2025’s Kitchen Renovation Ideas: What the Designers Are Saying
We’ve written about 2025’s leading ideas for bathroom remodels, so here’s the consensus on trending kitchen designs from hundreds of industry experts. Each year, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) releases a report on Kitchen Trends based on a survey of 523 industry professionals, including designers, remodelers, and architects. These insights highlight the direction of innovative trends and caution against those on the way out.
As professional renovation experts ourselves with years of experience remodeling kitchens across Sacramento, we understand that your personal taste matters more than the ebbs and flows of the industry. However, there’s still a lot of value to find in the themes and ideas that will dominate kitchen design over the next few years. So here’s what the experts are saying about kitchen designs in 2025 and beyond.
Outdated Kitchen Designs in Need of Renovation
Some popular trends from the past have begun to feel tired or overdone. While these older styles were once loved, 2025 is bringing new ways to make kitchens work better and feel more welcoming. Here are some of the old trends that are fading away in the New Year:
All-White Kitchens
All-white kitchens were a go-to design for years. They looked clean, modern, and worked with many styles, from farmhouse to contemporary. But now, homeowners are looking for spaces that feel warmer and express more personality. Instead of plain white, people are choosing deeper colors like navy blue, sage green, and forest green for cabinets or islands. These rich colors add character and make the kitchen more inviting.
Wood tones are also making a big comeback. Natural finishes, like walnut, give kitchens a cozy, welcoming feel that’s perfect for everyday living. All-white materials also require extra cleaning to stay looking new. Earthy, practical tones make kitchens easier to maintain and give them a modern yet comfortable vibe.
Open Shelving
Open shelving has been popular because it shows off dishes and makes kitchens feel airy and stretches the space. But many people are realizing that even this comes with downsides.
Open shelves collect dust, grease, and grime, especially in kitchens where cooking happens daily. Keeping open shelves clean can quickly become a tedious chore. Now this style isn’t going all the way out, but rather being modified as glass paneled cabinetry or just a few statement shelves where you can store visual pieces, as opposed to everyday items.
Gray Interiors
Gray kitchens were trendy throughout the 2010s, especially with the rise of the modern farmhouse look. While gray is neutral and versatile, it can also feel cold and unwelcoming.
This year, warmer tones are taking over. Even Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse, is a statement of coziness and warmth. Related colors like beige, taupe, and soft cream are replacing gray and creating kitchens with an inviting aura. The shift away from gray reflects a desire for kitchens that feel more livable and full of character.
Overly Detailed Designs
In the past, ornate details in cabinets and range hoods were seen as luxurious. But now, they can make kitchens feel heavy and outdated. Intricate carvings, excessive moldings, and overly decorative hardware can now be seen as a cluttered look.
In 2025, simple and clean designs are taking the lead. Flat-panel cabinets, sleek range hoods, and minimal hardware create a polished, modern feel. This approach makes the kitchen look neat and lets other features, like bold countertops or creative lighting, stand out. Simplifying the design also makes the space more practical for everyday use while still looking elegant.
These changes in kitchen design continue to reflect an overall shift toward spaces that feel warm, functional, and easy to live in.
What Are the Top Kitchen Trends for 2025?
Kitchens continue to evolve into multi-functional and personalized spaces that blend style, comfort, and practicality. From bold colors to concealed appliances, this year’s top kitchen designs are all about creating a warm welcome into an everyday space that’s both modern and functional.
Bold Colors
Homeowners are beginning to embrace bold, eye-catching colors from bygone eras. Vibrant shades like emerald green, deep navy, and terracotta are being used on cabinets, islands, and even walls to bring personality and energy back into the kitchen. These colors add depth and character, turning the kitchen into the home’s focal point. These shades create a fresh and contemporary look when paired with updated appliances and hardware. For a softer touch, colorful backsplashes or painted islands are an easy way to incorporate this trend without overwhelming the space.
Natural Wood Finishes
Natural wood is making a strong comeback in 2025 kitchens, adding warmth and texture to spaces that were once dominated by painted cabinetry. Finishes like oak, walnut, and birch are being used for cabinets, countertops, and open shelving to give kitchens a timeless, organic feel. As more homeowners look for ways to connect with nature, wood tones offer a warm and inviting avenue to create an atmosphere that’s both dramatic and cozy.
Mixed Materials
The days of matching every element in the kitchen are over. In 2025, designers are combining different textures and finishes to create unique and layered spaces. Pairing materials like marble countertops with wood cabinets or combining metal and glass accents with stone finishes is becoming the norm. Mixed materials allow for more personality and help break away from uniform, cookie-cutter designs.
Built-In Coffee Nooks
Coffee bars are becoming a must-have feature with the growing regularity of in-home espresso machines. These areas often include built-in coffee makers, shelves for mugs, and storage for beans or syrups. A coffee nook adds both style and function to the kitchen, making it more than just a place for cooking. Whether it’s a dedicated corner or part of an island, a coffee station makes the kitchen feel luxurious and personal without cluttering the space.
Concealed Appliances
Concealed appliances are taking over in 2025, with dishwashers, refrigerators, and microwaves being hidden behind custom cabinetry. This trend is making a resurgence to give kitchens a sleek and modern look with a clean and polished appearance. With fewer visible appliances, the focus stays on the design elements like cabinets, counters, and lighting. This trend works especially well in minimalist kitchens or those with a streamlined, contemporary style.
Butler’s Pantries
Homeowners with luxury kitchens are adding butler’s pantries to keep the main space organized and clutter-free. These areas move much of the food prep into a hidden space to keep the main kitchen area clean and guest-friendly. This is an ideal feature for anyone who loves to entertain and immediately elevates your kitchen and home to new heights.
Luxurious Touches
From custom hardware to statement lighting, luxurious details are becoming more common in kitchens. Popular ways to make a statement include a waterfall countertop, brass finishes, and porcelain backsplash designs that give kitchens a high-end look. Even small upgrades like stylish drawer pulls or a unique light fixture can completely transform the space. These details make the kitchen feel more elegant and personalized in a hurry.
Biophilic Designs
We talked about biophilic design in our article on 2025’s Bathroom Remodel Designs. It’s all about bringing nature inside, and this trend is only gaining steam as we head into 2025. Natural materials like stone and wood, along with potted herbs or hanging plants, create a calm and inviting space. Large windows and skylights let in natural light, making the kitchen feel bright and fresh. Adding greenery and natural textures doesn’t just make the kitchen look great—it actually promotes a real sense of well-being.
Update Your Kitchen With Central Builders
Whether you’re wanting to take a risk with bold colors, incorporate natural wood finishes, or add luxurious details like a built-in coffee nook and concealed appliances, our team has the expertise to make it a reality. These are just the ideas and trends that are on designers’ minds heading into 2025, so you still have plenty of license to do your own thing! We can help with that too.
At Central Builders, our goal is to bring your unique vision to life with our years of experience and premier craftsmanship. We’ve updated homes all across Sacramento with new decks and patios, windows and doors, bathrooms, and kitchens with trusted 5-star service. Our team is no stranger to delivering exceptional results tailored to your exact needs and preferences.
Are you ready to start your dream kitchen renovation? Contact us today for a free estimate, and let us transform your space into a stunning, modern masterpiece that you’ll love for years to come.
