logo

Ideal House APP

Your Go-To Interior Design Hub
HomeHome
BoardBoard
ExploreExplore
Logo
1/28

Homes & Gardens’ Best Kitchens of 2025 – The Designs You Loved Most This Year

This article reflects on the most popular kitchen designs featured by Homes & Gardens in 2025, highlighting spaces that resonated most with readers and followers. A common theme across all favored kitchens is the presence of character, color, texture, and personality, moving away from purely utilitarian aesthetics towards more lived-in, layered spaces. The first featured kitchen is a sunny yellow design in a tiny Toronto apartment. Despite its limited 750-square-foot footprint and only one window, designer Cynthia Ferguson transformed the previously dark kitchen by drenching it in a warm ochre color, specifically 'Stuart Gold' by Benjamin Moore. Bronze knobs and Caesarstone countertops were incorporated to enhance illumination. The addition of striped red-and-white tiles introduced a playful element, and a bespoke, slimline island on casters provided essential functionality and flexibility in the compact space. The second highlight is a calming kitchen in a 100-year-old San Francisco home. Designer Melanie Love aimed to restore the home's character, which had been diminished by previous renovations, while creating a functional layout. The design focused on an efficient layout with a large island from Hati Home flanked by cabinetry. A secondary prep area for drinks and cleverly concealed small appliances behind pocket doors were integrated. A cozy banquette with striped cushions and storage was created in a corner, maximizing natural light from surrounding windows. The color scheme features 'Nature Lover' sage green for cabinets and 'Van Courtland Blue' for the island, providing a calm yet vibrant contrast. Madre Perla quartzite countertops and a mix of deVOL ceramic pendants, scalloped brass sconces, and Peared Creation surface-mount fixtures contribute to a refined yet cohesive look. Fluted, arched details on custom cabinet doors and brass hardware on the banquette cushion add bespoke touches. The third kitchen showcases a modern rustic style in a ranch-style home that designer Allison Clouser initially intended to flip but ultimately kept. The original kitchen was dark and disconnected, prompting a layout overhaul to open it up to surrounding living areas. A zellige-tiled hood was chosen over a traditional stainless steel one to add softness, texture, and serve as a focal point. Cle Tile’s pantry pavers provide a lived-in texture that complements sleek marble countertops. Brass accents and Mullan sconces contribute to a collected feel. A locally made wood island and locally sourced glassware from Tumalo Home add unique elements, alongside a black Ilve Range and panel-ready Forte appliances for a seamless look. A custom-built corner banquette upholstered in Schumacher’s 'Camden' Check was installed to define the dining area without closing off the space. A Fourhands dining table with vintage bistro chairs and a Lauren Liess x Troy Lighting ‘Arcane’ pendant complete the rustic-modern aesthetic. The fourth kitchen is a tactile Texas design inspired by European influences. In a new Spanish Revival home, designer Vanessa Alexander collaborated with architect Michael G Imber to create a timeless, authentic feel, drawing inspiration from Puglian masserias and farmhouses. Arches are a recurring architectural feature, softly connecting open-plan spaces. The design emphasizes soft colors and tactile materials, with plasterwork serving as a backdrop for natural elements like reclaimed oak cabinetry and Calacatta Monet marble. The choice to leave imperfections in materials highlights their authentic character, focusing on natural and well-made elements. The fifth kitchen, located near Paris, blends English country charm with a Parisian sensibility. Designer Sean Symington worked with clients to evolve the space into a layered, collected family home. The kitchen features handmade tiles sourced in Paris, lending an eclectic feel to classic cabinetry. Yellow tones, specifically Farrow & Ball's 'India Yellow,' from the island provide cohesion. Ceramic pendant and wall lights from The French House add whimsy, reminiscent of traditional French bistros. Open shelving filled with mismatched crockery enhances the 'collected and layered' aesthetic desired by the homeowners. The sixth kitchen is a newly laid out open-plan space in a 1929 Tudor Revival home. Designer Jessica Nelson and her husband undertook a significant renovation to create a functional layout for their young family. A wall was removed to establish an open-plan kitchen and living area. New timber beams nod to the home’s Tudor style, and 'Swiss Coffee' by Benjamin Moore on the walls creates a warm, light atmosphere. Bar stools, originally from Etsy, were re-covered in shearling fabric for added texture. The final kitchen is a charming pink kitchen-diner in a Victorian London home. The homeowners, with the help of Smith Brooke Architects and interior designer Emma Ainscough, opted for an unconventional approach, relocating the kitchen upstairs to the first floor and creating an open-plan kitchen-diner. The design prioritizes function while incorporating playful material choices. The absence of wall cabinets contributes to an open, airy feel. Soft pink cabinets are balanced by a dark green island, while gauzy café curtains and fabric Roman blinds create a layered look. An armless couch in the dining area, featuring florals and stripes, adds a playful and durable element suitable for family life. All these showcased kitchens highlight a trend towards 'soft kitchens' in 2025, where spaces prioritize character, layering, and a lived-in feel, resembling living rooms more than traditional cooking areas. This trend is anticipated to continue into 2026. #KitchenDesign #InteriorDesignTrends #HomeRenovation #CharacterfulKitchens #ColorInDesign #SmallKitchenIdeas #ModernRustic #EuropeanInspiredDesign #OpenPlanKitchens #KitchenDesign #InteriorDesignTrends #HomeRenovation #CharacterfulKitchens #ColorInDesign #SmallKitchenIdeas #ModernRustic #EuropeanInspiredDesign #OpenPlanKitchens
No comments yet
Kitchen Trends 2025: standout designs and colours inspiring home improvement projects
Kitchen Trends 2025: standout designs and colours inspiring home improvement projects
20 kitchen design trends you'll see everywhere in 2025, according to experts
20 kitchen design trends you'll see everywhere in 2025, according to experts
5 Kitchen Layouts That Are Dated in 2025 — Plus the Contemporary Blueprints Designers Are Choosing Instead
5 Kitchen Layouts That Are Dated in 2025 — Plus the Contemporary Blueprints Designers Are Choosing Instead
Farmhouse Kitchens Are Officially Out — These Are the Trends Taking Their Place in 2025
Farmhouse Kitchens Are Officially Out — These Are the Trends Taking Their Place in 2025
The big kitchen trends of 2025 explained by top designers
The big kitchen trends of 2025 explained by top designers
All the most stylish kitchens in 2025 forgo this key feature
All the most stylish kitchens in 2025 forgo this key feature
Elevate Your Space With 8 2025 Kitchen Trends You'll Love
Elevate Your Space With 8 2025 Kitchen Trends You'll Love
15 Stunning Kitchen Island Trends That Are Set To Dominate Throughout 2025
15 Stunning Kitchen Island Trends That Are Set To Dominate Throughout 2025
20 Kitchen Design Trends You’ll See Everywhere in 2025, According to Experts
20 Kitchen Design Trends You’ll See Everywhere in 2025, According to Experts
Kitchen designs that will be in vogue in 2024
Kitchen designs that will be in vogue in 2024
13 Kitchen Trends That We Are Following In 2025
13 Kitchen Trends That We Are Following In 2025
10 Kitchen Design Trends Going Out Of Style In 2025
10 Kitchen Design Trends Going Out Of Style In 2025
Outdoor Kitchen Design Trends You’ll Love in 2025
Outdoor Kitchen Design Trends You’ll Love in 2025
The 5 kitchen trends designers say will be huge in 2025
The 5 kitchen trends designers say will be huge in 2025
8 Kitchen Trends for 2025
8 Kitchen Trends for 2025
These are the 5 most popular IKEA kitchen designs for 2024
These are the 5 most popular IKEA kitchen designs for 2024
Unveiling tomorrow's kitchens: 20 game-changing design themes for 2025
Unveiling tomorrow's kitchens: 20 game-changing design themes for 2025
5 Kitchen Layouts That Are Dated in 2025 — Plus the Contemporary Blueprints Designers Are Choosing Instead
5 Kitchen Layouts That Are Dated in 2025 — Plus the Contemporary Blueprints Designers Are Choosing Instead
Kitchen Trends in 2025
Kitchen Trends in 2025
Kitchen design trends to know for 2024
Kitchen design trends to know for 2024