Kitchens in 2025 are becoming about self-expression, combined with playful sophistication. As such, the colors and materials homeowners choose are becoming important—and they’re moving beyond just white, according to the 2025 Kitchen Trends Report, produced by the National Kitchen & Bath Association. 

A Retro Revival

Design elements of the 1950s and 1970s are showing up in kitchens today. The report notes:

  • 52% of design professionals say bright hues and earthy tones of the 1970s are making a comeback.
  • 47% predict a resurgence in the muted, modern minimalism that was present in the 1950s, especially in cabinetry, hardware and colors.

Warm oranges, rich browns and even avocado greens are getting paired with clean lines and vintage-inspired fixtures. Designers say these throwback touches can add warmth and charm into modern kitchens—a mix of past and present. 

Retro kitchen colors
Photo Courtesy of NKBA / Design by Jessica Enman
Retro kitchen colors
Photo Courtesy of NKBA / Design by Lisa Frahm

Colorful Kitchens

Many homeowners are moving on from the all-white kitchen, as 2025 designs embrace bolder, more expressive styles. Color is leading the charge. Seventy-one percent of design respondents say their clients prefer colorful kitchens that reflect personality. Whether subtly or boldly, color is entering the kitchen, with pops of color being brought in through backsplashes, kitchen islands, wallpapers and even accent walls.

Evergreen kitchen colors
Photo Courtesy of NKBA / Design by Barb Weis

One of the favored colors: green. According to 76% of design and remodeling professionals, green will be the most popular color to incorporate in the kitchen this year. Blue (63%) and brown (56%) rounded out the top three, according to the NKBA report. 

Designers note that these shades reflect a shift away from once-dominant grays and whites toward nature-inspired palettes—whether that’s a soft sage, moody forest green or deep navy.

Blue kitchen colors
Photo Courtesy of NKBA / Design by Yancy Dearinger Bonner

Mix-and-Match Everything

Contrast and creativity appear to be the new kitchen rules. For example, 67% of designers said they favored backsplashes that blend materials, textures or tile patterns for a unique statement. Eighty-four percent also noted that lighting fixtures are becoming a standout kitchen feature. Kitchen fixtures today often mix materials like brass, glass, wood and metal, or include woven textures. 

Mix and match kitchen colors
Photo Courtesy of NKBA / Design by Tracey Fogarty

What’s Out for 2025 in Kitchen Design

The NKBA report calls out these fading styles:

  • All-white and all-gray kitchens are giving way to more earthtone kitchen hues, like greens and browns.
  • Overly minimalistic, impersonal designs are being swapped out for lived-in, layered spaces.
  • Uniform finishes and match-everything designs are being pushed out for textured materials and bolder colors.