Kitchens are getting a makeover in 2025, as homeowners are re-thinking functionality and aesthetics in the heart of the home. As a result, some notable kitchen trends are waning in popularity. Here are eight kitchen trends that are out (or changing) in 2025, and what’s taking their place.
1. Out: All-White and Grey Kitchens
In: Colorful, Textural Kitchens
The heyday is over for all-white and grey kitchens. Homeowners have done an about-face with color, where bold is better. As homeowners gain confidence in their choices, kitchens are getting more colorful, including paint, cabinetry, tile and hardware.
Earth tones and jewel tones are emerging, but classic colors and natural wood hues continue to be popular. Kendal Cavalieri, founder and principal designer of Kendal Cavalieri Design says, “People are still doing green and navy blue in their designs. I’m seeing a lot of dark wood tones in the kitchen too.”
Texture is trending as well, with mixed metals and finishes, lots of wood grain, and natural materials, such as stone, rattan, and bamboo, demonstrating that color isn’t the only way to add depth to decor.
Kitchen appliances have undergone a colorful makeover in 2025, with stainless steel dropping in popularity, as homeowners gravitate towards green, gold, yellow, red, blue and black appliances for striking focal points.
2. Changing: Subway Tile
In: Textural, Geometric Shapes
Subway tile is not out completely, but the classic look is getting some personality, with patterns and high-gloss finishes.
Biophilia, and a love for natural materials is influencing the color and textures of trending tiles. Look for fluting, glazed brick, terrazzo, watery blues and greens, natural stone and stone-look. Oversized tiles, or slab-look with minimal grout lines are sleek. Mosaics, patterned tiles, and tiles with geometric shapes are all trending as well.
3. Out: Farmhouse Kitchens
In: Transitional Aesthetic
While the farmhouse floor plan remains a consistent best seller because of its pragmatic design, the interior design of the kitchen has shifted towards other aesthetics. Cavalieri states that many of her clients are exploring options beyond the modern farmhouse.
Both Houzz and NKBA note in their respective trend reports that transitional style kitchens have replaced farmhouse kitchens in the top spot.
Transitional style is a mashup of traditional and contemporary styles. Its wider parameters let homeowners personalize their kitchens easily, while addressing sustainability and affordability, important to homeowners in 2025.
Its timeless design means you don’t have to remodel to stay on top of trends. Homeowners love the creative opportunity offered when aesthetics are combined, as they are in transitional kitchens.
“A feature of transitional design is the mix of classic and modern elements. You’ll often see traditional silhouettes paired with contemporary materials, or vintage-inspired details alongside sleek, modern lighting. This blend of old and new adds depth and character without overwhelming the space,” says the team at DKOR Interiors
4. Out: Oversize and Two-Level Kitchen Islands
In: Multi-Functional Islands
Homeowners have realized that bigger isn’t necessarily better when it comes to kitchen islands. If an island is so large you can’t reach the center, it’s wasted space. Similarly, the island should be appropriately scaled in the room, for movement, and for aesthetic weight.
Instead, the kitchen island is going multi-purpose, with a focus on storage, built-in appliances and zones dedicated to eating and cooking. Homeowners are taking advantage of decorative opportunities on the island as well, with fluting or metallic accents, paying attention to the under-used knee space.
If homeowners require larger islands, and space allows, double islands are the top choice, often with one dedicated to cooking, the other to dining.
Two-level islands, with raised breakfast bars or peninsulas are less popular. Now, seating is configured on two adjacent sides around the island perimeter, with greater overhang to seat people comfortably.
5. Changing: Open-Concept Kitchen
In: Auxiliary Spaces for Prep
The open-concept floor plan is still the most popular among homeowners, but the layout is getting tweaked. Increasingly, homeowners want to entertain in their kitchens, in addition to cooking. Main spaces remain open, but function-first adjacent areas, such as sculleries (also known as a messy kitchen) and butler's pantries are located steps away from the kitchen, but conceal the dirty work of food prep.
These spaces are designed with storage, and often with additional appliances, including dishwashers, fridges and warming ovens.
6. Out: Kitchen Triangle
In: Kitchen Zones
The cornerstone of kitchen design has traditionally been the kitchen triangle, where the sink, stove/oven and refrigerator are in an easily accessible, triangular pattern to make cooking easier. However, kitchen design is re-imagined this year, to better support homeowners' wish for the kitchen to be multifunctional. Beyond cooking and dining, the kitchen now is a hub for family gathering, homework, work from home, and cooking, all of which may be happening simultaneously.
Zone-based design is more functional to address these needs. It’s the idea that has made open-concept floor plans so popular for years, with color and decor choices indicating different zones, integrated in the larger space. Kitchen zones are divided into consumables (food storage: refrigeration and pantry), non-consumables (plates, dishes, etc.), cleaning (sink, garbage), prep, cooking and leisure (seating and/or dining area).
7. Out: Boring Backsplash
In: Statement-Making Backsplash
Traditionally, backsplash is an understated accent in the kitchen, playing a supportive role to other decor. This year, backsplash is becoming a focal point, with mosaics, patterns, mirrored tiles and metallics trending.
Backsplash surface areas are getting larger and longer, for greater impact.
“I have my clients take the backsplash up to the ceiling, for an elongated, elegant look,” says Cavalieri.
Another popular trend is to extend the countertop material through the backsplash. Not only does this look sleek, but less grout lines also make it easier to keep clean over time.
8. Out: Open Shelving
In: Concealed Storage
Open shelving in the kitchen has been trending for years, for easy-access storage, and also to display decorative items. However, in 2025, kitchens are going clutter-free, part of the trend towards wellness kitchens.
Except for the English country-style kitchen, where open shelving is a key part of the kitschy allure, concealed storage is trending, with walk-in pantries, appliance garages, and in-drawer inserts to keep counters and sightlines clear.
