Knowing the kitchen design trends is crucial in creating a cooking space that aligns with contemporary society.
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) 2025 Kitchen Trends Report provides an authoritative and comprehensive outlook on the key residential kitchen trends set to define 2025 and the years to come.
According to insights provided by 523 industry professionals, this year marks a pivotal shift towards more colorful, sustainable, functional, and personalized kitchen design. The following details reveal what industry experts predict will dominate kitchen designs over the next three years.
Top Kitchen Design Trends 2025 As Per NKBA Report
The kitchen landscape is experiencing a dramatic transformation in 2025. Homeowners are now abandoning the sterile look of white and gray interiors in favor of bold, colorful ones that reflect their unique personalities.
The pursuit of wellness and sustainability also influences homeowners’ decisions in material choices and overall kitchen design.
Color Trends
The report reveals green as the most popular choice among homeowners, followed by blue and brown colors.
Decline of White and Gray
Perhaps the most significant revelation in the report is the dramatic shift away from White and Gray colors that dominated kitchen design for over a decade.
The report shows 71% of respondents preferred bold, colorful kitchens that reflect their personal style.
Green Dominance
Green is considered the most popular color palette for the second consecutive year, with 76% of respondents selecting it as the top color for 2025.
The popularity of green aligns perfectly with the growing biophilic design movement, allowing homeowners to bring natural elements indoors while creating sophisticated, on-trend kitchen environments.
Blue and Brown Appeal
Blue (63%) and brown (56%) followed as the most popular colors next to green, complementing the nature-inspired color trends that create a calm, organic atmosphere.
Vintage Color Revival
The 2025 kitchen trends show a fascinating embrace of vintage aesthetics, stating that 1970s bright colors and earth tones will surge in popularity, and the muted mid-century modern aesthetic will have a comeback.
Cabinet Trends
Statement cabinets are pivotal, with 52% viewing cabinetry as a key area for bold colors, and 59% favoring white oak cabinetry as a leading finish.
Cabinets as Color Showcases
The NKBA report shows that cabinets will be a primary place for incorporating statement colors into the kitchen, marking a dramatic departure from the neutral cabinet trends of recent years.
This shift transforms cabinets from background elements into focal points that define the kitchen’s personality and style.
White Oak Dominates Wood Preferences
For homeowners choosing natural wood finishes, white oak kitchen cabinets are the clear favorite with 59% of respondents listing them as the preferred choice for 2025.
White oak’s versatility allows it to work beautifully with both traditional and contemporary design schemes while providing the warm, natural texture that supports the biophilic design movement.
The Kitchen as Health Hub
One of the most important kitchen trends is the transformation of kitchens into wellness centers that support both physical and mental health.
Healthy Appliance Functionality
The NKBA report reveals that 74% of respondents agree that ovens with steam cooking and air frying technology will be popular to support healthier cooking methods, indicating that appliance functionality is being prioritized over aesthetic considerations alone.
Air and Water Quality Priority
Respondents agree that water (72%) and air (62%) quality are top considerations in kitchen design, reflecting the continued prioritization of wellness.
This trend is driving demand for advanced filtration systems, improved ventilation, and materials that contribute to better indoor air quality.
Biophilic Design
Biophilic design is on the rise, with 72% of respondents reporting that homeowners are bringing the outdoors inside the kitchen. This is caused by the desire to create a natural connection to the outdoors.
This trend goes beyond simply adding plants to kitchens—it involves fundamental design decisions that create harmony between interior spaces and the natural world.
Natural Light as a Design Priority
According to the report, 67% of respondents agree that large windows will be a popular way to bring more light into kitchens, emphasizing the importance of natural illumination in creating healthy, uplifting kitchen environments.
Sustainable Food Sources Integration
Sustainable food sources, such as herb and veggie gardens, are increasingly popular in the kitchen for the next three years. This trend reflects homeowners’ growing interest in knowing where their food comes from and having fresh ingredients readily available for cooking.
The Clutter-Free Kitchen Movement
Seamless kitchen design is synonymous with a clutter-free kitchen.
Concealed Storage Solutions
The 2025 kitchen trends show a strong preference for hidden storage and clean lines. The respondents said homeowners want pantries that are concealed behind cabinet doors or panels to maintain a seamless kitchen design.
This indicates that the open shelving trend of recent years is giving way to more organized, concealed storage solutions.
Walk-In Pantries
Respondents reveal that walk-in pantries and butler’s pantries will be popular in the next 3 years, reflecting the desire for abundant storage that doesn’t compromise the kitchen’s visual cleanliness and organization.
Panel-Ready Appliances
The trend toward concealment extends to appliances, with panel-ready fronts becoming increasingly popular for maintaining the seamless aesthetic that defines contemporary kitchen design.
This approach allows high-end appliances to blend seamlessly with cabinetry while maintaining their functionality.
Multifunctional Kitchen Design
As a result of working from home, homeowners are interested in remodeling to improve the functionality and aesthetics of the kitchen.
This trend has fundamentally changed how kitchens are designed, with spaces needing to accommodate work, cooking, dining, and family activities simultaneously.
Multi-Purpose Appliances
NKBA reports show that 91% of respondents agree that appliances with more than one function are popular with homeowners, reflecting the desire for efficiency and space optimization in modern kitchen design.
Double Islands
Adding a second kitchen island to increase functionality is gaining popularity, indicating that homeowners are willing to invest in additional workspace and storage when space permits.
Specialized Sink Areas
Sinks with food prep and serving areas are also becoming popular, showing the trend toward creating dedicated zones within the kitchen that support specific activities and improve workflow efficiency.
Lighting for Wellness and Mood
Kitchen lighting plays a crucial role in creating different moods in the kitchen for the well-being of the users.
Respondents report that homeowners are using lighting to improve their physical and mental well-being, elevating lighting from a purely functional element to a critical component of healthy kitchen design.
The report further reveals that 88% agree that lighting is widely used to create different moods within the kitchen, such as brightness while drinking coffee in the morning or a darker atmosphere for a cocktail party.
This trend is driving demand for sophisticated lighting control systems that can adapt to different activities and times of day.
Personalized Kitchen Design
According to the report, 92% of industry experts agree that the kitchen is a reflection of a homeowner’s personality, with 85% respondents agreeing that the kitchen has the strongest influence on the personality of the “home” as a whole.
Preference for Unique Design
The report further reveals that homeowners prefer a kitchen design that is unique to them, driving demand for custom cabinet solutions and personalized design approaches that are not simply replicated by generic kitchen designs.
Decorative Elements Gain Importance
The trend toward customized kitchen design is calling increased attention to decorative hardware, statement lighting, and statement art pieces as ways to showcase personality.
Material and Finish Trends
The pursuit of sustainability drives homeowners to choose environmentally friendly materials that contribute to healthier indoor environments.
Natural Materials Lead the Way
The NKBA report states that homeowners prefer natural materials that support the biophilic design movement, increasing the popularity of materials that complement natural color palettes, such as wood elements, stone countertops, and metal finishes.
Textured Finish
The move away from traditional designs is further creating an opportunity for textural variety that adds visual and tactile interest to kitchen spaces.
This trend supports the personalized movements by allowing homeowners to create a unique experience in their kitchens through custom designs.
Mix-and-Match Aesthetic
The 2025 kitchen trends emphasize creative combinations over uniform design schemes. Respondents agree that mix-and-match backsplashes add a unique touch to the kitchen, while 84% agree that lighting fixtures will increasingly feature differing materials.
The Integration of Smart Kitchen in Current Design Trends
While not explicitly discussed in the NKBA report, the emphasis on multifunctionality and wellness is calling for the integration of smart kitchen solutions that support healthier lifestyles, innovative organizations, and improved functionality.
The emphasis on wellness choices is creating demand for appliances and high-end kitchen design elements that can monitor air quality, water purity, and even nutritional information, making the kitchen a true heart of the home.
Embrace 2025 Kitchen Design Trends with an NKBA Certified Cabinet Maker
The NKBA 2025 Kitchen Trends Report details exciting opportunities for homeowners to create kitchens that truly reflect their personalities while supporting healthier and more functional lifestyles.
Whether through bold color choices, wellness-focused features, or innovative storage solutions, these trends provide a roadmap for creating kitchens that will remain relevant and beloved for years to come.
For more detailed insights and professional guidance, consider consulting with Best Online Cabinets, an NKBA-certified kitchen designer and cabinet maker to bring these trends to life in your home.
