In 2025, decoration trends are marking a change: Bye bye tiles as the default wall covers and welcome treated wood as the new star of the kitchen.
It’s not about a capricious fashion trend, but about a preference that respond to what homes are asking for today: coziness, texture and visual continuity with the rest of the house without loosing the function side, of course. Treated wood is prepared specifically to resist humidity, stains and high temperatures, it offers the balance between aesthetic and that daily use, that before looked like only tiles could do.
The result is amore human environment more, cozy and with a lot of character, where the surface stops being something on the background and becomes the design. This search comes also with a sustainability side, a lot of propositions use recycled or certified wood which is a kinder election when you think about the environment. And while the aesthetic debate circles in catalogs and mood boards the practical reality clear: treated wood came to stay as a real, very attractive and efficient alternative in 2025.
Why are we saying goodbye to tiles now?
For decades, tiles were the kings of the kitchen. Why? Because their clean visual, and their reputation of being easy to deal with. But the kitchens today are not an isolated facility, today the kitchen integrates to the dining room, the living room and asks for material and visual continuity. That’s where treated wood comes with a different language.
The technical treatment avoids deformations by vapor for example, and offers a resistance for those little splashes of grease and liquides some of us cannot avoid while cooking. In other words, it keeps what matters the most from tiles: the practicality. And adds what’s missing: that “home” feeling.
Also, you can find treated wood in a variety of finishes, that go from light nordic airy tones to dark one that say more of a sober luxury. This probably simplifies the choice of integrating the kitchen language to the rest of the house without looking odd. This change is not a leap of faith, is more of a refined adjustment. It’s replacing the repetitive for a surface that talks to the couch, the floors, and the natural lights while elevating the whole mix.
Realistic maintenance, real advantages
Going for treated wood is based of five pillars.
- Aesthetics: It brings that warmth, cozy feeling immediately and a tactile presence that not many other surfaces can.
- Durability: The special treatment protects it over humidity, stains, high temperatures… Not even vapor or daily use can compromise it’s shape.
- Variety: You can find so many different finishes and styles to chose from, from light pallets to personalised full lux and drama.
- Sustainability: Either recycled or certified, you’re already being more respectful of the planet by chosen treated wood.
- Maintenance and cleaning: Further from what many can think, a humid cloth and soft cleaning product can do the deal and keep ir impecable.
How to add to the trend without error
If treated wood is what you want, you don’t need a big or integral reform, yo can just start with some strategical points:
Start with the front of the kitchen, just behind the counter, where it work as a shield and will accentuate the visual effect the most. Maybe add it to a full wall, this can make a focal point, and helps to unify the counter and the furniture. Or add a partial coating mixed with flat paint.
This 2025 trend doesn’t demonize tiles (I’m still a big fan), it just gives you alternatives and more options to choose when wanting to give your kitchen a makeover.