We Asked Contractors What All Timeless Kitchen Remodels Have in Common—And It's Surprisingly Simple

Kitchen trends come and go, often lasting no more than a year or two. Before you know it, the kitchen is old and outdated. 

Remodel with care and choose features that span trends, and the kitchen will never feel antiquated. We asked contractors and kitchen designers what all timeless kitchen remodels have in common. Their answer: kitchen cabinets. Discover why cabinets are the most vital element of a kitchen remodel.

Why All Kitchen Remodels Have High-Quality Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets are the foundation of full kitchen remodels. The experts we consulted emphasize that high-quality kitchen cabinets are the most timeless feature of kitchen renovations. Since cabinets determine the kitchen’s layout, it’s crucial to select them carefully.

The experts stressed that high-quality cabinets loaded with features will benefit homeowners for years, rather than trendy ones that quickly lose their value.

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Full Height Cabinets

Full-height wall cabinets—usually 42 inches high—touch the kitchen ceiling. While the top shelf is too high for most users, it works well for infrequently used items and can be accessed with a step stool.

“Full-height cabinets offer the ability to add custom trim that finishes off the whole kitchen, giving it a grander feel,” says Jonah Canter, owner of Canter Construction.

Plenty of Drawers

Cavernous open spaces in cabinets create clutter and confusion. Adding plenty of drawers organizes the space and makes it more user-friendly. 

Paul McManus, president of McManus Kitchen and Bath, suggests a base cabinet configuration that mixes two, three, four, and five drawers. “This creates a kitchen layout that provides lots of convenient, flexible storage,” he says.

Smooth Glides

Base cabinet drawers operate on glides, so it’s important to choose cabinets with high-quality glides. The glides should allow the drawer to open and close effortlessly. 

“Avoid inexpensive glides common in many RTA (ready-to-assemble) cabinets and aim for high-quality glides,” McManus says.

Ample Storage

Most people underestimate how much they own, and without sufficient or well-planned storage, kitchens become cluttered, says Dorothy Weise. Optimizing storage keeps worktops free of visual noise, creating a usable and enduring space.  

“Timeless kitchens prioritize thoughtful solutions such as deep drawers, organized pantries, tray dividers, pull-outs, and hidden utility zones,” says Weise.

Neutral Colors

Neutral colors for cabinets and finishes ensure that your kitchen serves not only your taste but the taste of future owners, suggests Jonah Canter.

“Loud or bright colors may please you now, but they are more than likely trendy and not as timeless as neutral tones,” he says.

Clean Lines

Cabinetry with clean and simple lines, such as five-piece or narrow Shaker doors, consistently stands the test of time, says Weise.

“These styles transition seamlessly across design aesthetics and avoid the visual heaviness of ornate profiles,” she says.

Clean lines allow homeowners to refresh a kitchen in the future with hardware, color, or lighting updates without committing to a full renovation.

Other Timeless Kitchen Features

Though cabinets are the most permanent feature of a kitchen remodel, a collection of other aspects is just as important.

• Layout: A simple layout for most kitchen remodels is the kitchen triangle, which connects the sink, refrigerator, and range/oven. Canter indicates that the triangle never goes out of style. Emily Mackie, owner and Principal Designer of Inspired Interiors, Inc., says the kitchen triangle should be reconsidered for larger, modern kitchens with features such as multiple sinks or pantry freezers.
• Islands: Kitchen islands are a timeless kitchen feature, especially those without sinks or cooktops, McManus says. Omitting these features creates more storage space. “But keep the island no more than 52 inches by 120 inches,” he cautions. Otherwise, it becomes an obstacle, making the space feel impersonal.
• Smart Lighting: Often overlooked, well-designed lighting adds function and style to a kitchen, McManus says. He suggests incorporating a mix of general, task, and ambient lighting.
• Focal Point: Kitchen focal points span time, aesthetics, and budget levels, says Weise. Adding a single visual moment can be as simple as a detailed hood or a range wall with a striking backsplash. “A focal point is a clear anchor that brings order, symmetry, and flow to the space,” she says.
• Tables: Tables in kitchens are timeless kitchen features, and they’re a part of how people live that has never changed, Mackie says. If you don’t have space for a table, a mobile kitchen island easily tucks away and can hold a microwave, cookbooks, a cutting board, or a knife storage block.