Styles change all the time, and those who want to stay relevant must continuously change. It’s no easy task and can take its toll on your finances and energy. Luckily, there’s a simple solution to this problem. All you have to do is opt for a style that will remain timeless over the years, so that you don’t have to worry about it becoming obsolete and having to be changed regularly. But what is the basis of an ageless style? And do you have to follow the rules completely, or is there also room for creativity and a personal touch?
Clean lines
As a general rule, designs that follow clean, crisp lines are more likely to stand the test of time and look good no matter how much time passes. Shaker kitchen doors are an excellent example of such a design. The distinctive style originated with the Shakers, a religious community that thrived around the 18th century. The furniture created by the members was guiding itself on the principles of simplicity and utility, meaning that all the items were largely minimalistic and made to last a long time.
Apart from kitchen furnishing, this style has also created bedroom items, dressers, chairs, rockers, desks, dining tables and clocks. There’s no excessive ornamentation, such as inlays or carvings, and wood is the preferred material. The furniture is easy to clean and manage, and the materials last a long time. So, if you want to have a kitchen that will still look put together several years from now, consider the shaker style.
Neutrals
Neutrals have become more and more popular over the past few years among both designers and consumers. It’s not just about interior design. Beige and ecru apparel is increasingly the go-to option for many consumers. Many choose other household objects in the same muted tones. The main reason for this is, naturally, this style’s versatility.
Although colourful, bright options are available and can provide you with a boost of energy, it’s also possible that you’ll get bored of them relatively soon after getting your kitchen redesigned. Having to purchase new furniture again and again will take its toll on your finances, something that you certainly want to avoid. The same can be said about neutrals, which are not so easy to become fed up with.
They are easier to pair up with other shades, so if you want a brighter item, you don’t have to worry about it clashing with the rest of the ensemble. White, brown, dark and soft greys are all ageless and will never go out of style. If your space is small and you want to make the room feel roomier and brighter, you should focus on light neutrals, such as beige and ecru, since dark colours will create the visuals of a smaller, more cramped space.
Ridged detailing
Also known as fluted detailing, these horizontal ridges have taken interior design by storm over the past few years, and more and more homeowners are choosing to integrate it into their kitchens. They’re one of the few examples of something new that is also a classic at the same time. They are perfect for the kitchen, not only from a chromatic point of view since most of them tend to be brown but also because they add texture and depth to the room.
Fluted detailing can also act as the statement item in your kitchen and provide it with a modern flair. It can also add more value to your household if you ever choose to sell. However, you should be wary of going overboard. Choose a single area in the kitchen for this design to really bring out its full visual impact. Installing it in too many areas will make the place feel stuffy.
Quartzite
You might be familiar with quartz, but quartzite is probably a stranger to you. The latter offers superior heat resistance and durability, making it the preferred alternative for countertops. You could place hot pots or pans directly on the surface, and you’ll notice that there’s no problem with the material. And, of course, since the colour palette tends to be music, with white and soft greys, these countertops will always look good.
This is an excellent way in which high quality and resistance combine with timeless design choices to create a product that can last a lifetime. You want something durable for the kitchen since you use the place for a very practical purpose: meal prepping and cooking. Straight-edge countertops are easier to install and maintain compared with those that are more decorative, which is something that you might want to keep in mind as well.
Sustainability
There is a considerable degree of overlap between timeless design and sustainability because the idea is that you’ll get items that look good forever, and you won’t have to replace them periodically. The idea is that since you don’t need more and more items, you also create less waste because you don’t have to dispose of the old furnishings or appliances you no longer have room for.
The manufacturing processes that go into creating new products can also have considerable carbon footprints, and by throwing the stuff away before the end of their lifetime and not getting the most use out of them, you don’t offset the harmful effects of the emissions. You can look for sustainable furniture alternatives since there are companies out there that are committed to delivering eco-friendly products.
The sustainable products are made from material that is sustainably sourced, sometimes recycled. The employees creating these pieces work in good conditions, and ethical practices are strictly respected.
To sum up, creating a timeless kitchen will help you make an ensemble you can enjoy for years. Although some people might consider neutrals bland and boring, they are perfect for creating a calming, restful and welcoming atmosphere in your home. You want your household to be welcoming, a place where you can unwind after a long and stressful day. It’s relatively simple to achieve that through design choices that are clean and muted.
