“While high-end appliances can make everything from meal prep to cleanup a lot easier, they can fall out of fashion rather quickly. "Nothing ages a kitchen faster than outdated appliances," says Colorado-based designer Emily Tucker. "With technology advancing so quickly, modern models can often replace two or three separate machines, making older designs feel instantly obsolete."

If you don't want to replace your refrigerator every few years, Tucker recommends paneling some larger appliances for a barely-there effect. Or, if you're looking to update your kitchen on a budget, Tucker recommends cleverly concealing your smaller gadgets. "Call me old-fashioned, but I love the idea of tucking a freestanding microwave inside a cabinet," she shares. "It keeps the space looking clean and uncluttered while still being easy to access when needed."“