Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
If you're planning a kitchen update right now, color is the quickest way to make the space feel current, especially with the two biggest visual surfaces: countertops and cabinetry.
Now designers are leaning into grounded, nature-inspired palettes balanced by a few strategic hits of saturation.
Think warm woods, earthy stones, and accents that feel collected rather than showroom-new.
Countertops: Warmer whites, bolder veining, richer stones
Starting with countertops, veined stone looks — natural marble, quartz that mimics marble, and quartzites with movement — front and center.
What's changed is the temperature: off-whites, creams, and greiges with caramel or gold veining feel fresher than crisp, blue-white slabs.
The result is a surface that reads luxurious without feeling cold, and it pairs beautifully with the wood-forward cabinetry trend.
Quartz remains a remodel mainstay for its durability, and the newest patterns lean warm and textural (think subtle freckles, cloudy undertones, or wide, painterly veins). You'll also see specialty colors — muted greens and deep blues — or islands or bars where homeowners want a quieter cabinet but a confident counter statement.
"We are seeing a trend to honed finishes at Bedrock Quartz," said Scot Nichols, Director of Sales for Utah's leading countertop company.
Honed and matte finishes continue to gain traction because they diffuse light and hide micro-scratches, which complement the broader movement toward tactile, natural materials. For those craving drama, boldly veined slabs — Calcutta-style with pronounced movement — deliver impact without resorting to high-contrast black-and-white schemes.
Cabinetry: Warm woods and 'quiet' color
The all-white kitchen has real competition from wood.
Stained (not painted) doors are surging because they add warmth, hide wear, and pair easily with a wide range of counters and metals.
White oak specifically is charting as a favorite in trade surveys, and pros expect wood grain fronts to outpace painted cabinetry over the next few years.
When color is used on cabinets, the new neutrals are greens and blues with low chroma — moss, eucalyptus, slate, and inky navy — plus cozy browns and taupes. These hues read calm under daylight but still give a room identity.
Expect to see two-tone schemes (darker on the base, lighter on uppers), islands in a statement shade, and mixed wood-and-paint combinations. These approaches keep kitchens from feeling flat and help larger spaces feel layered.
Hardware and finishes that support the palette
Matte black isn't gone, but aged brass, brushed nickel, and pewter are the go-to metals for warming up cool paint colors and natural woods.
Swapping hardware in these finishes is a low-lift way to modernize existing cabinets while syncing with the current move toward softer, layered spaces.
Smart pairings that feel 2025 (and timeless):
White oak plus warm-vein quartz
Pair softly-stained white oak cabinetry with a cream-based quartz laced with gold or taupe veining. Finish with aged brass or pewter hardware for a cohesive, sun-warmed look.
Moss green lowers plus travertine-tone counters
Earthy green base cabinets with a travertine-inspired quartz/quartzite countertop play into the organic palette while staying family-friendly.
Navy island plus warm white perimeter
Keep the perimeter cabinets in a rich pale cream, then anchor the room with a navy island and a lightly veined counter that ties both zones together.
Holiday-ready kitchens: Why now is the time to remodel
These trends aren't just for show — they're practical updates that can transform your space before the holiday season.
Whether you host family dinners, Thanksgiving, or New Year's brunch, a refreshed kitchen becomes the heart of every gathering. But fabrication and installation take time:
Material selection
With over 100 in-stock stones, Bedrock Quartz can help you secure slabs before popular options sell out.
Scheduling
Fabrication, templating, and installation typically require several weeks. Starting now ensures your kitchen is ready before guests arrive.
Design impact
Warm woods, honed finishes, and bold islands create a welcoming backdrop for entertaining, photographs, and seasonal décor. By updating cabinets, counters, and hardware now, you can celebrate the holidays in a space that's fresh, functional, and deeply personal—without the stress of last-minute projects.
Design is cyclical, but kitchens work hardest when they're calm, welcoming, and a little bit personal. If you lean into warm woods, nuanced color, and countertops with subtle movement, you'll land on a 2025-ready space that still feels timeless five (or ten) years from now.
To see over 100 countertop choices, from granite, to quartz and quartzite, visit a Bedrock Quartz showroom near you.
