Designers Share 15 Timeless Choices for Your Kitchen Remodel

Interior designer Jenn Feldman says the smartest choice in a kitchen remodel is a simple, clean backsplash tile. Instead of going trendy with your backsplash, let your cabinets steal the show. "Even though cabinetry and custom millwork are one of the largest investments in a kitchen renovation project, paint upgrades don't have to be. Think about going bold with an accent color on kitchen cabinetry. It's a fresh, contemporary and youthful spin on modern kitchen design that gives so much personality to the space, especially when it can be seen through other openings and rooms within the house," she says. "No one ever complains that their kitchen tile is too white and clean! But chances are if your design taste changes down the road, in time it will be much easier to upgrade your kitchen with a paint refresh on the cabinetry than it would be to replace the tile."

Jette Creative’s principal designer Jesse DeSanti says covering the hood in your kitchen is an absolute must. "Hood styles change so much and don’t often match the style of the home," she explains. "By covering the hood, you’re able to create the style you want that best fits the house and overall palette. You’re able to direct the design versus picking something off the shelf that may or may not conflict with the time, look and feel."

In this kitchen, Jesse blended the stainless steel hood with the rest of the midcentury modern space using a painted wood cover that matches the walls. "[The kitchen is] simple, elegant and modern, and we didn’t want the hood to take away from that," she says.

Want to get lost in a 1940s daydream? Let interior designer Connie Vernich tell you about the kitchen that’s inspired her from day one. "When I first became a designer 20 years ago, I was sent to a home to renovate a living room. The home was an old carriage house, and I couldn't help but notice how beautiful the kitchen was. I asked the homeowner when the kitchen was last renovated, and she told me 1940!"

"I will never forget the beautiful white cabinets, the marble countertops stained with age yet still beautiful and fitting, and the black-and-white marble floor chipped in places but so perfect in its state. From that time on, when someone wants a timeless kitchen, I immediately revert to that kitchen," she says. "We have so many great products today that are better able to handle the stains and chips, and it's easy to get the look without the maintenance issues they used to have. I think sometimes as designers, we tend to want to add the latest trends and have the showiest kitchen, but there is something so lovely and comfortable about a simple, functional design that can withstand the test of time."

Selecting a color palette can be one of the toughest parts of a kitchen redesign. Interior designer Katelyn Rountree of TerraCotta Design Build suggests a neutral color scheme. The palette’s versatility makes it a safe choice for almost any home. In this kitchen, gray and white work with warm wood accents to strike balance, creating a timeless design that transcends the boundaries of style. "It would not feel out of place in a 1920s bungalow or a modern home," Katelyn says.