Home improvement projects are driving a spending surge across the country. That won’t come as a surprise to many of Ireland’s homeowners, who already understand the value of a clever update project.
As the heart of your home, a new kitchen offers you the chance to design your own space for the way you and your family want to live. Take the opportunity to maximise your storage or optimise the layout. You can create a stunning result filled with the colours, finishes and accessories you’ve always dreamed of.
When it comes to the best ways to add value to your home, a brand-new kitchen comes out on top. Not only does a great kitchen boost the value of your property, but it delivers a host of other benefits. From increased functionality to easier maintenance, you can also improve your energy efficiency with A-rated appliances.
Happily, when it comes to kitchen aesthetics, we’ve never been so spoiled. Interiors stylist and designer Jen Connell shares her favourite kitchen trends for 2025.
1 Smart storage
Gone are the days of rows of regimented cupboards. Today’s kitchen storage maximises efficiency with great design. Deep drawers store more, and save your back too––no more leaning into hard-to-reach base cupboards. Pull-out units are the key to storage and organisation, and they look great.
Clever drawer-in-drawer options offer hidden storage for cutlery or frequently-used utensils, and even your bins can be hidden, taking them off the floor and out of sight.
Drawers can be used for your day-to-day crockery, or to create a prep unit beside your hob to store your oils and spices. Seamless integration ensures that your kitchen will be organised, clutter-free, and visually appealing.
2 Pantry presses
The secret sauce in kitchen design, a pantry press isn’t just nice to look at, but is beautifully functional too. Whether you go for a tall larder-style pantry for all your food items, or a double unit with pocket doors, what you choose to put inside is almost as important. Think a breakfast station complete with kettle, toaster and microwave. Or, go adults only with a bar. Include a sink, wine and glass storage and add a built-in beverage cooler. Really, the only limit is your imagination.
3 Open appeal
Open shelving is perennially popular. It’s easy to see why: it gives your space a stylish feel, and offers easy access to everyday kitchenware. Or, you can choose to use open shelves in a purely decorative way, displaying trinkets, plants and family photos.
If you want a 2025 update on the trend, then think countertop cabinets with clear or reeded glass panels. This is an elegant solution that’s perfect for displaying your nicest ceramic pieces and glasses.
4 Mixed materials
This year, kitchens are all about layers. This involves mixing textures, tones, materials, and styles to create a finish that’s highly personalised. From stone or terrazzo worktops contrasted with rich wooden floors and beautifully painted cabinetry, 2025’s kitchens are moving on from a one-colour-fits all approach.
Think contrasting or complementary colours or tones for your base and upper cabinets, and then add warmth and visual interest with brushed metal taps and hardware, deep veined stone worktops, textured tiles and a rustic wooden dining table and chairs.
5 Layered lighting
Great lighting can elevate a room and it’s something that is so often overlooked in a makeover project. Lighting is even more important in a kitchen because it has so many functions.
Include task lighting over your prep and cooking areas, and decorative lighting over your dining table. Consider adding some wall lights too, as these can be used for a softer glow at night. Adding lighting inside the pantry or tall utility cupboard can also be a game-changer to consider. Light switches and sockets are sometimes an afterthought, upgrade to a metallic finish that coordinates with your cabinet hardware for a premium feel.
Be sure to opt for warm lighting over cool, so the room feels cosy and welcoming.
This year’s biggest kitchen lighting trend? Add a lamp to your counter space for an unexpected element. At night, it can add another layer of soft light.
6 Jewel tones
Kitchens have entered their bold era, with the most on-trend paint shades on the moody end of the spectrum. Deep burgundy, dark blues, earthy terracotta and racing green are all making the cut in cabinets.
These are sophisticated shades that create drama and cosiness. They give a high-end feel and pair well with dramatic veined stone countertops as well as wood on the floor. But don’t worry if you’re not keen, as smoky sage, dusty blue shades and warm neutrals are also in for 2025.
7 Multifunctional islands
Sculptural monolithic islands pack a serious design punch and we want this kitchen essential to both look great and work hard. Consider the island functionality as part of your kitchen design. Depending on your needs you may need a stove top or sink in your island. If it’s the latter, keep your island clutter free by sizing up to an extra wide sink with an inset dish drainer.
8 Dining nooks
Creating a cohesive kitchen design can be tricky. It can be hard to know what to do with the side of the room that doesn’t contain your units. One trending trick is to include a well-designed dining nook with a restaurant-style banquette and under-seat storage.
This not only provides inviting seating, but it makes the most of your available space. The choices are endless: from full leather upholstery or cute cushions, choose what works with your taste and style. With wall space in high demand in a kitchen, try tucking a radiator behind your dining nook. Make sure to add a vent to allow the heat to circulate and you can look forward to enjoying many cosy meals.
9 The butler’s pantry
Move over utility rooms: if you love to entertain then you need to know about the butler’s pantry. Essentially a small, second kitchen hidden behind your main kitchen, it’s designed to provide extra space to prepare food and clean up. Your main kitchen stays clean and your guests don’t have to look at messy pots and pans as they eat. Win-win.
10 Waterfall splashbacks
With a waterfall island, your countertop continues down the end of the island and stops at the floor. It creates a chic, contemporary look, but the truth is that not everyone has room for an island in their kitchen.
If you love the look, instead, consider a waterfall splashback. Continue your stone or counter up the wall instead of using tiles, for a sleek, seamless finish that looks great.
Start your free design journey now
B&Q offers a comprehensive range of kitchen products and design and installation services to help you design, install and update your kitchen. With a wide range of fitted kitchens, cabinets, doors, worktops, sinks, appliances and storage solutions, they also offer expert fitting. With a 25-year guarantee, you’ve got the assurance of quality and durability with a B&Q kitchen.
Start your kitchen journey with a free kitchen design and planning appointment. Choose from an in-store or online consultation with an expert advisor who’ll create 3D designs of your dream kitchen along with detailed personalised quotes. They can also talk to you about flexible financing* through Humm, which allows you to spread the cost of your kitchen over time.
Once you have your dream kitchen sorted, what’s even better is that you can also use the free planning service to design your dream bathroom or bedroom. For more information click here
The spring showrooms event, is part of the big spring sale and runs from Friday April 4th to Monday May 5th.
Customers receive 20% off kitchens when you spend €2,500 on a kitchen, 20% off bathrooms when you spend €750 on a bathroom and 20% off Sliding Doors & Atomia Wardrobes when you spend €750. Find out more at www.diy.ie
*Finance provided by humm. Fees, terms and conditions and minimum credit criteria apply. Subject to credit assessment and approval. humm is underwritten by FlexiFi Europe Limited, Company Number: 600124. FlexiFi Europe Limited, trading as humm is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
