Latest news with #kitchenDesign
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
5 Kitchen Countertop Trends on Their Way Out in 2025 (and What's Replacing Them)
Countertops aren't exactly a change-every-season situation (thank goodness!), but they do play a major (and growing) role in how your kitchen looks and functions. Experts are noticing that people are 'craving layered textures and tactile appeal that elevate the everyday kitchen experience while allowing more personal expression,' as designerKerrie Kelly puts it. People are moving 'toward surfaces that tell a richer story,' observesRachel Blindauer, a Saint Louis-based interior designer, seeking materials that feel authentic to their homes and lives. But first, know that this is not a memo that you need to rip out your countertops right now. Counters are a serious investment. I'm still rocking the original Formica in my mid-century kitchen, and while I dream about terrazzo someday, I'm not rushing the process. Your home should evolve at your pace, not because a designer somewhere declared your countertop 'out.' That said, there's nothing wrong with a little countertop curiosity! Whether you're in the Pinterest dreaming or contractor-hiring phase, here's what the experts are seeing as in — and out — for 2025. The days of superslick, high-gloss countertops that show every fingerprint are waning. Instead, designers are embracing surfaces with tactile appeal. 'We love leathering the material to give it an earthier and more organic feel!' says Ariana Lovato ofHoneycomb Home Design. These textured finishes aren't just about looks — they're more forgiving with everyday use, hiding water spots and smudges that would be glaringly obvious on a polished explains the shift: 'Velvety finishes like honed marble, soapstone, and leathered quartzite are in high demand, not just for their tactile beauty, but for how they wear in. These surfaces age gracefully, showing use the way leather shoes do: with pride, not perfection.'Even NKBA Design Council member Michel Smith Boyd ofSMITHBOYD Interiors embraces this trend of leathered stone in his own home, noting that 'any tactile experience is an added bonus' to a beautiful counter. While white countertops aren't exactly 'out' (classic choices rarely are), things are definitely warming up on the color front. 'We're seeing countertops with richer, more inviting tones — creamy neutrals, sandy beiges, and even hints of terracotta,' says Michael Hartel ofCabinet IQ. This shift mirrors the broader move away from the clinical, all-white aesthetic that dominated the Sargsyan, Houzz staff economist, points to an interesting countertrend: 'White remains the top choice for upgraded kitchen countertops, with 41% of homeowners selecting it. … Interestingly, black countertops are more popular than gray or beige (8%, 7%, and 5%, respectively),' according to the 2025 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study. This suggests that while white hues still reign, those looking for alternatives are going bold rather than pros are also using stone itself as color inspiration. 'An excellent point of departure is a gorgeous stone or surface material with a range of colors and natural tones to pull from and connect to other materials in the palette,' Caleb Anderson ofDrake/Anderson says. 'A subtle green or blue vein in a stone material can be an unexpected paint color for the cabinets.'Smith Boyd takes this approach to heart. 'In my own kitchen, I used an avocado quartzite for counters that includes just about every shade of green. I always ground the design with natural stone where at least one of the colors occurs naturally.' The days of matching everything exactly are fading as homeowners embrace more personalized, collected-over-time looks — and that approach includes mixing countertop materials. 'While engineered quartz remains prevalent for main countertops, some homeowners are choosing different materials for their islands,' says Sargsyan, calling it a notable trend. 'Butcher block or wood slab leads this trend, selected by 31% of those opting for contrasting island materials.'Kelly has noticed similar patterns. 'Clients are increasingly interested in mixed-material applications: pairing stone with butcher block or stainless for a truly custom, culinary feel.' This mix-and-match approach isn't just about aesthetics — it's functional, too. Different zones of the kitchen serve different purposes, and the materials can reflect that reality. While mixing materials is trending, so too is visual continuity — particularly between countertops and backsplashes. 'We're seeing a strong move toward using full slabs not just for countertops, but also as backsplashes as commonplace,' Christine Gee says. 'This approach creates a seamless, fluid visual experience from surface to wall, eliminating grout lines for a cleaner, more elevated [look].' Lovato adds that full-height backsplashes using countertop material are everywhere, points to another integration trend: 'We're seeing a surge in monolithic countertop sinks, where the sink is carved from the same slab as the counter. It's a sculptural move that nods to craftsmanship and adds a seamless elegance to utility.' This continuous look eliminates visual breaks and makes even smaller kitchens feel more spacious and intentional. The pendulum is swinging firmly away from imitation materials toward surfaces that are either genuinely natural or honestly engineered.'I'm seeing clients opting for natural stone, especially quartzite,' says Rick Berres ofHoney-Doers. 'Why are people choosing quartzite over quartz? Because it's even harder. Chips, scratches, marks — they're all less likely to show on quartzite.' He adds that you can even place a hot pan on quartzite without worrying you'll ruin it, a huge bonus for serious puts it bluntly: 'Faux anything' is out. 'Consumers are becoming increasingly design-literate. They can spot faux finishes from a scroll away. Authenticity — whether in the form of real stone, sustainably harvested wood, or recycled materials — is what resonates now.'Sustainability is becoming a major factor for homeowners, too. 'We're seeing a clear shift toward sustainable surfaces, but with zero compromise on aesthetics,' Gee says. 'Biophilic design is no longer a trend, it's foundational. Integrating natural elements into interiors isn't just about aesthetics; it's about creating spaces that bring the outdoors in and restore our souls.' Kelly is also excited about sustainable surfaces 'as well as recycled materials that offer both beauty and eco-conscious appeal.'What do you think about these kitchen countertop trends? Let us know in the comments below! The 'Beautiful' $3 Flower Tumblers at Walmart People Are Buying 2 at a Time The One Cookware Brand That Gordon Ramsay Can't Stop Talking About Ball Just Dropped the Most Beautiful Mason Jars for Its 140th Anniversary ("So Iconic!")
CNET
12-05-2025
- General
- CNET
Surprising Ways to Use Your Oven's Hidden Space Below
The extra space under the oven is one of those quietly understood, socially accepted rules for storing big pots and pans that don't have a space in other cabinets. But what is the true purpose of that space below your oven? Did the designer really consider our storage needs, or was the creation for something greater? If you're left curious about what that drawer under your oven is really used for, read on to learn more about the type of drawer you may have in your kitchen. It may be the secret cooking option you can use for your next meal. Read More: Clever Cleaning Hacks for the Hardest-to-Reach Crevices in Your Kitchen How to clean your oven with baking soda and vinegar How to clean your oven with baking soda and vinegar Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:31 / Duration 1:29 Loaded : 99.24% 0:31 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:58 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. How to clean your oven with baking soda and vinegar 3 functions of your oven's bottom drawer Warming drawer A warming drawer is easy to identify. Take a look at the buttons on your oven. If one of them is labeled "Warming Drawer" then that's exactly what you have. Anytime you need to warm a pie or a loaf of bread -- or you just want to keep dishes warm while the rest of the meal finishes cooking -- pop it into the warming drawer and push the warming button. Broiler Broiler drawers are typically found on gas ovens and are very narrow. Chris Monroe/CNET If you have an oven heated with natural gas, the drawer is typically a broiler. To be sure, pull open the door. If it looks more like a retractable pan than a drawer, then it's a broiler. Think of the broiler as an extra cooking area. It's best for toasting or browning foods like casseroles or breads. Any item placed in the broiler will burn quickly, though, so check on it every couple of minutes. Storage drawer A storage drawer is usually much deeper than a warming drawer or broiler. Chris Monroe/CNET If there isn't a warming button and the area looks like a deep, empty drawer, then you probably have a storage drawer. As per a recent Reddit discussion, many people are unsure about what to keep in this space. This is a good place to store cast iron pots and pans, because the warmth from your oven will help keep them rust free. Just be sure not to store plastic items in this drawer, because they may become warped due to residual heat. Likewise, some older ovens have little insulation and may heat your metal cookware when the oven is on. As a precaution, always use oven mitts to remove cookware during or after your oven has been in use.
