Kitchen trends for 2025: Design experts share their predictions

It’s long been said that the kitchen is the heart of the home. Beyond that, the kitchen is the pulse: it keeps everything in the home chugging along.

If you’re planning a kitchen renovation or update in the new year, we spoke to creative director Anouska Milstein of A.mi and Erin Carnwell of Ren Studio about the latest kitchen trends to guide your design.

1. Sconces and sculptural lighting

Modes of lighting are necessary considerations in the kitchen, and in the new year, Milstein predicts we’ll see more sconces and sculptural pendant lighting.

“As [kitchen] designs move toward having more breathing room around joinery, empty wall space lends itself to introducing wall lights as both a practical and decorative element,” explains Milstein.

“This also works well for open plan kitchen and living spaces, meaning that a decorative pendant can hang over the dining table and be the hero of the space rather than competing with another over the bench.”

Milstein has also observed a departure from linear pendants over kitchen benches in favour of more sculptural, bolder forms.

2. Stained timber in ‘new’ neutrals

Carnwell predicts a wave of ‘new neutrals’ will become more prominent in kitchen cabinetry in 2025.

“Lighter coloured timbers have been favourites for a while now, but we’re also seeing growing interest in darker stains like walnut,” she says.

“Navy blues and greens in tones like olive and moss also tend to be considered new neutrals, and we expect this will continue in 2025 for people who want a pop of colour while still keeping their interiors classic.”

3. Stainless steel paired with timber and natural stone

“In 2024 we saw  an explosion of stainless-steel benches within kitchen interiors,” says Milstein. “In 2025 we expect to see more of it but paired more with other visually textural finishes such as timber and natural stone, and a shift toward it being focused around the cooking area with island benches having a more tactile surface that is comfortable to rest arms upon.”

Carnwell agrees timber and natural stone help unify mixed materials in kitchen spaces, “I think timber finishes will continue to be a mainstay, as people look to incorporate natural elements and earthy tones in their homes, particularly paired with natural stone for benchtops and flooring.”

Read more: Why is stainless steel making a comeback?

4. Playful hardware

The sensory experience of reaching for your third drawer to pluck a tea towel is also about to get the star treatment, with more and more clients investing in playful hardware.

“For years recessed finger pulls have dominated the kitchen space, but I see that clients are increasingly interested in slower, considered tactile experiences within their home,” says Milstein.

“Interesting door pulls can be a great way to elevate even the most simple kitchen joinery.”

5. Overhead joinery

In pursuit of designing kitchens that tether function and beauty, Milstein is a fan of custom joinery, which elevates a space and conceals a world of kitchen clutter.

She anticipates we’ll see more joinery built lowered from the ceiling.

“In the past this kind of design has been seen as a dust trap, but as kitchen joinery design is increasingly more bold, decorative and colourful, it creates a better sense of focus for the eye,” she says.