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. 

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Additional Reading 

Kitchen Trends for 2023

Outdated Kitchen Appliance Trends 

Our 9 Favorite Home Design Trends For 2022

2025 Home Design Trends: Stay Ahead of the Curve

Minimalism, Multifunctionality, and More—Trends to Watch

It's the beginning of another year, and once again we have predictions about the trends that are to come. Now these are not just our ideas but also those from people around the web. We have searched high and low to see what designers think are going to be the next great trends for decorating your home.

Minimalism - More and more designers are saying that the appliances of the kitchen will fade into the background. Instead of being able to see your appliances as separate parts within your kitchen everything will fade together. With the rising prevalence of panels intended to cover your appliances, soon there won't be a difference between your cabinets, your walls and the appliances within your kitchen. Kitchen handles are also vanishing into the appliances either by becoming recessed and less obvious in the design, or by being removed entirely. Finally appliance garages are expected to become even more popular this year. People are finding it useful to have a drawer or cabinet that they can put their small appliances into when not in use. 

Courtesy of Samsung

Multifunctional - More appliance manufacturers, like GE, Meile and LG are combining what their appliances can do. Making ovens that also include air fryer features, or dishwashers that can do more than one load at once are examples of this. Some others we’ve seen in previous years, are washer/dryer all in ones, and steam ovens that are capable of steam cooking, baking, roasting and menu cooking, without allowing flavor transfer.  

Courtesy of Moen

Smart Sinks - Smart sinks are becoming a thing this year. They are expected to be controlled by voice and hand gesture. So that you'll be able to say bottle 98° and get an exact amount of water that is the perfect temperature for making a baby bottle. You can also wave your hands to one side or the other to turn on the hot or cold water. We aren't certain yet how many manufacturers will make the jump to this but we do expect to see more availability this year. A brand to check out is Moen’s Smart Faucet.

Sustainability and Energy Usage - These are going to become even more of a talking point for new appliances this year. People are becoming more and more aware of and concerned about not just how much energy their appliances are using, but how they were made. Expect to see this raised as part of marketing during the year ahead. 

Color - Wanting color in your kitchen is nothing new, although small appliances are increasingly getting in on the action. What is more interesting to look out for is that it’s not just major designers, manufacturers, and celebrities who are affecting the choices; it's also social media influencers and their communities. An example of this is how pastel green is soaring in searches this early in the year, when the ‘Colors of the Year’ from Pantone and others are not even close to that.  

Smaller Major Appliances - For those living on their own, or just in smaller homes, smaller appliances are becoming more common! Now, we’re not talking about your coffee pot or an instant pot. No, we mean that major appliance makers are starting to offer their units in smaller dimensions, with equivalent power to their lager siblings.

Courtesy of Rangemaster

Induction is in Demand - last year we talked a bit about induction stoves and how they were starting to really gain traction. They have officially hit the point where everyone is talking about them, and everyone wants them. You’re going to be see many more options for induction stoves starting this year, and that’s going to trickle down to other things like technology, cleaners and dishes that will work with them.  

Stainless Steel is heading out - While it still hasn’t left the scene completely, stainless steel is no longer in the spotlight when it comes to appliances. Many brands are looking for alternatives, including several which are now offering matte black appliances.

Bold cabinets- -More people are getting bored with basic builder grade cabinetry. And this year we are going to see more and more people painting and covering their cabinets. We're expecting to see more examples of how to apply contact paper and peel and stick paint in the year ahead.

As you explore the trends shaping the way we live and design our homes, remember that staying ahead of the curve doesn’t have to mean overhauling everything. Sometimes, it’s about blending the new with the tried and true to create a space that feels uniquely yours. Whether you're upgrading to sleek, hidden appliances or choosing to embrace bold, personalized cabinetry, the goal is always a home that works for you. And when it comes to ensuring your appliances can keep up with these changes, our team at Appliance Rescue Service is here to help. From maintenance to repairs, we’re your partners in keeping your home running smoothly as it evolves with the times.

Additional Reading

Minimize Waste, Maximize Sustainability: The Case for Appliance Repair

Common Appliance Issues That Could Ruin Your Holiday – And How to Prevent Them

Bright Ideas: The Dos and Don'ts of Smart Lighting in Your Home