As we move into 2025, kitchen design continues to evolve, blending functionality with bold personal style.
Key trends forecasted to dominate include the rise of luxurious pantries for clutter-free organisation, the resurgence of open shelving for curated displays, and statement backsplashes that infuse spaces with colour, texture, and personality. Modern interpretations of Shaker kitchens and the surge in earthy hues further highlight 2025’s focus on balancing timeless design with innovative updates.
Paul Richardson, kitchen stylist at Wren Kitchens, shares his predicted trends for the year and how to incorporate them into your kitchen design.
Pantries
We have seen the popularity of pantries rise throughout 2024, and they’re expected to become a breakout trend for 2025. Paul explains: “Homeowners are increasingly looking to showcase their kitchens and their carefully curated collections of produce. Appliances like coffee machines and premium food products have transformed into aesthetic luxuries, making pantries not just practical but a statement feature in modern homes.”
For those with larger kitchens or extra space to work with, a pantry is an impressive addition that adds both functionality and style.
They can be built into your existing kitchen space and act as a walk-in storage option for holding larger quantities of kitchen produce, pans, crockery, and more. They are excellent for keeping kitchens clutter-free and freeing up extra room for cooking, dining, socialising and relaxing.” he adds.
However, he warns that a pantry may not be for everyone, explaining: “A pantry requires more long-term planning than a larder, as it must be built into the architecture of a kitchen or added into a neighbouring room. In comparison, a kitchen larder can be added into existing cupboard space without changing any architectural elements. For a similar effect on a budget, larders are an excellent alternative.”
Open shelving
Much like pantries, open shelving is gaining popularity as homeowners look to showcase their goods and create visual interest in their kitchens. thoughtfully designed and highly organised open shelving can be both functional and stylish.
When choosing your open shelving, Paul suggests assessing your kitchen layout to determine the type of shelving that fits best. “In compact kitchens, vertical or tall tower shelves are ideal for maximising storage without taking up too much floor area, while mid-level shelves work well in narrow spaces,” he says.
For styling, Paul suggests prioritising practicality and aesthetics. “Keep high-use items within easy reach and adopt a minimalist approach for modern kitchens. Consider thematic displays, such as matching jars or curated crockery collections, for a polished look.”
Statement backsplashes
Paul says we are going to see people become more experimental and expressive with their backsplashes to add subtle colour, texture and personality to their kitchens.
“Backsplashes are no longer an afterthought and are an easy way to lift a space or make a subtle move away from plain, neutral kitchens.” He gives his design ideas for playful backsplashes, adding, “Plain tiles in a grid pattern are a practical and attractive choice for kitchen splashbacks. Classic options include white bevelled-edge tiles with dark grout or black tiles with white grout.”
Mirrored tiles not only offer durability and hygiene but also enhance brightness and create a sense of space by reflecting light. They work particularly well near underlit cupboards. For a dynamic look, herringbone or chevron patterns, created by laying rectangular tiles diagonally, add energy and a distinctive design inspired by fish skeletons,” Paul shares.
Modern shaker
Paul explains shaker kitchens are here to stay, adding: “The shaker style has long been a staple, and we believe here for the long term, however, to keep it modern we are seeing it become more sophisticated with a slimmer profile.
“We also expect to see more modern variations of the shaker style, such as handless shaker cabinetry, featuring the classic door style without handles, creating a clean, minimalist look. We’ll also see a greater use of colour to modernise and personalise the shaker kitchen.”
Earthy hues
As we move away from light grey and beige kitchens, 2025 will see more earthy tones introduced into the kitchen space through cabinetry, backsplashes and seating.
“As popularity of earth tones has grown, colour options are endless to find the perfect shade match for your kitchen. In the green spectrum, look at Olive Green, Moss Green, Forest Green, and Buckingham Green. For blues, Smoke Blue, Navy Blue, Sapphire Blue, Pencil Grey, and Nero are beautiful options,” suggests Paul.
Not only are earth tones visually appealing, but their subtle colour makes them extremely versatile when it comes to adding a pop of colour or pairing with textured finishes like the Japandi, the Japanese and Scandi’ minimalist design. Paul adds: “They will pair well with any worktop, from light or dark natural woods to black granite or white marble.”
