This marks the second year that one earthy color in particular has emerged as the most favored kitchen color in the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s (NKBA) kitchen trend report, officially ending the reign of the ubiquitous white and gray kitchens. Taking inspiration from your herb garden and produce drawer, the trending kitchen color of 2025 will, once again, be all hues and shades of green, according to the association’s survey of industry experts, including designers, manufacturers, remodelers, and architects, released on December 17. And it seems to point to a clear trend.
In the survey, 76% of respondents selected green as the top shade for kitchens, with blue coming in second at 63%, and brown the third most popular kitchen color at 56%. Homeowners and renters are generally leaning towards more light and natural colors all over the home, according to the report.
“The color green can tend to be associated with freshness, and I think that is a perfect feel for a kitchen as the area where meals are prepared,” says kitchen and bath designer and Armina Stone spokesperson Alena Capra. “Also, the tie-in with biophilic design and wellness — the green brings that connection with nature, in a very subtle way.”
If you’re ready to add more earthy tones to your space, here are some expert tips on easy ways to add green touches to your kitchen; plus, designers’ thoughts on other outgoing and incoming kitchen trends for 2025.
How to Go Green in Your Kitchen
Incorporating green into your kitchen is a versatile way to bring a fresh, organic feel to the heart of your home, says interior designer Lori Corsi of Blended Interiors. If you’re committed to going green, some bigger-lift projects include installing green tile backsplashes — natural, handmade styles are popular, as well as glass, ceramic, and marble, she says. Or, you could commit to green cabinets or a painted accent wall.
Sherwin Williams’ Acacia Haze, which is a combination of warm gray and green, looks incredible on walls, trim, or cabinetry, Corsi says. Benjamin Moore Kennebunkport Green has a deep forest feel, but isn’t too overpowering and complements warm colors in an interior space, she says. For a rich, more luxurious color, Benjamin Moore’s Goodwin Green has a slight mix of teal, she says.
If you aren’t ready to commit to a major kitchen makeover just yet but do want to hop on the green trend, bring the color in with dishes, glassware, or even plants to create an earthy feel, Corsi suggests.
Are White Kitchens Completely Out in 2025?
The chief complaint regarding all-white kitchens that were trending a few years ago was that they felt overly sterile. Now, people are moving away from those stark white kitchens and embracing warmth and vibrant shades that inspire creativity and feel more joyful, says Gena Kirk, vice president of Design Studio at KB Home. For its own 2025 report, KB home identified English-inspired kitchens with warm woods and botanical wallpapers as a top trend for the new year.
“White kitchens remain timeless and popular because of their clean, fresh look and versatility,” Corsi says. “However, recent design trends have shifted toward warmer whites with added and creamier tones.”
Designers, she says, are pairing and accenting these warm whites with other warm colors (beiges, taupes, and greens) as well as wood tones to create a clean yet cozy feel. To warm up a white kitchen, she suggests incorporating natural materials like wood, rattan, and stone. “Medium-toned woods used in flooring, accent shelves, or the cabinetry itself, bring warmth and depth to the space,” Corsi adds. Metallic accents also pair beautifully with softer white tones, Corsi says, with brass and gold replacing cooler stainless and chrome.
What Other Kitchen Trends Will Be Big in 2025?
Beyond going green in the kitchen, designers are betting on a few more kitchen trends in 2025 — everything from a greater focus on lighting to the comeback of styles from past decades. Here are three more trends from the NKBA’s trend report:
1. A Greater Focus on Lighting
Lighting projects will be big in 2025, as people are interested in using natural light and lighting fixtures to create “the mood kitchen,” according to the NKBA. Nearly three-quarters of respondents to the association’s survey said that homeowners are using light to set the vibe of the space, and in the kitchen, this can look like taking advantage of brighter natural light in the morning and a darker, warm mood lighting in the evening.
Kitchens are a place that call for layers of lighting, and there are so many ways to get creative with lighting, Capra says, from general overhead lighting with chandeliers and pendants to ambient lighting in places like underneath the countertops.
2. 1950s and 1970s Trends Making a Comeback
Designers aren’t going so far as to say that the avocado green and tangerine orange colors that dominated kitchens in the 1970s are back in full force, but, 52% of survey respondents predict that the brighter colors and earth tones from this decade are on the rise. This time around, colorful appliances are back, but in more modern colors, including 2025’s trending shades of green.
“We love a color-drenched kitchen, and greens — especially lighter greens — are great for this,” says Shea Wilder, manager of designer relations at BlueStar, a kitchen appliance company. “Appliances offer a large area of real estate to bring in color, and to achieve the one-color look.” Additionally, 47% believe that muted mid-century modern aesthetics that were trending in the 1950s will also make a comeback.
Cabinets will continue to be statements in kitchens in 2025, according to the NKBA’s trend report, with more than half of respondents agreeing that cabinets are a primary place to add a pop of color. “Designers are moving away from neutral tones, introducing cabinetry in deep greens, navy blues, and even burgundy in addition to warm wood tones,” says Eve Jean of New York-based Style My Space Designs.
White oak kitchen cabinets are a clear favorite, but designers also expect once-passé dark cabinets to make a comeback in 2025, too.
For more on 2025’s kitchen design trends, check out what interior experts think will be the hottest trends and features of the year here.
