Think you’re ready for a kitchen remodel? Pretty sure you’ve got your design nailed down? If you’ve included any of the following design trends, you may want to reconsider. Even the most well-meaning trends can fall out of favor. These are the kitchen design trends to avoid in 2025 and beyond.

Or if you already know the trends, get started with our design team.

Bad Lighting

Adding natural light or an assortment of light fixtures can make your kitchen shine bright. But as we all know, too much of a good thing (or choosing the wrong thing) turns bad pretty quickly.

Some lighting faux-pas to avoid in 2025 include:

• More than 2 pendants lights over an island
• Builder’s grade lighting fixtures
• Excessive recessed lighting

When you’re making a remodeling budget, it’s better to spend more on quality lighting. Modern downlights and pendants look great while emphasizing sustainability, so you’ll get high-quality lighting that can lower your energy bill.

If efficiency is a premium, don’t forget natural lighting. Used the right way, natural sunlight will illuminate your kitchen, warm your home, and provide mental health benefits through an abundant energy source.

Kitchen Cabinet Trends to Avoid

With something so foundational and permanent as kitchen cabinets, it’s important to steer clear of trends. Even some less trendy looks can make your kitchen feel dated in time.

Kitchen cabinet trends to avoid:

• Overly ornate cabinets
• Handleless doors and drawers
• One-tone looks

Cabinets that have raised center panels with very ornate edging detail tend to date your kitchen. Unless you’re going for a very traditional look, opt for more minimalist cabinets.

The moment for ultra-modern, smooth, handless looks in the kitchen has passed. You can have functionality and still get a minimalist-modern look so don’t skip the handles and knobs.

Including two different color cabinets is a look that isn’t going anywhere soon, nor will it date your kitchen. The combination of wood and a neutral cabinet color are a classic that will look great for decades.

The Color Gray

As minimalism began to gain steam a decade ago, the color gray began to take over many home kitchens. 2025 may begin to see the end of gray.

The last couple years, warmer colors like beige started to make more headway into the kitchen palette. This year, even more color is creeping into kitchen neutrals with greens, warm yellows, and lots more blue. Bring this year’s colors into the kitchen for bold but not overpowering warmth.

Monochrome White

White kitchens are untouchable in design. There will always be space for the white kitchen. However, many designers are concerned that too much white can look flat and cheap, which makes them a kitchen trend to avoid in 2025—unless you make some modifications . . .

There are several ways to do all white without going overboard. Provide some context in color with accents or with an equal measure of another color. Color doesn’t have to be bold and bright, even another neutral color or metallic can help elevate white to a new level. You could also opt for adding texture to your white kitchen. Some texture gives a white kitchen depth and creates a richer design.

One of the best ways to balance your kitchen’s color scheme is through the cabinets. We recommend sampling your preferred color first so you know exactly what works before you buy.

Kitchen Hardware Trends to Avoid

In 2025 you should definitely say yes to hardware (knobs and pulls on the cabinets) but there are some things to avoid as well.

Say no to:

• Matte black color
• Industrial style
• Too basic a design
• High sheen finish

Matte black has had its day. Shift your focus to metallics for your kitchen hardware. As stated previously, whatever metallic suits your tastes and your design are a go. You can even mix and match. Try to blend your choices by sticking to either one color with different finishes or different colors with the same finishes.

Industrial style has its place, but its not the kitchen in 2025. Hardware can be a sort of jewelry to the kitchen so this is your moment to make a statement. Overly industrial looks can take over the aesthetic and overpower other elements of the design.

Likewise, too basic a design can drag down the look and feel of the kitchen. Look to your hardware as an opportunity to add some personality to the space.

High polish finishes are a no-go in 2025 with brushed and satin the most popular choices. No matter what color hardware you choose, a muted sheen is your best bet for the kitchen.

Oversized Islands

A kitchen island is a popular style that’s not going away. But islands the size of an actual island are something you need to reconsider for 2025.

Choosing a double island or an island that’s way too large will restrict your movement and hamper the functionality of your kitchen. Instead, study your kitchen and build an island that reasonably sized for the right mixture of function and style.

For an even better result, some designers are reimagining the island altogether. If you want the island-style prep space that can act as a makeshift dining space, choose a vintage table of reasonable length and width instead.

Open Concept

The pandemic shifted the way we live forever. Home is often a place of work too. With the home doing more these days, the demand for more specific, and separate, spaces has increased.

Separating the kitchen from the living room is the first step in the end of the popularity of the open concept design. Keeping messes, smells, and tasks of the kitchen away from work and relaxation spaces is an approach you’ll see more of in 2025 and beyond.

Kitchen Backsplash Trends to Avoid

Backsplashes, especially statement backsplashes are still at the forefront of 2025 kitchen trends. However, subway tile is taking a backseat. White subway tile has been a staple in the kitchen for decades, a real classic. But 2025 is looking to more unique backsplash applications.

Some backsplashes to consider:

• Unique color tile
• Different patterns of tile
• Stonework
• Wallpaper

Now you’re equipped to conquer your remodel! With the knowledge of kitchen trends to avoid in 2025 and what to do instead, you’re ready to create a kitchen that will stay relevant.