I agree with you, and I appreciate you posting this, because I think a lot about it, too. (I don't ever want to make a big mistake with a lot of money).

I also think that people who hang out on websites like Houzz and Pinterest, etc., are going to be more aware of the over-done thing that becomes ubiquitous, before most people...while out in the "real world," I only know one person who has remodeled and chosen the very trendy combo we see so much of on the website these days.

However, I'm not so sure about avoiding trends in, let's say, rugs. Rugs are easily changed out, and unless you have expensive taste in really valuable rugs, Home Goods and Pier 1 and RugsUSA have inexpensive rugs. I see rugs are much more disposable than most people, probably. But we have kids and dogs and are tough on them.

Since I live in a tract house, I wish it had an "era and style". Sadly, it really doesn't have anything very cohesive, though I don't find it offensive.

I plan to fight the trendy, along with you!

I am in the same spot. I like white kitchens with soapstone counters and Shaker doors, that look would fit my house's age and style, and white cabinets seem like a good idea since our kitchen can be dark... but I still worry it will look dated eventually since white Shaker cabinets seem to be "in" right now. Am I only drawn to this design because I see it everywhere?

Totally agree with keeping things cohesive with the overall style and feel of the house.

I would focus on discerning your true preferences in spite of all the trends, rather than worrying about what to avoid. You may think you like an all white kitchen with white subway tile and white counters, and maybe you do, which is great! But perhaps after looking at 5,000 variations of a white kitchen you will find that there are specific aspects of white kitchens that appeal to you, and other areas where you found yourself attracted to color, etc. (e.g. white uppers for the airy feel, but actually open to darker lowers for a grounded look). If you think you love farmhouse sinks, but 50% of the photos you've saved have a regular under mount, maybe it's not a must have. Trendy items also tend to come with an increased price tag, so part of the benefit in the aforementioned exercise is that you end up forced to prioritize.

Trendy screams at you when it is most personal, individual. The Tuscan thing for example. The back splashes were very creative, but very individual. The more personal and unusual a choice the faster it will wear out. What we are left with is very milk toast choices. Is that really where we should go?

I just finished a gut remodel of my condo which included the kitchen and two bathrooms.

I live in a high rise condo with no discernible architectural style so designing to fit the style of my unit wasn’t an issue. I have never lived in any home with a distinctive architectural feel such that it would impact the design.

I am really not that interested in home design so until I started my remodel I didn't read design magazines or watch design shows although as a person who keeps up with things, one certainly can't escape knowing certain things unless one deliberately wears horse blinders.

That said, I do know quite a bit about architectural history, art and design history and have developed a sense of what is appealing to me which has remained constant for a long enough period to know that I am not going to tire of it. I started collecting Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Craftsman in college and as I wrote about am interested in design as part of cultural history.

I can't say that I dislike current trends but they aren't particularly appealing to me even those which I can appreciate aesthetically for someone else. I did use a designer and my instructions to her were no gray and no beige - no "spa" like modern bathroom; no white Shaker kitchen with white subway tiles. I wasn't worried that they were on trend and might go the way of pickled pine or harvest gold - they weren't appealing to me as design choices.

I told my designer that I wanted something with Deco, Nouveau, Prairie, Arts & Crafts elements and sent her a ton of inspiration photos. But mostly I looked at photos of kitchens and baths to see how they functioned and how I wanted my kitchen to function.

My place is mostly finished and everyone says it is completely unique and they seem to like it but I don't particularly care because the place was designed to be completely comfortable and functional for me and to be aesthetically pleasing to me and no one else. Maybe it has "trendy" elements like the copper farmhouse sink but I don't think I am going to wake up in five years and decide that I can't live with it anymore than if I had opted for a stainless steel undermount sink :-).

@arcy your statement seems to be self contradictory. How can those choices which are most personal wear out the fastest. It would seem the converse is true and the most personal design choices would be most appealing to those selecting them for the longest period assuming a person has some idea of their taste.

Tuscan wore out its welcome because it wasn’t an organic design element for the most part. Spanish Colonial in Southern California is timeless in a way that Tuscan in New Jersey never would be. I always thought Tuscan was ridiculous so it’s not as though I craved it and then changed my design preferences when It fell out of fashion.

My design choices are pretty personal and i don’t anticipate my regretting my choices because they were personal and not bland. My medalllion was based on an Art Nouveau statue of a crane I have loved for many years. Am I going to wake up suddenly and dislike it because it is a personal design choice and if someone else doesn’t like it, why should I care.

This is my medallion.

The advice to go with what you love works if you have a strong, lasting personal taste that doesn't clash with the home you're remodeling and you plan to live there for a long time, BUT what most of us truly love is influenced - whether we realize it or not - by advertising, and designers who have an incentive to get us to update. so that's what I'm worried about that what I like now, my true preferences, are going to change. The more those preferences are influenced by current trends the more likely they are to change when those trends change, so intentionally avoiding the trends seems like it could help.

Helen, it looks you areremarkably stylish and thoughtful about your decor and if it's something you're going to live in for a long time that's great. I agree that personal choices are less likely to go out of style so long as theyactuallytheyactuallybased current style.

Mrs. S, sorry I misworded that sentence I meant to say that rugs and light fixtures are easier to change so it's ok to go with trendy things.

Anne -- I'm no designer so . . .

We've all walked into rooms and thought "1972!" or "1995!". It seems to me the best way to avoid that is to respect the era of the house, and keep the design as simple as possible. Go with plain (but quality) cabinetry with traditional finishes, classic flooring, quiet countertops and a simple range vent. Often vendors can help by telling you what product lines they have carried for years and consider timeless.

If you want to add some pizzazz, use a beautiful backsplash, trendy hardware, colorful paint or bold wallpaper, all which can be inexpensively changed in 10 years. Dishes, accessories and light fixtures can bring your personality into the room.

Sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders -- you'll make good decisions.

You are mixing up a lot of different issues that go beyond trends that date a kitchen or room and in a bad way. Because frankly there are styles (or trends) that might date a room but which are still aesthetically pleasing - or at least aesthetically pleasing to some - and nothing is going to appeal to everyone.

The issue of how to decorate a room if you are worried about potential resale value.

The issue of how to decorate a room if you have no personal taste. This isn't the same as having bad taste but you posit someone who is unsure of what they actually like which is equivalent I would think to having no taste.

Decorating in line with a home's architectural style (even if one exists) isn't enough to prevent some people from posting a kitchen or bathroom as a design horror - especially in terms of bathrooms which often have fabulous tile designs which automatically date them as from being from a certain era. Personally I love all those pink and green tiled bathrooms - or the very 1960's mosaic floor tiles (although not in the yellow or brown configurations but that's a color preference rather than a style preference). While I admire MCM homes in the abstract, I personally wouldn't want a home with orange formica counters however true to the architectural bones of that home :-). On the other hand, I've seen some gorgeous slab walnut doors that I would definitely use if lived in a MCM home. :-).

Anne, I think you've got a pretty good handle on it. You're right about tossing anything uber trendy RIGHT out. Black cabs? Nope. Rose gold faucet? Again, no. "Black Stainless Steel" appliance? No, again.

There is nothing - NOTHING - that is so entirely neutral that it cannot be called out to when it was put in. But that's only really a problem if the kitchen doesn't fit in the house into which it is placed or doesn't flow well with the rest of the interior. It SHOULD fit the era in which the house was built "Plain" cabinetry doesn't really help that much. Most of us can tell by eye the difference between plywood slab cabinets from the 50's, flat panel doors (often with arched tops) from the 70's, raised panel from the 90's, etc. Yet most of those were "plainer" choices at the time. Shaker has come back and forth in and out of style. But in a non-Craftsman setting, they will probably go back "out" for a time in the not-too-distant future. If that bothers you, look around at something else or choose one with some slight details that make them look a little more unique.

If you're a trend chaser to start with, keep in mind that things seem to be warming back up. Greige and beige are replacing cooler greys. So, if you're going to want to follow the color trends, avoid icy shades of cabinets and countertops.

Too theme-y can be a bit twee. But a strong design concept will help it feel less "McKitchen."

Like Helen, I'm designing my kitchen with utter disregard for what is "on trend" and a clear vision of what the whole house is to be (new build, with a distinct style). It will be fairly off the beaten path. Although the downside to that is that it's been fairly difficult to find certain elements. Lighting is a specific bugaboo. If you're not looking for "modern farmhouse" or "MCM" right now, choices are somewhat limited. Grrrr.

What a happy place, jalarse!

You can never go wrong keeping things really simple. I have been hanging out on this site for quite a few years and what has struck me a lot of times is the agonizing people do over making choices that will give them the "perfect" kitchen. What often happens is that getting immersed in the details can lead to a micro-focus where every last knob is agonized over, but the big picture is lost. Then, when all these perfect individual choices come together, the total effect is overwhelming and often too busy. You can always add color and interest to a kitchen with accessories, framed art, and even rugs, but trying to add these personal touches to a space that already has a lot going on is a recipe for disaster.

Others here have pointed out that clean design, like Shaker cabinets, can help insure against things becoming dated too soon, and I always look for the simplest solution to a design project. I will also say that I approach anything that has just come on the design scene that people are becoming enamored about as a reason to run the other way. I have been saving designs for remodels to my various homes for over 40 years, and when I look at some things I thought were great at the time -- a couple of decades ago -- I'm now embarrassed by some of my choices, and glad I didn't do (most of) them. What many of these had in common was that they were very trendy at the time, and I didn't quite see that then. My experience since I began remodeling has taught me a bit about avoiding these things now. And when I look around me at the the furnishings I've acquired and remodels I've done, the ones I like the best are the ones that have been simplest.

In the middle of the last century, the famous architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe popularized the phrase: 'Less is more," which simply means that less decoration, properly deployed, has more impact than a lot. He thought that elegance did not derive from abundance. I don't think this concept is any less true today....

Kudzu9 wrote- What often happens is that getting immersed in the details can lead to a micro-focus where every last knob is agonized over, but the big picture is lost. Then, when all these perfect individual choices come together, the total effect is overwhelming

Very apt- that really resonates. I am grappling with what do I really want, what will I still adore in 5 years/10 years and so on as best I can tell. We are all subconsciously barraged with images and trends so it's really hard for me to really discern.

I do like the white shaker cabinets, I do like wood raised panel cabinets.

Cabinets, flooring, are so durable that they really have to have longevity in the appeal. I totally agree that some things I felt were classic just scream 1986 for example.

I wish there was a way to really get a handle on this. I appreciate the discussion.

I am with Mrs. S, I live in a townhome built in the late 90's. I honestly don't know what would be considered respectful of the architecture of the home. I ask in all earnest Is it just not making it be futuristic or log cabin but anything else is legit?

I wanted to tell Jalarse, that I am so impressed that she and her husband built this cottage by themselves. What a beautiful setting and I can see from the pictures how much you love Cape Cod and how your house echos that love. My husband and I are in the midst of a kitchen gut (down to the studs and a wall taken down) and remodel (we are not doing it ourselves). We spent the last year planning this kitchen and our cabinets are being installed this week. It will be completed the first or second week of March. We hired an old friend, who happens to be an excellent kitchen designer to help with this big project. She has been wonderful helping us stick to our original conception which was that we wanted our kitchen to have a calm, serene feeling to it. Whenever I tried to step out of that goal, she reminded me of our goal to create a calming, serene feeling in the kitchen. As a result, we ended up nixing some tile that we loved by itself, however, would have popped in our space. Instead we focused on the whole picture. Our countertops will be White Fantasy leathered, our cabinets are Plain and Fancy Cloud Grey perimeter cabinets and Sweatshirt Grey on the Island. The tile is Fluid Seascape light from Quemere tile. Right now, we have a big empty space! I am so excited to see the entire thing come together. It has been a dream of ours for a long time. We both cook and bake for large gatherings for friends and family. We have put great effort into planning the appliances to meet our needs and a floor plan that works, whether it is just the two of us or the 18 people we had for sit down dinner for Christmas! The color of the cabinets was something we deliberated over for a long time. Given that grey colors have been the trend for some time and might be on the way out - we warmed it up with some wood in the floor and a tiger maple table. I will keep you posted on how it comes together!

In a way, it's the same problem Disney has had with Tomorrow Land. Tomorrow always comes, and ends up looking completely different than we thought it would. That section of the park has always been the problem for looking tired or dated and gets a lot more refurbs. For a while, they got a handle on it by doing a "retro future" theme, which worked for quite a bit longer.

If you look around, the rest of the park suffers less from this because each other area is clearly what it is. The period pieces are reasonably accurate for their period and we don't feel like they're "dated" 10 years from now. Other areas that have strong themes don't feel dated because everything remains true to the theme.

In the case of kitchens in more or less "featureless" buildings that don't have any strong sense of time or style I think you trick is not to get TOO period or TOO themey about anything. Don't put in the latest and greatest from this year's kitchen show, and don't put in a vintage 50's kitchen. Don't do a full French Country look with limestone floors and counters, etc. Keep your hard surfaces simple and in keeping with the rest of the house. If your moldings are very simple, don't put Roman Ogee edgings on your countertops. :-)

There is no color scheme that is truly neutral. Everything is going to lean either a little warm or a little cold. But most of us have a color or colors we naturally gravitate toward. Decide what sort of a "neutral" scheme will work with that and use that scheme for your hard surfaces. Then you shouldn't run into trouble with the kitchen fighting with other things in your house.

In other words, try to view the hard surfaces (and I really would include the backsplash in that) as your little black dress. More changeable elements are your jewelry and accessories.

So many good thoughts being shared about this important concept. Mary Killam blogs about timeless bathroom and kitchen decor a lot.

Really like Kudzu9's advice about not losing track of the big picture. Where I got into the trouble with our kitchen reno was in micro-focusing (fine, obsessing) on certain elements. Also, avoiding certain elements I thought were "overdone and boring" at the time. Sometimes, it's overdone because it is classic. And boring is not that boring when it costs a lot to replace. :)

My advice is to strive for a cohesive, harmonious space that fits your house's style. To me, even if certain elements end up dated in ten years, you're still left with a space that looks better than most.

To get some perspective, browse through kitchen books and magazines from the '70s, '80s and '90s and note what still looks good.

______________________________________

Maybe nothing.

Wood butcherblock, Stainless steel hood?

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Orange dutch oven, trestle table - I would still be using those.

Just thought of something else as I was in the kitchen preparing my breakfast. Really prioritize the function in your design. This way if you tire of the form, you can still live with your layout and element choices. Or maybe that's a personal preference. Not sure. I know that while my cabinet finish is finished (we really didn't choose the right cabinet maker), the kitchen layout still works, my cabinets and drawers offer me the right amount of storage and I still adore the practicality of our huge stainless steel sink.

Thor, I see why you are the mightiest of the gods! Excellent idea.

We have a 1915 house and don't want a 1915 kitchen, but we have a salvaged 1930s sink we are planning to use ([https://www.houzz.com/discussions/frustrating-foursquare-kitchen-layou-dsvw-vd~5580107[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/frustrating-foursquare-kitchen-layou-dsvw-vd~5580107)) and the 30s kitchens I have seen that still look good would probably work with the house.

Honestly I feel like things are "dated" when they are part of a specific heavily advertised and copied trend. For example - the white or almond laminate slab doors on cabinets with the wood strip on the bottom as the pull. These cabinets went into every style of home from traditional to contemporary and didn't really suit any of them.

I also think the "dated" term is most often used by designers, architects, realtors because they are very much in tough with what was popular when... so even if oak cabinets look great in someone's house everyone says they are dated. Why?

The other issue I see is with the internet and forums like this everyone can get advice on what they should do... the issue with that advice is we don't see the outside of your house, your neighborhood, what part of the country you live in, so you get advice based on our experience and where we live...

Be true to your house. Add your personality in with paint, wallpaper, backsplashes rugs, knick knacks, light fixtures, stools etc. Things that are easy to change when you are ready for a change!

Much luck to everyone on their renovations!

@Isaac: We don't keep up with the trends here in Valhalla, but then not much can top game slow-roasted over an open fire. We leave the frou frou to Freyja over at Sessrúmnir.

I'm going to post what I said in my kitchen reveal thread:

"My house has a craftsman/bungalow feel, so every element had to work within that idea. That's why it feels timeless. If your house is contemporary, don't put in a traditional kitchen, or if your house is a georgian colonial, don't put in a sleek contemporary kitchen as examples. Make the kitchen, and actually all elements in the house work with the style of house and it will feel timeless."

jalarse- Your space is unique beyond anything trendy. It shows more creative effort than what we would see in a trendy design. In my opinion trendy stuff is a substitute for the level of artistic craftsmanship that only time and effort in good taste can produce. That never goes out of style.

It's not just fitting the style of the house (which may or may not actually have one stye!), but where the house is located. The Tuscan and Santa Fe look for bathrooms and kitchen backsplashes was not a great idea unless one lived in Tuscany or Santa Fe. Both certainly looked ridiculous in Des Moines.

Stainless appliances are here to stay; black stainless is not. White really only work well in super high end kitchens where most are built in and concealed anyway. Cabinets that are kept simple - no fancy stains, not knots and "rustic" look, no glazes - are best. Shaker and slab will never scream "dated" like other styles.

Asking a kitchen shop is problematic. If one asked the shop that did my kitchen what their top sellers are (it's one of the most high end shops in town), they would tell you "cherry" and "glazed cream". Both have been out of style for years, but that's what people in my town still seem to want as that's all they see. My gray kitchen is the first (and only!) one this shop has ever done. Perhaps in 20 years, gray will become "trendy" in my town!

Think about ease of cleaning in a kitchen. All those highly carved corbels are dust/grease catchers and cleaning them is not easy. That's not where I want to spend my time.

I think separate kitchens are returning in high end houses - or at least SOME separation. This is going to make deciding on how ones kitchen should look SO much easier. My gray kitchen is harmonious with the dining room on one side (totally separate room with a swinging door between it and the kitchen) and my back hall (single doorway, no door due to space restraints). But it is a separate kitchen and my LR and DR use lots of color and pattern, but my kitchen does not.

Thor, what is that green all-in-one kitchen called? It’s hysterical!

Mine is a log house; Thor's example kitchen would fit right in here! (If I were doing a second kitchen or something, THAT would be the place I'd love to put that...)

I determined that log could equal hunting lodge, which I did not want! No deer or moose heads, for log, go ahead and sheetrock the interior walls, stay with warm tones and colors.

@Dowagercontess: I believe it is from Terence Conran's "The Kitchen Book" (1977).
You just can't get that shade of green anymore.

For more fun 70s images see James Lilek's "Interior Desecrations"
http://www.lileks.com/institute/interiors/