2025 Trends
What’s on the cards for kitchens and bathrooms in 2025? The leading kitchen and bathroom designers, suppliers & manufacturers in New Zealand have weighed in and shared what they predict will be on trend in kitchens and bathrooms throughout Aotearoa in the year to come.
Thanks to our friends at NKBA for compliling the following info and allowing us to share it.
Kitchen Trends
The kitchen remains the hub of many homes and provides a space not only for eating but also socialising and connecting. A modern contemporary kitchen is flagged to be on trend for 2025 with clever use of integrated appliances, plenty of storage and a large kitchen island on the wish list for all new kitchens. Walnut and Oak will be the primary cabinetry trend in kitchen design with 38% of designers surveyed suggesting that timber will be everywhere in 2025.
Maria Pomeroy of Maria Pomeroy Interiors says timber is warm and allows for combinations in tone and colour.
“There is something so gorgeously warm about timber in the kitchen. Walnut, for instance, has a beautiful grain and there is such a lovely variation within the timber. It is a very popular choice with homeowners.”
For the benchtop, NKBA members say 2025 will be the year of porcelain in soft neutral tones. Over 40% of designers surveyed said that porcelain was their benchtop material of choice and that they will be specifying the top in soft neutral tones and deep earthy colours.
Jess Beavon of Millbrook Kitchens says soft neutrals are timeless and tend to be more marketable for homeowners who want to sell in the not-too-distant future.
“Many of our clients are moving away from the darker colours and are looking to embrace a more organic, lighter, natural feel to their kitchen space. A lighter tone creates an illusion of a larger space, and it has a more timeless appeal.”
For splashback design in 2025, NKBA members predict the splashback will be a continuation of the benchtop and will be seamless up the wall.
Nicola Manning of NM Design says the seamless benchtop trend is not going anywhere anytime soon.
“At the end of the day, a seamless benchtop and splashback is super easy to clean, aesthetically beautiful, and allows the benchtop to be showcased further through its vertical display. It is a trend that is here to stay.”
For the overall aesthetic of Kiwi kitchens, NKBA designers suggest that a modern contemporary kitchen is going to be on trend for 2025 with integrated appliances, a large kitchen island and plenty of storage on the wish list for all new kitchens.
Maria Pomeroy says clean lines will always be in style.
“There have been a lot of arches introduced into kitchen design over the past few years, but for longevity, straight lines with soft curves are a longer lasting design. It doesn’t tend to date, and the style offers an enduring appeal to kitchen design.”
In 2024, the majority of NKBA designers surveyed created kitchens valued between $20K-$50K. Rachael Kwok, NKBA Executive Officer, says the vast price points are indicative of the diversity in kitchen design.
“A kitchen can take many forms and can be delivered within a range of budgets. For some, a functional space that looks modern and timeless is all that is required; for others, a kitchen is a piece of art, an outlet for a creative designer and a showpiece for a homeowner. It is difficult to put an exact figure on kitchen design; however, what these figures show is that NKBA designers work with many briefs and are skilled in delivering a space that meets the client’s needs and budget.”
In terms of delivery and time from design to install, NKBA says most kitchens took six months to install in 2024.
Bathroom Trends
These days, the bathroom space is much more than just a functional room each home requires. It's become a sanctuary for many and is predicted to embrace earthy and neutral aesthetics, alongside a luxurious and relaxing vibe.
Clever use of creative lighting, floating vanities and porcelain are what our NKBA members believe we'll be seeing a lot more of in 2025.
In recent years, the bathroom has become a statement piece of any home. No longer an afterthought, homeowners across New Zealand are utilising designers to create functional and brilliantly appointed bathrooms.
NKBA designers predict in 2025, the bathroom will embrace earthy and neutral aesthetics, alongside a luxurious and relaxing vibe.
Nicola Manning of NM Design says a bathroom is often an escape from our busy lives.
“A bathroom can be a sanctuary, a space to relax and unwind. It offers a place to get away from it all, to give us time for ourselves in a lovely, relaxing environment. When designing a bathroom, this vibe tends to be the most popular for homeowners and this will continue into 2025.”
In 2025, NKBA designers say that bathrooms will feature creative lighting and floating vanities as the two key elements. They also predict that porcelain will be the most popular material of choice with 34% of designers utilising the product in their bathroom designs.
And the price? In 2024, NKBA designers said bathrooms cost somewhere between $20K and $40K.
When it comes to timeframes, 28% of NKBA designers surveyed said a bathroom takes three months, on average, from design to install.
If you need help with your kitchen design and planning get in touch - we’d love to chat!
