Outdated kitchens with deteriorating appliances can really put a damper on cooking and entertaining. Online interior design platform Houzz surveyed its community of homeowners and home design enthusiasts to determine top priorities for a stylish kitchen makeover this year.
Whether you're upgrading old appliances, improving the overall resale value of your home, or creating a welcoming area for friends and family gatherings, here are Houzz's top kitchen remodeling trends for 2025.
The hottest styles
This is the year we finally say goodbye to farmhouse kitchens, as the report's analysis of the top kitchen styles revealed homeowner interest the rustic look has dropped to its lowest point in three years. Transitional kitchens – characterized by shaker cabinet fronts, neutral stone countertops, wood details, and sleek finishes – are the dominant style renovators are choosing for their new kitchen aesthetics.
Traditional kitchens have made a surprising comeback, as it was the No. 2 most sought after design by homeowners for the year. These kitchens are defined by their raised-panel cabinetry, statement hoods, decorative moldings, and luxurious marble or quarts countertops, Houzz says. They're also one of Houzz's top home design predictions for 2025.
This cozy classic kitchen combines rich wood cabinetry with moody colors like deep blues and greens.
Photo courtesy of Sun Design Remodeling Specialists/Nova Soul Imagery
No matter what overall style you pick, most homeowners agreed that wood-toned flooring and new stainless steel appliances were the No. 1 choices to match any design. Vinyl or hardwood were the top two flooring options homeowners picked for their new kitchens. Ceramic or porcelain tile, engineered wood, and laminate flooring rounded out the top five.
Homeowners equipping their kitchens with all of the latest large appliances most often bought new dishwashers, microwaves, ranges, and refrigerators. The most frequently bought small appliances were new blenders, air fryers, toasters or convection ovens, mixers, and pressure or slow cookers.
Houzz says 47 percent of homeowners cited quality as the No. 1 priority for buying new small appliances, while 36 percent said they were looking for "specialty features" and 25 percent said they wanted their small appliances to have a better "look and feel."
Remodel budgets based on kitchen size
It's extremely important to have a thorough plan to achieve all the fancy kitchen upgrades you want while not breaking the bank. Budgets can vary from household to household, and depending on the size of the kitchen itself.
Houzz calculated the national median cost for minor remodels of kitchens smaller than 250 square feet was $40,000 in 2024, while major remodels of the same size area cost $5,000 more.
As for kitchens larger than 250 square feet, the national median cost of minor renovations added up to $35,000, while major renovations cost $72,000.
The report also revealed the top 10 percent of homeowners spent a shocking $180,000 or more on their kitchen remodels by mid-2024.
"Larger kitchens command a bigger investment," the report said. "The top 10 percent of spenders invest $200,000 on major remodels in kitchens of 250 or more square feet — more than double the median of $72,000."
So try to stick to a good budget, but be prepared to shell out for the kitchen of your dreams.
Top upgraded features and trends
When entering a kitchen, the features that are typically noticed first can be major pain points – think laminate countertops or hickory cabinets. According to Houzz's report, upgrading the countertops, backsplashes, and cabinets are the top three highest priorities for a kitchen renovation, followed by updating sinks and faucets.
Many homeowners are also searching for "sustainable" renovation choices, which include:
- Exchanging incandescent or CFL lightbulbs for LEDs, and installing light dimmers
- Replacing inefficient appliances for energy efficient ones
- Choosing a timeless overall kitchen design that will outlast current trends
- Installing water efficient faucets and fixtures
- Replacing old windows with energy efficient windows
More homeowners are looking to maintain a "timeless" look for their kitchens.
Photo by Chuck Collier
Longevity goes hand in hand with sustainability, and many homeowners are adding long-term accessibility features like more lighting (such as under-cabinet lights), installing wide drawer pulls, choosing rounded countertops, and investing in non-slip flooring, the report's findings show.
"More than 9 in 10 homeowners who address current or future age-related needs in the kitchen do so by opting for [these] special features," the report said.
Countertops and backsplashes
Engineered quartz and granite are the top choices for upgraded countertops, with white and off-white dominating as the most sought-out colors, followed by black and grey. But nearly a quarter of homeowners chose a contrasting countertop color for their island, Houzz said.
"Black is the second-most-popular contrasting color for island countertops (19 percent), ahead of wood tones (with 14 percent choosing a medium tone and 10 percent choosing a light tone), beige (7 percent) and gray (6 percent)," the report said.
Can't go wrong with herringbone tiles in the kitchen.
Photo by Shanna Wolf Photography / Rochelle Lee Interiors LLC
The report also unveiled an up-and-coming trend with the coverage of kitchen backsplashes.
"Full coverage up to the cabinets or range hood is the most popular backsplash coverage choice, selected by 67 percent of
homeowners — up by 5 percentage points year over year," the report said. "Extending backsplashes to the ceiling also is becoming
increasingly popular, with more than 1 in 10 homeowners (12 percent) doing so — an increase of 2 percentage points."
Replacing vs. refinishing cabinets
Houzz discovered nearly 7 in 10 homeowners replaced all of their kitchen cabinets as part of their renovations, while more than a quarter only partially upgraded their cabinets. Custom shaker cabinets made from solid wood were the No. 1 choice for new cabinets.
For homeowners who opted for partial upgrades, more than half (55 percent) decided to refinish cabinet exteriors. White paint or wood tones were the two most popular finishes overall, but homeowners who sought contrasting colors for their lower cabinets most often chose blue or wood tone finishes.
If solid-door cabinets aren't the look you're going for, consider choosing glass-front cabinets or open shelving. Accent cabinets and shelves are great for showing off an impressive collection of cookbooks, glassware, decor, or china. And it's a fast-growing trend, the report found.
Glass front cabinets and shelving can make a kitchen look airy and open.
Photo by Sara Stewart / Sarah Strunk Photography
"More than half of renovating homeowners (52 percent) add or upgrade an accent cabinet or shelf while renovating their kitchen," the report said.
Maximizing functionality while saving space is a great idea to keep in mind while upgrading cabinets in smaller kitchens. Houzz said homeowners most often add pull-out features to store spices, hide trash and recycling cans, or add dedicated storage for cookie sheets and baking trays.
Kitchen islands with lots of storage
Islands are still one of the most popular kitchen features, especially ones that have plenty of of storage. Homeowners who upgraded their islands most often added drawers, cabinets with doors, and open shelving. White, black, and wood tones were the top countertop material for renovators who wanted their island to have a contrasting color from the rest of the cabinet countertops.
"Many islands also are home to appliances, with 57 percent of homeowners adding at least one appliance to their island as part of a remodel," the report said. "Microwaves lead the way at 37 percent, followed by dishwashers (29 percent) and garbage disposals (20 percent)."
