Estimated Read Time: 7 Minutes

The timeless vs trendy aspect of kitchen design has been a decades-long debate. New trends are always taking centre stage, but will you still be as happy with your decision to include them 10 years from now? 

While on the other hand, how do you know what will be considered timeless? The last thing you want is to design your kitchen around timeless features only to view them as dated and behind the times in a decade. 

At Deslaurier Custom Cabinets, we have over 40 years of experience specializing in custom cabinetry manufacturing and kitchen design. In that time, we’ve designed thousands of kitchens featuring both timeless and trendy elements. 

In this article, Deslaurier Designer Darien Wilson offers her expertise as we go in-depth about timeless kitchen design qualities and some of the most popular kitchen design trends of recent years.

Let’s get started! 

What is Timeless Kitchen Design?

Timeless refers to classic design choices that are simple, subtle, understated, and can adapt and withstand the ever-changing styles of interior design.

“Light, white, and simple. Nothing over the top – something that will appeal to most people.” – Darien Wilson, Deslaurier Designer.

Many timeless qualities align similarly with a transitional design style; fairly neutral in both design and tone, landing somewhere between traditional and modern.

These qualities can come in all kinds of kitchen features, from countertops, cabinets, and even the layout of the room. What they all have in common is that no matter the latest trend of constantly changing times, a timeless design will never go out of style. 

Timeless Kitchen Design Elements

Shaker Doors

The most timeless kitchen cabinet door style is also a staple in transitional kitchen design: the shaker door. 

Shaker-style cabinet doors are constructed using a 5-piece solid frame (stiles and rails) with a recessed centre panel. 

Shaker doors are the most universal cabinet door style thanks in large part to their versatility. 

The stiles (running vertically) and rails (horizontal) can come in numerous different widths to tailor to your preferred design style. They can be thin and narrow for a more modern door, or you can add some width to them for a more traditional cabinet. 

Different decorative trim and crown mouldings can also be paired with shaker doors. You can dress them up with brash ornamentation, or go with a sleek, simplistic aesthetic. 

Thanks to their design flexibility, the shaker door cabinet will never go out of style. 

Neutral Countertops

Your countertop selection holds a lot of weight in your kitchen’s overall appearance. You can make a statement with an elaborately veined surface or have your countertop perfectly complement the other features in your kitchen. 

With regards to timeless aspects of design, the goal of your kitchen countertop is to have a surface that holds universal appeal. 

Nothing does that better than a simple, white quartz with subtle, gentle veining. As you can see from our list of best-selling countertops, quartz surfaces are a fan favourite. 

A neutral countertop can pair well with any cabinet colour or design style. It adds a light and airy tone to your kitchen’s overall atmosphere, something homeowners have sought after for decades and will continue to for decades to come. 

Simple Cabinet Colour Palette 

In line with the atmosphere of a light and airy quartz countertop is pairing it with classic white painted cabinets or gentle wood tones. Both cabinet options add warmth to the space and pair perfectly together for a two-tone kitchen design. 

White has been the most popular kitchen cabinet colour for decades and nothing about that is going to change anytime soon. They’re classic, elegant, and understated, while still being able to mesh with contemporary design sensibilities.

Natural wood provides a source of organic colour within the kitchen; ranging from the lightness of white oak, the rich reddish hues of cherry, or the darker browns of walnut. 

Authentic wood is a highly practical material, lasting for decades with proper care. Plus, it’s a forgiving finish that withstands heavy use. Add to that the beautiful wood grains and organic colouring and it’s easy to see why natural wood tone kitchen cabinets are so in-demand. 

For cabinet hardware, there is nothing more classic than brushed nickel. Pair brushed nickel handles with white cabinets, and your kitchen will never go out of style. 

A Kitchen Island

The kitchen island has become a prominent feature for a kitchen’s layout that was previously held by the more dated peninsula of decades past. 

In recent decades, the island has taken over as the heartbeat of the kitchen. Capable of incorporating expansive kitchen sinks, or appliances like a built-in cooktop, it can function as the primary kitchen work area. 

Not to mention countertop overhang and kitchen island seating which cultivate the island into the social hub of the entire house. The timeless quality of a kitchen island offers room for family meals or a space for entertaining guests. 

What is “Trendy” Kitchen Design?

A trendy kitchen design is one that uses features that are popular and in style. Whether it’s from magazines or the suggestion of an interior designer, new design trends are constantly blossoming. 

Trends come and go, as vinyl records and ‘mom’ jeans have proven, resurfacing from time to time with a new twist. When it comes to your home, you want to include trendy designs that you know you’ll love for years to come. 

Just because something is trendy doesn’t mean it will instantly fall to the wayside after it hits its peak popularity. There’s a big difference between a design trend and a flash-in-the-pan fad. A fad is typically very short-lived, being all the rage one moment only to virtually disappear the next. 

Some of these trendy design features will stick around for decades, while others might wither away in the coming years. Regardless, here are some of the trendiest kitchen design elements in recent years. 

Trendy Kitchen Design Elements

Marble

Marble has always been a luxury item for kitchens and bathrooms, but in the past couple of years there has been a particularly sharp uptick in marble demand. Homeowners are revisiting the classic, high-end appeal of the all-natural stone with fresh interest.

Heavily veined marble is simultaneously classic and modern; bold and inviting. The organic, fluid, and 100% unique patterns on a marble slab are timeless; yet also quite trendy. 

The pronounced appearance of marble has become a go-to for homeowners looking for an intricately designed countertop surface. 

Marble surfaces are more popular now than they have been in years. How long is that going to last? Like most trends, no one really knows until it’s gone. 

But for now, the extravagant veining of marble slabs are a hot commodity in the world of kitchen countertops and backsplashes – not to mention bathroom floors and shower walls. 

Bold Backsplashes

Speaking of marble, bold and intricate backsplashes are currently in full force in a variety of manners. 

For such a small kitchen feature, the backsplash can carry a lot of weight in the overall design. A backsplash is a great way to add some personality to your kitchen without committing to larger kitchen elements like bold cabinets or funky countertops. 

Stone backsplashes are all the rage. Whether it’s the pronounced veining of something like the aforementioned marble, or the classic subtlety of a light quartz.  

Of course, tile backsplashes are still in demand, with bright colours and decorative mosaic tiling being increasingly popular. The prominent backsplashes that homeowners used to be hesitant of including in their kitchen, are now included to standout as an eye-catching feature. 

Colourful Cabinets

Colour is making a big comeback in kitchens; adding flair and personality to a room that has conventionally been designed with safe and popular features. Many people are slowly shifting away from completely white kitchens and including some colour into their cabinets.

Bold, colourful cabinets are a stark contrast to the ever-popular white kitchen. Strong, prominent colours like dark greens and blues, or even black, are the trend in recent years. 

“Gold and navy are usually super trendy – they take well in photos.” – Darien Wilson 

Something along the lines of navy blue painted cabinets paired with a more daring gold hardware is sure to impress. 

Custom Range Hood

The surge in demand for decorative range hoods is at an all time high. 

No longer are range hoods bulky kitchen appliances. Today, they are customized statement pieces, trimmed with colour, and detailed with unique shapes and clean lines.

Having some sort of millwork or ornamentation above your cooking surface is becoming the standard –  often made from MDF and natural wood, or even something like copper.

“Whether it’s super modern and basically a box with a flat door – or something ornate – everybody is going for [custom range hoods] right now.” – Darien Wilson

The beauty about custom range hoods is it feels like a trend that has “timeless” written all over it. Range hoods are now integral parts of kitchen design, performing both a functional purpose as well as acting as a design accent piece. 

Oak

Oak is back — and in a big way. That is thanks in large part to the emergence of white oak the past decade within the interior design space. Red oak is also a popular choice among homeowners and is being utilized in a modern way more and more. 

A lot of people hear oak cabinets and immediately think back to their parents or grandparents' old and outdated kitchens. Honey-coloured, arched door styles, and a traditional design that doesn’t mesh with today’s modern kitchens.

Now, oak is back to being one of the most sought after wood species you can include in your home. Not just with cabinets, but other kitchen features and fine detailing; be it with a custom range hood or a set of floating shelves. 

Floating shelves are a great way to add more natural wood texture to the kitchen’s overall appearance and play well next to painted cabinets in a two-tone kitchen. If oak cabinets are situated for the base, having floating oak shelves next to painted upper cabinets is a beautiful way to tie the room together. 

Design with Deslaurier Custom Cabinets

Whether you’re looking to design a kitchen with all the latest trends, or one that will stand the test of time, Deslaurier Custom Cabinets has everything you need! 

Book a consultation today with a Deslaurier design expert at our Ottawa Showroom or schedule a virtual meeting! 

If you have your eye on custom cabinetry, Deslaurier Custom Cabinets has everything you need. With over 40 years of experience to our name, we provide our clients with a fully customized design process with our talented team of designers. 

Interested in becoming an authorized Deslaurier dealer? Visit our Become a Dealer page to learn more! Live outside the area? Find a Dealer to connect with a Deslaurier dealer near you!