NKBA Forecast: Brighter Colors, Earth Tones, Mid-Century Modern Designs

The new 2025 Kitchen Trends Report points to a number of design directions in color and cabinetry.

Kitchen design is one of the leading indicators of where home building is going and the new study from the National Kitchen & Bath Association is pointing to a number of trends going forward. Based on a nationwide survey of more than 500 designers, manufacturers, remodelers and architects, the results emphasize that “unique and personal design is crucial in today’s kitchens,” the association said.

Among the key findings:

• The return of colors from the past: Just over half of the survey respondents said the bright colors and earth tones of the 1970s will be popular this year and going even further back, 47 percent said that the muted mid-century modern aesthetic of the 1950s will also return.

• More colors all around: 71% of respondents said they preferred colorful kitchens with statement colors primarily incorporated into backsplashes, islands, cabinets, wallpapers and wall paints. Green is the most preferred color for the second year in a row while white and grey kitchens are not in favor. Other popular colors are blue and brown. Just over half of the respondents said kitchen cabinets were the preferred choice as places to incorporate statement colors.

• Closed cabinetry: The open pantries and shelves that were so popular not all that long ago are now being replaced in popularity by clutter-free kitchens with concealed elements such as walk-in pantries. Seamless design was the watchword in builder preferences.

• Finally, better lighting, connections to the outdoors and multi-functional appliances and layouts were all features that ranked high in the survey results.

Image: NKBA.org

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