08 Latest Kitchen Remodeling Ideas for 2025
Together Design Build does a lot of home remodels every single year, and I want to give you our latest analysis on the latest kitchen design trends. This is based on our builders and contractors I deal with and what our customers are actually asking for or installing in their homes. So, this is real-time, actionable information that hopefully you can use.
1. A Shift Away from All-White Kitchens
I’ve seen a lot of white kitchens over the past several years, and Light and Bright is still popular, but we’re experiencing a slow, steady move away from an all-white kitchen. I’m starting to see a lot more light and natural wood tones—maybe white uppers with a stained base cabinet or a stained island. It gives it a more organic feel, but still, again, Light and Bright.
Some folks still like the light and bright, but they want a little pop of color. They might put that into the island. I’ve seen blues, greens, yellows, and even darker stains, all to add a little bit of color and pop in the kitchen. In some of the home remodels I’ve seen, people have completely moved away from white and opted for warmer tones—maybe a darker stain, a grange stain, even an espresso—but again, it’s a slow move away from the all-white kitchen.
2. Cabinet Upgrades To More Elegant and Functional
In addition to the changes in color, folks are starting to make some upgrades to the cabinets. For example, with the cabinet doors, I’m starting to see more raised panels, which gives it a more elegant look. But if the homeowner still chooses to do Shaker style, I notice they have an inlay in the cabinet. This gives it a more finished look on the panel. And depending on the kitchen size, I’m observing things like spice racks, small appliance garages, and rollout shelving for better access. Soft-close doors and drawers are added in there, and of course, lazy susans in the corner cabinets for a lot more storage capacity.
Since increased storage is such a hot button these days, I see more and more homeowners adding taller uppers, maybe even a 42-inch upper cabinet, and they finish it off with a nice crown at the top. And on that idea of increasing storage, they’re either opting for a walk-in pantry or adding a cabinet pantry that’s both taller and deeper. Then, they install those rollout shelves to maximize that capacity.
3. The Bigger Kitchen Island Trend
Kitchen islands are getting much larger. People are using them for food prep, eating on the island, and, of course, they’re great for entertaining when serving dishes and platters. The other thing a larger island provides is that if they don’t have a kitchen with an outside wall for placing a sink, they’re opting to put that sink in the island. When that sink is placed on the island, you typically have the dishwasher right adjacent to the sink. There’s also probably a cabinet with a dual trash/recycle bin. And if the island is large enough, some folks are even adding a wine fridge or even a microwave.
But for sure, these kitchen islands are getting larger and wider and are at least four feet in depth.
4. Stainless Steel Still Reigns in Appliances
When it comes to appliances, stainless steel is still an overwhelming favorite. They might add some colors here and there, but it’s still mostly stainless steel. But probably the biggest change I’m noticing in appliances is the move away from the microwave hood. Folks are instead installing full-range hoods, and they come in a variety of styles and designs. When it comes to range hoods, the ones I really like are the ones that match the cabinet style—these wooden-paneled hoods. I think they’re really sharp, and you can have them contrast the cabinets or blend in more.
More and more, I’m seeing the cooktops separated from the actual oven. You might have a double oven or the oven paired with a microwave—all built into the cabinets. The cooktop is then separated, with maybe some nice drawers for pots and pans beneath. That’s some improved functionality from a cooking standpoint.
5. Backsplashes Are a Personal Touch
Nearly every home I go into has a backsplash in the kitchen. It’s very rare to see one without it, and they really vary in style and color. The backsplash is a great chance to personalize your kitchen with the colors that you’re interested in or want it to work with. But what I see on the backsplash is still cleaner overall.
However, when there’s a range hood, the backsplash will often go all the way to the ceiling. Folks are now taking their countertops and using that same material on the backsplash. You get no grout lines for a clean, seamless look.
6. Quartz Countertops Are Dominating
Nearly every countertop surface I see in the kitchen is a stone material. I almost never see any type of laminate, and if I do, it’s being ripped out during kitchen remodels. As for the stone, I’m actually seeing more quartz than granite. Both are very good and durable, but quartz seems to be dominating right now.
As for the color waves, most of the countertops I see are very light. These light tones work well with the organic tones going on with the kitchen cabinets. They work great with darker cabinets too. So overall, you can pretty much work with any color wave on the cabinets with a white or light stone countertop. And with today’s stone countertops, nearly every single one being installed is treated, so they’re virtually maintenance-free—just soap and water, and they clean up nicely.
7. Lighting Is Becoming More Strategic
Folks are really taking the time to consider lighting choices now. It’s no longer just that center light fixture in the kitchen that casts a shadow when you’re standing at the counter doing food prep.
People are adding can lights strategically to give nice downlighting to illuminate the entire area above the island. Or if it’s still a peninsula, they’re putting nice decorative pendants there. That’s mainly for the ambiance it provides. And then, of course, under-cabinet LED lighting, not only decorative but great task lighting for the area you might be cooking in.
8. Flooring: A Regional Mix
As for flooring in the kitchen, it varies by region. I’m generally seeing a wood look, and it may not be engineered hardwood. It might be a luxury tile that could either be porcelain or a heavy-duty laminate, which, by the way, is beautiful in person—very durable, scratch-resistant, and the graphics are great. It looks like wood, has nice texture to it, and is very economical.
In more southern states like Florida or Arizona, there’s a lot of tile as opposed to wood. So it does vary. But one thing’s for certain: You’ve got larger tiles, maybe 12 by 24 or larger planks, if you’re dealing with the wood look. But again, larger format tiles.
Final Thoughts
The above-mentioned things are the modern kitchen trends. These things are the high points of the things I’m seeing in kitchen design trends. I hope the insight from Together Design Build is helpful for your design or kitchen remodeling project that you might be coming up with.
If you’re ready to transform your kitchen with these trending design ideas, Together Design Build is here to help! Our team of expert designers and builders can bring your vision to life, whether you’re looking to optimize your space with the latest trends or make functional improvements for a more personalized kitchen.
Get in touch with us today to schedule a consultation and start planning your dream kitchen remodel. Let’s make it happen!