Want to create a kitchen that will look amazing 10 years from now?
Everyone wants their kitchen remodel to look modern and feel timeless. But here’s the problem… Kitchen trends come and go FAST. What looks hot now can quickly feel dated in a few short years.
The solution?
Certain kitchen remodel trends will never go out of style. And the most important ones do more than look good – they help you save money on energy bills too. Energy-efficient kitchen appliances are here to stay for one simple reason – they combine classic style with energy savings that matter to homeowners.
What you’ll learn:
- Why you should care about timeless kitchen design
- Kitchen design trends that last forever
- How energy-efficient kitchen appliances can increase home value
- How to choose energy-efficient appliances that won’t go out of style
Why You Should Care About Timeless Kitchen Design
Let’s start with the basics…
Kitchen remodels aren’t cheap. In fact, they’re one of the most expensive renovations for most homeowners. The latest Cost vs. Value report backs this up. The national average ROI for a minor kitchen remodel was an astounding 113% in 2025. That makes kitchens the best home project for recovering your costs.
If you’re going to spend that kind of money on remodeling, you want your kitchen design to stand the test of time. Investing in trendy finishes that your neighbors won’t have will leave your kitchen feeling dated faster than your mortgage is paid off.
By working with experienced Chicago kitchen remodeling professionals familiar with energy-efficient kitchen appliances and classic kitchen trends, you can rest easy knowing your renovation will be worth it for many years to come.
Design with the long-term in mind.
Kitchen Trends That Will Last Forever
Timeless kitchen design isn’t about falling prey to every trend in sight. True trends that last take lessons from the past and apply them to modern design.
Here are some of the key ingredients of a kitchen that will look great for decades:
Neutral Color Schemes
Forget trendy yellow kitchens or avocado countertops. Neutral color palettes are a tried and true kitchen trend that never goes away.
Stick to classic whites, warm greys and natural wood tones that will let you change up the style with accents and decor instead of replacing cabinet after cabinet.
Shaker Cabinets
Shaker style cabinets have been around for over a hundred years and aren’t going anywhere soon. Simple subway cabinets look at home in modern kitchens and traditional kitchens alike.
One look. Thousands of options.
Quartz and Granite Countertops
There’s a reason why granite and quartz are the top-selling kitchen countertops. They resist staining, stand up to heat better than alternatives and simply look good as they age.
Fun fact, even the trendy granite countertops you see today were popular decades ago.
Simple & Efficient Layouts
Remember when everyone was switching to super open kitchen designs? Well now open kitchens with efficient work triangles are the standard.
Open doesn’t have to mean ultra-modern or vice versa. Kitchens that are laid out efficiently for how families cook and entertain remain a timeless design cornerstone.
See also: Top 5 Common Heating Problems Homeowners Face
How Energy-Efficient Kitchen Appliances Increase Home Value
If you haven’t guessed it by now… Energy-efficient kitchen appliances are some of the most important trends in kitchen remodeling.
Ready to have your mind blown?
Households that upgrade to ENERGY STAR certified appliances can save on average $450/year on energy bills. Multiply that by the average lifespan of a kitchen appliance and the savings are serious.
But here’s the kicker. Appliances impact home value, too.
Think you’re done learning how energy-efficient kitchen appliances are a timeless trend? Think again.
- Home buyers specifically look for energy-efficient appliances when house hunting
- Modern appliances signal to buyers that the kitchen has been well taken care of
- Energy-efficient doesn’t just save you money, it’s better for the environment
Those are just a few reasons energy-efficient appliances make any kitchen look (and perform) better.
How to Choose Appliances That Won’t Go Out of Style
Great! You know energy-efficient kitchen appliances are the way to go. Now how do you pick the right ones?
Don’t worry. It’s not as hard as it sounds.
Look for ENERGY STAR Certification
ENERGY STAR appliances are independently certified to save energy over standard models. The easiest way to shop for efficient appliances is to simply look for the blue label when you’re showroom shopping.
Not sure where to start? The ENERGY STAR logo is your friend.
Focus on Your Big Three Energy Consumers
All kitchen appliances don’t eat up electricity at the same rate. Take strategic steps to upgrade your biggest energy hogs first.
- Refrigerators — Refrigerators should be on everyone’s list. They’re on all day, every day and typically consume the most energy in kitchens. You can reduce your energy consumption by approximately 35% by upgrading to an ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator.
- Dishwashers — Newer ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers not only save energy, but they use less water than standard models.
- Ranges / Ovens — Believe it or not, not all ovens cook the same way. Investing in an energy-efficient oven or stove can save you money and time. Induction stoves use up to 90% of the energy and put it directly towards cooking your food (compared to 40-55% with standard gas stoves).
Upgrade these three appliances and you’ll see the biggest impact on both your utility bill and kitchen performance.
Stick to Stainless (and other classics)
Remember how quartz countertops have been trendy for decades? The same is true for appliance finishes.
Stainless steel appliances have been around (and popular) for years for a reason, they’re classic and don’t stick out no matter your style.
Stick with stainless steel or other classic finishes that can transition through trends.
Embrace Smart Kitchen Tech
From WiFi connected appliances to refrigerators that can create shopping lists for you. Smart kitchen gadgets are quickly becoming the standard for a reason.
Wi-Fi enabled appliances allow you to monitor and control how much energy you’re using. That’s a big deal when it comes to energy efficiency.
Smart appliances aren’t going anywhere, embrace them!
Wrap-Up
A timeless kitchen is one that avoids fads and implements intelligent design elements that will stand the test of time. Energy-efficient kitchen appliances are one of those elements.
Not only will energy-efficient upgrades save you money, they can help sell a home faster and for more money. Couple good energy choices with timeless kitchen trends like neutral color palettes, quality materials and streamlined layouts.
You’ll have a kitchen that will look good for decades to come.
