From Shaker White to Grannycore: The Ever-Evolving Kitchen Design Landscape

After more than two decades in the kitchen and bath industry, I’ve had a front-row seat to the ever-accelerating evolution of design trends. What used to shift gradually over time now seems to move at lightning speed—especially back in Nashville, where a wave of new homeowners (many from California) had brought fresh influences and a whole new design vocabulary to the table.

One of the biggest shifts I’ve noticed? The slow fade of the longtime staple: Shaker White. In its place, buzzwords like Scandi and Japandi started popping up. During the pandemic, color trends moved so fast it felt like we came full circle in just a few years—white to gray to navy to sage, then right back to white again.

Now, as we head into the latter half of 2025, the spotlight has turned to a surprising new style: Grannycore. Equal parts nostalgic and charming, this aesthetic brings warmth, character, and a “lived-in” feel that stands in stark contrast to the clean lines and clutter-free minimalism that defined much of the early 2000s.

For years, my kitchen design meetings have centered around streamlined cabinetry—traditional, transitional, even micro shaker—and how to make clutter disappear entirely. Hidden appliances, discreet storage solutions, pristine countertops. I’ve spent countless hours helping clients achieve that modern, polished look. And while I still love designing clean and contemporary spaces, I have to admit—it’s fascinating to watch the pendulum swing in a completely new direction.

So, what exactly does the Grannycore aesthetic aim to capture? For me, it brings back memories of my own grandmother’s kitchen—dark wood cabinets, Formica countertops that were torn, scorched, and nicked from years of use, an avocado green rotary phone with three miles of tangled cord hanging below it, and a perpetual cloud of cigarette smoke drifting over a pot of coffee that never stopped brewing. It felt more like a worn-out 24-hour diner than a cozy kitchen. I’m not looking to revisit that version of the past, and I doubt many others are either.

Now, today’s version of Grannycore isn’t a carbon copy of that-thank goodness. But as Gen Z takes the reins of design, they're drawing inspiration from the nostalgia of mid-century modern—reviving its timeless lines and adding fresh pops of color to reimagine the aesthetic in a way that feels both familiar and new... kitchens that actually look lived in. It’s cozy, it’s quirky, and it’s a refreshing shift from years of hyper-minimalism.

Will Grannycore be the next big thing? Hard to say. Trends move quickly, and what’s hot today might feel dated next year. But one thing’s for sure: design is always evolving—and it’s never boring.

Is this a style for you or are you curious about incorporating a little Grannycore into your home—or want to explore any style that fits your vibe—we’d love to hear from you. Drop us a message or give us a call. Let’s bring your vision to life.

Simple clean lines of the Mid-Century Modern look, with a touch of Grannycore design aesthetic