The new year is a time to refresh and restart. That could mean jumping back into a meal prep routine after the busy holiday season, or it could mean something a little more... appealing. That could mean jumping back into a meal prep routine after a busy season filled with holiday cooking and eating out or giving your home a design facelift. If you're anything like us, the new year is for giving your space a facelift, which makes now a good time to explore 2025's most popular kitchen design trends. Get to know the colors, features, and additions that are popping up in homes this year — plus some tips on how to bring these kitchen design ideas to life in your home.

✅ Check for Allergies

• Ask your guests if they have any dietary restrictions before you plan your menu. Hospital visits are a real dinner party buzzkill.

✅ Don't say you're going to hand-make pasta on a day with 17 meetings

✅ Your mom was right, clean as you go

✅ Take out the trash

Stainless steel’s signature shiny finish is mesmerizing. And so is all that a good stainless steel pot or pan promises to do: irresistible browning, rich savory pan sauces, beautifully caramelized vegetables, to name a few. This versatility — plus its durability and sleek aesthetic — has made stainless steel the material of choice for professional kitchens. But its reputation as less forgiving and more finicky tends to make home cooks nervous.

What is Stainless Steel?

In its most basic form, stainless steel is an alloy, or blend of metals. The one used for cookware is primary iron mixed with chromium and nickel. This combination gives stainless steel its signature features: Iron is super hard, chromium provides its polished texture, and nickel protects against corrosion.