8 Home Design Trends Minneapolis Is Leaving Behind In 2025
The Twin Cities home design scene is always evolving, reflecting both national shifts and our unique northern sensibilities. As we look ahead to 2025, Minneapolis homeowners are saying goodbye to several once-popular design elements. These outdated trends are making way for fresher, more functional approaches that better suit our changing lifestyles and environmental awareness.
1. All-White Kitchens Fade Away
The pristine all-white kitchen that dominated Minneapolis homes for years is finally losing its grip. Homeowners are craving warmth and personality instead.
Natural wood tones, colorful cabinets, and mixed materials are taking center stage, bringing character and reducing the clinical feel that made all-white spaces feel cold during our long winters.
2. Barn Doors Slide Into History
Remember when everyone wanted a rustic barn door for their bathroom or bedroom? That trend is rolling away fast in Minneapolis.
While they seemed space-saving and stylish initially, these doors proved impractical for privacy and sound insulation. Pocket doors and traditional hinged doors with modern hardware are making a welcome comeback in Twin Cities homes.
3. Open Concept Layouts Get Compartmentalized
The pandemic changed how we use our homes, and Minneapolis residents are rethinking the once-beloved open concept layout.
With remote work becoming permanent, families need defined spaces for different activities. Partial walls, glass partitions, and cleverly designed room dividers are creating privacy without sacrificing the connectedness that Minnesotans value in their home designs.
4. Gray-on-Gray Color Schemes Lose Appeal
Gray was the neutral of choice for nearly a decade, but Minneapolis homeowners are embracing warmer tones that fight against our long, gray winters.
Earthy colors like terracotta, olive green, and warm beiges are replacing the cool gray palettes. This shift reflects our desire to create cozy, inviting spaces that feel grounding during Minnesota’s extreme seasonal changes.
5. Farmhouse Style Makes Way for Modern Scandinavian
Shiplap, distressed finishes, and rustic farmhouse décor are being phased out across the Twin Cities. Our Nordic heritage is instead inspiring a turn toward clean Scandinavian aesthetics.
This means embracing minimalism with purpose, incorporating natural materials, and focusing on functionality. The new approach honors Minneapolis’s cultural roots while feeling decidedly more modern and less contrived.
6. Fast Furniture Gives Way to Sustainable Pieces
Minneapolis has always had a strong environmental conscience, and that’s now fully extending to furniture choices. Disposable, cheaply made pieces are being rejected citywide.
Local artisans, vintage finds, and heirloom-quality furniture are gaining popularity. The emphasis is on pieces with stories, craftsmanship, and minimal environmental impact – perfectly aligned with our city’s progressive values.
7. Accent Walls Disappear
The single bold-colored or wallpapered accent wall is vanishing from Minneapolis homes. Designers are now treating rooms as complete compositions rather than highlighting just one surface.
Full-room color stories, intentional texture throughout spaces, and cohesive design approaches are replacing this dated trend. The result feels more sophisticated and intentional than the once-popular statement wall approach.
8. Smart Home Gadget Overload Scales Back
The rush to automate everything with visible tech is cooling off in Minneapolis homes. Residents are becoming more selective about which smart features actually improve daily life in our climate.
Hidden technology, intuitive systems that work with our seasonal needs, and thoughtful integration are replacing the obvious gadgetry. Smart home features now focus on energy efficiency and practical comfort during our extreme weather shifts.
