Designers Say These Are the 2 Most Impractical Kitchen Cabinet Trends
One of the most important elements of a kitchen is, of course, the cabinetry. You might be deciding on the size, material, and finish of your kitchen cabinets — and maybe whether you’re going to have any built-in cupboards at all, with the increased popularity of unfitted kitchens. As with most other home features, you can also consider current cabinet trends to see if anything speaks to your aesthetic.
Thing is, though, sometimes the trends you love the look of aren’t always the most functional design decisions, and practicality is pretty important in a kitchen, since it’s a space where so many people both cook and gather. That’s why I asked three designers what the most impractical new kitchen cabinet trend is, and they each had a similar answer. Surprisingly, all of them also agreed that there’s another kitchen cabinet trend they find super impractical, too — and both of these trends might be worth skipping if you want easy upkeep in your cook space.
Mirrored Cabinets Are the Most Impractical Kitchen Cabinet Trend
Mirrored cabinets have been gaining popularity recently, and I’ve seen them pop up more than once on social media. Izabela Tokarski, principal designer of Kabela & Co., understands why. “Mirrored cabinets in the kitchen can be a striking design choice,” she says. “Mirrored surfaces can create an illusion of more space, making smaller kitchens feel larger and airier.” Reflective surfaces help to throw more light around a space, and aesthetically, they add a touch of glamour and elegance. If you’re looking for a statement feature in a kitchen, mirrored cabinets definitely seem like a great option.
However, some designers are not fans of this choice for both practical and aesthetic reasons. Designer Katelyn De Spain of Makehouse Design Studio points out that despite having a resurgence, mirrored cabinets are usually seen on antiques, and as such, they can immediately date your kitchen. “It’s not even really antique, because you’re re-creating the effect,” she explains. She also thinks mirrored cabinets can be overwhelming with all the reflective surfaces, especially if used on every cabinet, creating a “hall of mirrors” effect that’s far from visually calming. “You also have to clean them frequently, making them wholly impractical,” she adds.
Designer Jennifer Stephan agrees.“Keeping mirrored cabinets clean in a kitchen would be nearly impossible between greasy fingerprints and ventilation,” she says. She also points out that any damage done to the glass could break it, presenting a safety hazard. “From an aesthetic perspective, mirrors can look chaotic, with reflections on all sides of the room,” she explains, echoing De Spain’s above sentiment.
Tokarski herself doesn’t disagree, either. “Mirrored surfaces require regular cleaning to keep them looking pristine,” Tokarski says. “Many homeowners prefer materials that are more forgiving and easier to maintain, especially in a space as high-traffic as the kitchen.” They might also simply end up looking too bold and flashy, something you might not realize until your kitchen reno is done, she points out.
If you still want to add mirrored cabinets for aesthetic purposes, it’s definitely an option. You could maybe choose mirrored insets for a pair of upper cabinets as a focal point in your kitchen, or you could seek out a freestanding piece of furniture with a mirrored front that you could use as a pantry cabinety. If you’d prefer to prioritize durability and practicality in your cook space, though, there are plenty of gorgeous traditional cabinetry options for a kitchen that would be easier to maintain.
Open Shelving Is the Other Most Impractical Kitchen Cabinet Trend
Open shelving attracts a range of opinions, and it’s been a controversial kitchen trend for a long time. There was a time when it was considered trendy to have all your kitchenware on display. However, designers still find it a pretty impractical trend.
“Floating, open shelving is completely impractical unless used in an Airbnb with minimal day-to-day usage,” Stephan says. “Don’t get me wrong — it’s gorgeous — but not ideal for a family to keep a kitchen looking like a showroom!” For similar reasons, she doesn’t like glass-fronted cabinets, either, which need to be kept organized and styled, something that’s not always possible with everyday life getting in the way.
De Spain agrees, pointing out that open shelving is “impractical for storage and aesthetically as well.” However, she thinks it might work in small doses when offset by upper cabinetry.
Tokarski thinks open shelving requires curating the appearance and organization of your kitchenware, a task that simply isn’t worth the time. “Open shelves expose dishes, glassware, and cookware to dust, grease, and cooking residue,” she adds, meaning that you might find yourself having to wash your clean dishes before you even use them.
Additionally, she explains that it’s hard to find space to store gadgets, bulk cooking supplies, or other aesthetically unappealing items in your kitchen when you have open shelving. This can lead to your shelving looking jumbled at their best and downright messy at their worst.
If you have open shelving (or are still really set on getting it), don’t worry! There are ways to keep open shelving organized. Just make sure you know what you’re getting into by selected this kitchen feature or mirrored cabinetry.
Further Reading
We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Ashley — Here Are the Best to Suit Your Style and Space
We Tested (and Rated!) Every Sofa at West Elm — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need
