Is 2025 the Year of the Kitchen?

Everyone I speak to at the moment seems to be planning a new kitchen—perhaps 2025 really is the year of the kitchen!

As an interior designer, I’m often asked to give an opinion on friends’ proposed layouts, and I’ll admit—it’s always a tricky subject to approach. More than any other room, the kitchen is deeply personal. It’s the true heart of the home, and with so much time spent in that one space, the design must feel right for the individual or family using it.

One Kitchen, Six Opinions

I was recently away on a group trip to the beautiful town of Vilamoura in the Portuguese Algarve. We stayed in a stunning, contemporary villa with a high-end, open-plan kitchen/living/dining area.

The property had been purchased off-plan as a holiday home, used by the owner’s family for just a couple of weeks a year and rented out on Airbnb the rest of the time. As is often the case with new-build holiday lets, the kitchen was likely designed to be a one-size-fits-all solution—stylish and functional, but not necessarily personal.

The kitchen was well-equipped: high-quality Bosch appliances, generous storage (think larder cupboards and deep saucepan drawers), and a full-sized fridge and freezer. On paper, it had everything. And yet, as the week went on, our group of six started to pick up on little quirks and frustrations in the layout.

For example, the induction hob was placed right in the corner next to the fridge—exactly where I’d instinctively want to set down shopping bags. (Personally, I’d have chosen gas over induction, but I understand the safety logic, especially for a part-time rental.) One of us didn’t love the sink on the island, others found the integrated microwave’s hidden button overly complicated, and some of us felt the island missed a trick by not including an overhang with bar stools for casual seating.

A few of us loved the sleek, grey, handleless design. Others longed for something softer and more traditional. It was a clear reminder of how varied people’s preferences are when it comes to kitchens—and how difficult it is to design a space that suits everyone.

There Was Nothing "Wrong" With It…

That’s the key takeaway here: there was absolutely nothing wrong with the kitchen. It was beautiful, well-built, and in keeping with the villa’s aesthetic. The "problem" was us—we all had different needs, habits, and personal preferences that affected how we experienced the space.

Sometimes we don’t realise what we need from a kitchen until we experience someone else’s layout—whether it resonates beautifully or feels totally off. And sometimes, we learn just as much from seeing what we wouldn’t do ourselves.

More Than Just Cabinet Doors

Kitchens are among the most complex rooms to design. Choosing colours and door fronts is just the tip of the iceberg. Behind the scenes, there are countless electrical, plumbing, and structural considerations that need to be carefully coordinated—enough to make even experienced designers pause for breath!

That’s why I always recommend clients visit as many kitchen showrooms as possible before making any final decisions. If you’re working with an interior designer, ask them to suggest a shortlist of trusted kitchen designers who align with your budget and aesthetic.

A Collaborative Process

Ultimately, designing a kitchen should be a collaborative process—between your interior designer (who leads on the overall look, feel, and finishes), your kitchen designer (who brings expertise on layout, appliances, and innovative storage solutions), and you—the person who knows better than anyone else how your kitchen needs to function on a daily basis.

It’s not about finding the “perfect” kitchen. It’s about finding the right kitchen—for you.