Putting the spotlight on kitchens and baths

Next up on the home furnishings industry’s show calendar is the Las Vegas Market Jan. 26-30, but my mind has been on the upcoming Kitchen & Bath Industry Show that will be in Las Vegas about a month from now on Feb. 25-27.

How the kitchen and bath sector functions in relation to the rest of the home furnishings industry reminds me of the way that the health insurance market is structured. (Bear with me.) Health insurance covers all the systems, organs and bones in our body — except our eyes and our teeth, for which we have to buy separate policies, even though eyes and teeth are critical parts of our bodies.

Unique Kitchens & Bath partnership with Far Studios on line of kitchen cabinetry

Similarly, there are no more important parts of our homes than kitchens and baths but, for the most part, the fixtures, furnishings and finishes for those rooms are showcased at different trade markets and sold in different channels than other home furnishings. Part of this, of course, is because kitchen and bath upgrades typically require the work of a host of contractors and technicians with specialized skills.

But home brand RH, which knows a little something about shaking up the industry, is trying to bridge that divide to bring kitchen and bath products directly to consumers. In December, it added its Waterworks brand to the RH platform. Waterworks offers cabinetry, sinks, faucets, shelves, hardware, lighting, stone and tile.

As Gary Friedman, RH chair and CEO, recently told shareholders, there is “a significant opportunity to amplify the Waterworks business on the RH platform by exposing the brand to a much larger audience, similar to how we have expanded other trade-focused businesses and brands over the years.” (Our colleague Tom Russell, editor-in-chief of our sister publication Home News Now, recently wrote more about RH’s move — and other efforts to better link kitchen and bath with the broader home furnishings industry. I encourage you to read that here.)

Given RH’s move and the upcoming KBIS, it seems like a good time to look at some kitchen trends. Here are 10 that stand out:

1. Bringing in color

Stark white and gray kitchens are on their way out; light, natural colors are in, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s (NKBA | KBIS) annual Kitchen Trends Report released at the end of the year.

Colors like green, blue and brown are increasingly popular among homeowners redoing their kitchens, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association. The custom green kitchen cabinetry here was created by Isla Porter, utilizing their proprietary AI software for kitchen cabinet design.

“Green is the most popular color for the second year, with 76% of respondents selecting it as the top shade for 2025. Other prominent colors are blue (63%) and brown (56%),” according to the report, which surveyed kitchen designers who collectively designed more than 15,000 kitchens in 2024.

Green cabinetry featured in this kitchen designed by Allison Handler | Photography by Mike Van Tassell

2. A return to tradition

Transitional style remains the preference for homeowners renovating their kitchens at 25%, but the recently released 2025 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study says 14% of homeowners now favor a traditional kitchen, up 5 percentage points from last year.

3. Eating into other spaces

Nearly two-thirds of homeowners limit their renovations to their kitchen’s original footprint, but a third are increasing the square footage, generally by taking space from dining rooms or living rooms. Nearly one in five who are increasing square footage “build a home addition to create extra kitchen space,” according to Houzz.

4. Bringing the outdoors in

“Biophilic design is on the rise, with 72% of respondents reporting that homeowners want a kitchen with a greater connection to the outdoors,” according to the NKBA | KBIS report. Ways to create a link to the outdoors include large or additional windows but also other strategies, like adding indoor herb and veggie gardens.

Kitchen by interior designer Summer Jensen of Hawk & Co. whose work emphasizes sustainability and biophillic connection.

5. Containing the clutter

Homeowners are favoring clutter-free kitchens, the NKBA | KBIS study says. That means fewer open pantries and less open shelving — and more hidden doors, panel-ready fronts on appliances and walk-in pantries behind doors or panels.

As homeowners seek to streamline kitchens, features like hidden beverage stations are becoming necessities. | | Photo courtesy of Kathleen Jennison/KTJ Design Co.

6. Hardworking spaces

A whopping 90% of homeowners want to improve not just the aesthetics but the functionality of their kitchen. “More specifically, 52% of respondents agree that adding a second kitchen island to increase functionality is gaining popularity, and 83% of respondents agree that sinks with food prep and serving areas are becoming popular,” according to the NKBA | KBIS report.

Dacor’s 48-inch refrigerator and range, capable of cooking three full turkeys at once, are perfect for consumers seeking larger, more versatile kitchen amenities to facilitate hosting dinner parties at home.

7. Leaning into texture

“I’ve experienced firsthand how a textured wall can transform a room from ‘meh’ to magazine-worthy,” says Kathleen Jennison, principal and founder of KTJ Design Co. in Stockton, California. “And don’t get us started on ceilings — they’re the fifth wall. We’ve always believed that texture is the secret weapon in design. We’ve been paneling, papering and plastering them for years. (Oftentimes, one spouse or the other will say a definite ‘no’ to wallpaper, but once they see it installed, they become obsessed.)”

8. Mixing and maxing

Designer Jennison also sees a move toward maximalism in kitchen design. “Maximalism lets you showcase your personality in ways minimalism simply can’t,” she says. “It’s an opportunity to surround yourself with things that spark joy, from heirloom rugs to quirky art pieces. … Through an artful and freeform mixing of patterns, art and colors, you can strike that perfect balance between bold and cohesive. Done right, maximalism tells a story — why not make it your story?”

Designer Kathleen Jennison of KTJ Design Co. encourages homeowners to surround themselves “with things that spark joy, from heirloom rugs to quirky art pieces” — or dramatic range hoods. | Photo courtesy of Kathleen Jennison/KTJ Design Co.

The NKBA | KBIS report also notes a movement toward mixing colors and finishes. About two-thirds of designer respondents favor mix-and-match backsplashes to add a fresh touch to kitchens and eight in 10 like mixing lighting fixtures made of different materials, the survey shows.

9. Seamlessly integrating tech

Think hidden speakers, voice controls and AI. “Technology should enhance your life, not clutter your space. Imagine adjusting your lights, sound system and thermostat with a single voice command. It’s convenient and luxury rolled into one,” Jennison says. “In our designs, we are always considering how to make our clients’ lives easier. And it’s all about seamless integration — think hidden tech that works like magic without compromising aesthetics.”

10. Multitasking, smart appliances

Homeowners are increasingly interested in appliances with new, special features, from sensor reheat in microwaves to control locks to prevent accidents on all major appliances, according to the Houzz report.

Artificial intelligence is being increasingly incorporated into appliances, notes the National Association of Home Builders. For instance, the SKS Transitional series wall oven features Gourmet AI, which “can automatically identify ingredients, suggest recipes and even allow real-time viewing through a high-definition camera,” the NAHB says in a report on appliance trends.