Shea McGee shares her tips for designing a timeless kitchen
For most of us, creating a timeless, enduring kitchen is the biggest priority during a redesign. It’s a careful balance of embracing trends that speak to you while embracing colors, finishes, and materials that will truly stand the test of time.
While we all want a scheme that feels unique and characterful, there are some timeless kitchen design elements that can be introduced to kitchens of every style, size, and aesthetic. But there are also some things that you should really avoid.
According to interior designer Shea McGee, there are two big mistakes she sees all too often – and they’re likely the reason your kitchen feels anything but timeless. Here’s what she says you should avoid for a kitchen that never dates.
‘The two biggest mistakes I see in kitchen designs are one, people go way too trendy and then the kitchen is over in a couple of years,’ says Shea in her Instagram reel. While there’s no reason you can’t embrace your favorite kitchen trends, try not to bring them in through major features like cabinetry and countertops.
‘The second one is that they try to make their kitchen basically indestructible with materials that are all man-made; there’s nothing natural, and then they lose all soul and all ability to patina. When you look at high-end kitchens, they incorporate things that age over time,’ she explains.
While it seems rather simple – just avoid these two problem areas and you can ensure your kitchen remains timeless – it can be more difficult to identify the big problem areas when you’re either in the middle of a huge redesign or if you’ve simply become too used to your space. But Shea has some advice that may help.
(Image credit: McGee & Co)
‘Before you start pulling selections for your kitchen, I would encourage you to make some lists, do some real soul-searching, and be honest with yourself about how you will actually use and live in the kitchen,’ she suggests.
‘If it’s hard for you to keep a tidy kitchen, and you’re not a minimalist, I wouldn’t recommend doing all open shelves or glass-front cabinets. Maybe you can do a little bit around the top of the kitchen, but you just have to know yourself,’ she explains.
It’s not just about your style but also about how your space makes you feel. This is particularly important if you’re someone who dislikes visual clutter in the kitchen. ‘You have to know how you cook and how you clean up at the end, and you also have to know what’s going to bother you. Is it going to grab your eye all the time?’ adds Shea.
Ultimately, creating a timeless kitchen is striking a balance between a design that endures and a space that feels perfectly tailored to your style and the way you use your scheme. It has to work for you.
‘You spend so much time there – probably more time than anywhere in the home – so I wouldn’t recommend doing anything that doesn’t feel right in your gut.’
Shop timeless kitchen accessories
If you like the lived-in look of kitchen countertops with your most-used pieces on display, consider introducing a timeless tray, like this wooden design, to give your miscellaneous items a sense of permanency. By simply stacking them on something makes them look more considered and curated.
There’s nothing timeless about basic plastic bottles littering your countertops. Instead, find an oil cruet that matches your kitchen aesthetic to instantly elevate the everyday. We love the neutral, rustic style of this refillable design.
Peabody Cotton Tea Towel (Set of 2)
Attention to detail is a crucial part of designing a timeless kitchen. Introducing kitchen linens, like your tea towels, with classic designs, like this grid pattern, and timeless colorways is a simple yet effective way to add the perfect finishing touch.
Designing a timeless kitchen doesn’t mean creating a space that lacks personality and unique style – it’s actually the complete opposite. Instead of thinking about the things you can’t introduce, focus on the things that add enduring appeal while catering to the way you use your kitchen – it’s easier than you might think!
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