Kitchen Design Trends: What’s In and What’s Out in 2025?
Homeowners want more personalization in their kitchens—And designers should prepare to deliver in 2025.
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) recently released its 2025 Kitchen Trends Report, which provides a closer look into what trends are likely to make the biggest impact in the coming year and beyond. According to the report, unique and personalized designs are the biggest trend driving kitchen design.
Of the 523 designers and specifiers surveyed by NKBA, 92% agree that the kitchen is a reflection of a homeowner’s personality, and 85% of respondents say that the kitchen has the strongest impact on the rest of a home’s personality.
Keeping their own unique styles in mind, homeowners over the next three years are likely to prioritize wellness and sustainability, functional, clutter-free spaces, and an array of expressive color palettes in their kitchens.
“What I am most excited about for 2025 is that personalized spaces and creating your own unique vibe is forging the path in allowing for unique and interesting kitchen designs, materials, appliances, and technologies that are allowing us to live more authentically,” said Thom Filicia, founder of interior design firm Thom Filicia Inc. “The trend that I hope will go away is following the herd. Design for the way you live and live the way you want because at the end of the day, that’s what’s most beautiful.”
Unique and Expressive Color Palettes
As homeowners lean further into their own personal styles, white and gray kitchens are becoming less popular. In fact, 71% of survey respondents say they prefer colorful kitchen color palettes, compared with 29% of respondents who prefer a more minimalistic approach.
Those selecting more neutral colors are likely to gravitate toward warm natural colors instead. Muted, earthy green tones are likely to stay popular throughout 2025, with 76% of respondents selecting it as the top shade for the year.
“Pulling unexpected color combinations has a greater impact when it can be applied to various surface materials," said Caleb Anderson of design firm Drake/Anderson. "An excellent point of departure is a gorgeous stone or surface material with a range of colors and natural tones to pull from and connect to other materials in the palette. A subtle green or blue vein in a stone material can be an unexpected paint color for the cabinets."
Still, some colors will be more on trend than others.
When selecting colors for walls, cabinets, backsplashes, and other areas of the kitchen, 52% of survey respondents say the bright colors and earth tones of the 1970s will come out on top. Additionally, 47% say that the muted mid-century modern colors of the 1950s will see a strong comeback in the new year.
Prioritizing Health and Wellness in the Kitchen
While kitchens are often the place where nutritional wellness journeys begin, it makes sense that homeowners opt for designs that reflect these healthy choices.
In 2025, more homeowners will likely select appliances that support healthy diets, such as ovens with steam cooking or air frying technologies. Additionally, many designers agree that water and air quality—72% and 62%, respectively—will be top priorities for homeowners.
Another wellness trend expected to stick around in 2025 is biophilic design. Of those surveyed, 53% say kitchens will become increasingly connected to the outdoors, with homeowners opting for larger windows, doors, and greenery in the kitchen.
Lighting is another way homeowners will look to improve wellness in their kitchens.
According to 74% of respondents, homeowners are using lighting to improve their physical and mental well-being, with 88% also agreeing that lighting can be used to create different moods within the kitchen, such as bright white lights for preparing food or warm light for cozy evening hosting.
“Well-designed lighting is the intersection of convenience, aesthetics, and wellness. The ability to program your kitchen’s lighting according to task and time of day is as important as the appliances,” says Michel Smith Boyd of SMITH BOYD Interiors.
Functional Design and Clutter Reduction
In 2025, homeowners are also more likely to opt for functional, clutter-free spaces.
In response, open pantries and shelving likely won’t be a big trend in the new year. Instead, homeowners will opt for hidden, panel-ready appliances and walk-in pantries for more optimal storage.
Of those surveyed, 66% say homeowners will opt for walk-in pantries, while 87% say homeowners want hidden pantries concealed behind cabinetry for an even more seamless look.
“Storage is a huge consideration overall when thinking of personal needs, and quality of the manufacturer is crucial. Homeowners should nail down the fridge first and decide how much storage is needed,” says Celeries Kemble, principal designer at Kemble Interiors. “We love french door fridges, as they are a bit more compact feeling with the double doors. Ease and movability of storage surfaces, such as shelves that are movable, is always a nice perk.”