9 Kitchen Trends Maryland Homeowners Are Ditching In 2025 (Plus 7 Classics That Always Impress)
As a designer who’s seen hundreds of Maryland kitchens transform over the years, I’ve got the inside scoop on what’s hot and what’s not for 2025.
Maryland homeowners are getting bolder with their choices, saying goodbye to once-popular features that now feel dated. Meanwhile, certain timeless elements continue to wow visitors and maintain their value year after year.
Ready for the renovation rundown that’ll keep your kitchen fresh without falling into fleeting fad territory?
1. All-White Everything Is Fading Fast
Remember when every Maryland kitchen looked like it was dipped in bleach? Those days are gone! The stark, clinical all-white kitchen that dominated the 2010s is losing its appeal faster than crab cakes disappear at a Baltimore dinner party.
Homeowners now crave warmth and personality. White cabinets paired with white countertops and white backsplashes create spaces that feel cold and sterile rather than inviting.
Plus, maintaining that pristine look requires constant cleaning. Who has time for that when there’s Old Bay seasoning flying everywhere?
2. Farmhouse Style Getting Plowed Under
Shiplap, barn doors, and rustic signs saying “EAT” are heading back to the actual farm. Maryland homeowners are realizing they live in Bethesda, not a barn in rural Pennsylvania.
Though once charming, the overdone farmhouse aesthetic now feels contrived in suburban Chevy Chase or waterfront Annapolis homes. The distressed finishes collect real dust, while those sliding barn doors offer zero sound privacy between your kitchen and dining room.
It becomes really awkward during dinner parties when guests can hear you frantically scraping burnt cookies!
3. Open Shelving Closing Down
Those Instagram-worthy open shelves? They’re collecting more dust than compliments these days. Maryland’s humid summers make these displays maintenance nightmares, everything needs constant dusting and rearranging.
While they looked fantastic in staged photos, real-life open shelving means exposing mismatched mugs and that promotional cup from the Orioles game to everyone who enters. Nobody has time to artfully arrange their everyday dishes!
Upper cabinets with doors are making a triumphant return, giving homeowners blessed permission to hide their chaotic collection of plastic containers with missing lids.
4. Granite Countertops Losing Their Edge
Once the crown jewel of upscale Maryland kitchens, granite countertops are now viewed as the shoulder pads of kitchen design, outdated and trying too hard. Those busy, speckled patterns that dominated early 2000s homes now look chaotic rather than luxurious.
Homeowners in Baltimore and Potomac alike are trading in these high-maintenance stone slabs for sleeker alternatives. Granite requires regular sealing, shows water spots mercilessly, and those distinctive patterns make every crumb and smudge visible from across the room.
The endless color variations that once seemed customized now just scream “2005 builder-grade special.”
5. Industrial Lighting Going Dim
You know those factory-inspired pendant lights that hung above every Maryland kitchen island? They’re powering down for good. Edison bulbs and cage-like fixtures are finally being recognized for what they truly are, dust collectors that provide terrible lighting for actual cooking.
Homeowners in Columbia and Frederick have realized that squinting at recipe cards under the dim glow of an “authentic” filament bulb isn’t worth the industrial aesthetic. These fixtures cast unflattering shadows that make food preparation harder than navigating Beltway traffic at rush hour.
Function is finally outshining form as people choose fixtures that actually illuminate their cutting boards.
6. Subway Tile Derailing
The ubiquitous white subway tile backsplash is finally reaching the end of the line. Once considered timeless, these rectangular white tiles now feel as original as crab cakes on a Maryland restaurant menu, expected and uninspired.
The problem isn’t just their overuse but those grimy grout lines that turn an unsightly gray no matter how much scrubbing you do. Maryland homeowners are seeking backsplash options with more personality and easier maintenance.
After all, if everyone in Towson and Rockville has the same backsplash, is it really a personal statement?
7. Pot Racks Hanging It Up
Those ceiling-mounted pot racks that once displayed your cookware collection like trophies? They’re being taken down faster than Maryland crabs at a summer feast. Turns out, dangling heavy metal objects above your head while cooking wasn’t the brilliant idea we thought it was.
Beyond the constant threat of concussion, these hanging collections become dust magnets that require regular climbing and cleaning. We have grown tired of the cluttered look overhead and the inconvenience of reaching up for a heavy Dutch oven.
Not to mention how quickly those copper pans tarnish in our humid Chesapeake climate!
8. Kitchen Desks Getting Deleted
Remember those tiny desk nooks carved into kitchen cabinetry? They’re being erased faster than emails in a spam folder. These awkward mini-offices became dumping grounds for mail, school permission slips, and random chargers rather than functional workspaces.
Maryland families realized nobody wants to work surrounded by cooking odors and kitchen noise. These desk areas steal valuable storage space that could hold rarely-used appliances or holiday serving pieces. With remote work becoming permanent, people prefer dedicated home offices where coffee doesn’t risk becoming keyboard cleaner.
9. Over-The-Range Microwaves Moving Out
The over-the-range microwave is finally getting evicted from its prime real estate. Maryland homeowners have realized these appliances make terrible ventilation systems and create awkward reaching hazards. Especially when removing hot soup above a bubbling stovetop!
Short cooks (like myself) need step stools just to see if the popcorn is done, while steam and cooking odors escape around the edges instead of being properly ventilated.
The replacement? Powerful range hoods that actually remove cooking odors are becoming a must-have. Microwaves are now tucked into islands or built into lower cabinetry, making them accessible to everyone, even kids helping with dinner.
10. Timeless Wood Flooring Still Stands Tall
Hardwood floors remain the undisputed champion of Maryland kitchen flooring. While trends come and go faster than weekend traffic on I-95, these natural beauties continue earning standing ovations from homebuyers and designers alike.
The secret to their staying power? Adaptability. Oak flooring in particular works with every design style from traditional Annapolis colonial to ultra-modern Bethesda contemporary.
They can be refinished rather than replaced when scratched, and they develop character with age, much like a fine Maryland wine. Their warmth underfoot makes standing at the stove more comfortable during those long holiday cooking sessions.
11. Shaker Cabinets Keep Shaking Things Up
Shaker cabinets are like that reliable friend who never goes out of style, straightforward, honest, and always appropriate. Their clean lines and simple frame-and-panel design continue winning hearts across Maryland from Baltimore row homes to sprawling Montgomery County estates.
While flashier cabinet styles have come and gone, Shaker remains the gold standard. That’s thanks to its chameleon-like ability to look traditional or contemporary depending on hardware and surrounding elements.
The simple design also means less dust-catching detail. A practical consideration in our humid climate where cleaning is already challenging enough!
12. Quartz Countertops Maintain Their Sparkle
Quartz countertops continue reigning supreme in Maryland kitchens, and for good reason! These engineered surfaces offer the perfect marriage of beauty and brawn that stands up to everything from spilled Old Bay to splashed Natty Boh.
Unlike high-maintenance natural stone, quartz requires zero sealing while resisting stains, scratches, and bacteria. The consistent patterns eliminate the “what was I thinking?” regret that often comes with more distinctive natural stones.
Maryland residents particularly appreciate quartz’s durability during crab feasts. Those mallets can be wielded with abandon without fear of chipping or staining the surface!
13. Undermount Sinks Still Making A Splash
Looking for a sink that’s as practical as it is pretty? Undermount sinks continue proving they’re more than just a stylish choice in Maryland kitchens.
Their seamless installation beneath countertops lets you sweep crumbs and spills straight into the basin, no annoying lip to catch debris. Plus, the clean look pairs perfectly with any countertop and maximizes space, which is a lifesaver when washing those huge steamer pots after a Maryland crab feast!
Single-bowl models are especially popular, offering plenty of room for awkward cookware. It’s no wonder they’ve outlasted trendier farmhouse and integrated sinks in homes from Ellicott City to Easton.
14. Pendant Lighting Continues To Shine
Well-chosen pendant lights remain the jewelry of Maryland kitchens, adding that perfect finishing touch above islands and dining areas. Unlike their industrial-style cousins, classic pendants with clean lines and quality materials never fall from fashion.
The secret to their enduring appeal? Proper scale and placement. Pendants hung at the right height provide both task lighting for food prep and ambient glow for entertaining.
My clients particularly appreciate how these fixtures can be updated with new shades or finishes without major renovation. Perfect for those who want seasonal refreshes without contractor headaches.
15. Neutral Color Schemes Keep Their Cool
While all-white kitchens are fading, thoughtfully executed neutral palettes continue earning standing ovations in Maryland homes. The key difference? Today’s winning neutrals incorporate depth through varying tones and textures rather than flat, one-note whiteness.
Warm grays, soft taupes, and creamy off-whites create sophisticated backdrops that age gracefully. These subtle hues allow architectural details and quality materials to take center stage while providing versatility for seasonal decor changes.
We finally appreciate how these understated color schemes create calm amidst chaotic family life while remaining marketable should they decide to sell.
16. Gas Ranges Keep Cooking With Gas
Professional-style gas ranges continue commanding respect in Maryland kitchens, standing the test of time like a well-seasoned cast iron pan. Their precise temperature control makes them the preferred choice for serious home chefs from Ocean City to Frederick.
The immediate visual feedback of the flame allows for intuitive cooking adjustments impossible with electric alternatives. While induction has made inroads, gas remains king for those who entertain frequently or prepare regional specialties requiring exact heat control.
Marylanders particularly value these workhorses during power outages. Gas ranges let them prepare hot meals while electric-dependent neighbors are stuck making cold sandwiches.
