10 Kitchen Trends New Jersey Homeowners Are Moving Away From In 2025
Kitchen design is always changing, and what felt fresh a few years ago can start to look tired today. New Jersey homeowners are rethinking their spaces and saying goodbye to styles that no longer fit their lifestyles.
If you’re planning a kitchen update, knowing what’s on the way out can help you make smarter choices that will stand the test of time.
1. Gray Everything
Gray dominated kitchen design for years, showing up on cabinets, walls, and countertops everywhere you looked. The problem is that too much gray can make a space feel dull and uninspiring, especially during New Jersey’s cloudy winter months.
Homeowners are craving color and warmth again after living in gray-heavy spaces. Rich blues, greens, and even warm terracotta shades are replacing all that gray because they bring energy and character back into the heart of the home.
2. Farmhouse Sinks
Those big, exposed apron-front sinks seemed charming and rustic for a while, but they’re not as practical as people hoped. The front edge can be hard on your back when you lean against it, and water splashes everywhere because of the design.
They also take up a ton of cabinet space underneath, which limits storage options. Sleeker undermount sinks are coming back because they’re easier to clean around and offer better ergonomics for daily tasks like washing dishes.
3. Industrial Pendant Lights
Metal cage pendants and Edison bulbs had their moment, but now they feel overused and a bit harsh for kitchen spaces. The exposed bulbs can create glare and don’t always provide the best task lighting for cooking and meal prep.
Homeowners want softer, more sophisticated lighting that enhances the mood without feeling like a warehouse. Glass globes, natural materials, and integrated LED fixtures are taking over because they’re more elegant and functional for modern living.
4. All-White Everything
Bright white cabinets and countertops used to feel clean and modern, but now they can seem a bit cold and sterile. I’ve noticed that homeowners want warmth and personality in their kitchens instead of that clinical look.
Maintaining pure white surfaces is also exhausting because every smudge and stain shows up instantly. People are choosing warmer neutrals, soft grays, and natural wood tones that feel more inviting and forgiving.
5. Subway Tile Backsplashes
White subway tiles became the safe, go-to choice for backsplashes, but that safety turned into boredom. Every kitchen started looking exactly the same, and the grout lines require constant cleaning to keep them from yellowing or staining.
People are ready for something more unique and personal now. Larger format tiles, interesting patterns, natural stone, and even bold colors are replacing subway tile because they add visual interest without feeling generic or dated.
6. Stainless Steel Appliances
Stainless steel was the professional-looking standard for decades, but fingerprints and smudges make it a nightmare to keep clean. Every touch leaves a mark, and you end up wiping down your fridge multiple times a day just to keep it presentable.
Panel-ready appliances and matte black or white finishes are gaining popularity because they blend seamlessly with cabinetry. This creates a more custom, integrated look that feels less like a showroom and more like a thoughtfully designed home.
7. Open Shelving Everywhere
Floating shelves looked trendy and airy when they first became popular, but the reality is they collect dust like crazy. Keeping everything organized and Instagram-worthy takes constant effort that most busy families just don’t have time for.
Plus, not everyone wants their dishes and pantry items on full display all the time. Closed cabinets are making a comeback because they hide clutter and make kitchens feel calmer and more functional for everyday life.
8. Granite Countertops
Granite was once the ultimate luxury material, but its busy patterns and dark colors can overwhelm a space. The heavy veining and speckled appearance don’t match the cleaner, more minimalist aesthetic that’s popular now.
Quartz and quartzite offer similar durability with more subtle, uniform patterns that feel fresher and more contemporary. These materials also require less maintenance and come in colors that work better with today’s lighter, brighter kitchen designs that homeowners prefer.
9. Two-Tone Cabinets
Mixing dark lower cabinets with light uppers seemed like a clever way to add contrast, but it often ends up looking choppy and dated. The horizontal divide can make ceilings feel lower and rooms feel smaller, which isn’t ideal for most kitchens.
A more cohesive, monochromatic look is taking over because it creates better flow and makes spaces feel larger. If you want variation, consider using different textures or finishes on the same color rather than splitting your cabinets into two contrasting shades.
10. Waterfall Countertop Edges
Countertops that cascade down the sides of islands looked sleek and architectural at first, but they’re expensive and can feel too trendy. The vertical slabs use a lot of material and don’t really add functional value to your kitchen workspace.
Simpler edge profiles are coming back because they’re timeless and let other design elements shine. Saving that extra money on countertops means you can invest in better appliances or storage solutions that actually improve how your kitchen works every day.
