The world of bathroom and kitchen design continues to evolve, with many of us breaking free from the ordinary and embracing individuality and self-expression in our homes. We’ve spoken to the team and they’ve shared their thoughts on what to expect and potential design breakthroughs in 2025.
From trendy bold colours and textures to smart storage and automated systems, our team of expert interior designers will be here to guide you through some of the most exciting trends that will help you in your renovation planning.
The aesthetic for many kitchens will be cozy with the hues of the Australian landscape—warm, comforting, and inviting. Think warm earthy tones and sun-kissed yellows capturing the essence of the outdoors.
Embracing the Australian colour palette will continue to grow, with colours and tones that are pulled directly from our lived environment: eucalypt greens, desert ochres, sandy beiges as colour blocks, and timber finishes that reflect more Australian species—blackbutts, Vic Ash, and spotted gums—combined with brushed metallic finishes.
We’ll continue to see clients in 2025, embrace this trend with even more raw textures. From marble and concrete to beautiful stoneware accessories and washed plaster walls, homes will be stripped back. Think Mediterranean meets farmhouse vibes, creating a rustic charm in our clients’ homes.
Nature’s colour palette continues to inspire and shape design trends, bringing warmth, tranquility, and timeless elegance into our spaces, with greige sandy tones bidding a goodbye to the cool-tone grey colour palette. Bold colours are stealing the show, with green remaining a client favourite, followed closely by blue and rusty earthy colours. white and grey monochromes are taking a back seat as clients become bolder and more adventurous with colours and patterns for their bathrooms and kitchens.
Why play it safe with colour? Colour and pattern drenching is an emerging trend we expect to stick around in 2025. This design approach involves enveloping an entire room or area’s surfaces (or most surfaces) in a single colour, using multiple materials and textures to add depth and interest.
Note that colour drenching is not necessarily colour “matching.” For example, instead of using just one shade of green, you might blend multiple green tones across tiles, vanities, and benchtops—just don’t count on green metallic taps! This technique not only creates a cohesive and immersive look but also makes a space look and feel larger.
Many of our clients are adopting this trend by selecting colours ranging from classic greens, blues, or pinks to richer, moodier tones such as burgundy, rust, or plum. The result? A vibrant and personalised space bursting with character. It’s a bold design move, and we absolutely love the immersive experience that comes with a bathroom or kitchen fully soaked in delightful colour!
The trend of blending oversized formats with smaller ones in floor and wall coverings has become quite popular. This design approach features large slabs of timber or stone to evoke a sense of openness and elegance, complemented by smaller format tiles that bring in charming colour details and textured accents. The combination of these large-format materials with more intricate elements adds depth, dimension, and visual appeal to any space, making it a wonderful choice for both modern and traditional spaces!
Draped fabrics, both sheer and solid, help diffuse and soften light streaming through windows, providing softness and relief from hard-tiled surfaces. They offer both privacy and screening at windows or between rooms, serving as a comforting partition that brings a sense of warmth and intimacy to any space.
Simplicity and minimalism work best when combined with a twist of high functionality. Our clients love floating shelves, integrated appliances, hidden storage solutions, and thoughtful layouts that are designed to maximise every inch of the room. Entire areas, including laundries, kitchens, and offices, can be concealed within cabinetry, allowing them to disappear when not in use.
Douglas Friedman
Say goodbye to matte and chrome tapware and accessories! Brushed finishes are redefining bathroom and kitchen designs in 2025, moving away from traditional options. Brushed carbon, nickel, and gold are at the forefront, bringing a refined elegance and contemporary look to the space. Brushed nickel is overtaking chrome as the go-to choice for its timeless appeal, while brushed carbon stands out as a favourite among clients, replacing the once-popular black and white matte finishes. Its sleek shine and modern flair introduce a touch of subtle luxury, enhancing everyday spaces.
Bathrooms and kitchens are ditching the overly processed look for the raw and honest charm of materials such as timbers, bare metals, and natural stones, showcasing the authentic and natural beauty of unprocessed materials. Natural materials deliver a unique and individual design to every piece of natural stone and timber and so bring an ‘exclusiveness’ that manufactured materials just can’t deliver on. There is a deliberate shift towards longevity and durability as opposed to ‘fast fashion,’ with many clients opting for naturally sourced materials that are renewable and supporting local sourcing that carry rich backstories and history making a conscious choice to be sustainable and connect with the environment.
No more rummaging around to find that garlic seasoning – kitchens feature upgraded drawer and pantry systems (butler’s pantry, wine storage/fridge etc.), providing more options for arranging and storing items. This is a clever storage solution that provides more space and is easily accessible for our clients.
Kitchens will present a simple and graceful surface/exteriors and yet will draw on technology and innovation underneath, working hard behind cupboards and drawer fronts with built-in features. Simple on the outside but complex on the inside with a storage that is designed for optimal functionality.
Bathrooms have become more functional with the integration of organisers, dividers, and containers within cabinetry. This practical storage solution provides a more efficient way to neatly store cosmetics, medicines, and other essentials, enhancing the overall functionality and cleanliness of the space—bringing our minimalist dreams to life!
Textural finishes are becoming more and more favourable, increasing tactility to surfaces and touchpoints. Everything is all about the feel – from pitted timbers and ceramic glazes to distressed woods and handmade-look tiles that add layers of character. Additionally, walls and ceilings have received a texture upgrade – elevating the aesthetic with venetian plaster, fluted wall panelling and bespoke concrete effects.
Dynamic combinations of different metals and blending warm and cool tones together not only create visually stunning kitchens and bathrooms but also maximises the impact of the surface, transforming the space into one that invites touch and feel.
Christopher Horwood
Natural-looking timber is a trend that is here to stay, with clients choosing timber that reflects tones from nature, such as spotted gum, Tasmanian oak, and blackbutt. The use of timber in tactile accessories can enhance the look of your bathroom or kitchen by adding a luxurious touch and a warm, earthy tone to the entire space. Beyond its beautiful aesthetic, timber is durable and can withstand daily use over a long period of time, making it good value for money.
Simon Whitbread
A bathroom should be more than just a functional space — it’s a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation. Thoughtfully designed lighting plays a key role in transforming the atmosphere, making it warm and inviting. Think sleek LED strip lights behind vanity mirrors or elegant wall sconces for a perfect balance between functionality and style. With adjustable lighting options that range from crisp, bright whites to soft, ambient warm tones, you can easily tailor the mood to your preferences—transforming your bathroom into a tranquil retreat where you can escape and unwind.
As for kitchens, lighting has had many improvements across various areas, enhancing both functionality and ambience. Kitchens can now shine brightly with countertop lighting, inner cabinet lighting, and under-cabinet lighting. Much like in bathrooms, lighting can be customised to suit your specific needs—whether you’re creating a vibrant atmosphere for cooking or a more subdued mood for entertaining, you can set the perfect tone for any culinary experience!
If you’re feeling inspired and ready to bring style and personalization into your bathroom and kitchen, call us today on 1300 662 838 or book a FREE in-home consultation with our award-winning designers to start your renovation journey with smarterBATHROOMS+ in early 2025!