I’m an interior designer – 4 mistakes make your kitchen look cheap, an outdated add-on should be avoided at all costs

AN interiors pro has shared the design details to avoid to ensure your kitchen doesn't end up looking tacky or old-fashioned.

Her expert design advice aims to help you elevate your home by avoiding common mistakes.

Rossella Marzocchella, a kitchen designer from kitchen handle company Decor and Decor, is determined to help you steer clear of those items that are making your space look outdated.

She especially wants you to get a handle on one popular cabinet add-on in particular - the ceramic handle.

The popular buy might be ideal for adding personality if you're envisioning an "old-fashioned" look, but she warns that it's not for every kitchen style.

"If you want a vintage kitchen, ceramic kitchen handles are the way to go, but if you want a modern contemporary design, then they should be avoided at all costs," she said.

"Ceramic kitchen handles can make your kitchen look outdated as they often mismatch with modern kitchen appliances that [usually] feature minimalist design elements," she continued.

"This can cause a disjointed and less cohesive look."

Another handle style can sometimes be too much for a smaller space.

"Highly decorative kitchen handles can work in larger kitchens, but for the average-sized kitchen, they can be overpowering and make your kitchen look less contemporary," she said.

"Often, decorative cabinet handles aren't practical either; the intricate designs can make them hard to clean as dust and grime can settle in or on them very easily," she added.

Once thought of as "glamorous" and "expensive looking," glass cupboard knobs are no longer synonymous with luxe, according to Marzocchella.

"These once-popular kitchen handles have now fallen out of favor and can make your kitchen look dated and cheap," she said.

She explained that their vintage quality makes them look old-fashioned.

They can also make your kitchen look messier as they show fingerprints and smudges more easily.

"With our busy lives, we often don't have time for this, and the lack of cleaning, along with discoloration from these cleaning products, can make your kitchen handles look worn out," she said.

Instead, she offers her own stylish suggestions, including choosing cabinet handles that can be versatile while also upgrading your kitchen's aesthetic.

Budget interior design tips

Interior designer Judy Hoang shared her furniture tips with The U.S. Sun.

• Thrift furniture and paint it to match your decor.
• Test if an item is fit for its purpose before thrifting.
• Shop at Target or HomeGoods for rugs, lamps, desks, and pillows.
• Invest in classic timeless pieces.
• Set up smart home lighting to save money.

"The style and the material of your kitchen handles can transform the look of your home," she said.

"For a contemporary kitchen, you will want to install handles that align with a sleek and modern aesthetic," she added.

She suggests using stainless steel, brushed nickel, matte black, satin brass, and even copper handles.

You can also opt for a T-bar, bow cabinet, and cup pulls, all of which can look "contemporary and high-end."