From Sold to Styled: A Look Back at 2024’s Real Estate Trends and What’s Coming in 2025
One of the reasons why I love what I do is the joy of seeing my clients achieve their goals. In 2024, so many real estate dreams were achieved, including successful simultaneous buy-and-sell transactions, the completion of new construction dream homes, assistance with estate sales, relocation support for clients across the country, and helping first-time homebuyers achieve their dreams.
While remaining a top listing agent for my office and 1% for the Company, I took the opportunity in 2024 to sharpen my skills further by obtaining a few new certifications: SRES – Seniors Real Estate Specialist, ABR – Accredited Buyer’s Rep and SFR – Short Sale & Foreclosure Rep.
If you or any of your family and friends could benefit from my expertise and experience, I would love to help them achieve their real estate goals in 2025. As always, my family and I thank you for your continued support. I couldn’t do what I do without you.
Cheers to an amazing year ahead!
2025 Home Trends Unveiled: Design, Kitchen Upgrades, and the Hottest Colors of the Year
- Cozy kitchens highlight rich woods, moody blues, deep greens, natural countertops, and a collected, timeless design.
- Organic modern styles embrace gentle curves, rounded edges, circular tables with cylindrical legs, bulbous sofas, and oblong mirrors
- Arched walls, doorways, windows, and accessories like mirrors and headboards are trending, adding playful, cozy curves and scalloped silhouettes to homes,
- Shower rooms with glass doors are trending for privacy, offering a sealed, spa-like space ideal for steam, sauna, aromatherapy, and chromotherapy.
- Range alcoves, often recessed or arched and framed by countertops, add architectural interest and a focal point for striking backsplash designs.
- Woven and mesh details are trending in cabinets, vanities, furniture, and window treatments, adding texture and warmth.
- Wetroom bathrooms are trending in smaller spaces, with tubs and separate showers creating a luxurious feel.
- Warmth is trending in home design, with off-whites, creams, and earthy tones paired with wood elements, adding architectural warmth.
- Maximalist styles embrace bold colors, patterns, and textures, with grooved paneling and vibrant patterns in drapery, rugs, furniture, and pillows, reflecting homeowners' personalities.
- Homeowners are adding pizza ovens, smokers, and gaucho grills to outdoor dining, moving beyond just grills.
10 Kitchen Remodeling Trends for 2025
1. Larger Kitchens Borrow Space From Dining Rooms
Many homeowners are expanding their kitchens during remodels by repurposing space from other rooms or adding extensions, resulting in larger kitchens that serve as central hubs for daily activities. To make up for the lost dining space, casual seating options like islands or breakfast areas are popular additions.
2. High-End Kitchens See Triple the Median Spend
Top spenders in 2024 were investing heavily in kitchen remodels, with major projects costing three times the median, indicating a strong focus on high-end renovations. Larger kitchens require bigger investments, with top spenders investing over double the median for major remodels of kitchens 250 square feet or larger, while even minor remodels for these spaces see significant spending.
3. Homeowners Are Scaling Back on Some Upgrades
Most homeowners continue to upgrade key kitchen elements like countertops, backsplash, and cabinets, but there’s a slight decrease in the replacement of appliances, wall finishes, and doors compared to the previous year.
4. Islands Get Lots of Attention
Kitchen islands are a popular addition or upgrade for homeowners remodeling their kitchens, with more than half either adding a new island or upgrading an existing one. Larger islands are becoming the trend, with over half of upgraded islands now exceeding 7 feet in length. While the classic rectangular shape remains the most popular at 78%, some homeowners opt for L-shaped or square designs. However, nearly two out of five homeowners still choose not to include an island in their kitchen remodel.
5. General Contractors Are Hired the Most
The majority of homeowners (86%) hire professionals for kitchen remodels, with general contractors being the most commonly hired at 50%, followed by cabinetmakers (32%) and kitchen designers (25%). A smaller portion of homeowners rely on architects or design-build professionals, while about 20% hire multiple pros directly without a project manager.
6. Traditional Style Makes a Comeback
Changing the kitchen style remains a key focus for many homeowners, with 81% opting for a style change despite a slight decrease from the previous year. Traditional style is gaining popularity, rising to 14%, while transitional style remains the most popular at 25%. Modern and contemporary styles are holding steady, but farmhouse style continues to decline in favor.
7. White Still Reigns for Many Color Choices
White continues to dominate kitchen design, with the most popular choices being white cabinets, countertops, walls, and backsplashes. Bold colors like green and blue are less common, with only 5% of homeowners choosing these hues for cabinets.
8. Aging Needs Guide Many Design Choices
Many homeowners are addressing special needs in kitchen remodels, particularly for aging, with pullout cabinets, additional lighting, and wide drawer pulls being common features. Rounded countertops and nonslip flooring are also popular, though the latter declined slightly. Most expect these needs to arise in the next five years.
9. Three Sets of Materials Dominate in Flooring
Vinyl or resilient flooring has become the most popular choice for kitchen remodels, surpassing hardwood for the first time. Ceramic or porcelain tile remains close in popularity, followed by engineered wood. Laminate and natural stone are less common, with natural stone seeing a drop for the second consecutive year.
10. Cost Consciousness Drives Sustainable Choices
The majority of homeowners (90%) incorporate sustainable options in their kitchen remodels, with cost-effectiveness being the main motivator. Popular choices include LED lightbulbs and energy-efficient appliances, though the latter has slightly decreased in popularity. Many also prioritize environmental friendliness, opting for eco-friendly flooring, materials, and VOC-free paints.
