NKBA | KBIS Kitchen Trends Summit Highlights 2025 Kitchen Trends Report and New Video Series
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA | KBIS) released the 2025 edition of its annual Kitchen Trends Report on December 17 to provide a comprehensive look into current and upcoming trends in residential kitchens that will have the biggest impact in the coming year.
“The kitchen and bath industry remains resilient as we are seeing record levels of home equity, with 20+ million homes entering their prime remodeling years,” says NKBA | KBIS Global President & CEO Bill Darcy. “The 2025 Kitchen Trends Report comes at a crucial time, guiding the key changes designers can make to increase the longevity of their clients’ spaces while customizing unique homes with both aesthetic and functional creativity.”
According to the report, the focus over the next three years will remain on sustainability and wellness, calming earth tones, an the importance of lighting design. Key findings of the top 20 kitchen trends for 2025 included:
Colors & Materials: What’s In, What’s Out
Blast From the Past: Past trends are making a comeback in 2025, with 52% of respondents saying the bright colors and earth tones of the 1970’s will be popular and 47% saying that the muted mid-century modern aesthetic of the 1950’s will see a resurgence.
Preference for Personality: As part of a broader trend that focuses on personalized design, 71% of respondents said they preferred colorful kitchens that showcase personality as opposed to only 29% of respondents who prefer a clean and classic white kitchen. Statement colors will primarily be incorporated into backsplashes, islands, cabinets, wallpapers, and wall paints.
Mix-and-Match: Stemming from the personalized design trend is blending colors and finishes, with 67% of respondents agreeing that mix-and-match backsplashes add a unique touch to the kitchen and 84% of respondents agreeing that lighting fixtures will increasingly feature differing materials.
Statement Cabinets: Of those surveyed, 52% of respondents agree that cabinets will be a primary place for incorporating statement colors into the kitchen. Additionally, white oak kitchen cabinets are the clear favorite with 59% of respondents listing them as the preferred color for 2025.
The Mood Kitchen
Homeowners are increasingly focused on lighting’s role in creating a “well space” that supports functionality and mood. According to 74% of respondents, homeowners are using lighting to improve their physical and mental well-being. Respondents report that natural light and lighting quality are top considerations in kitchen design, with 88% agreeing that lighting is widely used to create different moods within the kitchen, such as brightness while drinking coffee in the morning or a darker atmosphere for a cocktail party.