In an age where sleek minimalism and high-tech conveniences are often touted as the future of home design, a new study reveals a striking countertrend: Americans are falling hard for the cozy charm and tactile warmth of farmhouse kitchens. According to research conducted by premium kitchenware brand HENCKELS, the farmhouse aesthetic has emerged as the most coveted kitchen style in the United States for 2025.
The study, which analyzed the popularity of 35 distinct kitchen design trends through Instagram hashtags and Google search data, found that farmhouse kitchens reign supreme across both digital platforms. With over 23.2 million hashtags on Instagram and an average of 30,373 monthly Google searches, the style topped the charts by a significant margin—outpacing the next most searched style, industrial, by a remarkable 15%.
So, what’s behind this enduring appeal? Marc Lickfett, Vice President of Digital Transformation at HENCKELS, believes the answer lies in the blend of form and function. “These statistics clearly show Americans’ preference for kitchen styles that blend practicality with aesthetic warmth,” he explains. “Farmhouse kitchens typically feature apron sinks, open shelving, and natural materials that match how families actually use their cooking spaces.”
Indeed, this preference for time-honored design runs throughout the top-ranking styles. Industrial kitchens, with their utilitarian finishes and urban edge, placed second in search volume but lagged behind in Instagram popularity, ranking seventh with 8.4 million hashtags. Meanwhile, coastal kitchens—which evoke breezy, sun-washed spaces—placed third in search but only eleventh on Instagram.
Tuscan and Mediterranean styles also made strong showings in search volume, landing fourth and fifth respectively, though both saw relatively low engagement on Instagram—perhaps reflecting a more serious research interest over trend-driven sharing. In contrast, rustic and cottage styles demonstrated the inverse: their nostalgic charm attracted massive visual interest (each boasting over 17 million Instagram hashtags) but appeared less frequently in search queries, suggesting more inspiration than intention.
The study also highlighted some compelling contrasts. Sustainable kitchen design placed fourth on Instagram with over 16 million hashtags, yet fell to 30th in monthly searches. The message? While sustainability is visually aspirational, it’s not yet a dominant driver in how Americans plan their actual kitchen remodels.
At the bottom of the list sits high-tech kitchen design—an unexpected finding given the broader smart home boom. With just 85 monthly searches and a mere 18,817 Instagram hashtags, the data suggests that while Americans may enjoy integrated smart features, they’re doing so within the comforting envelope of more traditional aesthetics.
Perhaps that’s the greatest takeaway of all: in a world increasingly defined by fast-moving digital trends, Americans are choosing timeless beauty, tactile materials, and lived-in elegance when it comes to the heart of their homes. And if Instagram is any indicator, they’re not just cooking in farmhouse kitchens—they’re falling in love with them.
