Our Favourite Kitchen Trends To Watch For In 2025
Interiors
Melbourne designer Emily Green’s Scandi-inspired yellow kitchen. Custom tiles from Palet by Studio GdB. YDL Stone benchtop. Fredericks and Mae chopping board. Vase by Stacey’s Ceramics. Custom joinery by Luna. Lo & Co sphere Knobs. Westinghouse rangehood and induction cooktop. Lugano Sink 90 Degree Mixer tap. Seima sink. Walls painted Dulux Vivid White. Pink Flowerpot VP1 light shade by Verner Panton. Photo – Amelia Stanwix
Yellow is the new green
It’s been a good five years since green became the bold colour of choice for kitchen cabinetry… Now, it’s yellow’s turn!
More playful and daring than green, yellow is the colour many designers are now turning to for a youthful, vibrant, and uplifting kitchen treatment.
We’ve seen this colour in numerous projects recently, from pastel tones through to the brightest, sunniest shades of yellow — and we love them all!
Get the look by selecting yellow for either your kitchen joinery or splashback tiles. Complement with another bold colour of your choice – deep reds, salmon pinks and tan or brown all work well, or pare things back by balancing vibrant yellow with timber or natural stone surfaces.
A stainless steel kitchen in Von Leach Residence by Amelda Wilde Interior Design. Photo – Cricket Saleh
Sleek and classic stainless steel
Using stainless steel in a residential kitchen is a look that manages to feel both innovative and classic, all at once.
The result depends on how it’s applied, which can range from a standalone benchtop paired with natural materials, or for a statement look — applied across the entire joinery.
Beyond aesthetic benefits, stainless steel is durable, easy to clean, and recyclable in its original form.
If you’re not quite ready to commit to this look, try integrating a statement stainless steel appliance, or some chrome bar stools into your kitchen.
The timber kitchen Frank Body co-founder Bree Johnson’s Richmond home. Dining table from Jardan. Chairs by Thonet. Coffee machine by La Marzocca. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
The kitchen at Silvermoon. Kitchen designed and built in American oak by Gordon Johnson, with Minokoyo splashback tiles from Academy Tiles. Surround by Laminex Batten 300 extra-wide wall panelling (left hand wall), white walls throughout all painted Dulux White Polar Quarter, and 190mm wide oak floorboards in ‘buttermilk’ from Wood Coat Australia. Gubi pendant light from Surrounding, Scala tap by Sussex Taps, from Reece, Painting by Marina Rolfe, various ceramics by De Lunedi, Ella Reweti, Belinda Wiltshire via Makers Mrkt, checkered chopping board by TS Makers.
Timeless timber
Timber will always be in style when it comes to kitchens, but right now, we’re seeing this applied more liberally across entire spaces – including the cabinetry, island benches, floors, ceilings, and furniture.
The trick to not overpowering the space with timber is to keep the overall design minimal. There should be little ornamentation, especially when using richer-toned varieties over blonde timbers, which appear more relaxed. Too much clutter or competing colour in a timber-on-timber kitchen can start looking too busy very quickly!
Orange joinery in Queens Park by Downie North. Photo – Tom Ferguson. Styling – Jack Milenkovic
The kitchen in Natashia Ting and Peter Rosser’s mid-century home. Bobby Bar Stool by DesignByThem. Flowerpot VP1 Pendant by Verner Panton. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks
Mid-century flavour
We’ll always love a mid-century modern style kitchen, whether that includes just a nod to the era, or a full blown 1950-inspired design.
Some currently popular retro elements include square tiles (both on splashbacks and directly on benchtops), often accentuated with contrasting grout. Colourful and rounded pendant lights also feature in this retro-inspired look, with ‘burnt’ colours on joinery such as mustards and burgundy.
Commit to the look by applying one vibrant colour across your cabinetry and splashback, or pick and choose to apply bold colour on one or two smaller elements, such as a coloured grout or a feature tile.
Discover more current design trends and cabinetry, tiles, tapware ideas and more in our Design Directory!