Planned Obsolescence and the Seven-Year Cabinet Itch

Back when I worked in a big-box home improvement store, I constantly heard frustrated customers say things like, “We just bought this fridge three years ago, and it’s already dead.” Later, as a homeowner myself, I experienced the same frustration firsthand—twice.

That frustration has a name: planned obsolescence. It’s the practice of designing products to break down or become outdated within just a few years, encouraging customers to buy replacements or upgrades. While some countries have banned the practice, we’ve all felt its effects.

Think about it: smartphones, TVs, cars, and especially appliances. Yes, technology naturally evolves, but should a refrigerator really stop doing the one thing it was built for—keeping food cold—just a few years in? A failed compressor outside of warranty often costs as much to repair as buying a new unit altogether.

How Kitchens Fit In

While cabinetry isn’t as vulnerable to technological failure, kitchens still face their own form of “planned obsolescence.” Research shows that homeowners often feel the urge to refresh or remodel their kitchens every seven to ten years. Sometimes the cabinets aren’t worn out—they’ve just “uglied out.”

Clients wrestle with decisions while hearing opinions from family, friends, or coworkers. This cycle often leads to what I call analysis paralysis.  In recent years, many homeowners have also designed kitchens with resale in mind, choosing finishes that they think

might appeal to a future buyer rather than creating a space that truly makes them happy.

But here’s the catch: life happens. Appliances break down, bargain cabinetry shows its age, and suddenly that resale-focused kitchen no longer looks or functions the way it should.

Designing for the Long Run

Instead of chasing short-lived trends or trying to design for the next homeowner, focus on creating a kitchen that will make you happy for the next decade, or however long you’ll be there. Pick colors, styles, and features that you’ll enjoy every single day.

As someone who’s dedicated a career to cabinetry, I can tell you: the kitchen is too important a space to design for someone else’s approval. Styles will come and go, sometimes appliances will come and go too, so whether you’re ready for simple updates like new knobs and pulls, or you’re dreaming of a one-of-a-kind cook’s kitchen, stop into our showroom—we’ll help you create a space that lasts.