What Language Does Your Kitchen Speak?

Photo, courtesy of NKBA

Home design focus over the next three years will remain on sustainability and wellness, says The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA).  At the epicenter, the kitchen indeed sets the tone for the personality of the home as a whole.

It is all about experience.  By mapping the needs and personality of your client or target demographic, your kitchen design team’s task is to select healthy, efficient materials that speak to the buyer. The right choices can make one’s time in the kitchen feel more intentional and mindful rather than task-oriented.

NKBA’s 2025 Kitchen Trends report provides a comprehensive look into key aspects of kitchen design with the goal of revealing anticipated trends in styles, colors, products, materials and finishes.  We recap the key findings here. 

Seamless Design and Clutter Reduction

Open kitchens are central to the home aesthetic. This puts a high priority on solutions to keep work areas as clean and clutter-free as possible.  Open pantries and shelves are out.  Also passé is the industrial appliance-forward kitchen with bold-face stainless steel appliances.

Today’s buyers want to keep junk and mess out of view. Hidden doors and appliances with panel-ready fronts are on-trend. Walk-in pantries, butler’s pantries and even second kitchens are popular.  Whether out front in the kitchen or behind the scenes in the pantry or work kitchen space, a well-organized environment can contribute to a sense of calm, reduce stress, and enhance focus.  And we all need that!

Pull-out drawers with dividers and organizers for storing pots, pans, and kitchen tools, built-in baskets for the bulk food items, or bins for trash and recycling make it easier to keep the kitchen clutter-free.  Technology ushers in even more possibilities. Some kitchen islands include charging stations for devices such as phones or tablets, reducing clutter by eliminating the need for extra cords and chargers on countertops.  Advancing technology also poses to reduce the need for numerous separate gadgets or even the number of appliances required.

SmartKitchen by Gamadecor (part of the Porcelanosa group) allows the countertop to be used as a cooking plate or to power small kitchen appliances wirelessly.  A totally invisible induction system, equipped with dual technology, is fitted on the underside of the countertop and controlled by a small, embedded touch-sensitive screen.
 

Effectively Managing the Kitchen Environment

Optimal indoor air quality is expected in a new home environment. Kitchen ventilation systems are essential to remove pollutants, grease, and odors.  Some smart ventilation systems automatically adjust based on temperature or smoke levels, turning on higher fan speeds when they detect increased heat or odor. Also consider placing an air purifier in the kitchen area or near the dining space to help keep the air fresh. Dehumidifiers to manage moisture can also help maintain a fresher kitchen environment.

A quiet dishwasher is also important in the open kitchen design. Dishwashers with inverter or brushless motors often run quieter than older models with traditional motors. Some models also have a more advanced wash system that reduces vibration and noise during operation.

Generally, dishwashers in the range of 40–44 dBA are considered very quiet and ideal for open kitchens.

Lighting = Wellness

Biophilic design is the word as kitchens become increasingly connected to the outdoors and focused on healthy living.  Of course, it starts with designing with natural light in mind. From there, there’s a marked increase in appreciation for design that incorporates a thoughtful lighting plan.

Modern lighting systems have the ability to mimic our natural circadian rhythm. Light colors and tones are programmed to change throughout the day so that the kitchen environment supports not only daily functioning, but also a thriving indoor ecosystem. Designers recommend that all light sources should be manually dimmable as well.  Under- and interior-cabinet lighting are top wish-list items for home shoppers.

Colors & Materials: What’s In, What’s Out?

Champagne Bronze hardware by Amerock on trending white oak cabinets.
Photo, courtesy of NKBA

White and gray kitchens are off trend, with homeowners preferring light, natural colors instead. Green remains the most popular color for the second year in a row. Other prominent colors are blue and brown.  The NKBA findings report white oak is the clear favorite for kitchen cabinets.

As part of a broader trend that focuses on personalized design, a majority report that they prefer colorful kitchens that showcase personality. Past color palettes such as gold, peach and avocado are making a comeback.  Think of both the bright and muted variations from the 1970s or mid-century modern aesthetics of the 1950s. Cabinets will be a primary place for incorporating these statement colors into the kitchen. And color will also be incorporated into backsplashes, islands, wallpapers, and wall paints. 

Kitchen hardware is the jewelry.  And faucets are viewed as a visual element that adds personal style. Choices should be both functional and delightful. 

For 2025, the Pantone Color Institute selects PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse, a warming, brown hue with qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort.
Pair it with these accents.

Kitchen Tech Means Less Waste, More Space and Healthier Eating

Modern refrigerators are designed to better organize and preserve food with the ability to change temperature and humidity within various compartments inside.  Thermador’s ThermaFlex™ Drawer can even change the temperature from chill to freeze on command.  Interior cameras in some of the latest model refrigerators let you check stock from your phone.

The ability to serve more than one function is prioritized in the kitchen. For example, workstation sinks can transform from food prep to serving areas. Multi-function ovens with steam cooking/air frying technology not only serve dual purpose but support healthier cooking methods as well.

The Galley Workstation facilitates chopping, straining, and mixing easily and ergonomically.  Various Serving Boards quickly transform your prep station into a serve station.
 
Fisher & Paykel’s Series 11 and 9 modular cooktops allow individuals to join multiple induction cooktops, teppanyaki cooktops, and ventilation units together to create truly tailored culinary solutions with extremely accurate temperature control.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

Incorporate countertop herbs or plants to showcase your kitchen as a space dedicated to healthy living while helping reduce indoor air pollutants. Include books focused on healthy cooking and entertaining, and showcase both beautiful and functional kitchen items. And yours will be the home that your guests talk about!

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