5 things you won’t see in a luxury kitchen in 2025
Luxury has been the buzzword of a lot of trends recently, especially when it comes to kitchens. But as we continue to see a shift in the way we approach elevated schemes, the features and decorating ideas are evolving, too.
So, if you’re looking to create a luxury kitchen this year or next, it’s worth noting that there are a few features that will no longer be a hallmark of the style, from colors and finishes to the way you live in your cooking space.
We appreciate that it can be hard to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of kitchen trends, so we’ve asked designers for the things you won’t be seeing in a luxury kitchen this year and beyond, so you can make the most chic and timeless choices for your space.
5 things you won’t see in luxury kitchens in 2025 and beyond
From quiet luxury to loud luxury, there are so many approaches to introducing a more high-end feel to your cooking space. But if you want to design a space that stands the test of time, designers say avoiding these features is the best way to make your kitchen feel more luxurious.
1. Fluted kitchen details
(Image credit: Untold Interiors/Astrid Templier Photography)
Fluted kitchen cabinets really had their moment last year, but it’s a look that’s beginning to feel overdone and slightly cheapened. It’s also a fussy design feature that is often trickier to clean and maintain.
‘Reeded and fluted timber details in kitchens and cabinetry have been popular for some years now, but may well fade back somewhat,’ says Tom Wicksteed, co-owner and director at 202 Design.
‘We are seeing an increase in clients and interior designers prioritizing open shelving and wall space over stacked wall-mounted cabinets, giving kitchens a cleaner, more open, luxurious feel.’
2. Overly curated spaces
(Image credit: Neptune)
There’s no denying that the way we design kitchens has changed tenfold. 2025 has been all about creating a lived-in, personality-filled space, which means overly curated schemes are no longer the go-to for a luxury kitchen.
‘This year, we’re moving past the kitchen as a showcase. Designs that feel overly curated, where every detail is styled to impress, are starting to fall out of favor. Instead, there’s a growing appetite for kitchens that feel instinctive and a reflection of the owner’s personality,’ says Michael Sammon, design director at Wodar.
Think cozy dining nooks, open shelving displaying a mix of kitchenware and collected decor, and kitchen countertops that feel used, lived-in, but not messy. Useful additions like hot taps and integrated appliances ensure your space is functional, yet still has the luxe look.
Juliska Berry & Thread Ceramic Utensil Crock
Aesthetic kitchenware is a great way to give your space an elevated yet casual look. Something as simple as this crock filled with wooden utensils will make all the difference.
Artfully Walls Still Life no. 43 Wall Art
Artwork is an easy yet impactful way to add personality to a kitchen. Hung on a wall or propped upon a shelf, this colorful piece depicting fruit will feel right at home in a kitchen.
Wooden Salt and Pepper Mills
Something as simple as a salt and pepper shaker set in a chic design will add a sense of luxury to your kitchen. This wooden design is a great choice, and will surely stand the test of time.
3. High gloss finishes
(Image credit: Davonport Kitchens)
When it comes to paint, cabinetry, and even hardware, different finishes fall in and out of style, especially when it comes to creating a more elevated, luxurious design. But it’s shinier options that are no longer featuring in luxe spaces, with high-gloss feeling the opposite of expensive.
‘There was a time when ultra-reflective cabinetry and polished stone surfaces were shorthand for ‘high-end’, but that sheen now feels too slick, too man-made,’ says Richard Davonport, managing director at Davonport Kitchens.
‘Today’s luxury is quieter, more tactile, and focuses on materials that invite touch and stand the test of time. We’re seeing a return to hand-painted cabinetry in soft, chalky hues that age beautifully; honed or leathered stone that reveals its character over time; and natural timbers with visible grain and depth,’ he explains.
‘It’s a shift towards authenticity and grounded in nature – surfaces that don’t shout for attention but exude craftsmanship and longevity in a way that glossy laminates simply can’t.’
4. Gray cabinetry
(Image credit: Claybrook Studio)
Kitchen color ideas really are key to the overall look and feel of your design. There are certain hues associated with luxurious schemes, from warm whites to natural wood tones. But if there’s one color designers are not introducing to luxury kitchens in 2025 and 2026, it’s gray.
‘Gray, particularly gray gloss cabinetry, has been declared dead on arrival. Reining supreme for years as the aspirational go-to colorway, clients have become tired, if not revolted, by the idea of gray due to its ubiquitous use on everything from towels to tea cups, tiles, curtains, and paint since 2010,’ says Rob Whitaker, creative director at Claybrook Studio.
‘Warmer natural and neutral tones like soft ochre and beige, creamy whites, and soft apricots have crept into decor on countertops, kitchen cabinets, and walls. Tiling takes more of a front seat, both in zellige-like glazed tiles in hues of sage and peach, or marble, and porcelain that replicates marble, in tones of burgundy and caramel.’
5. High-shine hardware
(Image credit: Hendel & Hendel)
High-shine, glossy finishes are out across the board when it comes to creating a luxurious kitchen. Alongside glossy cabinets, kitchen cabinet hardware and faucets are following along the same lines, with aged, matte finishes replacing them.
‘We’re not expecting to see as much emphasis on overly decorative or high-shine hardware in 2025 and 2026, not because those finishes don’t have their place, but because there’s a growing preference for pieces that offer a more subtle quality,’ says Gareth Hull, design lead at Hendel & Hendel.
‘There will be a shift towards softer silhouettes, matte finishes, or handles that echo the lines of the cabinetry. There’s still space for contrast and detail, but it’s less about embellishment and more about balance,’ he adds.
There is something beautiful about the simplicity of these cabinet handles. A simple pull handle design in a burnished brass finish, they add contrast and interest to a kitchen without being fussy in design.
Classic Sphere Cabinet Knob
If you prefer cooler-toned hardware, there are plenty of options that feel classic. This brushed nickel cabinet knob is a chic option – the brushed finish takes away any shininess, leaving a more matte look.
Hammered brass is a beautiful option for a more contemporary kitchen. This design, available in three sizes, still has a simple form, but the hammered finish gives it a refined sort of elegance.
If you want to create a luxurious kitchen scheme this year and beyond, glossy finishes, overly curated spaces, and cold grays are out – surprisingly, all once things that were the epitome of a luxury kitchen. In 2025 and 2026, luxury means personality, it means character and charm, depth and interest, so follow styles you love and invest in pieces that reflect your unique style and you are well on the way to creating a luxurious space.
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