Each year, there are materials, colors, and themes that dominate the design industry. Trends date the look of certain homes and interior spaces. It’s not necessarily a bad thing. Although there are some that are really tacky, there are many classic design trends that have stood the test of time. Incorporating current details into your kitchen design is a delicate balance. Here are some tips you must keep in mind to ensure timeless success.

1. Make a material and mood board.

It’s nothing fancy. All you need to do is to get small samples of the actual materials you will be using plus swatches of the fabrics and paint finishes. Put them all together then view them in natural light during the day, and your intended light temperature at night.

Some materials look good on their own, while others clash once they are combined together. This is especially crucial when you are choosing patterns, finishes, and textures. Seeing all the materials together will solidify your design theme and give direction as to how the design will be executed properly.

2. Decide on a cohesive theme.

Tie it all together with one solid countertop material, a continuous floor pattern, or a small detail like matching knobs and handles. Repetition of materials and finishes also creates cohesiveness. High-gloss lacquer cabinets can be paired with polished metal elements. Matte countertops and matte floor tiles create a visual balance for the room. The eyes and mind can sense the design patterns in the room even before you realize it. You immediately just feel at ease when it is done right.

3. Don’t be too literal.

Sometimes, when a motif is chosen, every detail becomes geared towards it and the design becomes too theatrical or overdone. For instance, oriental elements have always been in style. The wrong way would be to choose red-colored cabinets, gold knobs, chinoiserie wallpaper, black lacquer furniture, and round lantern drop lights. There is a more sophisticated and tasteful way to achieve this look without stepping into a bygone era.

Choose high gloss white doors for the base cabinets and combine it with dark walnut tall cabinets, matte grey countertops, and then add modern polished metal oriental handles and a weaved wall accent material. The oriental feeling will be very subtle but distinct. The kitchen design will not go out of style because the main elements have classic lines and finishes.

4. It shouldn’t be overpowering.

A timeless kitchen isn’t achieved or guaranteed by choosing conservative colors and finishes or not taking risks. On the contrary, good design is never boring. You will know immediately when you come across a timeless kitchen design because once you step inside the space, everything feels right. There is visual balance, nothing is out of place, elements blend together, and the eyes are drawn smoothly from one area to the next with ease. Not one part of the kitchen is too strong that the other features are ignored. This means that each component is part of the building blocks of the design. There should be reason behind them. They are beautiful on their own, but they come alive when they are put together.