me to lift a huge Turkey out of a low oven! I Much prefer wall ovens and separate cooktops- It’s also much easier to change the cooktop to induction or gas if it’s separate. I absolutely hate regular electric cooktops. They’re very, very slow, difficult to control, and Stay hot for long periods after turned off. They also heat up the house quite a bit.
I don’t like the open kitchen for the same reason you mentioned - mess. Another reason is a closed kitchen gives you a place to fight with your spouse during a party - “honey can you come check the turkey with me” (said through clenched smile) 😂. I actually want an open kitchen with a butlers pantry or spice kitchen to hide the uglies.
Lol! I hadn't thought about the spouse angle, but when entertaining, a kitchen and dining room separated by walls is a wonderful thing! Entertaining can be stressful. If I'm trying to get food on the table for guests, I want to be able to concentrate on what I'm preparing and not have constant interruption or be obligated to socialize at a critical moment. And, I want us all to be able to enjoy our meal without having to stare at a messy kitchen. If I ever get a spouse, I'll remember your "Honey, can you help me in the kitchen?" trick! Lol. 😊
I've lived in lots of apartments with tiny kitchens. I love the over the range microwave. It's a great solution when there is no countertop space. As far as backsplash goes, a semi-gloss paint seems the most practical. It's cheap and much easier to clean than grout.
The trend I'm following for my kitchen (if I ever get the structural repairs off the ground) will be "whatever is most convenient for me to use and easiest to clean afterward." Granite slab backsplash, granite countertops, flat slab type cabinet doors, LVP floors. I plan to age in place and whoever doesn't like my choices can change them after they carry me out feet first.
I have a beautiful large kitchen that is a separate room with a large door to the living room. I have custom made alder wood cabinets that are drop dead gorgeous. I always have people over and it is never a problem. I will never have an open kitchen. Keep it classic and it really never goes out of style.
I have thirty-five-yea- old honey oak that I'd love to switch out to white. Since I have oak hardwood floor in my kitchen, there is plenty of the warmth wood gives a space. My kitchen is open to my family room, but not to the formal dining room/living room space. It is the best of both worlds. open concept when I need it to be, and out of sight when I prefer that.
I guess my issue is that I don't know what's in fashion or out of fashion - I just pick what I like. I think natural wood is beautiful for cabinets so went with that. I love my solid surface countertops and integrated sink for functionality. I do need to save space with the OTR microwave, but I splurged on one of the new flush mount styles that looks really sleek. And since I chose what I like, I don't have any urge to remodel just for aesthetics. When someone buys my house, they are welcome to bemoan the "so 2010 kitchen."
I don’t know where these lists really come from. The only real purpose is to get wealthy people to redo their kitchens. The rest of us want to set up a functional kitchen. We want to enjoy cooking in it and have it fit our homes and our lifestyles. Regular people cannot redo kitchen every decade or so!
I have a white kitchen with subway tile backsplash and it’s an open concept. I love it. Everyone who enters my home loves it. It’s a classic look for me.
I've wanted marble countertops for 20 years. We did a huge kitchen reno last year and after a ton of research, I went with Mont Blanc Quartzite. I love it. The look of marble without the stains. Of course quartzite can stain but it's so much more forgiving than marble. It was for sure a splurge.
I do not like over-the-range microwave too. However, I have a small kitchen with very limited countertop space. I also need to use the microwave occasionally to heat up leftover. To me, having an over-the-range microwave is a necessary compromise. My microwave is short (low profile design) so I have more space between the cook-top and the microwave.
I spent a long time with wood cabinets looming over me. I’m happy every time i walk into my all white kitchen. Always bright and cheerful even at night. I have herringbone backsplash and it is not trendy. When I had it done, my contractor told me i was among only a handful that requested it.
I like classic and timeless. LOVE my white cabinets and acrylic countertops in my 108 year old home. Chrome knob hardware. Crown molding on top to mimic the woodwork trim. Dark stained original floors. And- it’s on a FARM! Real wood cabinets under the white finish
Thank you for your practical take on kitchen design. I’m 77 and am having built our forever home with my husband. Over our 55 years together we have had many houses and a variety of kitchen styles. What we have come up with now is practical and a style that fits us and our lifestyle. It is comfortable for our children and their families to come. Fitting design into your life is #1.
Corian comes in very nice looking styles now. It's non porous, durable and long lasting. My bathroom countertop is in grey onyx and I love it. It can be used for kitchens too and it can be carried up for a backsplash and it can be custom shaped.
I think the term “white kitchen” has been somewhat misunderstood. White cabinets themselves do not designate the “white kitchen” trend that has been popular lately. The “white kitchen” trend does consist of white cabinets, of course, but also white backsplash tile, white countertops, pretty much white everything. That trend is on its way out. However, white cabinets are a classic and will always be in the conversation. Perhaps with a different backsplash and wood tone accents, etc. 😉
If i had the money, I would go for a kitchen based around a beautiful hard wood hoosier cabinet, and a heavy old fashioned range. Your kitchen is so personal and functional who cares what "trends" might be. I happen to love old fashioned, warm, smelling of bread baking kitchen. That's just me.
My last home had an over the range microwave and I HATED it! If you have a glass topped stove you are constantly afraid of dropping something and ruining the stove top. I am just over 5 feet tall and reaching the microwave was hard if there was something hot on the stove. I found myself leaning over a hot surface. Dangerous. It also gave less clearance between the stove and the microwave compare to a stove and a regular range hood so you feel cramped. Being short, my visibility in to my microwave was severely hampered.
Over the stove works great in my kitchen. I live in an 1892 house and originally the kitchen had a wood burning stove a sink and a baking cabinet. Bringing the kitchen from the 19th to the 21st century, we had to work cabinets into this small space. Very limited counter space so putting the microwave above the stove gave me almost three feet more counter space. The farmhouse sink was really popular when I did my kitchen but I chose a huge drop in sink instead. I just couldn’t bring myself to cut a beautiful solid maple sink base down to something I didn’t would stand the test of time.
I don't pay any attention to trends. I prefer things that are timeless because once I go through the work, inconvenience and expensive of a project. I😊t's going to stay that way for a long time.
lol my wife and I just finished our kitchen about 2 months ago with white cabinets and matte black hardware! Haha oh well. We LOVE IT! And I agree that the white kitchen is timeless
I inherited my white cabinets from about 2 owners ago. Unless something outright breaks, I will never replace them because of budget. But the hardware was mismatched and 50% broken. So I did replace all of them. Replaced the corroded faucet too. All matte black. And I added subway tiles to the backsplash that had nothing but stained paint before. That was 2017. Theses aren't trends. It's classic. Especially for a tiny galley kitchen in a tiny post war bungalow.
I’ve had the open concept kitchen, and, for me I didn’t like it. Kitchens are busy, and noisy, too much commotion going on. It’s Really loud clanking washing dishes too. As one who really enjoys cooking it was really was annoying to have people relaxing or laughing or whatever they would do in the adjacent room causing confusion. Even for the people who want to chill the noise is annoying. Cooking or Baking and even cleaning takes thought, and there’s processes that if skipped can ruin a dish as I was always interrupted. I love my kitchen concept now, even though I can still peer into the living spaces, I’m separated somewhat, I even have a pocket door if it gets too loud. So I think it good to have options considering a working kitchen but be able to interact too. Perhaps you don’t cook alot or need to clean, so maybe an open concept would work in that case, or you have kids you need to keep an eye out on would warrant an open kitchen concept. But to get one because you like the openness might open your mind that it’s not appropriate.
Open shelves are great in an Airbnb! Easy to find everything in an unfamiliar kitchen. Also, we had open selves when we lived in Alaska and had many visitors. It was very easy for guests to feed themselves!
I hate the open floor plan. I don't want my kitchen, dining room, and living room to share the same space. This concept works for builders because it saves them plenty of money .
Exactly! I don't mind, and can actually enjoy, a kitchen open to a family room, or a bedroom semi-open to a sitting room, but that's where it stops. I don't want to live in one giant open box. I like walls and closets. I like quiet and privacy when I desire them. I like the change of decor that having separate rooms can provide. I bought a beautiful 100-plus year old house with a HUGE eat-in kitchen, so no need for extra space in the kitchen. One of the requirements on my wish list was a separate formal dining room which I got. Every time I interviewed a contractor who even suggested that I should knock down the wall between the giant eat-in kitchen and the large formal dining room, apparently just to be trendy, I immediately wrote him off as a hack and promptly crossed him off my list. Why, when I already have far more than enough space in both large rooms, would I want to ruin the bones and gracious lifestyle a beautiful old house???!!! If I had wanted a modern open box, with zero privacy and devoid of all character, there were literally thousands of them on the market, and I wouldn't have intentionally bought a 100-year old beauty with separate rooms. Just the suggestion that anyone should knock down flawless 100 year old plaster walls and 100 year old gorgeous moldings and millwork to create a needless giant chasm of a space told me that those quack contractors have no respect for architectural integrity or the best functioning of the space Losing walls may help in a tiny cramped space, but who wants to feel like they live in an open enclosure exhibit at the zoo??
Actually, walls are not that expensive to put in. The fact is, most people like open concept kitchens, That's why builders put them in. If customers didn't like them, the houses would sit and the builder would REALLY lose money.
Mark- I agree with you that many of these are viewed through a limited lens. It harder to predict what will go out of style then looking back “hindsight is 20/20”. I think any blanket elimination is not practical.
I wonder when they were talking about faux finishes if they were talking about countertops at all. I can understand why that’s what you thought of, but the first thing I thought of was special glazing and antiqued finishes on painted cabinets and/or walls. I’d agree wholeheartedly that those are out of style and date a kitchen even though most cabinet catalogs I pick up still offer them.
Welp. I have a builder grade honey oak kitchen cabs from the 80s starting to look ORANGE with age. I keep thinking “this will be the year we replace those fugly cabs,” but it hasn’t been possible yet. One of these days I’m just gonna start painting. Sage green toppers, chocolate brown on the bottoms. I figure they can’t possibly look worse.
When I (unfortunately) had a sewer leak in my kitchen and when I redid it I chose white cupboards with a gorgeous mixed color quartz countertop (light with veins of black) and a black granite double sink. I LOVE LOVE LOVE a white kitchen that is well done. I chose shiny white backsplash so that it would reflect the available light. I own a 1,258 sq. ft. condo and my kitchen is small so I did not choose dark colors. I figure matt black and shiny gold hardware are "trends." I stayed with stainless steel knobs & pulls because they blend in with the stainless steel knobs and pulls in the rest of my condo. You see the living room bookcase/cabinets AND those knobs from the kitchen so I wanted stainless pulls and knobs throughout. Trend or not.....I just don't care for the look of mixing metals throughout. Everything I choose was simple and clean in look. Regarding the microwave it was over the range or taking up limited counter space I do not have. I have a small galley kitchen so I kept it simple. Sorry!
Two of my pet peeves in kitchen designs are the micro wave over the oven and the sink in the island right in the eating area. All i think is who wants the splashes from using the sink all over that area?
Wow! My same two pet peeves. I don't like anyway and don't have one so there's that. And yes a sink breaks up large working space and is just a mess. So agree with you.
Fun video, I love my white kitchen, It gives me a blank canvas to decorate with, I update with the seasons, my kitchen is always bright , clean and fresh. I don’t have shelves because I hate dusting. I have a wall oven and will never change it. If you have ever had a bad back you will become a wall oven convert. I really agree about the microwave ….. I don’t like my over the range micro wave for all the mentioned reasons. I almost never use it.. I am working on finding a way to get rid of it without too much damage to the space.
Over the oven /range is a no no. Reaching over some hot with for something hot? Kitchen easy cleaning bright, smells and grease seperate from upholstery so able to close off, access to dining, patio for serving. All for convenience. It is a studio, work room, good lighting. Get real if you are a cook not just for show. Love my white kitchen with wood floor, easy on the feet.
My take on it is that if it’s your kitchen, you paid a butt load of money and you love it, who cares and whose business is it. How many people will walk into your home and “judge” your decor preferences? The buyer? Sure, then they can spend a butt load of money to change it to their liking. Am I wrong? I stay in my own lane and appreciate our differences. Peace out. Happy renovating to whatever makes you happy when you walk into that space to cook with your grandchildren ❤
I actually cook a great deal in my kitchen. I don’t understand how open kitchens and kitchens with shelves rather than cabinets can function as working spaces. I don’t want airborne grease floating throughout my house, nor do I want it landing on shelves in the kitchen, containing glassware, plates, etc. all this open design stuff looks great on home design shows, but it seems very impractical if you’re a serious cook.
Sooooo agree with you about overhead microwaves, regardless of whether they are over the range or just elevated. Crazy dangerous. My workplace decided to put the staff microwaves on shelves and very quickly realised that staff were having trouble getting hot items down, and potentially getting scalded. They were put back to counter height very quickly.
I have a small kitchen and don’t want to loose counter space to a microwave. My over the range microwave/convection oven will stay! I think a lot of designers need to get over themselves. I do think you don’t fit in that description as I think you are otherwise right on. If I were building a new house, I might make a different decision, but there is no ability to go back to the decision.
@@Happyb831 that’s a false dilemma though. Wall microwaves exist. Drawer microwaves exist. Appliances garages exist. (I understand and don’t take offense to otr microwaves but it is not simply a binary choice.) I personally have a countertop microwave in my large utility room/laundry room. I most frequently use a microwave for reheating leftovers to minimizing heating the house and I typically do that when I am wfh, my desk being downstairs. This way it gets to hide but I am not getting rid of it. Plus I have a microwave on the first floor when the kitchen is on the second floor.
I also have an over the range MW. Yes, of course, those lovely range hoods are more attractive. But if you don't have the space for a MW elsewhere, you don't. Not to mention the expense of a hood.
Most kitchens have inadquate space for microwaves and other appliances. If you look at real estate listings, the realtor takes almost everything off the counters so that in the pictures, it looks as if the house has a ton of counterspace.
I agree. I’m having my kitchen reconfigured and redesigned at the moment for actual functionality and refuse to give up the range microwave. My kitchen designer was determined to talk me out of it. It took her a minute when I said “ if I want your opinion, I’ll give it to you” 😂
We were glad to change our white kitchen to dark cabinets. So much easier to see the food on the counter. That is because white cabinets in your peripheral vision constrict your pupils, making the counter area seem darker. Under-cabinet lights are not nearly as useful as just avoiding the snow-blindness of white doors!
I have a white kitchen and i love it and i am never changing it. I love that it always looks clean and it makes lighting brighter and my seasonal and holiday accent decor/colors will always match.
Built my house in 2022. White cabinets, big gas stove, open concept. My style is farmhouse because it IS a farmhouse. I needed space to preserve veggies from the garden and storage space for prepping. Function and form only. Nothing trendy. Everything has to last.
Currently painting my horribly outdated wood kitchen into a white kitchen and it is making a huge difference in style and clean look. The white is a big difference!
I did the same thing, and painted the inside a beautiful sunshine yellow (my dishes are white with a basketweave edge). Makes me smile every time I walk into the kitchen or open a cabinet. My mom taught us not to follow trends, but to go with classics that are timeless. Her lessons were well learned.
Painted kitchen cabinets are easier to clean. But cheap painted kitchen cabinets are a nightmare! I do need my dining room that I can close off. People milling around in the kitchen at a dinner party means the host doesn’t cook. When I prepare a meal, I’m happy to close off the mess!
I have white kitchen with high gloss cabinets, quartz countertops, matte black hardware, subway tile backsplash, regular range.. I love it. It is all practical reasons. High gloss cabinets and quartz stone countertops are really easy to clean. I have a marble table. It is a maintenance hell. I can’t even put down a water glass.
While Shaker cabinets can work in a contemporary kitchen the style is over 150 years old so it is not by definition contemporary and works in both traditional and transitional spaces as well. The current iteration of them with square edged rails and stiles is more contemporary than true Shaker, in which the rails and styles were softly eased at the edges. Most kitchens of the mid to late 1800’s through the 1920’s had Shaker style cabinets. Once plywood sheets became more popular there was a transition to flat panel doors with a bevel cutout on the back to fit into the frame opening and the outside edges rounded over. In the 1960’s through 70’s plywood on-site built cabinets transitioned to having partial overlay doors with a back bevel on the edges, eliminating the need for hardware. I’m pretty sure both of these trends had more to do with cost savings than style preferences. Since that time almost everything has been pre-manufactured. But I would never put Shaker in a strictly contemporary category. Flat panel doors, completely matte or completely gloss finish with no hardware or very simple looking hardware I would. Skandi and Japandi are variations of contemporary style and not really a truly separate style. Traditional, transitional and contemporary are styles and most everything thing else is an iteration of one of those three.
Thanks for this, new to your channel and you have solid info, my only q is why you don't have enough imagery in the clips? I've seen a lot clips from others and it works but your intel is solid bruh BTW I dont do trends, or fads a space for me is a reflection of my individuality not what some trend says, it would be good if you also explored color drenching and forecasts as a lot of these so called trends are going to be gauche soon
We have no upper wall cabinets in the kitchen we had fitted 4 years ago. We have enough lower cabinets and drawers to hold almost everything. We have 2 open shelves just for storage jars for rice and pasta. We have a larder for food storage and appliance storage. I love the way our kitchen feels more open.
Herringbone pattern makes me dizzy. Builders are still putting white kitchen cabinets everywhere in spec houses. Cheap ones. I chose an over the range microwave. Sorry, I'm 5'5" and it's perfect see what's in there height. My hubs 6' and under the counter too much bending! Plus, looks nice and neat. I don't have a million dollar home so maybe at a higher price point I'd put the microwave on the wall. Note, I can basically have whatever I want.
Thanks Mark. Good video. The kitchen my father created for the house he built had no upper cabinets. It was a long narrow room. The outer wall had a long window, counter underneath, double sink. The inner wall had an open cupboard for china, stove, dryer, washer, side by side fridge freezer. At the far end was the pantry wall. It was a good kitchen.
I have a small kitchen. I don't know where I can put my microwave except for over the range. I don't want to put it on the countertop. Do I buy a table to put it on? Where can I put the microwave? Any ideas?
We added a small, open shelf in one corner for the microwave so we could install a more powerful exhaust fan venting through the roof over the stove. Hope this helps 😊
Put a drawer microwave under the countertop. You lose one space for a drawer or cabinet, but you gain counter space and you gain the cabinetry over the range.
I’ve been asking myself the same question since I just bought a very very small house with a 9‘ x 8‘ kitchen and I’m asking myself, do I really need a microwave? I have a refrigerator without a freezer… The freezer is in basement and I’m wondering, can I put the microwave in the basement? Do I NEED it? I am someone who cooks for myself and it seems like I only use the microwave to warm up my coffee. So maybe I should just learn to sit down and drink an entire cuppa coffee and then then I’ll have more counterspace.😂
@geanetteandrea I solved the lukewarm coffee problem by purchasing two Contigo West Loop 16 ounce insulated stainless travel mugs. They come in numerous colors; my husband's was blue, and mine was red (I worked at a fire department). There is an auto-seal feature that prevents it from leaking, too. I accidentally dropped it on the hardwood floor with coffee in it, and didn't spill a drop. Have been using this brand for close to ten years and love how hot the coffee stays.
Shaker style cabs or any cab with borders get dust and grease on the ledges. To me a kitchen should be able to be easily cleaned not a lot grout, ledges, handles, should have lots of drawers differing in sizes and shapes, soft close makes life better, not a lot reaching up high. The truth is we are all getting older, and the choices you make today will make your life easier later. So choose right! Don’t choose just for looks, choose sensibly.
@@boysrus2 Agreed! White cabinets, even with white countertops, need some color or warmth elsewhere in the kitchen. Either wood floors or color on the walls or in accessories.
@@trinaroe5132 recently I did white uppers and wood lowers. white Cambria countertop. I also choose the same white used on upper cabinets for the walls. the entire look is so easy on the eyes. If I want colour I could add in the use of dishes and art.
Exactly. I have white cabinets, white appliances, and a white backsplash. But I have gray countertops. And woodgrain floor. And nice bright paint colors. The 100% every single thing in the whole place is white kitchen. I agree it’s probably going out of style, but Most people don’t have that anyway.
Once again, agreed. When my microwave goes out, I am opting for a nice looking stationary range hood. I don't have to worry about the collision I mentioned and I too think it's safer to have this appliance down lower or omit it altogether which I am considering. Microwaves use a lot of energy.
I'm in the process of designing homes, and I'm so glad to hear you agree with me about that massive, ugly chunk of a microwave over the stove. They're too high, and they get in the way of tall crab pots, big tamale pots, and taller pressure cookers. Anyone that really cooks doesn't want that pig over their burners. Thank you for confirming because I wasn't going to include it anyway ;-)
Decorators want to make more money. They never consider the environmental damage fast fashion decorating has on the planet. Pick something you love and don’t listen to these people. It’s your home; surround yourself with memories, favorite colors and things.
Moral of the story…have whatever kind of kitchen you want and kiss “trends” goodbye
Hi! Amen that! 🤗💯
I agree 💯%!!!
Thank you!
If you're not a cook...wall cabinets are not necessary....then ....it is only for show .....but if you are a cook you need storage.!
@@tssmjs1279 Hi a lot cabinets!
These "expert" designers NEED the styles to change periodically so they make money :)
TRUE STATEMENT.
Very true. And it’s alarming how many people are manipulated by trends.
Exactly! Reason to spend more money
Plus it is only their opinion.
No, it's the manufacturers that need to change styles to tempt consumers with new offerings to increase their revenue. A good designer will have business either way. A good designer does not tell the customer what to buy, they help the client define the look that the client wants, giving them expert advice along the way. I literally spend weeks with my clients sorting out exactly what THEY want. I offer my thoughts on the durability of products and the longevity of their choices, but always tell them that ultimately it is their own opinion and wants that matter most. Perhaps you've never employed or encountered one, but any GOOD designer does exactly the same. The designer gets paid whether the client buys a 40-year old style or a cutting edge just released style. My ultimate goal is to give the client an attractive, functional, long lasting kitchen of THEIR choosing, no matter their style choices.
To me, no upper cabinets is just stupid. "Let's do LESS with the space we have." I guess if you don't actually ever use your kitchen, then go for it. But no one who uses their kitchen can be this silly
Actually this trend originated with European kitchens such as in France or Italy. Few countries have full built in cabinetry in their kitchens. I know in some European countries such as Belgium that people move with their kitchen cabinets and appliances.
I did a renovation on my kitchen-no uppers-I personally love it and I put my dishes small appliances and other kitchen necessities. I do use pretty symmetrical dishes etc. for cohesion and aesthetics. I LOVE ❤️ it! I use my dishes regularly so it’s not just pretty but it’s functional too. As a tall person I can reach higher places and this design give me way more head room/space and it liberates the space and feels bigger/minimalist and progressive lol! To each his own though- enjoy your day
To a 5 ft 4 in person upper cabinets are a real waste of space we can't see it or touch it
Let's be honest, the upper levels of the upper cabinets are always empty because no one can reach the height without a little stool. If you are using a stool to reach something frequently you are most likely doing it wrong. Secondly, most people already have TONs of storage spaces just by the lower cabinets, upper cabinets provide zero values to me. Personally, filling my kitchen with so many huge upper cabinets that are only half-usable at best while taking up so much spaces and making the kitchen feel so much more confined is what I consider a waste of spaces. Upper cabinets themselves are not a practical design in the first place, the lower levels are so low that they always get in your way when you are trying to do something on the countertop, whereas the upper levels are so high to be even considered usable.
@@brenda121143I’m 5’2” and have 10’ ceilings. I’m only able to use the bottom shelf and the front of the second shelf of my cabinets without taking out a ladder, so the two top shelves aren’t used at all. I’ve also struggled with deep lower cupboard where you have to pull everything out to get what you need if it’s at the back.
What puzzles me is why we’ve put up with the same non-functional kitchen designs for decades when the way we live and the way we cook has changed so much over time.
I don't care what they say is the trend, I choose things based on my personal preferences and practicality that works in my kitchen. I've loved white kitchens, white walls, white countertops, light honey oak floors, very unlikely what anyone predicts as trends will change my mind. Things I never liked such as black hardware, herringbone backsplashes and open shelves, very unlikely I'll ever change my mind about them either. It's my kitchen, it needs to work and please me, not others.
I agree, white is classic and timeless.
Exactly my thoughts. I pick what I like regardless of trends. In my case, I always liked wood toned kitchens and that is what I always had.
I don't care about trends either.
Amen. White kitchens with white subway tile are timeless. Mine will also have soapstone countertops. I'm jazzing it up with my turquoise retro-style fridge and possibly a stained glass cabinet door.
Absolutely, I like what I like👍 unless you just buy a house every couple years to flip it then do the trendy thing. But, if your “house” is your “forever home” them do what you love because that’s what you want to live in and like 👍
Enjoying this video while I sit in my open concept white kitchen with shaker style cabinets and matte black hardware 😂
Same 😂 and my white quartz countertops…..😂😂
@@Thomasina-rc2fj Same here!
Same here
Don’t listen to this! It sounds beautiful! I wish mine were like that.
Ditto!!!
I'm still scratching my head at the trend of shelving replacing cabinets. Shelving simply collects dust and particles, and I wouldn't dream of utilizing such important space as another trophy board. Glass cabinets simply add so much more if wanting that feel.
People that cook need cabinets. If you don’t cook, you could have open shelving to display stuff I guess?
Agree with you re: upper cabinets. I elected to have 2 glass doors out of 8 cabinet doors to use as my “ China/ show case “ cabinet . I think these 2 glass cabinet doors elevated the style of my all white kitchen .
The people with an abundance of open shelving in their kitchen simply do not cook
The only place for open shelving, where it works is at a restaurant kitchen.
I picked open shelving on my large wall of my L kitchen for several reasons. My house has a spectacular view. Not having cabinets next to my kitchen windows emphasizes this. My kitchen is not small. I still have tons of space, more than most. I knew that my use of the shelving would be limited to colorful fiesta dishes that I love, maybe a few limited pieces of decor. We were able to get wood cabinets for the same price as our previous particle board cabinets, because we have fewer. The other wall of my kitchen is two uppers adjacent to the cooktop then two floor to ceiling cabinets, one of which has a wall oven. Now if we lived in a HCOL area and I had a small kitchen, definitely wouldn't get shelves just for the aesthetic.
A lot of design you mention is for the wealthy with large kitchen spaces. Most of us just want a functional kitchen that is pleasing to the home it’s in. Kitchens are not meant to be show rooms. They are work spaces. I think it’s fun to have a pretty kitchen, but I am not interested in waterfall granite counters, or open shelving. I also am not interested in tearing out my kitchen every ten years.
It's the "work space" aspect that prevents me from ever considering a white kitchen. Timeless? Sure. Impractical? Hell yes. White shows every little fingerprint/stain, and I cook in and use my kitchen.
@@ashleys637 I like that about white kitchens. It helps me keep it clean.
White isn't hard to keep clean, in my opinion. I will always love white. Hard to keep clean..black stove tops and all stainless steel. My white kitchen appliances are easy peasy. Unfortunately, you really can't get them anymore. They've been replaced with stainless. 😒
@@ashleys637 I honestly don't understand this objection. A white kitchen doesn't get any dirtier than any other kitchen. My white cabinets don't show fingerprints, and if there's a stain, I want to be able to see it and get rid of it.
@@deborahh2556 YES. I hate stainless appliances. They show fingerprints, and when you clean them, you have to use stainless cleaner. I say bring back porcelain enamel appliances! And black is much harder to clean than white, IMO.
I have a white kitchen. Was happy when installed, happy now and happy in the future. Timeless, classic, beautiful. Not a trend. White kitchens are the Hallmark.
🤢🤮
Agree!
Totally agree 💯
I agree! I love my white cabinets 😊
Yes. White kitchens look cleaner and SO much brighter.
One thing I wish they would address is the one level island vs the raised bar top. I had been feeling bad that my 2011 kitchen has the raised bar top, but I’ve come to realize I prefer it in order to hide the sink and have a space for 2 plugs and the disposal switch.
Yes. I love my raised bar too for those reasons also.
I still have the raised top too and don’t want to remodel because my husband wants to get rid of it. It helps create separation from the living room. I actually get compliments on it often, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes a trend again
A million times, yes! So many kitchen designs depend on the kitchen never being used in order for it to look good.
I have several pot plants on mine
Same, we have a small space and the raised counter provides a clean look while cooking.
When we remodeled our kitchen in 2011 I made choices based on what best honors the esthetic of our 1915 Craftsman. It relieved much of the burden of choice and will always look right in this particular house. Thirteen years later I’ve had to replace the range and the dishwasher, but everything else still makes me happy.
Brilliant ❤
1916 craftsman here and remodeled in 2005. Since updated appliances and countertops but everything else is perfect for this house. The house told us what to do.
Did the same with my 1930 Spanish revival. I matched my kitchen cabinets to the original built in cabinets in the breakfast nook. It still looks “right” to me years later. I say, let the home’s architecture guide your choices. It doesn’t have to be slavishly historically accurate. But it should have plenty of aesthetic elements of the era in which it was designed and built.
Perfect! Except for having to replace all your appliances in 20 years. I still expect them to last at least 30+ years....but i know my sister has had to replace her dishwasher twice, range, and washer and dryer in 20 years.
@@marshaobrien2764❤
I think it's hilarious we've switched from hardwood cabinets topped with formica counter to natural stone counters over mdf cabinets
Lol. That is funny. I would never intentionally replace wood cabinets.
Wow, so true !
Lololol
Good one!
Right???!!! That may be what discount sellers are pushing, but I always steer my clients to cabinetry with a thick, all-plywood box. The problem is that most consumers don't know that once mdf gets wet, it is ruined. A lot of people shop only by price, especially house flippers, who aren't concerned with the longevity of what they're installing. Mdf cabinets are great for those buyers. If price is your only concern, then go for the mdf. For people wanting a longer lasting kitchen, skip the mdf cabinetry. While Mdf is preferable in cabinet doors that have a center panel, the rest of the cabinet should always be made of wood. If a cabinet door becomes damaged, it's usually not extremely difficult to replace. However, If your sink or dishwasher leaks, a cabinet made entirely of mdf will need to be replaced vs a cabinet made from wood. Also, as you've suggested, stone countertops are HEAVY!!!! For a tiny percentage more, smart buyers will buy cabinets with a sturdy, all-plywood box, that can withstand both weight and moisture.
I love my white kitchen, I’ve had white for over 20 years and probably always will.
I like white BECAUSE it shows all dirt and smudges. I want to see areas that need to be cleaned so I can clean it!
White kitchens are not a "trend". They are a classic, timeless, staple. Trends, by definition, come and go. White kitchens have never gone anywhere.
Agreed! White kitchens are timeless, what isn’t, are specific cabinet styles and kitchen layouts.
I don't recall white kitchens before the 1990s. So timeless, no.
Thank you! I defaulted to BM Chantilly Lace OC-65 perimeters to-the-ceiling cabinets with light walnut islands all topped with black soapstone. As much as I was interested in “trying” the midtown colors, I was forced to pick interior window trim (I had PLENTY of time, but was “stuck” committing.) that included the interior muntins/trim. Decided I wanted it all the same. It’s not a huge space-rather narrow and long. I get bored with colors and patterns after a while, so I will swap out accessories and accent colors at whim or by season. Kitchen not installed, yet, so I hope I don’t regret the white (west facing kitchen, so it gets warm in the afternoon.)
White kitchens are absolutely a trend. They're trending out now - people are exhausted of it. Contractors still use white because home buyers see it as a blank canvas to do what they want with. But white kitchens weren't a "thing" in the 70s, 80s, 90s, early 2000s, or literally any decade prior.
@@Joyfulness87white kitchens were extremely popular from the 1920-1940s.
Yes I see the pattern here. Forbes Magazine, who is not us, and who knows nothing about the way we live is dictating the way our kitchens should look. That’s crazy to me. It’s about sales right or am I too jaded?
As one of your commenters said, an $80,000 kitchen remodel should not have trends. It’s an investment. And I agree.
I just bought a very small house (710 square feet) and the kitchen needs some spiffing up shall we say and I’m following no trend at all, I’m following what my heart is telling me to do. To be fair, I’m doing what my heart is telling me to do after watching your UA-cam channel, Mark, for 6 months so I’m not going in blind. 😊Thank you for the great information!
When I was younger I cared more about trends. After living through a bunch of different styles, I know what I like and why it works for me. It's more about practicality and choosing things that are useful.
I love my white kitchen because it is bright, cheerful, and adaptable to any color I want to add for pop. My friend's kitchen is darker and moody and technically more "stylish" and high end, but I find it depressing and dreary. I will take cheerful and light over being considered "in style" any day. Sounds like I'm not alone.
I lived in dark and moody for to many years. Grew up on a ranch with a farm kitchen and white. That's what I like. Now I live on a farm and will have farm kitchen again.
You hit the nail on the head
I prepare fabulous meals in my white kitchen! I walk into it and it makes me happy.
White is Timeless, bright, beautiful! Makes me happy.
I find all white/mostly white kitchens too institutional, clinical & cold looking. To each his own.
My 1992 home has solid wood yellow/orangish wood cabinets that are beautiful. Totally “out of style.” Would I ever paint them? Never! Ever! Who gets hardwood cabinets in a modestly priced home? Not many. Lucky me!!
This house was remodeled in the early 1980's they replaced the 1950's style hardwood cabinets with oak plywood.
After 40 years, the plywood had deamination .
In 2020, they got heavily sanded and a nice thick coat of white paint. 😂
Sooo lucky...good for you ❤
My wonderful father made my solid oak kitchen cupboards and was so ahead of his time he put drawers in the base units over 40 years ago.
We have since painted the golden oak off white and it looks fantastic.
The hardware is antique brass that’s visible and looks like a British bespoke kitchen with creamware and Portmeirion accents.
I have Asian blue and white fabric mixed in.
I will never change my kitchen and I feel happy when I’m cooking and baking.
I interpreted faux finish, as a material mimicking a natural material. For example, a laminate countertop with a marble look
I think of painted faux finishes. I've also seen people using epoxy to make faux marble.
Our apartment has white Formica counters that get coated with some kind of flecked pattern whenever the unit is turned over. After 5 years, much of that paint is gone. leaving a splotchy counter top. I wonder how management will classify what is normal wear-and-tear to make us pay the "damages" when we move out.
I have a laminate countertop with a marble look that is 42 years old. One tiny chip, extremely easy to keep. I have no complaints. I’ve changed lots of things over the years but kept that countertop and dark oak cabinets.
I do love me a good Formica countertop. I never was a fan of granite countertops even more so after hearing about how much you need to baby them.
My plumber made it clear: matte black faucet finishes chip easily. Chrome will live forever, without being treated delicately. If you really use your kitchen and don't have extra cash, be trendy with something else.
I splurged on a "spot-free" stainless faucet and do not regret it. It will most likely last longer than me.
Brushed nickel is tough and attractive
A sharpie will cover up small issues with black fixtures. Not ideal, but a cheap fix.
I house sit quite often which allows me to study hardware in others’ kitchen and bathrooms. Most black matte hardware I see in these homes clearly show toothpaste splatter and water spots. Also, the metal shows water corrosion. As a result of seeing these issues, this hardware never appears to be clean to me.
I wish I had this info a year ago when we changed the faucet to a matte black one. . .a year later we have a nice large chip in the paint.
Anyone who has open shelf’s either loves cleaning, or doesn’t care if it’s clean, or is someone who has a maid.
100%!!!!!
Or doesn't need storage space.
I have a maid 😮
I want open shelves, mainly to display the pottery collection that’s a joy for me to look at.
I have ten foot ceilings and cabinets that go all the way up, and at 5’2, that’s a problem for me. They’re going and won’t be replaced. Although the shelves are shallow, I can’t reach the back of the second shelf without a ladder. The two top shelves have been empty since I moved in.
What I do want is counter space, counter space, counter space and lots of outlets for the appliances I use instead of the oven I never use.
Pots, pans, cutlery, etc. belong in drawers. Food should be in a pantry, preferably one where temperature and humidity are lower than the rest of the room. Dishes and glasses work best in a cabinet, preferably with glass door, near the table where you sit down to eat.
Finally, I live alone, and that means cooking, eating and socialising around my kitchen table in the centre of the kitchen, which is open to the dining room that I use only as an office. I’d love to knock down the wall between it and the so-called “living room” which is actually more of a library/den where I read and watch TV. I don’t need privacy and am sick of constantly moving from room to room.
I would like to see the combination stovetop/oven disappear because, as I’ve said, I don’t need it. I have a great toaster oven, air fryer, microwave, slow cooker and steamer, all which work better when you’re only cooking for one or two.
But I couldn’t go back to anything else after using an induction cooktop. Except for pantries, which I consider essential, I also hate built-ins. I’d rather buy standalone solutions that I could buy for life and take with me whenever I move.
Anyone who doesn't is lazy.
Here's a different take on kitchen 'trends'. We are restoring a 1949 Mid Century (Modest) Ranch style home (restoring, NOT remuddling) and what we had to do--for many various reasons--was take the entire kitchen down to the studs. New wiring, plumbing, you get the picture. My choice was to recreate a 1949 kitchen with a few minor nods to modernity. I spent an entire winter stripping, sanding, priming and painting ALL the original (wood) cabinetry, in a two tone color palette. Put back original chrome hardware. The cabinets are spectacular. I would NEVER get rid of these cabs! We went with quartz counters (instead of Formica) well, one of the nods to modernity. This kitchen gets so many compliments and I love working in it.
@@evandegenfelder4554 sounds beautiful. You should make a UA-cam short of it
Oh, that sounds so cool.
That sounds amazing! Would love to see a pic!
@@kristinegeddes9038 If I knew how to post a pic here I would 😊
@@kristinegeddes9038 My husband had to remind me (WHY I wonder, LOL). You can see a story about our kitchen restoration in the April 2023 edition of Old House Journal. They did a story with pictures, before and after. I think you can see it online. AND what we did in the bathroom. Same thing, down to studs and complete redesign (1949 style).
Over the range isn't going anywhere. Especially with smaller and smaller condos being built especially with housing affordability.
I agree that, due to space considerations, OTR microwaves will always be a choice that is offered. But, my preference, whenever there is room, is a countertop microwave. If you don't like the look it can be easily hidden by beautiful cabinetry. A countertop microwave doesn't require the bending that a microwave below the counter does, and most importantly, it doesn't force you to be removing steaming hot foods and scorching hot liquids at eye level. Glass bowls and containers exploding after being microwaves is a well documented thing. As a 5'3" tall woman, the above the range microwave, or any microwave mounted above shoulder level,.seems like a horrible accident just waiting to happen. I had one in a rental once, and though very convenient, it always made me uneasy to be removing glass and steaming hot liquids at eye level.
@@nannem9716I would love to have microwave on the countertop but I don’t have enough countertop space. And I don’t want it in the cabinet because I need landing space for that hot plate.
Trends are just a way for the creators of trends to capitalize (i.e., designers, big box stores, builders)! Do what you love, what makes you happy, and don't worry about what is "trending"
💯 % Agree ☺️
1000 % agree
This. When I finally get my kitchen remodel I am going to do it to what I love not some future sale that may or may not happen while I’m alive. I want to love my kitchen because I love it.
I asked a designer what is the last color you would ever design a kitchen in? She said she would never use purple. I now have a beautiful kitchen painted light purple (amethyst cream)with light maple cabinets and a grey toned Corian countertops. Been that way for over ten years now, and I still get compliments on it every time someone new enters my home.
I went to a holiday home tour and a home had purple kitchen cabinets (kind of dusky purple medium tone) and it was beautiful!! Black granite countertops. Quite cozy.
I have a light purple kitchen . I painted it myself lightyear purple faux marble. It looks fabulous. White cabinets with black countertops
With a very tiny kitchen, I need to keep everything I can off of my counter, so I will need to keep my microwave up above my stove. Not all of us live in huge homes.
Yeah whenever I hear people talk about don't put the microwave above the stove, I am like, that is a privilege. I doubt that most people with the space and budget are intentionally choosing an above stove microwave.
@@lauralaforge558 Exactly.
@@vickicali there was a UA-camr named Garrett LeChic who I kid you not blocked me because he got all huffy when I pointed this out. My comment was pretty similar to what I replied to you. Im like dude really this is the hill you wanna die on? His vid was on something like safety concerns in design. It's like ok, it is good to be aware of being careful in removing items from the microwave, but with everything there are tradeoffs.
Like my kitchen is upstairs and my microwave is downstairs (I have a 48" cooktop and a powerful hood above, didn't want to pay for or have microwave be above wall oven or in a lower cabinet)
This means if I am in the kitchen and I wanna use the microwave, I go downstairs. Meaning I have more risk of tripping and falling. Or if you get a drawer microwave and it breaks and you don't have the money to replace, you might use a more dangerous alternative that also creates risk. I could think of countless scenarios.
@@lauralaforge558 Oh wow. That is ridiculous. A lot of times they assume everyone has similar size kitchens, designs and budgets. This Garrett dude needs to chill and be flexible!
We have a small kitchen and put the microwave in the basement. Only use it on rare occasions for warming a heating pad anyway 🤷
For years I had a microwave on the countertop. Pain in the ass, takes up too much room, pain to clean around, behind, under. When I moved into a house with an over the range microwave…lovin’ it!
I have an open concept kitchen and my house was built 1980 - 45 years - open concept is definitely a keeper - not going out of style. I love it.
I love my quartz countertop. Did not want to use granite.
Amen!!!
Granite is more work! Sealing, pampering, taking care of... I just put quartz countertops in my kitchen a couple years ago. They're great! Wouldn't live without them again!
@@LisaKessler-o1q I quite agree. I would never have granite again. It chips easily & I clean it with Lysol then have to polish it with alcohol. The MDF worktops were great to maintain!
Quartz costs more than granite now
@@MrsSixhens It's nearly double the price of granite.
15:23 NEVER put a wall oven under your cooktop.
That was part of y plan for my kitchen until I saw the arrangement in a display at Home Depot.
With the cooktop at standard height, the oven was so low I couldn't use the bottom rack, or more accurately, couldn't get up from using the bottom rack. I'm not as young as I used to be.
Yeah it costs more than a range and doesn't function as well.
I have to also add…”contemporary aesthetics” going away cracks me up- because contemporary literally means what is in right now!
That one made me laugh too. Like... by definition, "contemporary aesthetics" have always been going out of style and will always be going out of style.
I don't think white is going out of style, but the white-on-white-on-white is over its peak popularity I think. To me it always looked cheap, especially the no-handle flat-front doors and drawers combined with the subway or square shiny tiles... I'm happy to see wood and colour is coming back in style, even the new-development housing market is stepping away from the safe all-white kitchen here in EU lately and we were probably more into it than you guys ever were.
Open concept won't go anywhere, but it being the default and only good way to have a kitchen is. Many people have got their chance to experience the open concept kitchen, a lot of people including me don't care for it at all and are happy to see the closed-off or semi-open kitchen becoming an acceptable option again. I rebuilt the wall a previous owner demolished and I haven't regretted it for a second despite everyone telling me I dated and devalued my house.
Agreed! I'm searching for salvaged doors that match the ones the previous owner took out of my 1939 house that block off the kitchen and the dining room from the living room. It's a small house and I love making curry, but I hate my sofa smelling like it.
1. White Kitchen
2. Open Kitchen Concept
3. Matte Black Hardware
4. Upper Cabinets
5. Faux Finishes (counter tops)
6. Herringbone Backsplashes
7. Carrara Marble
8. Over the Range Microwave
9. Contemporary Aesthetics
10. Farmhouse Kitchen Style
11. Tile Backsplash
12. Ultra Modern Kitchen Design Style
This comment should get stickied at the top. TLDR video
I literally love the whole list bahahahha!
Many thanks
Thank you for the list!
It's not the matte black hardware that needs to go, but those bar handles shown for that segment.
They snag & tear your clothes & can be deadly to toddlers & small children to smack their heads on because of their strong, defined edges.
I have a cache of forty oil-rubbed bronze finish bar handles for my planned remodel, but instead of the finials sticking out to catch the dog's collar and strangulation risk, mine have a quarter-turn radius end. nothing to snag the clothes, nothing to stab the kids, cylindrical in section so they have no sharp edges.
That’s what I was thinking.
DEADLY?😂
@@jpjp3873 Deadly.
Some years ago I got home from work and found my dog's collar hanging off a poorly designed cabinet pull finial.
If he hadn't managed to slip his collar, I would have found the dog hanging off the poorly designed finial.
Deadly.
1) Why do we talk about trends when it comes to a kitchen? If I'm investing that much money, I want timeless, not trendy. 2) In a tiny kitchen, I will ALWAYS use an OTR microwave. Why would I waste valuable counter or cabinet space when the micro could replace a standard exhaust vent?
What does OTR mean?
Over the range
Exactly! And vent hoods aren't generally any better-looking than a microwave. Also, I'm 5'4" and I don't have any issues with the height of the microwave, and I definitely would have been concerned with having a microwave at counter height when my daughter was small.
As an elder, otr microrange is sometimes dangerous. Always inconvenient. Often painful.
I’ve always wondered why a microwave would be placed over a range. Surely reaching over hot pots and pans with food cooking in them is unsafe?
White kitchens are timeless and hence not a "trend." Dark, light, medium toned woods go in and out but a painted kitchen can always be repainted. I did have to laugh that an 18th-19th century "shaker" style is now considered contemporary. Again, shaker style has been around for more than a century so again not likely to "go out of style." And I would NEVER have wall ovens after watching my mom spill hot ham juice down her blouse when pulling it out of an elevated wall oven (normal 'chest' height not upper). The experts just want people to spend more money on things that will go out of style. Great video.
I think what makes shaker seem modern is the straight lines, as opposed to the ornate carvings and curly-q’s in traditional styles.
Well said!
I had a wall oven in one place I lived and really miss it. Because of it I actually enjoyed cooking with an oven. I’m much more nervous bending down and taking a heavy item out of a conventional oven. One of the reasons I prefer using small countertop appliances is that I’m less likely to get burned.
@@polishthedayI agree!
It’s almost impossible for me to lift a huge Turkey out of a low oven!
I Much prefer wall ovens and separate cooktops-
It’s also much easier to change the cooktop to induction or gas if it’s separate.
I absolutely hate regular electric cooktops.
They’re very, very slow, difficult to control, and Stay hot for long periods after turned off.
They also heat up the house quite a bit.
An oven at chest height is way too high. Whoever put it in didn't know what they were doing.
I don’t like the open kitchen for the same reason you mentioned - mess. Another reason is a closed kitchen gives you a place to fight with your spouse during a party - “honey can you come check the turkey with me” (said through clenched smile) 😂. I actually want an open kitchen with a butlers pantry or spice kitchen to hide the uglies.
😅 so true!!
Heck, I’d like the butler to come along with the pantry 😂 JK of course ❤
Also is a place to remove yourself from the chaos of children for a moment
Lol! I hadn't thought about the spouse angle, but when entertaining, a kitchen and dining room separated by walls is a wonderful thing! Entertaining can be stressful. If I'm trying to get food on the table for guests, I want to be able to concentrate on what I'm preparing and not have constant interruption or be obligated to socialize at a critical moment. And, I want us all to be able to enjoy our meal without having to stare at a messy kitchen. If I ever get a spouse, I'll remember your "Honey, can you help me in the kitchen?" trick! Lol. 😊
😂😂😂😂😂😂
I've lived in lots of apartments with tiny kitchens. I love the over the range microwave. It's a great solution when there is no countertop space. As far as backsplash goes, a semi-gloss paint seems the most practical. It's cheap and much easier to clean than grout.
There is a product called "grout sealer" I would never have a painted backslash!
I loved it, till I dropped a hot dish from microwave to smash...2k to replace stove top!
Wholeheartedly agree with you. My kitchen is good sized but I can’t tolerate large items on my counters.
The trend I'm following for my kitchen (if I ever get the structural repairs off the ground) will be "whatever is most convenient for me to use and easiest to clean afterward." Granite slab backsplash, granite countertops, flat slab type cabinet doors, LVP floors.
I plan to age in place and whoever doesn't like my choices can change them after they carry me out feet first.
I have a beautiful large kitchen that is a separate room with a large door to the living room. I have custom made alder wood cabinets that are drop dead gorgeous. I always have people over and it is never a problem. I will never have an open kitchen. Keep it classic and it really never goes out of style.
2:40 - Open shelving will ALWAYS be "out" because unless its a Model Home it will always LOOK cluttered because nobody can keep it looking organized.
I have thirty-five-yea- old honey oak that I'd love to switch out to white. Since I have oak hardwood floor in my kitchen, there is plenty of the warmth wood gives a space. My kitchen is open to my family room, but not to the formal dining room/living room space. It is the best of both worlds. open concept when I need it to be, and out of sight when I prefer that.
I guess my issue is that I don't know what's in fashion or out of fashion - I just pick what I like. I think natural wood is beautiful for cabinets so went with that. I love my solid surface countertops and integrated sink for functionality. I do need to save space with the OTR microwave, but I splurged on one of the new flush mount styles that looks really sleek. And since I chose what I like, I don't have any urge to remodel just for aesthetics. When someone buys my house, they are welcome to bemoan the "so 2010 kitchen."
I don’t know where these lists really come from. The only real purpose is to get wealthy people to redo their kitchens. The rest of us want to set up a functional kitchen. We want to enjoy cooking in it and have it fit our homes and our lifestyles. Regular people cannot redo kitchen every decade or so!
I have a white kitchen with subway tile backsplash and it’s an open concept. I love it. Everyone who enters my home loves it. It’s a classic look for me.
I've wanted marble countertops for 20 years. We did a huge kitchen reno last year and after a ton of research, I went with Mont Blanc Quartzite. I love it. The look of marble without the stains. Of course quartzite can stain but it's so much more forgiving than marble. It was for sure a splurge.
I got quartzite last year too and have NO REGRETS. Beautiful natural stone and sooo durable and stain resistant.
We did real marble in our kitchen, pool deck bar and wet bar, wet bar, dry bar, master bath floors counter and shower. Very happy.
I do not like over-the-range microwave too. However, I have a small kitchen with very limited countertop space. I also need to use the microwave occasionally to heat up leftover. To me, having an over-the-range microwave is a necessary compromise. My microwave is short (low profile design) so I have more space between the cook-top and the microwave.
Same here
I spent a long time with wood cabinets looming over me. I’m happy every time i walk into my all white kitchen. Always bright and cheerful even at night. I have herringbone backsplash and it is not trendy. When I had it done, my contractor told me i was among only a handful that requested it.
I like classic and timeless. LOVE my white cabinets and acrylic countertops in my 108 year old home. Chrome knob hardware. Crown molding on top to mimic the woodwork trim. Dark stained original floors. And- it’s on a FARM! Real wood cabinets under the white finish
Thank you for your practical take on kitchen design. I’m 77 and am having built our forever home with my husband. Over our 55 years together we have had many houses and a variety of kitchen styles. What we have come up with now is practical and a style that fits us and our lifestyle. It is comfortable for our children and their families to come. Fitting design into your life is #1.
White is a neutral, and neutrals are classics. They’re not the most exciting look, but white kitchens will always be in style.
Corian comes in very nice looking styles now. It's non porous, durable and long lasting. My bathroom countertop is in grey onyx and I love it. It can be used for kitchens too and it can be carried up for a backsplash and it can be custom shaped.
I think the term “white kitchen” has been somewhat misunderstood. White cabinets themselves do not designate the “white kitchen” trend that has been popular lately. The “white kitchen” trend does consist of white cabinets, of course, but also white backsplash tile, white countertops, pretty much white everything. That trend is on its way out. However, white cabinets are a classic and will always be in the conversation. Perhaps with a different backsplash and wood tone accents, etc. 😉
If i had the money, I would go for a kitchen based around a beautiful hard wood hoosier cabinet, and a heavy old fashioned range. Your kitchen is so personal and functional who cares what "trends" might be. I happen to love old fashioned, warm, smelling of bread baking kitchen. That's just me.
Am working on that and each step forward reinforces how happy this makes me!,,,,
I want an Aga stove and unfitted kitchen, including a Hoosier cabinet.
My last home had an over the range microwave and I HATED it! If you have a glass topped stove you are constantly afraid of dropping something and ruining the stove top. I am just over 5 feet tall and reaching the microwave was hard if there was something hot on the stove. I found myself leaning over a hot surface. Dangerous. It also gave less clearance between the stove and the microwave compare to a stove and a regular range hood so you feel cramped. Being short, my visibility in to my microwave was severely hampered.
I agree. And to me, having anything at eye level that is piping hot and capable of shattering, is just a horrid accident waiting to happen.
Over the stove works great in my kitchen. I live in an 1892 house and originally the kitchen had a wood burning stove a sink and a baking cabinet. Bringing the kitchen from the 19th to the 21st century, we had to work cabinets into this small space. Very limited counter space so putting the microwave above the stove gave me almost three feet more counter space. The farmhouse sink was really popular when I did my kitchen but I chose a huge drop in sink instead. I just couldn’t bring myself to cut a beautiful solid maple sink base down to something I didn’t would stand the test of time.
I don't pay any attention to trends. I prefer things that are timeless because once I go through the work, inconvenience and expensive of a project. I😊t's going to stay that way for a long time.
What is timeless when it comes to kitchens?
lol my wife and I just finished our kitchen about 2 months ago with white cabinets and matte black hardware! Haha oh well. We LOVE IT! And I agree that the white kitchen is timeless
White kitchens are timeless, what isn’t, are specific cabinet styles and kitchen layouts.
I love white kitchen. I just repaint my cabinets white. With black hardware. LoL.
But do you have herringbone splash tiles? My bathroom feature wall is herringbone 😂
I inherited my white cabinets from about 2 owners ago. Unless something outright breaks, I will never replace them because of budget. But the hardware was mismatched and 50% broken. So I did replace all of them. Replaced the corroded faucet too. All matte black. And I added subway tiles to the backsplash that had nothing but stained paint before. That was 2017. Theses aren't trends. It's classic. Especially for a tiny galley kitchen in a tiny post war bungalow.
Lolololol
I’ve had the open concept kitchen, and, for me I didn’t like it. Kitchens are busy, and noisy, too much commotion going on. It’s Really loud clanking washing dishes too.
As one who really enjoys cooking it was really was annoying to have people relaxing or laughing or whatever they would do in the adjacent room causing confusion.
Even for the people who want to chill the noise is annoying.
Cooking or Baking and even cleaning takes thought, and there’s processes that if skipped can ruin a dish as I was always interrupted.
I love my kitchen concept now, even though I can still peer into the living spaces, I’m separated somewhat, I even have a pocket door if it gets too
loud.
So I think it good to have options considering a working kitchen but be able to interact too.
Perhaps you don’t cook alot or need to clean, so maybe an open concept would work in that case, or you have kids you need to keep an eye out on would warrant an open kitchen concept.
But to get one because you like the openness might open your mind that it’s not appropriate.
I love my over the range microwave. I am a 83 y/o and 5’4” designer.
The ones that can’t cook don’t need the wall cabinets, but I need them. 😂😂😂
Open shelves are great in an Airbnb! Easy to find everything in an unfamiliar kitchen.
Also, we had open selves when we lived in Alaska and had many visitors. It was very easy for guests to feed themselves!
I hate the open floor plan. I don't want my kitchen, dining room, and living room to share the same space. This concept works for builders because it saves them plenty of money .
I like mine, but my house in the country is 900 sq ft.
Yes, it is about money, less walls, plus these houses are mostly designed by men who don’t spend a lot of time in a kitchen!
Exactly! I don't mind, and can actually enjoy, a kitchen open to a family room, or a bedroom semi-open to a sitting room, but that's where it stops. I don't want to live in one giant open box. I like walls and closets. I like quiet and privacy when I desire them. I like the change of decor that having separate rooms can provide. I bought a beautiful 100-plus year old house with a HUGE eat-in kitchen, so no need for extra space in the kitchen. One of the requirements on my wish list was a separate formal dining room which I got. Every time I interviewed a contractor who even suggested that I should knock down the wall between the giant eat-in kitchen and the large formal dining room, apparently just to be trendy, I immediately wrote him off as a hack and promptly crossed him off my list.
Why, when I already have far more than enough space in both large rooms, would I want to ruin the bones and gracious lifestyle a beautiful old house???!!! If I had wanted a modern open box, with zero privacy and devoid of all character, there were literally thousands of them on the market, and I wouldn't have intentionally bought a 100-year old beauty with separate rooms. Just the suggestion that anyone should knock down flawless 100 year old plaster walls and 100 year old gorgeous moldings and millwork to create a needless giant chasm of a space told me that those quack contractors have no respect for architectural integrity or the best functioning of the space Losing walls may help in a tiny cramped space, but who wants to feel like they live in an open enclosure exhibit at the zoo??
@@jeanpolkoski2107I can totally see how an open floor plan would be wonderful in less than 1200 square feet.
Actually, walls are not that expensive to put in. The fact is, most people like open concept kitchens, That's why builders put them in. If customers didn't like them, the houses would sit and the builder would REALLY lose money.
Mark- I agree with you that many of these are viewed through a limited lens. It harder to predict what will go out of style then looking back “hindsight is 20/20”. I think any blanket elimination is not practical.
I wonder when they were talking about faux finishes if they were talking about countertops at all. I can understand why that’s what you thought of, but the first thing I thought of was special glazing and antiqued finishes on painted cabinets and/or walls. I’d agree wholeheartedly that those are out of style and date a kitchen even though most cabinet catalogs I pick up still offer them.
And here I am thinking open shelves are already dated and they think upper cabinets are dated😅 open shelves were in the same lane as the barn doors
Great! I can't find a reason not to have a white kitchen because white kitchens to me says "Welcome"
Welp. I have a builder grade honey oak kitchen cabs from the 80s starting to look ORANGE with age. I keep thinking “this will be the year we replace those fugly cabs,” but it hasn’t been possible yet. One of these days I’m just gonna start painting. Sage green toppers, chocolate brown on the bottoms. I figure they can’t possibly look worse.
They can be stripped, sanded down & re-stained. My mom did that to her 35-40 y.o. oak cabinets. They look great!
When I (unfortunately) had a sewer leak in my kitchen and when I redid it I chose white cupboards with a gorgeous mixed color quartz countertop (light with veins of black) and a black granite double sink. I LOVE LOVE LOVE a white kitchen that is well done. I chose shiny white backsplash so that it would reflect the available light. I own a 1,258 sq. ft. condo and my kitchen is small so I did not choose dark colors. I figure matt black and shiny gold hardware are "trends." I stayed with stainless steel knobs & pulls because they blend in with the stainless steel knobs and pulls in the rest of my condo. You see the living room bookcase/cabinets AND those knobs from the kitchen so I wanted stainless pulls and knobs throughout. Trend or not.....I just don't care for the look of mixing metals throughout. Everything I choose was simple and clean in look. Regarding the microwave it was over the range or taking up limited counter space I do not have. I have a small galley kitchen so I kept it simple. Sorry!
I agree about the microwave over the range being dangerous. My neighbor is 5’2” and 85. She scares me when she gets food out of her microwave.
Two of my pet peeves in kitchen designs are the micro wave over the oven and the sink in the island right in the eating area. All i think is who wants the splashes from using the sink all over that area?
Wow! My same two pet peeves. I don't like anyway and don't have one so there's that. And yes a sink breaks up large working space and is just a mess. So agree with you.
Ditto but also cannot stand the cooktop in the island either. :}
Fun video, I love my white kitchen, It gives me a blank canvas to decorate with, I update with the seasons, my kitchen is always bright , clean and fresh. I don’t have shelves because I hate dusting. I have a wall oven and will never change it. If you have ever had a bad back you will become a wall oven convert. I really agree about the microwave ….. I don’t like my over the range micro wave for all the mentioned reasons. I almost never use it.. I am working on finding a way to get rid of it without too much damage to the space.
Over the oven /range is a no no. Reaching over some hot with for something hot? Kitchen easy cleaning bright, smells and grease seperate from upholstery so able to close off, access to dining, patio for serving. All for convenience. It is a studio, work room, good lighting. Get real if you are a cook not just for show. Love my white kitchen with wood floor, easy on the feet.
My take on it is that if it’s your kitchen, you paid a butt load of money and you love it, who cares and whose business is it. How many people will walk into your home and “judge” your decor preferences? The buyer? Sure, then they can spend a butt load of money to change it to their liking. Am I wrong? I stay in my own lane and appreciate our differences. Peace out. Happy renovating to whatever makes you happy when you walk into that space to cook with your grandchildren ❤
I actually cook a great deal in my kitchen. I don’t understand how open kitchens and kitchens with shelves rather than cabinets can function as working spaces. I don’t want airborne grease floating throughout my house, nor do I want it landing on shelves in the kitchen, containing glassware, plates, etc. all this open design stuff looks great on home design shows, but it seems very impractical if you’re a serious cook.
Or even if you like using clean dishes, cups, bowls, pans, and drinking glasses
Sooooo agree with you about overhead microwaves, regardless of whether they are over the range or just elevated. Crazy dangerous. My workplace decided to put the staff microwaves on shelves and very quickly realised that staff were having trouble getting hot items down, and potentially getting scalded. They were put back to counter height very quickly.
I have a small kitchen and don’t want to loose counter space to a microwave. My over the range microwave/convection oven will stay! I think a lot of designers need to get over themselves. I do think you don’t fit in that description as I think you are otherwise right on. If I were building a new house, I might make a different decision, but there is no ability to go back to the decision.
You’re so practical and realistic! Thank you for debunking, sensibly, “trends”.
I love my over the range microwave. I think the microwaves on the counter look bad.
Plus they take up, sometimes, valuable counter space
@@Happyb831 that’s a false dilemma though. Wall microwaves exist. Drawer microwaves exist. Appliances garages exist. (I understand and don’t take offense to otr microwaves but it is not simply a binary choice.)
I personally have a countertop microwave in my large utility room/laundry room. I most frequently use a microwave for reheating leftovers to minimizing heating the house and I typically do that when I am wfh, my desk being downstairs. This way it gets to hide but I am not getting rid of it. Plus I have a microwave on the first floor when the kitchen is on the second floor.
I also have an over the range MW. Yes, of course, those lovely range hoods are more attractive. But if you don't have the space for a MW elsewhere, you don't. Not to mention the expense of a hood.
The new trend is that they are built into the cabinets or island!
Most kitchens have inadquate space for microwaves and other appliances. If you look at real estate listings, the realtor takes almost everything off the counters so that in the pictures, it looks as if the house has a ton of counterspace.
Over the range microwave, I say “yes” to that. It looks just fine, it’s functional, and in a small kitchen it saves space.
I agree. I’m having my kitchen reconfigured and redesigned at the moment for actual functionality and refuse to give up the range microwave. My kitchen designer was determined to talk me out of it. It took her a minute when I said “ if I want your opinion, I’ll give it to you” 😂
Yep, there is nothing uglier in a kitchen than the range hood "whiskey still" look.
We were glad to change our white kitchen to dark cabinets. So much easier to see the food on the counter. That is because white cabinets in your peripheral vision constrict your pupils, making the counter area seem darker. Under-cabinet lights are not nearly as useful as just avoiding the snow-blindness of white doors!
I have a white kitchen and i love it and i am never changing it. I love that it always looks clean and it makes lighting brighter and my seasonal and holiday accent decor/colors will always match.
Built my house in 2022. White cabinets, big gas stove, open concept. My style is farmhouse because it IS a farmhouse. I needed space to preserve veggies from the garden and storage space for prepping. Function and form only. Nothing trendy. Everything has to last.
Love our white quartz countertops and white hex mosaic tile backsplash. Don't expect to tire of it.
Currently painting my horribly outdated wood kitchen into a white kitchen and it is making a huge difference in style and clean look. The white is a big difference!
I did the same thing, and painted the inside a beautiful sunshine yellow (my dishes are white with a basketweave edge). Makes me smile every time I walk into the kitchen or open a cabinet. My mom taught us not to follow trends, but to go with classics that are timeless. Her lessons were well learned.
Painted kitchen cabinets are easier to clean. But cheap painted kitchen cabinets are a nightmare! I do need my dining room that I can close off. People milling around in the kitchen at a dinner party means the host doesn’t cook. When I prepare a meal, I’m happy to close off the mess!
Once upon a time. I had a home with corian countertops. Absolute favorite!
Although we chose quartz for durability, I really love the choices available for Corian.
I love Corian and the integrated sinks!
I have white kitchen with high gloss cabinets, quartz countertops, matte black hardware, subway tile backsplash, regular range.. I love it. It is all practical reasons. High gloss cabinets and quartz stone countertops are really easy to clean. I have a marble table. It is a maintenance hell. I can’t even put down a water glass.
While Shaker cabinets can work in a contemporary kitchen the style is over 150 years old so it is not by definition contemporary and works in both traditional and transitional spaces as well. The current iteration of them with square edged rails and stiles is more contemporary than true Shaker, in which the rails and styles were softly eased at the edges. Most kitchens of the mid to late 1800’s through the 1920’s had Shaker style cabinets. Once plywood sheets became more popular there was a transition to flat panel doors with a bevel cutout on the back to fit into the frame opening and the outside edges rounded over. In the 1960’s through 70’s plywood on-site built cabinets transitioned to having partial overlay doors with a back bevel on the edges, eliminating the need for hardware. I’m pretty sure both of these trends had more to do with cost savings than style preferences. Since that time almost everything has been pre-manufactured. But I would never put Shaker in a strictly contemporary category. Flat panel doors, completely matte or completely gloss finish with no hardware or very simple looking hardware I would. Skandi and Japandi are variations of contemporary style and not really a truly separate style. Traditional, transitional and contemporary are styles and most everything thing else is an iteration of one of those three.
Thanks for this, new to your channel and you have solid info, my only q is why you don't have enough imagery in the clips?
I've seen a lot clips from others and it works but your intel is solid bruh
BTW I dont do trends, or fads a space for me is a reflection of my individuality not what some trend says, it would be good if you also explored color drenching and forecasts as a lot of these so called trends are going to be gauche soon
agree with you on that one 💯💯💯
I did slab backsplash over 15 years ago with hidden plugs underneath cabinets
We have no upper wall cabinets in the kitchen we had fitted 4 years ago. We have enough lower cabinets and drawers to hold almost everything. We have 2 open shelves just for storage jars for rice and pasta. We have a larder for food storage and appliance storage. I love the way our kitchen feels more open.
Herringbone pattern makes me dizzy. Builders are still putting white kitchen cabinets everywhere in spec houses. Cheap ones. I chose an over the range microwave. Sorry, I'm 5'5" and it's perfect see what's in there height. My hubs 6' and under the counter too much bending! Plus, looks nice and neat. I don't have a million dollar home so maybe at a higher price point I'd put the microwave on the wall. Note, I can basically have whatever I want.
Thanks Mark. Good video.
The kitchen my father created for the house he built had no upper cabinets. It was a long narrow room. The outer wall had a long window, counter underneath, double sink. The inner wall had an open cupboard for china, stove, dryer, washer, side by side fridge freezer. At the far end was the pantry wall. It was a good kitchen.
I have a small kitchen. I don't know where I can put my microwave except for over the range. I don't want to put it on the countertop. Do I buy a table to put it on? Where can I put the microwave? Any ideas?
We added a small, open shelf in one corner for the microwave so we could install a more powerful exhaust fan venting through the roof over the stove. Hope this helps 😊
Put a drawer microwave under the countertop. You lose one space for a drawer or cabinet, but you gain counter space and you gain the cabinetry over the range.
I’ve been asking myself the same question since I just bought a very very small house with a 9‘ x 8‘ kitchen and I’m asking myself, do I really need a microwave? I have a refrigerator without a freezer… The freezer is in basement and I’m wondering, can I put the microwave in the basement? Do I NEED it? I am someone who cooks for myself and it seems like I only use the microwave to warm up my coffee. So maybe I should just learn to sit down and drink an entire cuppa coffee and then then I’ll have more counterspace.😂
@geanetteandrea I solved the lukewarm coffee problem by purchasing two Contigo West Loop 16 ounce insulated stainless travel mugs. They come in numerous colors; my husband's was blue, and mine was red (I worked at a fire department). There is an auto-seal feature that prevents it from leaking, too. I accidentally dropped it on the hardwood floor with coffee in it, and didn't spill a drop. Have been using this brand for close to ten years and love how hot the coffee stays.
Shaker style cabs or any cab with borders get dust and grease on the ledges.
To me a kitchen should be able to be easily cleaned not a lot grout, ledges, handles, should have lots of drawers differing in sizes and shapes, soft close makes life better, not a lot reaching up high. The truth is we are all getting older, and the choices you make today will make your life easier later. So choose right! Don’t choose just for looks, choose sensibly.
I love white kitchen cabinets. What became a trend is the all white kitchen with white cabinets and white stone counters.
@@boysrus2 Agreed! White cabinets, even with white countertops, need some color or warmth elsewhere in the kitchen. Either wood floors or color on the walls or in accessories.
@@trinaroe5132 recently I did white uppers and wood lowers. white Cambria countertop. I also choose the same white used on upper cabinets for the walls. the entire look is so easy on the eyes. If I want colour I could add in the use of dishes and art.
Exactly. I have white cabinets, white appliances, and a white backsplash. But I have gray countertops. And woodgrain floor. And nice bright paint colors. The 100% every single thing in the whole place is white kitchen. I agree it’s probably going out of style, but Most people don’t have that anyway.
Once again, agreed. When my microwave goes out, I am opting for a nice looking stationary range hood. I don't have to worry about the collision I mentioned and I too think it's safer to have this appliance down lower or omit it altogether which I am considering. Microwaves use a lot of energy.
is all white kitchen going out, where everything is white or is white cabinets going out. I think white cabinet will never go out of styles.
Forbes seems to be conflating an all white kitchen with the use of white cabinets
I'm in the process of designing homes, and I'm so glad to hear you agree with me about that massive, ugly chunk of a microwave over the stove. They're too high, and they get in the way of tall crab pots, big tamale pots, and taller pressure cookers. Anyone that really cooks doesn't want that pig over their burners. Thank you for confirming because I wasn't going to include it anyway ;-)
Never would I take out my upper cabinets for shelving. Looks good for 5 minutes and the reality sets in.
I read that article. 😳 Your reactions are spot on and enjoyable! Tks! 🤗🌻
(retired kitchen designer who still loves it)
Decorators want to make more money. They never consider the environmental damage fast fashion decorating has on the planet. Pick something you love and don’t listen to these people. It’s your home; surround yourself with memories, favorite colors and things.