Planning a New Kitchen? Here’s What’s In, What’s Out, and What You’ll Pay

Summary

Planning a new kitchen involves a careful balance of functional design, budgeting, and aesthetic choices to create a space that meets the unique needs of a household while reflecting current trends and personal style. Successful kitchen planning starts with understanding daily routines and optimizing the layout of key appliances—such as the sink, refrigerator, and stove—to maximize efficiency and ergonomics. Lighting design, safety, and accessibility are equally important considerations, contributing both to the kitchen’s usability and its overall ambiance.
Budgeting is a critical component of kitchen planning, with costs varying widely depending on the quality of materials, customization level, and project scope. On average, kitchen remodels in the United States range from $14,600 to over $40,600, with cabinets and appliances typically comprising the largest portions of the budget. Homeowners are advised to allocate a contingency fund of 10–20% to manage unforeseen expenses and to carefully weigh options between luxury and budget-friendly choices.
Current design trends emphasize sustainability, personalization, and technological integration. Popular features include multipurpose kitchen islands, eco-friendly materials like bamboo and reclaimed wood, and smart appliances that enhance functionality. Bold jewel tones and metallic accents offer a modern, sophisticated aesthetic, while bespoke cabinetry and innovative lighting create spaces that are both stylish and practical.
Conversely, certain outdated trends are falling out of favor, including overly ornate cabinetry, monochromatic color schemes, and cookie-cutter designs like Euro-style cabinets. This shift reflects a broader movement toward timeless, characterful kitchens that better express individual tastes and cultural influences. Regional and historical design elements continue to shape kitchen aesthetics worldwide, contributing to the diversity and evolution of kitchen spaces in contemporary homes.

Planning Considerations

When planning a new kitchen, careful attention to both functional layout and budgeting is essential to ensure a successful remodel. The process begins with a clear understanding of your household’s needs and daily routines, which guides the arrangement of key appliances and work zones. Experts recommend configuring the sink, refrigerator, hob, and oven within easy reach to maximize efficiency and ergonomics, while also considering storage placement to complement these areas. Thoughtful design also involves planning door clearances and appliance positioning to prevent conflicts and ensure smooth operation in tight spaces.
Lighting is another crucial element that should be addressed early in the planning stage. Installing new lighting schemes before or during the initial phases of construction helps avoid costly adjustments later and enhances both the functionality and aesthetics of the kitchen space. Incorporating smart lighting design alongside layout planning creates an environment that is both practical and inviting.
Budgeting plays a significant role in kitchen planning, with costs varying widely based on the scope and quality of materials chosen. A common guideline suggests allocating between 5% to 15% of your home’s value for a kitchen remodel, though actual expenses can fluctuate depending on project complexity and personal preferences. Labor costs constitute a substantial portion of the budget, covering demolition, electrical, plumbing, construction, and installation services. These costs are influenced by the intricacy of the design, regional labor rates, and the involvement of various professionals.
A recommended approach to budgeting includes setting aside an additional 10–20% of the total estimated cost to cover unexpected expenses. Typical budget breakdowns often allocate around 29% to kitchen cabinets, 17% to appliances, 13% to installation, and 11% to countertops, among other categories. The average kitchen remodel in the U.S. ranges from approximately $14,600 to over $40,600, reflecting the diversity of projects from modest updates to high-end renovations. For high-end kitchens, luxury appliance packages including brands like Wolf, Miele, and Sub-Zero can significantly raise costs, especially with added features like wine coolers and warming drawers.
Beyond budgeting and layout, kitchen design must address safety and accessibility considerations. Proper spacing for walkways, electrical and plumbing planning, and the placement of storage and appliances all contribute to a functional kitchen environment that meets everyday needs while adhering to safety standards. Additionally, cultural influences, such as Feng Shui in Chinese kitchen design, may guide the positioning of major components to promote harmony and balance.

Design Trends

Kitchen design in 2025 embraces a dynamic blend of bold colors, sustainable materials, and personalized elements that reflect both aesthetic appeal and functional innovation. Jewel tones such as deep emerald green, rich sapphire blue, and ruby red are prominent choices, offering a dramatic yet sophisticated ambiance when used on accent walls, cabinetry, or bar stools. These vibrant hues are often balanced with neutral shades like white or gray and enhanced by metallic hardware in gold, brass, or chrome finishes to add a touch of glamour and modernity.
Sustainability remains a central theme, with eco-friendly materials such as bamboo, reclaimed wood, recycled glass, and stone finishes gaining popularity. These natural and recycled surfaces not only contribute to reducing environmental impact but also provide a unique, textured aesthetic that ages gracefully over time. Designers emphasize the importance of durable, timeless materials that maintain their charm, reflecting a broader shift toward longevity and environmental responsibility in kitchen design.
Personalization is another defining trend, with bespoke kitchen elements replacing cookie-cutter designs. Homeowners are increasingly opting for customized cabinetry, including the emerging cabinet “hat” style featuring gable tops that create a freestanding appearance, adding character and visual interest. This tailored approach supports a growing desire for kitchens that express individual tastes and lifestyles while blending historical influences with contemporary sensibilities.
Metallic accents continue to play a significant role, with reflective chrome and unlacquered brass finishes enhancing cabinetry and fixtures. These metals provide a sleek, high-end look and complement both minimalist and eclectic design schemes. Meanwhile, matte black finishes paired with wood or metal elements contribute to a refined, contemporary style.
Lighting design also reflects these trends, combining vintage glamour and modern minimalism. Oversized glass pendants with brass accents or small streamlined fixtures can highlight architectural features such as high ceilings or shiplap walls, while playful color contrasts in pendant lighting bring warmth and personality to the space.

What’s In: Modern Features and Innovations

Modern kitchen design in 2025 is characterized by a strong emphasis on functionality, sustainability, and technology integration. One of the key trends is the rise of multipurpose kitchen islands that combine meal preparation, casual dining, and workspace in one central hub. These islands often feature built-in sinks, cooktops, power outlets, and abundant storage, creating a versatile area for family gatherings, homework, or work sessions. Some designs incorporate breakfast bars or built-in wine fridges to enhance usability and style.
Smart technology continues to revolutionize kitchens, making them more efficient and user-friendly. Voice-controlled devices, smart appliances, and intuitive systems streamline cooking, cleaning, and home management, turning the kitchen into a connected, modern living space. These innovations not only improve daily tasks but also elevate the overall cooking experience.
Sustainability is also a growing priority, with more homeowners opting for appliances made from recycled materials or produced through sustainable manufacturing processes. This approach supports environmental responsibility while maintaining a stylish and contemporary look.
In terms of cabinetry and storage, minimalist layouts that reduce clutter are favored. Push-to-open cabinet technology, floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, large pantries, easy-to-clean quartz countertops, and grout-free flooring simplify upkeep and enhance kitchen hygiene. Additionally, the design of combination islands, where part of the island offers closed storage and another part includes open space with furniture-style legs for stools, caters to both practical storage needs and comfortable seating arrangements.
Creative and customizable range hoods are gaining popularity, with materials like wood, stainless steel, and mixed media used to create bespoke designs that can complement various kitchen aesthetics. For a simple update, existing wooden hoods can be painted to fit a desired color scheme.
For lighting, pendant fixtures over islands add both functional illumination and aesthetic appeal, as seen in some high-end designs that feature bespoke lighting paired with luxurious materials like marble countertops and custom cabinetry.
Finally, dual kitchen layouts with separate prep and show spaces are becoming more common, particularly for those who frequently entertain. These designs often include a wet bar or beverage station in the front kitchen area, helping to keep messes contained and enhancing social functionality.

What’s Out: Features and Trends Falling Out of Favor

In 2025, several kitchen design elements and trends are losing popularity as homeowners and designers shift toward more personalized, timeless, and functional spaces. One of the most notable changes is the decline of heavily ornate cabinetry and overly matching finishes, which are being replaced by more dynamic and characterful designs that better reflect individual tastes. Monochromatic color schemes that lack contrast are also falling out of favor, as people seek more visually engaging and personalized kitchens.
Cookie-cutter styles, such as Euro-style cabinets, are increasingly viewed as outdated, with many hoping these trends remain in the past. Similarly, the trend of matching appliances in bold, bohemian hues that dominated the 1970s has largely faded, replaced by a preference for neutral tones such as black, white, and stainless steel that offer greater longevity and appeal.
In cabinetry, the preference for particle board, widely adopted in the 1970s for its affordability, is giving way to higher-end, durable materials as homeowners prioritize quality and customization. However, bespoke cabinetry and fully customized installations can significantly increase costs, causing some to reconsider elaborate features like built-ins, custom carvings, and specialized storage solutions to keep budgets in check.
Certain stylistic details, like flat-top cabinet designs that run parallel to the ceiling, are also losing traction. Instead, innovative elements such as the “cabinet hat” trend—which introduces gable-style tops creating a freestanding and visually interesting look—are emerging as a fresh alternative in kitchen cabinetry design.

Historical Evolution of Kitchen Design

Kitchen design has undergone significant transformations throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries, reflecting broader social changes, technological advancements, and shifting aesthetic preferences.
In the 1920s and 1930s, kitchen design moved away from the ornate, rounded forms characteristic of the late Victorian and Edwardian periods toward a more restrained and sleek style. This era embraced Art Deco influences, featuring bold colors and mixed patterns. A notable and beloved design element of this time was the breakfast nook—a small recess often outfitted with built-in benches and a table that served as a cozy family gathering space throughout the day, not just in the morning. This shift also mirrored evolving attitudes about the kitchen’s role from a strictly “women’s realm” to a more inclusive family space.
The 1950s saw a dominance of color in kitchens, with designers encouraging playful decor that brought vibrancy into the space. Moving into the 1960s, kitchens became more casual and free-spirited, designed to facilitate entertaining by connecting easily to dining rooms. Eat-in nooks and breakfast bars became common, complementing the introduction of new appliances like dishwashers. This decade marked a shift driven more by aesthetics than technology, with wood cabinets replacing the previously popular steel cabinets, resulting in warmer, richer kitchen interiors.
During the 1980s, the Euro-style cabinet became widely recognized, featuring white laminate fronts accented with light-toned wooden bands acting as integrated handles. Despite their initial popularity, these cabinets eventually became a dated style associated with the period. The 1990s maintained the neutral palette of the previous decade but embraced a shabby-chic aesthetic, moving away from sleekness toward a more relaxed and lived-in look.
Contemporary trends continue to evolve, with an emphasis on blending indoor and outdoor spaces to promote social engagement and a connection with nature. This trend is supported by advanced, durable materials that allow for elevated and modern outdoor kitchens. Textures and materials are increasingly inspired by nature, with cabinetry shifting from white finishes to pale white oak, darker tones, and walnut. Sustainable and eco-friendly materials such as reclaimed timber, linoleum, bamboo, cork, and recycled plastics or glass are becoming prominent choices in 2024 kitchen designs.
Furthermore, mixing antique and modern pieces has become a popular technique to add character and distinction to kitchens, as exemplified by designers who incorporate vintage lighting or stools alongside contemporary elements. Rich, dark woods, ornate metal fixtures, and intricate tile work continue to characterize certain regional styles, emphasizing tradition and hospitality with color choices that carry cultural symbolism.

Regional and Cultural Influences on Kitchen Design

Kitchen design is deeply intertwined with regional and cultural identities, serving as a physical manifestation of local traditions, values, and lifestyles. Across the world, kitchens reflect not only the practical needs of meal preparation but also the cultural narratives and social customs of their inhabitants. From the vibrant, spice-infused kitchens of India to the minimalist and functional designs typical of Japan, the diversity of kitchen aesthetics showcases a wide spectrum of cultural influences.
Mediterranean kitchens—particularly those from Greece, Italy, and Spain—exemplify this connection through their warm and inviting atmosphere. Characterized by rustic wooden beams, terracotta tiles, and bright mosaics, these kitchens often utilize open shelving to display fresh produce, herbs, and artisanal cookware, symbolizing a culture that values communal cooking and dining experiences. Similarly, Scandinavian kitchens emphasize light, functionality, and natural materials, combining wood and stone to create balanced, harmonious spaces that respond to both climatic conditions and cultural preferences for simplicity and durability.
Color choices in kitchens are strongly influenced by historical context and regional trends, often carrying symbolic meaning beyond mere aesthetics. For instance, soft, muted hues like mint green, blush pink, and lavender are trending in some areas to promote a calming and welcoming environment, ideal for family gatherings. Such selections reflect broader cultural associations and the evolving role of kitchens as social hubs rather than solely workspaces.
The layout and architectural elements of kitchens also vary regionally, shaped by ethnic cooking practices and culinary customs. In Japan, for example, kitchens are often designed to accommodate cooking in a seated or crouched position, influencing compact, efficient configurations such as galley or U-shaped layouts. In contrast, traditional kitchens in other cultures may feature separate backdoor entrances for deliveries or specialized cooking equipment unique to local heritage.
Globalization has led to an increasing blending of cultural design elements, creating contemporary kitchens that integrate historical motifs with modern aesthetics to meet diverse lifestyle needs. Despite this fusion, there remains a strong desire to preserve cultural authenticity and unique characteristics within kitchen design, which is evident in bespoke elements tailored to individual heritage and tastes.

Cost Breakdown

When planning a new kitchen, understanding the cost breakdown is essential for creating a realistic budget tailored to your household’s needs. The average kitchen remodel in the United States typically costs around $26,268, with a broad spending range from approximately $14,607 to $40,616. However, project costs can vary widely based on the size, scope, and level of customization involved, with some installations reaching up to $125,000 or more.

Major Expense Categories

Cabinets

Cabinets represent the largest portion of the kitchen remodel budget, generally accounting for about 25–35% of the total cost. On average, new cabinets cost around $8,200, excluding installation. The final cabinet cost depends heavily on material choices, customization, and whether installation services are required. Bespoke or custom cabinets tend to increase the price significantly compared to standard set sizes offered by budget suppliers.

Appliances

Appliance packages usually consume about 17–20% of the overall budget. Costs vary widely based on the brand and features chosen. For example, a mid-range appliance package typically costs between $2,100 and $5,400, whereas high-end luxury appliance setups, featuring brands like Wolf and Sub-Zero, can reach tens of thousands of dollars.

Labor and Installation

Labor costs generally comprise around 20% of the kitchen remodel budget. This includes demolition, construction, electrical and

Best Practices in Kitchen Layout and Lighting Design

Effective kitchen design balances functionality and aesthetics, ensuring the space is both practical for daily use and visually appealing. A well-planned layout is essential, especially since the kitchen is often the most expensive and complex room to remodel or build. Key considerations include the placement of appliances, storage, electrical and plumbing systems, and maintaining appropriate walkway widths to create a safe and accessible environment.

Kitchen Layout

The fundamental principle in kitchen layout design involves configuring the sink, refrigerator, hob, and oven within easy reach of each other, commonly referred to as the “kitchen work triangle.” Modern space-saving appliances, such as over-the-range microwaves, help maintain these efficient distances, while kitchens designed for multiple cooks may require multiple overlapping triangles that share a leg but avoid crossing each other. Incorporating ergonomic principles maximizes usability and enjoyment, with cabinetry proportions and symmetry—such as framing a range cooker with a chimney breast—adding to the aesthetic harmony of the space.
Islands have become increasingly popular in 2025 kitchen designs, often featuring built-in sinks, cooktops, power outlets, and abundant storage. These multifunctional islands serve as meal prep stations, casual dining areas, and hubs for family activities like homework or work sessions. Including features such as breakfast bars or built-in wine fridges enhances their versatility. However, unique layout elements like angled runs or special cooktop surrounds can increase labor complexity and costs due to the precision required in installation.
Cultural considerations also play a role in layout planning. Kitchens accommodating extended families, common in various ethnic groups, require ample space for multiple cooks of different sizes. High-function ventilation is essential in households using strong spices and oils typical of Asian and Latin cuisines.

Lighting Design

Lighting is a critical design component that influences both functionality and style in the kitchen. The lighting scheme should complement the overall kitchen aesthetic—whether modern farmhouse, maximalist, or midcentury modern—while meeting practical needs. Layered lighting combining task, ambient, and accent fixtures ensures sufficient illumination for cooking and socializing. For instance, pendant lights over countertops paired with wall sconces can provide focused task lighting where it is most needed.
Selecting lighting fixtures that harmonize with the kitchen’s color palette and finishes enhances visual coherence. Black pendants and sconces, for example, can complement dark trim, while matte white pendants offer a modern, soft glow. Trending lighting finishes for 2025 include aged brass and statement shapes, which add a distinctive flair while fitting with popular kitchen hardware and backsplash choices.
Incorporating hidden task lighting, such as lights integrated into island bases, can provide subtle yet effective illumination for food preparation without disrupting the overall design. Thoughtful lighting design ultimately transforms the kitchen from a purely utilitarian space into an inviting and dynamic environment.
By integrating these best practices in layout and lighting, homeowners can create kitchens that are not only beautiful but also highly functional and tailored to their unique needs and lifestyles.

Tips for Successful Kitchen Planning

When planning a kitchen, it is essential to start with a detailed and thoughtful design process to ensure the space is both functional and reflective of your personal style. One key tip is to focus on the most frequent tasks performed in the kitchen, organizing related items close together to save time and effort. For instance, keeping coffee mugs, grounds, and the coffee machine within easy reach streamlines morning routines.
Another important consideration is the growing trend of blending indoor and outdoor spaces. Designs that connect these areas foster social engagement and a stronger connection to nature. Utilizing advanced, durable materials can enhance both aesthetics and functionality in such transitional kitchens.
Budget management and project scope are also crucial. Decide early whether you prefer premium brands for kitchen units and appliances or more budget-friendly options. Additionally, determine if you will handle some of the work yourself or require full project management by a kitchen supplier. This decision often depends on the project’s scale, complexity, and potential planning permissions, which may affect timelines.
Despite changing trends, kitchens designed with client-specific functionality and a solid space plan tend to endure. It is advisable to build the design from a well-thought-out layout downward to details, ensuring the kitchen feels like a true extension of the homeowner’s identity rather than just following fleeting trends.
Finally, whether remodeling or building new, understanding fundamental kitchen design principles can guide you toward smart decisions that optimize both aesthetics and usability.

The content is provided by Avery Redwood, Scopewires