What counts now in the kitchen: An honest look at today's kitchen trends

After a phase dominated by white high-gloss kitchens, the development in kitchen design is moving towards more coziness, naturalness, and individuality. The kitchen is increasingly understood as an integral part of the living space. Current trends aim for a durable and timeless aesthetic based on authentic materials and muted color palettes. This guide analyzes the main trends and evaluates their practical applicability in everyday life.

1. The Trend in the Kitchen Towards Naturalness and Sustainability

The move away from purely artificial surfaces towards natural materials and earthy colors is the most defining development.

The Role of Wood: Wood is experiencing a renaissance. The focus is on real wood veneers from woods such as oak, ash, or walnut. A current development is ribbed or grooved fronts. This vertical structuring gives the furniture an additional tactile quality. When choosing wood, the maintenance effort must be considered. Open-pored oiled surfaces need regular re-treatment, while lacquered surfaces are sealed and easier to maintain.

The Color Palette: The coloring is becoming warmer. Muted, earthy natural tones such as sand, greige (a mix of gray and beige), taupe, or sage green replace cool whites and grays. These colors create a calm and cozy atmosphere.

Matte Surfaces: Matte surfaces are the prevailing trend. They appear soft and emphasize the natural character of wood or stone decors. When selecting, the maintenance effort should be noted. Especially dark, matte lacquer fronts can be prone to visible fingerprints and grease marks, although special anti-fingerprint coatings reduce this effect.

Sustainability: Awareness of sustainability is reflected in the choice of durable, timeless designs and high-quality materials. For wood products, certificates such as PEFC or FSC provide information about sustainable forestry.

2. The Japandi Style: A Fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian Aesthetics

The Japandi style combines many of the above trends. It merges the simple, nature-connected elegance of Japan with the bright, functional coziness of Scandinavian design.

• Philosophy: The concept is based on focusing on the essentials, functionality, and appreciation of natural materials.
• Features in the Kitchen:
  • Materials: Wood is the central element. Often light woods like oak are combined with dark accents in walnut or black-stained wood. This is complemented by other natural materials such as stone and ceramic.
  • Colors: The base is light and neutral (white, beige, sand) but combined with darker, earthy accent colors (anthracite, mud) to create depth and contrast.
  • Shapes: The shapes are clear and linear. Smooth, handleless fronts are typical. To create an airy atmosphere, a closed row of upper cabinets is often deliberately omitted. Instead, individual open shelves are used.
  • Practical Consideration: Open shelves require a high level of order and are more maintenance-intensive (dust) than closed cabinets. They are suitable for users who maintain a very tidy and minimalist lifestyle.

3. The Use of Accents

Despite the focus on calm, natural tones, there is a countertrend towards targeted accentuation.

• Accent Colors: Strong colors, such as the Pantone Color of the Year 2023 "Viva Magenta," are not used extensively but dosed as accents. A single tall cabinet wall, the niche backsplash, bar stools, or a lamp in a signal color can give an otherwise calm kitchen an individual touch.
• Accent Shapes: While kitchens are generally characterized by right angles, curved shapes can also be used as a deliberate counterpoint. A rounded counter on a kitchen island can break the strict geometry and promote communication. However, such custom designs are associated with significant additional costs.

4. Practical Considerations: What the Trends Mean in Everyday Life

• Maintenance Effort: The decision for a trend should always consider the associated maintenance effort. Matte, dark fronts require more cleaning effort for fingerprints than lighter, slightly textured surfaces. Oiled wood surfaces need regular care. Open shelves must be dusted frequently.
• Costs: The described trends are often based on high-quality and more expensive materials. Real wood veneer and real lacquer fronts are significantly more costly than robust and easy-care laminate surfaces. Realistic budget planning is essential.
• Feasibility: Not every trend fits every room situation. Dark colors are primarily suitable for large, bright rooms. Open shelves can quickly lead to a restless overall impression in small kitchens.

5. Conclusion and Guiding Questions for Planning According to Kitchen Trends in 2025

The current kitchen trends reflect a development towards an authentic, personal, and durable living feeling. The modern kitchen is a place of calm, designed from high-quality, natural materials. The following checklist can help evaluate the trends for one’s own planning:

1. Willingness to Maintain: How high is my willingness for regular maintenance (e.g., with wood surfaces)? How important is a resilient surface for daily use to me?
2. Sense of Order: Do I live so orderly that open shelves work for me in everyday life, or do I need closed, dust-free storage?
3. Room Situation: Do the desired colors and materials fit the lighting conditions and size of my room?
4. Budget: Which trend fits my budget? Where can I make compromises, for example by combining real wood (e.g., for the countertop) with more affordable, solid-colored fronts?

A conscious decision based on these criteria leads to a kitchen that not only follows a short-lived trend but functions as a comfortable and timeless living space for many years.