The Kitchen Red Flags Everyone Pretends Not to Notice

There’s something about kitchens that makes people blind to their own décor disasters. Like, friends will come over, pour a glass of wine, and politely ignore that your kitchen looks like it got stuck in a time capsule. Sure, some people really don’t care, and that helps. But some kitchens don’t have that timeless look, like the shaker style white cabinets and brass knobs. Instead, some kitchens are so blatant that it was made in 1994, 2004, or whatever year they were actually built (or renovated). 

Sure, everyone tiptoes around certain kitchen quirks like they’re invisible, but let’s be real: they’re not. Okay, but what are some of those red flags that make it too obvious that it’s an outdated kitchen?

Those Orangey-Brown Overhead Cabinets 

Well, of course, this one had to be the very first one mentioned, it’s the one that's the most common for older homes, and it’s the one that usually gets the most backlash, too. Yeah, those orangey oak overhead ones would’ve done it years ago. They’re bulky, they darken the space, and they somehow make even the brightest kitchen feel gloomy. 

And the worst part? They’re everywhere, and while they’re useful, they’re not exactly pretty. It’s hard to get used to them, and in a way, they just suck the joy out of your kitchen.

Islands With too Many Angles

Well, not all islands have the standard rectangle shape (and those are pretty timeless). And yeah, you should keep your kitchen island, they’re super helpful, especially since they’re the perfect spot for prepping, chatting, maybe even stealing a midnight snack. But somewhere along the way, someone thought, “What if it had six sides?”

Now you’ve got a hexagon-shaped island that looks less like a practical feature and more like a mini gladiator arena. It’s such a weird shape, oh, and octagon shapes are also a thing, too. But not only do these eat up space, but good luck trying to put barstools around it without turning your kitchen into an obstacle course. Honestly, with something like this, it might be a good idea to consider kitchen remodeling, maybe removing it and getting a more rectangular kitchen island, because it’ll be a lot more practical (and timeless). 

How’s the Traffic?

Yes, the infamous kitchen triangle is a real thing. It’s the basic rule that your fridge, stove, and sink should work together in a perfect little flow. So, if you skip that, and suddenly you’re pacing across the room like it’s a gym workout every time you cook dinner. Okay, that’s a step too far, but the flow isn’t going to make any sense, and you’ll most likely be frantically moving around. Overall, just too many kitchens forget this rule.

Countertops that’ve Seen Better Days

Laminate countertops might’ve been “in” decades ago, but these days they’re a dead giveaway that your kitchen hasn’t had an update since dial-up internet. Just think about it; they peel, they stain, and no amount of scrubbing makes them look clean. But what’s worse is that those fake granite patterns aren’t fooling anyone. 

The Matchy-Matchy Appliance Trap

This one’s sneaky because on paper, it sounds smart. Like, a perfectly matching set of appliances, all the same brand and color. It doesn’t matter if it’s all white, or all red, or even stainless steel, it’s just going ot look cold and outdated.