Design Experts Agree: This Kitchen Style Is Making a Major Comeback
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Modern and minimalist design reigned supreme for years, but now homeowners are leaning toward traditional styles in 2025 — especially in the kitchen. Think earthy paint colors, natural stone countertops, warm wood cabinetry and charming details, like millwork and statement light fixtures.
The style, popular from the 1980s to the early 2000s, is seeing a resurgence as homeowners crave warm and comfortable interiors. One in seven homeowners — 14% — are choosing traditional style for their renovated kitchens, according to the 2025 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, which is more popular than modern and contemporary aesthetics.
"In conversations with design and remodeling pros, we've heard repeated references to homeowners requesting spaces with personality, character and unique designs," says Mitchell Parker, a senior editor at Houzz. "Many elements of a traditional-style kitchen meet those needs, offering a formal and yet comfortable ambiance."
To understand the shift toward traditional style, I spoke to five design experts and they all agreed: Traditional kitchen design is making a strong comeback.
"My clients seem to be craving a timeless and classic look, because the market is a bit oversaturated with mid-century modern and minimalist styles — it's beautiful, but it's everywhere," says Sondra Zabroske, an architect at Four Brothers Design + Build.
"I've noticed that minimalistic kitchens are no longer topping homeowners' wishlists," agrees designer Jeff Andrews. "Instead, there's a growing preference for designs rooted in tradition — spaces that are not only functional, but reflect individual lifestyles. A kitchen with a more traditional feel makes complete sense with the way we are living at home today."
Why are homeowners leaning toward traditional style?
No longer are homeowners seeking perfectly curated interiors — instead, they're drawn to personalized spaces. "This shift is driven by three key factors: comfort and familiarity, timeless appeal and a reaction against the starkness of minimalism," says Rebecca Roberts, founder and principal designer at Method + Moxie.
"For many Gen Xers and Millennials, traditional kitchens evoke a sense of home," Roberts adds. "While no one is longing for the laminate cabinets and harvest tones of decades past, today's take on tradition blends classic elements with a refined, modern sensibility."
With its timeless appeal, traditional style favors rich architectural details over clean lines. "From elegant cabinetry and intricate moldings to warm color palettes and high-quality materials, traditional design blends sophistication with a lived-in feel that makes a house truly feel like home," says Steve Gold, real estate broker and star of Selling the City.
Above all else, homeowners are seeking timeless interiors — especially when investing in a kitchen remodel — and traditional style is a great choice. "We know from Houzz research that more than seven in 10 homeowners cite cost-effectiveness in the long run as the leading motivator for making sustainable choices during kitchen upgrades," says Parker.
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