The Top 2025 Kitchen Trends Include Smart Storage and Sustainability

Kitchen design is evolving to reflect warmth, functionality, and sustainability. After a decade dominated by black, white, and gray, kitchens are shifting toward more inviting spaces designed to promote wellness and provide flexibility for a variety of activities. Experts share the kitchen trends we can expect to see in 2025, from color choices to storage solutions, lighting innovations, and eco-conscious decisions.

1. Off-White Kitchens

“The last decade has been focused on brighter white kitchens as an evolution of the gray and black-and-white trends,” says Crystal Hackl, owner of Eagle & Vine Interiors. Now, colors are softening, and Hackl says we’ll be seeing warmer, earthier colors, including neutrals like soft creams and pale warm greiges. “Particularly, we’ll see kitchen upper cabinets that are the same color as the walls to blend with the living spaces and maintain a light, airy feel,” says Hackl. 

For lower cabinets, Hackl suggests earthy wood tones or deeper shades of green or blue used to ground the room. According to the 2025 Kitchen Trends Report from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), green is the most popular color for the kitchen, with 76% of respondents selecting it as the top shade for 2025). Other prominent colors are blue (63%), brown (56%), and white (50%).

2. Layered Lighting

“We’re seeing high demand for versatile lighting solutions that create different moods and enhance functionality at all times of day,” says Felicitas Wolter, marketing manager at Hettich America. “Homeowners are investing in zoned task lighting, dimmable under-cabinet lights, soft ambient eye-level lighting, and maximizing natural light.” 

As lighting becomes more of a design feature, look for ways to increase functionality and contribute to the room’s style. Wolter highlights Hettich’s AvanTech YOU Illumination drawers, which light up when opened. “They add both practicality and a wow factor,” Wolter says. “These kinds of thoughtful lighting touches can make a kitchen truly unique and useful.”

3. Semi-Custom Cabinetry

“One of the key trends we anticipate for kitchens in 2025 is a move toward semi-custom cabinetry that feels bespoke yet is accessible for today’s homeowner,” says Kerrie Kelly, creative director at Fabuwood. Semi-custom cabinets allow homeowners to choose finishes, door styles, and storage options that meet their lifestyle and personal design preferences. When it comes to cabinet finishes, Kelly expects warmer neutrals, earthy greens, and organic textures. The 2025 NKBA Kitchen Trends Report says cabinets will be the primary feature for incorporating a statement color in the kitchen.

4. Updated Hardware

Modern farmhouse style—and the popular black, white, and gray color palettes of the recent decade—resulted in an overwhelming installation of black metal accents. Together, this look lacks the depth of today’s design styles. “As we shift away from these color trends and embrace softer, warmer neutrals and nature-inspired colors, we will also need to soften the industrial effect of black metals throughout the home,” says Hackl.

But don’t worry, you won’t need to trade out all those fixtures to refresh your kitchen in 2025. “The key is to not replace everything!” says Hackl, who advises simply switching out cabinet hardware to soft gold or polished nickel in a room otherwise filled with black metal. “The result will have more variety, character, and uniqueness.”

5. Reduced Clutter

“We’re seeing a strong shift toward decluttering, which has always been popular, but the emphasis now is on clean lines and keeping countertops clear to showcase their beauty and create a sense of calm,” says Wolter. This trend is about removing both physical and visual clutter, leaning into the kitchen as a place to support wellness in the home. 

The NKBA reports open shelving and open pantries are less desirable kitchen design solutions in 2025. Instead, “improved usability” is a top desired feature when it comes to cabinetry, as well as seeking more configurable storage for refrigeration. Kitchens will be investing in optimizing cabinet and appliance interiors with practical organizational products to increase interior efficiency.  “An organized kitchen starts with ensuring that every item has its place, minimizing clutter for a more serene space,” says Wolter. 

6. Embracing Sustainability 

Sustainability is a major theme underscoring kitchen design and decorating. While the NKBA reports that products made with reclaimed or recycled materials are not a top request in 2025, simple functional solutions like designated space for compost and recycling bins are common. 

However, longevity is the sustainable characteristic most significantly influencing design decisions as reported by the NKBA. For example, designers anticipate homeowners investing in high-quality appliances, fixtures, and surfaces that stand up to use and will not need to be replaced. At the same time, sustainability-driven kitchen design aims to be timeless, reducing the desire for kitchen redos and updates to outdated aesthetics. Longevity also refers to usability: designing kitchens that embrace universal design and accessibility principles, so that users can still use their kitchens as they age.