The Once-Trendy Kitchen Design Aesthetic It's Time To Ditch

As people embraced the rising popularity of minimalist decor in recent years, monochromatic kitchens have been a favored household trend. Influenced by the clean lines and pared-down aesthetics of Scandinavian and Japanese design, homeowners and designers moved this ethos to the kitchen, embracing the trend for its sleek, timeless, and streamlined appeal. We aren't one to argue, as a monochrome kitchen does have its pros — the clean white canvas enhances your kitchen's spaciousness and evokes a sense of calm. It can also make you more aware of clutter, therefore encouraging a thoughtful selection of intentional and optimized design solutions.

But though pure white kitchen designs will never go out of style, interest in the monochromatic look has been waning. "Timeless, all-white kitchens are losing their appeal as homeowners crave more personality and warmth," says Sola Kitchens founder Sofia Bune, via Living Etc. If 2025's kitchen design trends, like earthy colors, striking backsplashes, and patterned and colored stone, are any indication, it's clear that tastes are shifting toward the dynamic appeal of mixed materials.

Mixing materials and palettes allows homeowners to reflect their personalities and characters in their kitchens, an integral space dedicated to family interactions and activities. This trend is not only about style but function as well. Aside from sparking visual interest, those who mix elements get to create a streamlined kitchen space by choosing the textures, finishes, and color palettes that cater to their specific lifestyle.

In the long run, mixed materials offer greater durability, as it allows homeowners to focus their budgets on the frequently used areas of the kitchens. An avid baker, for example, can finally splurge on that top-of-the-line quartz kitchen island tabletop they've been eyeing without the pressure of getting matching countertops for the rest of the kitchen. Going for a mixed-material kitchen can also cultivate our DIY skills by allowing us to explore hacks that can completely transform existing cabinets or experiment with unexpected kitchen color combinations.

Gone is the anguish of being torn between sticking to a traditional or contemporary kitchen aesthetic — the beauty of the mixed materials trend means you can have both. Already have wood cabinets in your kitchen? Balance that organic material with a shiny marble countertop. Tired of the monotony of your glossy row of cabinets? Try changing several of them with matte cabinet faces in a different color. Introduce wooden countertops in an all-marble kitchen to soften the overall look, or add a backsplash with a bold color or pattern to liven up a country-style kitchen. Something as simple as replacing existing hardware can celebrate the mixed materials look: Counter a glossy surface with matte cabinet knobs or use metal cabinet supports to prop up wooden shelves.

As the mixed materials trend entails a lot of different elements, it's imperative to draw the line between tasteful mixing and matching and a senseless jumble of materials. The aim is to create a cohesive, balanced look by making different elements work together without overwhelming the senses. Start by appointing a focal point in your kitchen — like a suite of trendy fluted kitchen cabinet doors or an impressive marble kitchen island, for example — and build from there by introducing touches of contrasting materials like glass, wood, tile, or stone.