HOUZZ Trends Report Summary 2025

A recent study by Houzz regarding kitchen remodeling trends is summarized by Murphy Bros. and commented on by their designers.

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Published on 15 Jan 2025

Timeless designs always beats Trends 

A Word of Advice from Our Designers 

While we are pleased to summarize this trend report from Houzz for you, we want to add some perspective to it as well.  When it comes to trends keep your design timeless on the whole.  Trends are great for adding spice to the life of the design, the way you might accessorize an outfit. Just remember, trends fade over time.  If you want your remodel to last, keep your design compass pointed true north to timeless elements.

 For more on that check out this video.

Summary of houzz study

Summary of the Study

According to the 2025 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, “More than a third of renovating homeowners (35%) tackle a
kitchen renovation due to deterioration or dysfunction — the second-highest trigger for a kitchen makeover. Wanting to change the style remains the leading motivator.

“Nearly half of the homes in the U.S. are 42 years old or older and were built to serve homeowners of a different era,” says Marine Sargsyan, Houzz staff economist. “As kitchens take on a more centralized role in daily activities, homeowners are choosing to surrender neighboring rooms and exterior spaces for additional kitchen square footage to meet their needs.”

Traditional style comes back

The Traditional Style Continues Comback

More and more homeowners are changing the style of their kitchen, not just upgrading elements. According to Houzz, changing the kitchen style remains a top priority for more than 4 in 5 homeowners. And one of those styles is traditional, which remains the top choice among renovating homeowners, at 25%. Modern and contemporary styles are holding steady at 12% and 11%, respectively, while farmhouse style continues to decline to 7%.

Homeowners are willing to spend for a new kitchen

If I Were A Rich Man...

So goes the refrain from the classic musical Fiddler on the Roof and applies in spades to the investment levels homeowners are making. As of mid-2024, the top 10% of spenders invested $180,000 or more on a major kitchen with minor remodels checking in at a $67,000 investment. 

Houzz 2025 kitchen trends study

moving away from living and dinning rooms

Kitchens Expand As Dinning Rooms Shrink

More than a third of homeowners, 35%, are expanding their kitchen footprints to fit multi-use needs, and to accommodate the appliances and storage they want. And they are more likely to take that space from an existing family or dining room, while nearly 1 in 5 homeowners builds a home addition to expand the kitchen.

 

Murphy Bros. Kitchen remodel trades places with living/dining room. 

Rectangular tiles favored for backsplashes

Classic Tile Shapes & Patterns Still Favored 

The majority of renovating homeowners, 68%, choose rectangular tiles for their kitchen backsplash. Hexagonal tiles follow very distantly at 4%, while diamond-shape tiles, octagonal tiles and tiles with no particular shape are chosen only 3%, 1% and 2% of the time respectively. Regarding patterns, horizontal brick is the most popular, with nearly 2 in 5 renovating homeowners preferring it. Horizontal stack follows at 15%. Herringbone and vertical stack patterns are tied for third at 7%, followed  by mosaic 5%, diamond 4% and checkerboard at 3%.

Herringbone backsplash; countertop to ceiling application.

Now if we can just get the oven to wash our cars…

Specialty Appliances

• Nearly two-thirds of homeowners choose ovens with specialty features:
• Phone monitor controls — 39% 
• Remote timer activation — 30%
• Control locks — 30%
• Precise temperature control — 25%
• Automated cooking — 22%

White still on top of trend

Bold Backsplashes

Interest in full-height backsplashes surged in the past year, reports Houzz. Coverage extending to cabinets or range hoods rose by 5 percentage points to 67% and full coverage to the ceiling increasing by 2 percentage points to 12%. While 76% chooses tile, nearly a quarter opted for larger-format slab backsplashes. So says the Houzz study.

Silvit glass inserts.

Shaker style still king

Glass-front Cabinets 

Coming in at 61% the most popular door style are Shaker cabinets. Glass-front cabinets rank the highest among accent cabinet door styles at 36%. What do homeowners show off in these prime spaces?  Glassware at 52%, decorative items, 43%, dishware 34%, and cookbooks at 23%.

Corner cabinet pull-out.

kitchens that work have Everything in its proper place

Storage Innovations 

Specialty storage in kitchens is still a big thing. Pullout waste or recycling bins top the list at 67%. Cookie sheet and tray organizers follow closely at 59%, while storage for spices and microwaves are equally popular, chosen by 43% each.

Spice rack.