Everyone Owned It In The 2000s: The Kitchen Duo That's Dating Your Home

Kitchen design trends come and go, but some designs have overstayed their welcome. The 2000s were a hot era for dark cherry cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and a kitchen duo that still exists in some homes today — subway tiles and granite countertops.

As the name suggests, subway tiles were originally created for New York subways in the early 1900s. The traditional 3x6 ceramic tile was not just an aesthetic upgrade for New York's subway stations; it was also easy to clean. Eventually, these tiles discovered a new home in residences around the country. In the aughts, different types of subway tiles would find their way into the kitchen in various designs: white ceramic backsplashes with contrasting grout, Tuscan-inspired travertine, and more. And it wasn't uncommon for equally busy granite countertops to compete for your attention. 

If you're still sporting the subway tiles and granite countertops kitchen combo, it might reveal a lot about your home's age. However, there are ways to bring your kitchen into the modern era. A few well-thought-out upgrades can help transform your space without a full-blown renovation. 

While together this kitchen duo might be out of style, it's possible to salvage individual features by updating just one of these design elements. 

Removing and replacing tile can be a bit of an arduous process. However, hand-painted tiles are having a moment, and you can definitely complete this look yourself without replacing your backsplash. If you have coated tile, you will need to clean and sand your backsplash first to remove the glossy coating. Next, apply a bonding primer to hide the previous tile color and help the paint adhere to the tiles. Once your primer dries, you can paint over the tile with tile paint. 

If your budget allows for a larger countertop renovation, quartz countertops are a popular optionfor modern kitchens. Replacing your granite countertops with quartz is best done by a professional. However, quartz countertops come in a variety of styles and finishes, making it easy to pair with various kitchen aesthetics.