Thinking about breaking ground in 2025, but wondering which ideas will still feel current five years from now? I’m Kimberly with Kaminskiy Design & Remodeling, and I sat down with Jean (Lead Designer), Anastasia (Lead Designer), and Andrea (Kitchen & Bath Design Specialist) to cut through the noise and focus on what delivers daily comfort, resale confidence, and easy maintenance in San Diego homes.
Below, you’ll get seven standout picks from each designer plus seven of my own, so you can make smart calls on layout, lighting, and materials before we order a single item. If you’re planning to start design within the next 3–12 months, this guide will help you set priorities, control cost, and move forward with a clear plan.
Planning something bigger? See our Whole‑Home Remodel gallery page for ideas that tie the entire house together.
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Jean’s eye this year is all about feel: warm, monochrome rooms brought to life with texture, curvier silhouettes, and the glow of thoughtful lighting. She leans into organic materials and handmade tile, adds geometric notes with a hint of Deco, and keeps warm wood tones and black accents in the mix. The result feels calm and collected, with details that age gracefully.
Two-tone or three-tone rooms feel soothing when the interest comes from texture, such as plaster, grasscloth, reeded doors, and boucle. Think warm monochrome with depth, not flat color.
Walls, trim, and wainscot in the same hue create a quiet, gallery‑like envelope. It’s fantastic for dens, dining rooms, and moody powder baths.
Before painting an entire room one hue, sample sheen—matte vs. satin—on trim and wainscot. The wrong sheen can make drenching feel flat or too shiny.
Rift‑sawn white oak, walnut, and alder bring comfort back to kitchens, baths, and media walls. We’re finishing them in natural or light stains that show grain without yellowing.
Arcs on islands, eased countertop corners, curved sofas, and radius shower glass soften strict rectangles. Curves make tight spaces feel more generous and reduce hip‑bump zones.
Layered lighting is everything: low‑voltage linear accents, toe‑kicks, cove details, and art lighting bring rooms to life. Getting the switching right is as important as fixture choice.
Decide scenes first—task, accent, and night—then group switches so one button sets the mood.
From arched doorways to scalloped tile and stepped details, geometry adds a sense of rhythm and elegance. Used sparingly, it reads as timeless, not theme‑y.
Zellige, clay, and hand-cut stone evoke a sense of groundedness and uniqueness. Their slight variation is exactly what makes them look rich.
Plan grout joints at ⅛–3⁄16 inch for handmade tile—larger joints help accommodate natural variation and reduce lippage. Select a penetrating sealer to protect the artisanal finish without compromising character.
Jean set the mood with texture, curves, and warm woods—now let’s take a closer look at the rooms you use most. Next up, Anastasia translates that vibe into hard‑working kitchens and baths with steam ovens, porcelain surfaces, smart power, and better lighting. If you cook often or share bathrooms, her seven picks are your roadmap.
Anastasia focuses on everyday performance: steam ovens that keep food juicy, porcelain tops that shrug off spills, and smart power/lighting details that make prep safer and more efficient. In kitchens and baths, her goal is a space that works hard without feeling cold. Layer in small-format, handmade-look tile, warm gold finishes, and mixed cabinetry for depth, and you get spaces that feel warm, personal, and high-performance.
Clients love crispy, juicy results without drying food. Steam ovens also reheat leftovers beautifully for many dishes, making meal prep and family dinners easier to manage.
If you bake frequently, choose a model with a crisping function; if you meal-prep, look for a model with plumbed water so you skip refills.
Warm metals—brushed or satin—pair nicely with white, stone, and mid‑tone woods. They add glow without feeling flashy.
2×6 and 2.5×10 sizes in soft whites and creams add handmade character. We’re also seeing pickets, arabesques, and hexagons for feature walls and niches.
Combining a stained island with painted perimeter cabinets (or vice‑versa) adds depth. It’s also a smart way to highlight storage zones.
Porcelain is heat-tough, stain-resistant, and thin, making it ideal for modern reveals. Book-matched porcelain slabs also provide a high-end stone look with easier care.
No more reaching across the prep zone with a cord. Some models can be capped with your countertop material for a seamless look—just be sure to choose a compatible model if your surface allows it.
Place one within arm’s reach of the sink and spec GFCI protection; choose a model that accepts your countertop cap for a nearly invisible look.
Built‑in lighting improves grooming tasks and doubles as soft nighttime lighting. Many include outlets and defoggers to clear the mirror quickly.
Before we move on to Andrea’s picks, let’s shift our focus from appliances and tile to the broader concept of comfort and care. Her list leans into spa‑style wellness, smart fixtures, and easy‑clean choices that save time every week. If your goal is a home that feels restful and low‑maintenance, start a shortlist from the seven ideas below.
Andrea zeroes in on wellness and easy living, featuring spa-level showers and steam, smart toilets, and finishes that clean up quickly. She adds workstation sinks and Zip taps for speed, then ties it all together with mixed metals that feel current without chasing fads. The goal: daily comfort that stands the test of time.
Spa‑style showers with benches, body sprays, and steam are a priority. The goal is daily recovery, not a once‑a‑year splurge.
Heated seats, bidet functions, auto‑close lids, and self‑cleaning options are now mainstream. They also improve hygiene and comfort in multi‑generational homes.
Add a dedicated GFCI outlet behind the toilet during rough-in so you aren’t stuck with cords later.
Skirted toilets, slab walls, and ceramic coatings reduce scrubbing. In busy households, these pay off every week with less scrubbing.
Colanders, drying racks, and cutting boards slide on ledges to turn your sink into a prep center. It saves counter space and speeds up cleanup.
Plan a 36-inch or wider base and store accessories vertically in a tray pull-out to keep the deck clear.
These taps replace multiple appliances and clear counter clutter. Great for tea drinkers and families who love fizz without the hassle of bottles.
Brass, black, and stainless steel can live in one room if the proportions are intentional. Repeat each finish at least twice for harmony.
Grab-bar blocking, wider doorways, and no-step showers can be both beautiful and discreet. We design these features early, so they vanish into the architecture. Discover our Universal Design approach for ideas that look great today and serve you well in the future.
(These weren’t already covered by Jean, Anastasia, or Andrea.)
We’re adding 240V, 40‑ to 60‑amp dedicated circuits for Level 2 EV chargers, along with space for backup power and battery storage. In older homes, this may require a panel upgrade—another reason to plan electrical early. Power planning is now a key part of kitchen and addition designs.
Hot-water recirculation loops, smart irrigation, and drought-tolerant planting help save water and time. Pre‑plumbing for future graywater keeps options open.
Pair smart irrigation with a rain sensor and check local rebates—San Diego agencies often offer cost offsets.
Quiet drywall, solid-core doors, and targeted insulation make hybrid-work homes quieter. We also specify soft‑close hardware and underlayment to cut footfall noise.
Beams, coffers, shallow soffits, and cove lighting define zones in open plans. Treat the ceiling as your fifth wall for big impact.
Whole‑home shutoff valves and sensor pucks near sinks, fridges, and washers pay for themselves in one saved incident. Install them during the rough-in stage for optimal access and cost efficiency.
Add a drop zone, tall cabinets, and a utility sink between the garage and the kitchen. They keep sand, gear, and backpacks from spilling into living spaces.
ERVs/HRVs (ventilation systems that bring in fresh air while keeping your heating and cooling costs down), MERV-13 filtration (a hospital-grade option that captures fine dust, pollen, and airborne contaminants—check compatibility with your HVAC system), and low-VOC finishes all support better indoor air quality and allergy relief.
Curious how these picks stack up nationwide? In the next section, I align San Diego’s must-haves with U.S. trends, highlighting where they overlap and where our climate and lifestyle lead to different choices. Use it to pressure‑test your wish list and decide what deserves budget first.
San Diego’s priorities align with national shifts toward wellness and sustainability, but our climate and lifestyle emphasize the importance of outdoor access, water-saving strategies, and corrosion-resistant materials. If you’re deciding where to invest first, start with layout, lighting, and water/power planning, then layer in finishes.
In San Diego, prioritize openings, water savings, and corrosion-resistant finishes before splurging on decorative extras.
✨ Ready to explore how these trends translate to your home? Book a free design consult — we’ll help you map your must-haves and budget with clarity.
Thinking about scope and sequence? Next, we’ll take a quick look at the projects we’re building most and the reasons homeowners move forward. Use it to select a path that aligns with your goals and budget.
Here’s where owners are spending and why. Use this to narrow down the scope that aligns with your goals and budget.
Sources for this section: Harvard JCHS, NAR Remodeling Impact, Houzz U.S. Houzz & Home (2025).
Note on costs: Figures here reflect recent San Diego project medians from our KDR jobs. National medians (Houzz/NKBA) are lower due to regional labor and scope differences.
Sources: Kaminskiy Design & Remodeling, NKBA 2025 Kitchen & Bath Trends, Houzz U.S. Houzz & Home Study 2025, JCHS LIRA/Economic Briefs 2024–2025, NAHB remodeling outlooks.
Ready to turn ideas into action? These field‑tested tips save time, prevent rework, and stretch your budget without cutting the moves that matter.
Warm woods, layered textures, curved lines, and thoughtful lighting lead the way. Wellness features, artisanal tile, mixed metals, and durable porcelain surfaces round out the list, with San Diego adding indoor/outdoor living and water‑smart choices.
Expect more porcelain slabs, engineered stone, low‑VOC paints, and certified woods. These choices reduce maintenance and emissions while keeping rooms bright and easy to live in.
Banquettes with storage, extendable tables, wall beds, and island workstations help smaller footprints live larger. Multi‑use pieces support hybrid work and busy family schedules.
Color-drenched and tactile finishes, such as limewash and fluted panels, add depth without clutter. Used in key zones—such as powder baths, dining rooms, or as a feature wall—they create mood and character.
Homeowners are embracing statement tile, vintage lighting, and mixed metals in focused zones. Keep fixed elements classic and let easily swapped pieces carry the louder note.
Kitchen and bath updates, wide openings to patios, efficient windows/doors, and EV‑ready electrical deliver strong everyday value. Add aging‑in‑place features quietly in the background so your home works for every stage of life.
If your budget is tight, consider keeping the layout improvements that change the flow and scaling back on door styles or hardware to balance costs.
Want to future‑proof your selections? Here’s my short forecast for late‑2025 into 2026—use it to sanity‑check big‑ticket decisions like power upgrades, slabs, and landscaping.
Ready to prioritize your own project? Next, I’ll connect the dots and outline simple next steps—plus how our team can help you lock in scope, budget, and schedule with confidence.
If your 2025 project needs a steady plan, I always recommend starting with the big three: scope, sequence, and selections. Get these fundamentals right, and we can maintain high value with the perfect blend of layout moves that transform your living space, lighting that highlights every detail, and durable materials that age beautifully.
The trends I’ve shared aren’t just pretty ideas—they’re practical choices that deliver daily comfort, protect your investment, and adapt as your life evolves. Whether you’re drawn to Jean’s textured, curved aesthetic, Anastasia’s performance-focused kitchens and baths, or Andrea’s wellness-centered approach, the key is choosing what truly fits your lifestyle and budget.
I’ve been guiding San Diego homeowners through design decisions for years, and I’ve learned that the best projects start with honest conversations about how you actually live in your space. Do you cook every night or order takeout? Do you entertain often or prefer quiet family time? Are you planning to stay put for decades or thinking about resale in five years? These answers shape every recommendation I make.
Let’s talk about your home and your vision. Call us at (858) 271-1005 or schedule a free in-home design consultation. I’ll make sure you meet the right designer on our team—someone whose expertise aligns with your project goals and who can help you navigate both the exciting possibilities and the practical realities of your budget and timeline.
Your dream home is waiting. Let’s build it together, one smart decision at a time.
Additional Resources:
Kimberly Villa is a recognized expert in the Home Design and Remodeling industry. Her passion for the industry is matched only by her love for sharing insights, new trends, and design ideas. Kimberly’s expertise and enthusiasm shine through in her contributions to the Kaminskiy Design and Remodeling website blog, where she regularly shares valuable information with readers.
