2025 Kitchen Trends: Planning for your Seattle Kitchen Remodel

Let’s be honest, the kitchen is the place where life happens. Whether you’re cooking dinner, hosting friends, or just standing in front of the fridge at looking for a late night snack, it’s where everyone ends up. And in Seattle, where homes often balance old charm with modern updates, a kitchen remodel is about more than looks — it’s about making the space work for you.

As someone who is obsessed with space planning, struggles with her chef-y husband’s dozens of bottles of Asian sauces, and has lived with several small, gallery style Seattle kitchens, I believe a kitchen should feel personal, practical, and beautiful. I recently had the pleasure of attending a National Kitchen and Bath (NKBA) customer and designer trends presentation and wanted to share the 2025 trends that might just give you the inspiration you’re looking for.

1. Kitchens that Work Hard and Feel Good

Today’s kitchens are doing double (or triple) duty — a place to cook, hang out, work, and entertain.

• Open and Connected: Homeowners want kitchens that flow into living spaces and connect to the outdoors. Large windows, sliding doors, and outdoor access are all on the rise.

• Bigger, Better Islands: The island has become the hub of the home — for prep, dining, Zoom calls, and catching up with friends. And, as English-style kitchens are the new, it trend, islands are turning into decorative statements with antique or replica work tables.

• Light and Airy: NKBA survey results showed that natural light is high on everyone’s wishlist. Skylights, larger windows, and glass doors help brighten up Seattle’s gray days. And with windows playing such a critical role in the kitchen design, consider allocating budget towards specialty windows, stone trim, and other special touches.

2. Style with Substance: Clean, Calm, and Comfortable Kitchens

Design-wise, people are leaning into simplicity, but with warmth — think clean lines but still cozy.

• Timeless Meets Modern: Minimalist looks, but not cold. Flat panel drawers mixed with bevels cabinet doors, organic shapes, natural wood textures, and antique details all coming together to create a style that transcends eras.

• Mix It Up: Cabinets and materials don’t have to match perfectly. Think painted cabinets mixed with wood, or bold hardware paired with softer elements.

• Goodbye All-White: Warm neutrals, deep greens, deep burgundies and plums, and rich wood tones are replacing the stark white kitchens we’ve seen for years.

3. Wellness & Sustainability in the Kitchen

Kitchens are also about how you feel in the space and how they impact the planet.

• Healthier Living: Better ventilation, steam ovens, and air fryers are trending for good reason. People want kitchens that support healthy living.

• Nature Inside: Wood, stone, plants, and earthy colors bring a sense of calm.

• Sustainability Matters: Homeowners are prioritizing eco-friendly materials like bamboo and reclaimed wood, and opting for energy-efficient appliances.

• Easy-Care Surfaces: I’m a little conflicted on this one. NKBA highlighted that clients and designers still really prefer non-porous, low-maintenance countertops (like quartz) that can handle real life. But I think quartz may be trending out as clients start to appreciate the beauty and patina that develops with natural stones like marble and quartzite.

4. Smarter (but Not Overcomplicated) and Sleeker Kitchens

Tech in the kitchen is less about bells and whistles, and more about making life easier.

• Smart, but Simple: Touchless faucets, voice-activated lighting, and Wi-Fi appliances are growing in popularity -- but only when they actually make things easier. No need to overcomplicate your life right now with a Smart refrigerator.

• Hidden and Seamless: Built-in appliances with paneled doors and thoughtful cabinetry decisions like appliance cabinets and pantries or butler's stations keep things uncluttered, especially for open-concept homes.

5. Personal Touches That Reflect Your Style in the Kitchen

Perhaps the biggest trend of all? Making the kitchen your own.

• Design for How You Live: Consider how you might want to incorporate pet stations, kid-friendly zones, and flexible spaces for cooking and gathering. Just remember, you're kitchen will need to last through different life stages, so spend some time thinking about how you will used the space five and ten years from now!

• Unique Details: From colorful cabinets to unexpected hardware, people want kitchens that feel unique, not like everyone else’s. My favorite way to add personality to kitchens is by adding custom design features to the cabinet doors or really adding in some drama with your lighting!

Bonus: Remodeling Older Kitchens in Seattle

If you’re working with a historic home (hello, Craftsman and Tudor lovers!), here are a few special considerations:

• Opening Up: Many older homes have tight, closed-off kitchens. Taking down a wall (if possible) or expanding an opening can totally change how you use the space and allow you to feel more connected to the rest of your house.

• Smart Storage: Finding ways to add storage, like walk-in pantries or floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, is key.

• Blending Old and New: Warm wood tones, handcrafted details, and materials that honor your home’s history — without feeling dated.

Final Thoughts

Remodeling your kitchen is about creating a space that looks great and makes life easier. Whether you want something sleek and modern or warm and layered with history, there are so many ways to make it yours.

Thinking about a remodel? I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up. Let’s chat — no pressure, just good conversation and some creative brainstorming.