The 4 Trendy Kitchen Features Homebuyers Will Hate Most in 2025
Home design is continually evolving, and the things that buyers want always seem to be changing. This is no different as 2025 approaches. If you’re considering selling your home this year or after the new one begins, there are a few things you can do to make your home more appealing to potential buyers. I talked with three real estate agents across the country to find out what buyers aren’t looking for — and the answers might surprise you.
Matchy-Matchy Metals
Mixed metals are in this year, and that means all-matching metal finishes are out. “More and more homebuyers, and homeowners, are switching to mixed metals in the kitchen in an effort to keep their space attractive and up-to-date,” says Jason Gelios, a Michigan Realtor, author, and host of the AskJasonGelios Show.
This is good news for homeowners looking to sell, because it means you don’t have to replace all of your fixtures. And it’s a relatively cheap fix, too — getting the mixed metal look is as easy as switching out the faucet or replacing cabinet hardware.
McKenzie Ryan, an award-winning New York City-based real estate agent and founder of the McKenzie Ryan team at Douglas Elliman, says, “When done with intention, mixing metals can look fantastic.” She’s also seen more interest in “vintage cabinet hardware that’s unique to [the homeowner’s] taste.”
Outdated Appliances
From refrigerators to coffee makers, appliances are getting smarter. Gelios notices that “older appliances can actually hinder a homebuyer’s view and interest.” Jenna Stauffer, a broker and Global Real Estate Advisor at Sotheby’s International Realty in Key West, Florida, points out that “people are all about functionality now, and outdated appliances just don’t cut it anymore.” Buyers are tending to look for “smart appliances that offer convenience and tech-savvy features like Wi-Fi connectivity and touchless controls.”
But if you’re looking to sell and have older appliances, don’t give up hope just yet. Ryan notes that older appliances don’t pose a major barrier because a lot of buyers “are keen to purchase appliances that are specific to their needs, and ideally want something that no one else has used before!” One way around purchasing new, smart appliances right off the bat is to see how potential buyers are responding and being open to replacing them as a concession in the purchase contract or taking some money off of the selling price.
Two-Toned Cabinets
“The biggest shift that I’ve seen,” according to Ryan, “is buyers moving away from two-toned cabinets.” While Gelios observes that “they make a great focal point and are appealing to the eye,” which has made the two-toned look popular in recent years, Ryan sees that it can “often clash with the new owner’s furniture, accessories, and aesthetic.”
Stauffers says she’s noticed buyers “moving towards bold, single-tone cabinets that make a statement.” Luckily, you can grab some paint and supplies and learn how to paint kitchen cabinets.
Open Shelving
When done right, open shelves can offer a way to display beautiful dishes or decor, but Gelios says that “while open shelves are beautiful and attractive in a kitchen, oftentimes homebuyers view them as not practical or a waste of space.”
Ryan echoes this observation, saying, “Open shelves have been a turn-off to buyers, as it allows for more clutter to be visible.” If done well, she says, they can add to the aesthetic, but if you’re living with more than one person or have a lot of stuff, “it’s difficult to execute while also maintaining a sleek editorial look.”
With a shift towards functionality and low-maintenance spaces, Satufers sees people “moving towards concealed storage options, built-in appliances, and seamless cabinetry that hides clutter.”
Further Reading
We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Ashley — Here Are the Best to Suit Your Style and Space
See How a Stager Used Paint to Transform a 1950s Living Room
We Asked 8 Pro Travelers What They Never Pack in Their Carry-On, and Here’s What They Said
