Elevate Your Basic Kitchen With One Of 2025's Most Stylish Comeback Design Trends

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It's clear that all trends are cyclical. But that's not limited to flip phones and baggy pants; it's also true in home decor. For kitchens, the new hot thing that's making a comeback in 2025 is brick feature walls. Despite their extreme popularity in kitchen decor in the '90s, the '00s had homeowners opting for a more minimalist aesthetic, especially as they wanted to highlight their state-of-the-art appliances. But people are coming around to the fact that brick feature walls are a relatively affordable and easy way to integrate a distinctive look with contemporary pieces. So now, homeowners are swapping sleek, neutral tones and clean lines for brick walls to give their kitchen a more rustic, "lived in", and cozy look.

Nowadays, you don't need to study the art of masonry or brick laying to get this look in your home, and there are an endless variety of brick styles, sizes, colors, and tones available. Depending on the technique, getting the brick feature wall of your dreams can be just as easy to install as standard tile, while leaving more of a hospitable look. Brick walls provide a focal point that can be combined with almost any countertop, cabinet, or backsplash. Floating shelves in the kitchen on exposed brick walls is also a great way to fuse modern functionality with classic appeal. As evidenced by many historical buildings throughout time, brick is incredibly durable. Brick walls also allow for kitchen decor to play with texture and dimension without taking up too much space.

While the idea of installing a brick wall sounds overwhelming, there are plenty of easy solutions. Yes, you could do a full renovation that involves gutting your kitchen walls and replacing them with solid bricks, but that requires an experienced brick mason to ensure the structure of your home is not compromised, and they typically charge between $40 to $100 per hour. A more affordable approach to installing a brick feature wall is using brick veneers. Brick veneers are thin sheets attached to existing walls similar to tiles; unlike solid masonry, brick veneers do not offer structural support. It's important to note that because brick is not a good insulator, brick veneers tend to be more energy efficient. The cheapest option, however, is to buy wallpaper that looks like brick and install it yourself, such as the Hopeak Red Brick Wallpaper. 

You may want a red-toned brick to highlight the warm tones in your kitchen, or you might desire white brick to lighten up the atmosphere. Whatever color, if you've decided on brick veneers, the next step will be to measure out your surface area and determine how large the gaps should be. This will allow you to know how many brick sheets you need to purchase. Once you have your materials, put a tarp on the floor, apply adhesive to a small area, and attach your bricks from the bottom of the wall up to the top. When complete, let it dry for 24 to 48 hours before adding your grout. Finally, seal everything with a polyurethane sealant.

Brick walls can add a unique look to any kitchen and withstand things like floating shelves, cabinets, and even artwork being hung on them. You can lean into a rustic Mediterranean look by mixing the brick walls with tiled countertops. If you want more of a cottage style kitchen, pair your brick accent wall with cream colored cabinets and brass hardware. Get that modern loft apartment feel by pairing your brick walls with stainless cabinets.

There are many reasons to opt for brick in your kitchen. For one, because it's usually comprised of organic materials like clay and water, brick can be classified as an environmentally conscious choice when choosing building materials. Another great thing about brick is that it can be cleaned easily with a rag and soapy water, and depending on the color you choose, it can be very forgiving with stains and splashes that occur naturally when cooking. But by far the best thing about brick walls is that, whenever you are ready for a change, you can try the Property Brothers trick of painting over it or simply apply a different color stain for a refreshed look. Who says you have to compromise between an inviting look and an easily adaptable one? Whatever you decide, brick feature walls in kitchens have officially made a comeback and are likely here to stay as people swap the cold and sleek for the comforting and timeless.