20 kitchen design trends you'll see everywhere in 2025, according to experts

Mirroring a societal move to reconnect with nature, we'll see natural materials, from stone (marble and granite) to sustainably sourced wood (oak and walnut), dominating 2025. These organic materials are championed for their unique imperfections, adding depth and authenticity to kitchen spaces.

Designers at Scandinavian kitchen brand Nordiska Kok note a focus on durable combos, i.e., combining wood and stone and blending dark and light tones to create a sense of balance and harmony.

Pictured: The Contemporary Shaker Kitchen by Nordiska Kök

The pantry used to be a ‘nice to have'... now it’s a 'must-have’, and it’s a breakout kitchen trend for 2025. ‘The pantry is now as sought after as the kitchen island,’ reveals Molly Chandler, kitchen designer at Willis & Stone.

The focus this year is on showcasing carefully curated collections, with coffee machines and premium food products being transformed into 'aesthetic luxuries'.

A pantry is excellent for keeping surfaces clutter-free and freeing up extra room for cooking and dining, but larders are a brilliant alternative, especially in a smaller kitchen. 'A pantry requires more long-term planning than a larder, as it must be built into the architecture of a kitchen or added into a neighbouring room,’ explains Paul Richardson, stylist at Wren Kitchens. ‘In comparison, a kitchen larder can be added into existing cupboard space without changing any architectural elements.'

Pictured: Double larder, Olive & Barr

Very much on-trend, curtains are back in a big way, and they're making a name for themselves throughout the home. In the kitchen, however, its best use is as an under-cupboard cover-up. An easy DIY task, just install a metal rail and attach patterned fabric – it's great for hiding all the things you don't want on show.

Pictured: Cupboards, British Standard by Plain English

No longer an afterthought, bold splashbacks (also referred to as backsplashes) will be making waves in 2025, enhancing the functionality and aesthetic appeal of even the smallest culinary space.

‘Characterised by intricate patterns, diverse materials, and bold colours, backsplashes can serve as statement pieces that transform a kitchen’s overall look and feel,’ says Mike Whitfield, luxury interior expert at Lusso.

Mosaic tiles, including kit kat, metro, baton and linear, can be laid out in various patterns, such as herringbone, chevron and brick bond.

Paul is also championing these expressive splashbacks as an easy way to lift a neutral space. ‘Plain tiles in a grid pattern are a practical and attractive choice for kitchen splashbacks,' he says. 'Classic options include white bevelled-edge tiles with dark grout or black tiles with white grout.'

Pictured: Kitchen extension in London by Plus Rooms

We told you splashbacks were big news for 2025. In the same vein as waterfall countertops (rather than ending at the edge of an island or peninsula, the counter extends past the sides and all the way down to the floor), we have the waterfall splashback.

‘Bold marble and marble-effect worktops are highly sought after, providing a beautifully striking feature in a kitchen,’ says Molly. ‘To further accentuate this, customers are now choosing to carry the same material onto the wall for use as their splashback. This method eliminates visual breaks, so the result is a very clean, harmonious look, which is both practical and stylish.’

Pictured: The Barn, Claire Garner Design Studio

Earthy tones remain popular across cabinetry, splasbacks and seating, from soothing greens for a sense of calm, navy blue for tranquillity and elegance, or rich reddish tones for an inviting, personal feel.

'Green is still one of the most popular colour choices for kitchens,' reveals Alex. 'With a slight tendency towards darker, moodier palettes, this shade is likely to remain prevalent throughout next year as well. Whilst the darker tones are the most popular, we have noticed a lean towards more uncommon shades recently – from bolder olive tones to more jewel-based teals and emeralds.'

Pictured: Arbor kitchen, Harvey Jones

• Read more: 6 kitchen colour trends for 2025

Kitchen islands can transform a room's flow, create a natural divide between cooking and living spaces, and encourage social interaction. For 2025, we're seeing the combination island: from extra counter space for meal prep to casual dining spots and storage (closed and open) underneath to minimise clutter, this freestanding unit is proving to be the perfect space-efficient addition to a contemporary kitchen.

Pictured: Kumba bespoke kitchen by Wood Works Brighton

The coffee bar (and perfectly curated nooks or stations) spiked a few years ago as part of cosy, meaningful morning rituals.

‘We are seeing more homeowners wanting to create focal points within their kitchens, such as coffee stations, breakfast dressers, and drinks stations,’ says Sinead Trainor, kitchen category manager at LochAnna Kitchens. ‘Within this trend is a growing contrast between wanting to hide day-to-day appliances, like microwaves tucked away in cabinetry, and designing spaces specifically to show off statement appliances, such as luxury coffee machines, reflecting a shift towards solutions that don’t hinder functionality.’

Pictured: Handmade Shaker kitchen cabinetry, Olive & Barr

After being in the spotlight last year, the stainless steel kitchen is firmly staying put for 2025, bringing an industrial edge to warm, contemporary kitchens. The focus this year is to play on contrasts between sleek, polished surfaces and natural materials like wood or stone. The result is a kitchen that feels both modern and inviting.

Pictured: New Nordic in collaboration with Lotta Klemming by Nordiska Kök

The latest iteration of the 'concealed kitchen' focuses on pocket doors to keep bulky appliances and food items out of sight, from in-cupboard bin stores to a built-in pantry. These pocket doors look visually pleasing too: cabinets and shelves are designed to blend seamlessly into the walls, helping to promote a clean, minimalist and streamlined appearance.

Pictured: The Soft Scandinavian kitchen, Nordiska Kök

Not everything has to be concealed behind closed doors. Open shelving is making a strong statement in 2025 with glassware and ceramics adding visual interest. In small kitchens, vertical or tall tower shelves are ideal for maximising storage without taking up too much floor space, while mid-level shelves work well in narrow spots.

'Keep high-use items within easy reach and adopt a minimalist approach for modern kitchens. Consider thematic displays, such as matching jars or curated crockery collections, for a polished look,’ suggests Paul.

Pictured: Greenhill Grove kitchen by Husk

Lighting is a critical element of every interior design scheme, and layered lighting will become prominent in 2025. Under the counter strips or spotlights, pendants, downlights, and wall lights with dimmer switches should be utilised to ensure every space is brightly lit.

Matthew Shackleton, sales director at Creating Spaces Group, notes two key areas of focus: 'Most of our enquiries will utilise both pendant lighting for effect and under cabinet lighting for improved functionality.'

Pictured: Dolly pendant lights in brass, Pooky

Shaker kitchens are taking a minimalist turn in 2025 with a slimmer profile. ‘Shaker kitchens have been popular for centuries, and their ability to create a timeless base for any kitchen endures,' says Sinead. 'However, recently, more homeowners are opting for the Shaker’s slim sister, better aligning with modern, minimalist aesthetics and creating the illusion of more space. The skinny Shaker offers a more modern design aesthetic whilst effectively bridging the gap between classic and contemporary styles and maintaining accessibility cost-wise.'

Other adaptations to the Shaker kitchen include handleless cabinets and a greater use of colour to modernise and personalise.

Pictured: The Thistleton Collection Shaker Kitchen in Porcelain & Desert Pink, LochAnna Kitchens

The demand for tech-savvy kitchens is on the rise, and convenience-first tap upgrades top the list. '90 per cent of our enquiries include a Quooker boiling hot tap now,' reveals Matthew. 'This shows that more homeowners are proactively looking to implement more convenient appliances within their homes.'

These smart, innovative features are becoming more commonplace as it reduces time, streamlines daily tasks, and increases functionality. 'Popular customer requests, such as concealed charging stations, Quooker instant hot water taps, integrated sound systems, and lighting that adapts to the time of day are quickly becoming staples in today’s modern kitchens,' adds Molly.

Pictured: Flex tap in Memphis, Quooker

For an open-plan kitchen-diner, the trend for 2025 is around casual dining. There's particular interest in creating cosy dining nooks for informal socialising and flexible seating adjacent to your kitchen. Make use of bay windows or unused corners and consider a banquette, or mix and match chairs with a bench to increase seating capacity.

Pictured: Village Maze and Perfectly Taupe, Dulux

Wood deserves it's own moment in the spotlight for continuing to bring warmth and texture into the heart of the home, with a steer towards a lighter, more refined look, from cabinet fronts to accent details.

'Part of the desire to create a more natural-looking space, we have found that this elegant, more refined approach to incorporating wood is following through into other areas of the home, such as in joinery in adjacent rooms as well as across walls and floors,' notes Alex.

Pictured: Stamford Kitchen (Marsh Green paired with exposed oak) by Naked Kitchens

Timeless and versatile, brass complements both neutrals and bold colours – its golden tones are perfect for creating a cosy, inviting atmosphere.

'Brass features are very on-trend for 2025 and add a touch of luxury to all styles of kitchen, from modern industrial to farmhouse,’ says Molly. ‘The easiest way to incorporate it is through cabinet pulls or knobs, which make a huge difference to the overall look of a kitchen design. Brass can also be introduced through taps, lighting, accessories or through choosing appliances with brass accents.'

Pictured: Ktchen cabinets in Basalt 221 by Little Greene, with Armac Martin Cotswold mushroom knob and cup pull and burnished brass hardware. Bespoke handcrafted Georgian Shaker kitchen by Willis & Stone

With all things retro at the heart of this trend, the foundation of the kitsch kitchen (or kitschen) is simple. ‘Kitsch is bold but shouldn’t be overwhelming, which makes it important to not select too many contrasting shades,' says Debra Hutt, kitchen expert at Wren Kitchens.

Combine bold and neutral shades across your cabinets and walls to create balance. Add contrasting patterns for curtains, bold splashbacks, wallpapers, and the classic chequerboard floor to help solidify the space. Accessories play a large role in getting the kitschen look too. ‘Anything from wall art, glassware, crockery and ornaments will help to build your very own kitsch paradise,' adds Debra.

Pictured: Tea towels, Molly Mahon

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