2025 Home Trends to Watch—And Maybe Avoid

These 2025 home trends may not be as practical as they seem.

We’ve spent a lot of time this month talking about trends, but now it’s time to take a step back and look at the other side of the coin. While innovation brings exciting new possibilities, not every trend is as practical as it seems at first glance. This week’s article isn’t about shooting down the latest and greatest—if you’re set on having the most up-to-date tech in your home, go for it! Instead, think of this as a friendly warning bell, highlighting the potential downsides so you can make informed decisions before jumping on the bandwagon.

Minimalism Takeover

“We’ll also see handles disappear from everything, so all it takes is a simple tap of your elbow to open a fridge or cupboard.”

That’s all well and good—until a) you lose power, or b) you have intelligent pets or small children. We’ve already seen issues where animals lay in front of refrigerator sensors, causing unexpected malfunctions. Now, with push-to-open cabinets and appliances, your pet or toddler could have full access to everything inside. Say hello to Spot ransacking your pantry.

The Multifunctional Trap

Appliance manufacturers want their products to do it all, and in theory, that sounds great. But here’s the catch: an appliance should master its primary function before it starts moonlighting. If an oven already struggles with uneven heating, why should we trust it to also air-fry? Similarly, washer-dryer combos continue to be a letdown. Innovation requires trial and error, but when something is clearly not ready for prime time, why rush it to market?

Smart Sinks—Because We Needed Another Problem

Why? No, really—why? The idea of a smart sink may seem futuristic, but it’s a disaster waiting to happen. Clearly, the inventors never owned a cat or a curious toddler.

Courtesy of Moen

Motion control? Great—until you accidentally trigger it every time you walk by. Voice activation? That means some part of the system is always listening. And let’s not forget: these sinks rely on electricity, adding yet another smart gadget to drain power (and your wallet). Plus, what happens when the sink is full of dishes? Does it activate every time a plate shifts? We have questions.

Induction Cooking—The Hidden Costs

Induction stoves are rising in popularity, but as with any new tech, there are plenty of ways to get swindled. A few major pitfalls:

Courtesy of LG

• Cleaning Scams – Some companies push overpriced “specialized” cleaners, claiming they’re essential for your cooktop. Spoiler: they’re not.

• Pan Confusion – If you don’t fully understand how induction works, you might assume anything labeled “induction-safe” is a good buy. But quality varies wildly, and even high-end brands can produce pans that chip or warp after minimal use.

Matte Black Madness

Stainless steel had its era of impossible-to-keep-clean fingerprints, and now we’re doubling down with matte black? It looks sleek—until you actually try to maintain it. Smudges, streaks, and dust will turn your dream kitchen into a never-ending cleaning project.

Dedicated Coffee Stations—But Didn’t We Already Have Those?

Courtesy of Bosch

Let’s be real—most homes already have a dedicated coffee spot: wherever the coffee maker sits. Now, we’re seeing trends pushing built-in coffee stations, and we can’t help but ask: why? An informal poll among our team confirms that coffee makers tend to stay put. Adding a dedicated trend (or worse, a built-in unit) just complicates cleaning and maintenance. And let’s not forget—standalone coffee makers are already doing a fantastic job brewing better coffee than the big chains.

Even More Smart Appliances—At What Cost?

We touched on this last week, but let’s expand on the issue.

Every new smart appliance adds another layer of complexity, and not just for your home—also for your electric bill. These gadgets constantly communicate with your Wi-Fi, consuming power even when not in use. And if the power goes out? Many require recalibration, adding another headache.

Then there’s the network issue. Unless you purchase a matching kitchen suite (which most people don’t), your smart appliances may not seamlessly communicate. Different brands compete, not collaborate, leaving you with a fragmented system.

And here’s a concern you might not have considered: many smart devices emit their own Wi-Fi signals, which, with the right technology, can be used to map your home. Yes, that means your “helpful” appliances could potentially compromise not just your cybersecurity but also your physical security.

At the end of the day, trends come and go—but making informed choices about what you bring into your home is what truly matters. If your appliances start acting up (whether they’re trend-forward or not), our team at Appliance Rescue Service is here to help. We’ll make sure your kitchen and laundry room are running smoothly—no unnecessary bells and whistles required. You can give us a call and we’l work with you to find a time and date that works for your schedule. 

Call: (214) 599-0055
Website

Additional Reading 

Kitchen Trends for 2023

Outdated Kitchen Appliance Trends 

Our 9 Favorite Home Design Trends For 2022

2024 Kitchen Trends: What Lived Up to the Hype—and What Fell Flat

From outdoor living to bold appliances, we’re breaking down which 2024 kitchen trends lived up to their promise—and which ones missed the mark.

Every year, the design world teases us with big promises for the trends that will dominate our homes. In 2024, these predictions painted a bold vision of where kitchens, living spaces, and appliances were headed. But now, with 2025 in full swing, it’s time to ask: did these trends deliver?  From redefining the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living to embracing bold colors and biophilic touches, 2024 brought us a mix of inspiring trends and practical innovations. 

But not every idea hit the mark! In this round-up, we’re diving into the hits that elevated our homes and the misses that made us shake our heads. Whether you’re looking to refresh your kitchen, revamp your outdoor space, or simply keep tabs on what’s in and what’s out, we’ve got you covered with all the highlights—and the ones we hope won’t make a comeback.

Flew

Outdoor Connections

The line between indoor and outdoor living has never been blurrier—and we’re here for it! From outdoor kitchens to springtime living room,  connecting these spaces has made our homes even more expansive. Whether it's hosting a summer barbecue or starting your day surrounded by an oasis, this trend turns your home into a destination. When you add in phantom screens for ultimate flexibility, you've got the perfect blend of function and beauty.

In 2024, experts predicted that indoor-outdoor living would reach new heights, with seamless spaces becoming the ultimate luxury feature. And they were right! 

Lighting Enhancements

With the enhancements in lighting over the last few years, layered lighting is having a moment. You have task lighting for precision, accent lighting to make the mood, and massive windows for natural brilliance. What  really makes the difference, is tunable lighting. This is more than just being able to say Alexa turn the lights blue. This is white lighting that lets you shift between cool or warm, natural or artificial. It's incredibly beneficial, energy efficient and surprisingly helpful  in making a space suit your needs. 

2024 promised advancements in lighting technology that would transform the way we experience our homes—and tunable lighting has delivered. 

Induction Cooking

If you've read our 2025 trends article then you know that induction cooking is the cooking trend of the year. We are quite excited to see this technology stepping into the spotlight and are excited to see the way that it changes kitchen safety in the years to come.

A sleek and lovely induction stove courtesy of Rangemaster

When 2024’s kitchen trends forecasted the rise of induction cooking, it seemed like a tech-forward dream. Now, in 2025, it's clear the buzz was well-deserved.

Low Maintenance Minimalism

In 2024 minimalism was everything. More importantly though and the key difference here, was that it wasn't just about making your kitchen empty. It was about making your life in the kitchen easier. Functional layouts and fewer nooks to clean means you spend the time in your kitchen enjoying the space. 

Minimalism wasn’t new in 2024, but the shift toward functional simplicity was a predicted game-changer—and it’s delivered.

Courtesy of KIron SajoL

Universal Design

Although not directly relevant for us, a growing trend that we noticed in 2024, was how many people are adjusting their homes to a universal design. People are once again focusing on aging in place and staying in the home that they're in throughout multiple stages of their lives, if not all of them. But that includes more than just our elders, that also includes design for if you sustain an injury and need mobility aids for a time. Universal design works for everybody and means that your home isn't just beautiful it's functional and this is a trend we hope continues for many years.

 The prediction that more homeowners would adapt their spaces to fit all life stages has proven true, with functional, inclusive layouts now more common than ever. It's a trend that prioritizes practicality over aesthetics alone, and one we hope continues to grow.

Small Space Solutions

2024 marked the beginning of appliance manufacturers delivering on small clip powerful appliances. We're seeing half fridges, drawer dishwashers, and countertop ovens that are just as powerful as a standard size. This makes living spaces more versatile and able to be used for multiple functions without losing necessities.

Predicted to gain traction in 2024, compact yet powerful appliances have carved out their place in 2025. 

Punches of Color

We are so happy that people were bringing in color left right and center in 2024! White and gray and stainless steel and flat neutrals is boring let's be real. With as much time as we spend in our kitchens it should be full of bold vibrant colors, or comforting pastels, or whatever else takes your fancy. Whether it's wrapping your oven in the hottest shade of Barbie pink you can get your hands on, or purchasing a stunning cobalt blue Smeg fridge, it adds joy to the space.

Color was expected to make a triumphant return in 2024, and homeowners didn’t disappoint! Bold hues and pastels have replaced the monotony of neutrals, breathing life into kitchens.

Bringing Nature Into Your Home

Let's be honest: was as much time as we spend at our work we could all use more nature in our lives. The design concept biophilia isn't just a trend that has been growing, it is becoming a lifestyle, even a movement. It's natural woods like oak and walnut paired with living walls of moss and succulents. Some are starting to shed the sterile nature of their kitchens to embrace a lived in warmth. Bonus points for the way this makes you want to stay and spend time in these spaces.

What Flopped 

 Sustainability Ascendant

 Pause for a moment. How many times have you asked yourself, or the salesperson, ‘how was this built’ or ‘is it made from sustainable materials’ ? Go ahead, we’ll wait.
Now, we are ALL for the idea, but it should be a standard part of all things, not something that’s added to your bottom line as part of a marketing line. 

While 2024 brought more discussions about sustainability, the reality is bittersweet. The idea of eco-friendly materials has yet to become a universal standard, often showing up as an added cost rather than a baseline expectation. We hope this evolves into a lasting change rather than remaining a buzzword. 

Multizone Adjustable Refrigerators

We love this idea, legitimately. And, we want to say that as a concept, the multizone refrigerator is amazing. We have to point out though that making the zones more flexible also presents an issue for keeping your fridge food safe. 

Dark Matte Finishes

This. Just no.
Think about how hard it is to keep a stainless steel appliance clean. Dark appliances, specifically matte ones, are so much worse. Most cleaning sprays leave behind residue. It’s meant to be a protective coating typically. But on a dark matte surface? You end up getting dingy appliances very quickly. This is going to lead to one of a few scenarios. 

• You have to clean twice. Once with your cleaner of choice and a second time with water to remove that residue. 

• An entire new industry pops up to charge more to a targeted niche, and you pay more. 

Predicted to be sleek and modern in 2024, dark matte finishes have proven impractical in real life. 

Sleek Built-In Styling

This is great in the moment. BUT if you want to fix it? If you want to change things out? Hidden appliances are going to end up being a nightmare. 

Built-ins were forecasted to dominate in 2024, but as predicted, they come with a hidden downside—difficulty in repairs and upgrades. 

Steam Revolution & Sous Vide 

Ahh we love these so much.  They’re fantastic! Especially from a health perspective. However. If it’s too complicated, how many of us walk away from a complicated tool? 

Predicted to revolutionize cooking, steam ovens and sous vide systems have incredible potential, but their complexity has limited their appeal. Many homeowners love the health benefits but admit they can be intimidating to use, proving that ease of use is still a major factor in adoption.

What We Want Gone 

Composting Emerges 

Courtesy of Couleur

This just isn’t safe. This is /asking/ for your kitchen to be a germ and pest magnet, no matter how  much you clean it. This should not be on the counter. It shouldn’t be under the counter. Compost should be outside. At that point, we’re fine with the idea! We’re all for composting and growing your own garden. Just don’t keep compost in the kitchen. 

Smart Features With Connectivity 

Courtesy of Gerd Altmann

Smart features are great.  They can save a lot of time, but… the focus for everything is on either solving problems we don’t have or on creating problems.
Also at what point do we stop adding smart features? Is it when a power outage means you can't do anything in your house? Is it when the features become so invasive that somebody hacking your printer can lead to them knowing your bank details? Or maybe it's when we get to the point that the power grid cannot go 24 hours without failure?

As we step further into 2025, looking back at 2024's home trends is a lesson in how the design world evolves. Some trends exceeded expectations, becoming everyday staples, while others fell short or created challenges we didn’t anticipate. The good news? Homeowners have more options and inspiration than ever, from universal design to nature-inspired spaces. At Appliance Rescue Service, we’re here to help ensure the appliances at the heart of these trends are running smoothly, so your home continues to be a place of beauty, comfort, and function. Whether you're embracing the next big thing or sticking with the classics, we’re here for every stage of your home journey.