Household appliances are getting a makeover in 2025, as new technology, vibrant color palettes, and shifting functional priorities drive trends. From stainless steel losing its luster to AI-assisted cooking to the demise of the kitchen triangle, what’s happening with household appliance trends in 2025?
Is Stainless Steel Really Out?
For years, stainless steel was the standard for style-conscious homeowners. Current trends suggest that its popularity is waning.
According to Gladys Schanstra, owner and creative director of Drury Design, stainless steel’s dominance over the past several years has been driven as much by market share as by popularity.
“In the past, stainless steel may have been the only option or one of very few,” she says. “Now we have many more choices, and they're fun. People are opting for colors and carbon or matte finishes that don't show fingerprints,” she adds.
Stainless steel “has lost market share, but is it totally out? Not really,” she states, in part because it supports the mixing metals trend.
She explains that if the preference leans towards more colorful appliances, stainless steel may serve as an accent or even the focal point.
Meanwhile, vibrant hues flourish in the appliance market for homeowners looking to fully embrace color.
Appliances serve as uniquely positioned focal points within a room, making a significant impact when color is incorporated.
“A refrigerator can stand alone as a statement piece when it’s a bold color,” says Schanstra, noting that blues and greens are favored, along with colorful metals like champagne and brushed gold.
Bespoke hardware in a variety of metallic tones and finishes is paired with colorful appliances for stunning results. Other favored materials and finishes include mirrored fronts, glass, matte white, black stainless steel, wood, graphite, and retro reds and yellows.
Appliances Geared Towards Health and Wellness
One major trend in 2025 is the wellness kitchen, designed to promote health and wellness. Appliances are crucial tools for healthy eating and cooking.
In its 2025 Kitchen Trends report, the National Kitchen and Bath Association found that over 70 percent of homeowners want more refrigerator space for fresh ingredients, along with ovens featuring steam cooking and/or air frying technology for healthier cooking methods.
Schanstra advises homeowners to choose wellness-oriented appliances, seek out “tools that allow for greater body and mind consciousness,” and to cook without animal fats and sugars.
In addition to using water for cooking, which is a healthier option, Schanstra mentions that steam ovens provide quick convenience that enhances workflow.
“Steam ovens are incredibly versatile. You can do almost anything quickly,” from infusing leftovers with moisture to baking in convection mode. Sous-vide cooking is also popular among health-conscious homeowners.
To improve indoor air quality, look for stoves and ovens with technology that emits fewer fumes and smoke.
Multi-Functional Appliances
Traditionally, kitchen design has focused on the kitchen triangle, where the stovetop or oven, sink, and refrigerator form a triangular layout, minimizing steps for the home chef during preparation.
Homeowners are moving away from the triangle and reconfiguring their kitchens to create designated work zones, allowing activities to occur simultaneously and transforming the kitchen into a true household hub. Combining multiple appliances into one or a few promotes better workflow and enables a more versatile kitchen space. Multi-cookers, combination ovens, combi-oven microwaves, multifunctional or built-in coffee makers, and dual-fuel ranges are trending.
Quiet Appliances for Open Plan Living
The open-concept floor plan remains the most popular layout, with kitchens typically serving as a central feature. However, some appliances can be notoriously noisy, making noise transfer a significant issue. Homeowners are increasingly recognizing that quieter appliances improve the livability of their open-concept spaces, and they are incorporating decibel ratings as a key criterion when selecting dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, coffee makers, refrigerators, and more.
Flat Panel-Ready Appliances
Concealed kitchens, where tools, appliances, and clutter are hidden to favor sleek sightlines, are gaining popularity, and flat, panel-ready appliances play a significant role. Panel-ready appliances come with outer panels that match the cabinetry, providing a unique opportunity for increased customization. “Don't limit yourself to just one color,” says Schanstra. Panel-ready washers and dryers are also trending in laundry rooms, as homeowners seek more style from this utilitarian space.
Appliances Made From Recycled Materials
Sustainability and energy-efficient appliances remain high priorities for homeowners, and are seeking ways to further reduce their carbon footprint. Recycled plastics, steel, and glass are commonly used in eco-friendly appliances. Look for symbols indicating recycled materials or conduct research prior to purchasing your appliances. Several large brands, including LG and Miele, have implemented practices and products that utilize recycled materials.
Appliances Built Into Kitchen Islands
In 2025, kitchen islands are becoming larger and more multifunctional, making it convenient and space-efficient to incorporate appliances into the island. Popular options include microwave drawers, built-in beverage stations, ice makers, and refrigerator drawers.
Smart Tech and AI Appliances
Smart technology in appliances is trending, but homeowners are being selective. With an emphasis on functionality, they are not interested in tech merely for the sake of it. Refrigerator colors that change to reflect moods and in-oven cameras that stream culinary creations directly to social media are fun but not functional.
Homeowners are seeking smart technology that provides solutions to specific workflow challenges, such as Wi-Fi-enabled cooking and laundry appliances that allow them to get a head start on household tasks, even from remote locations.
Intuitive touch screens are essential for homeowners regardless of the type of appliance. Smart cooling in refrigerators, with adjustable zones, is more energy-efficient and helps reduce food waste.
AI that enhances household efficiency includes ovens with sensory temperature adjustments to ensure dishes don’t undercook or overcook, recipe suggestions, and refrigerators that aid in creating grocery lists by identifying frequently used ingredients and notifying you when supplies are low.
