13 Outdated Minnesota Kitchen Styles You’ll See Less Of

Kitchen design is always changing, and what looked amazing a few years ago might feel tired today.

Minnesota homeowners are moving away from certain styles that once dominated every home improvement magazine and Pinterest board.

I’m excited to share the kitchen trends that are fading fast and what’s replacing them in homes across the state.

1. All-White Kitchens

Bright white cabinets, counters, and walls used to be the gold standard for modern kitchens.

Now they feel cold and unwelcoming, like a hospital room instead of a cozy cooking space.

Keeping everything spotless takes tons of work, and every fingerprint shows up instantly.

Minnesota families are choosing warmer shades like cream, ivory, and soft beige instead.

Adding natural wood tones brings life back into the room.

Textured materials like wood beams or stone backsplashes create visual interest without going overboard.

Your kitchen should feel like home, not a showroom nobody can actually use.

Mixing in earth-toned cabinets gives depth that pure white just can’t match.

2. Granite Countertops

Granite was once the ultimate luxury material that everyone wanted in their kitchen.

Every house had it, which made it lose its special appeal over time.

Those busy speckled patterns can make your space feel cluttered and old-fashioned.

Homeowners today prefer cleaner looks with marble, quartz, or even butcher block surfaces.

Quartz offers durability without the high maintenance that granite demands.

Marble brings elegance with softer veining that doesn’t overwhelm your eyes.

Butcher block adds warmth and a natural touch that feels inviting.

These alternatives are easier to care for and won’t go out of style anytime soon.

Your countertops should complement your kitchen, not dominate it with loud patterns.

3. Ornate Cabinetry

Cabinets covered in fancy carvings and decorative details once screamed elegance and wealth.

Today they just look fussy and difficult to keep clean.

All those grooves and crevices trap dust and grease, making your cleaning routine a nightmare.

Simple flat-panel or Shaker-style cabinets are taking over because they’re timeless and practical.

Clean lines make small kitchens feel bigger and less cramped.

Minimal designs let other elements like your backsplash or lighting shine through.

You can update hardware easily without fighting against elaborate woodwork.

Contemporary homes favor function over fancy decorations that date themselves quickly.

Your cabinets should be beautiful without requiring constant upkeep or looking stuck in the past.

4. Farmhouse Decor

Rustic farmhouse style took over every kitchen with shiplap walls and vintage signs everywhere.

While it felt cozy at first, the trend became so popular that it lost its charm.

Mason jars as decor and distressed wood accents now feel played out.

Modern Minnesota kitchens are moving toward sleek designs with subtle textures instead.

Neutral tones still work, but without the heavy-handed country vibe.

Clean lines and quality materials create sophistication that farmhouse style can’t deliver anymore.

You can keep warmth in your kitchen without piling on the rustic accessories.

Simplicity is making a comeback, and that means less clutter on your counters and walls.

Your space should feel current, not like a barn conversion from five years ago.

5. Glass Mosaic Tiles

Tiny glass tiles in rainbow colors were everywhere during the 2000s and early 2010s.

They added sparkle and shine, but now they just make your kitchen look stuck in the past.

All those grout lines are a pain to clean, and the busy patterns compete with everything else in the room.

Zellige tiles or large marble slabs are replacing them for a more refined look.

These materials offer texture without overwhelming your eyes with color and pattern.

Solid surfaces or simple subway tiles let your cabinets and fixtures become the focal points instead.

Your backsplash should enhance your kitchen, not distract from it.

Timeless materials will save you from another renovation in just a few years.

6. Two-Tone Cabinets with Dark Bottoms

Dark lower cabinets paired with white uppers became a huge trend just a few years back.

This look tried to add interest but often made kitchens feel chopped in half visually.

The contrast can be jarring rather than sophisticated, especially in smaller spaces.

Minnesota homeowners are choosing more cohesive color schemes that flow throughout the entire kitchen.

Single-color cabinets in warm or cool tones create a more polished appearance.

If you want variety, try different textures or finishes instead of contrasting colors.

Natural wood mixed with painted cabinets offers depth without the harsh divide.

Your kitchen will feel larger and more unified when everything works together harmoniously.

Trends come and go, but balanced design stays beautiful for decades.

7. Stainless Steel Everything

Stainless steel appliances are great, but covering every surface with them went way too far.

Backsplashes, countertops, and even cabinet accents in stainless made kitchens feel like commercial restaurants.

The cold, industrial look lacks the warmth that makes a kitchen inviting for families.

Fingerprints and smudges show up constantly, making maintenance exhausting.

Today’s trend mixes metals and materials for a more balanced, lived-in feeling.

Brass, copper, or matte black fixtures add personality without the sterile vibe.

Warm wood and natural stone soften the space beautifully.

Your kitchen appliances can be stainless without turning the whole room into a metal factory.

Balance is key to creating a space that feels both functional and homey.

8. Open Shelving Everywhere

Replacing upper cabinets with open shelves seemed like a brilliant way to show off pretty dishes.

Reality hit when dust, grease, and clutter took over those exposed surfaces constantly.

Keeping everything perfectly arranged takes more effort than most people can maintain daily.

Minnesota kitchens are bringing back closed storage because it’s simply more practical for real life.

A few open shelves for display items work fine, but entire walls of them don’t.

Cabinets hide everyday items and keep your kitchen looking tidy without constant effort.

You need places to store things you use regularly but don’t want on display.

Glass-front cabinets offer a middle ground if you want to showcase special pieces.

Function should always win over Instagram-worthy photos that don’t work long-term.

9. Colored Appliances

Bold red refrigerators, blue ranges, and other colorful appliances made a splash for a while.

These statement pieces seemed fun and unique until you realized they limit your future design choices.

When you want to update your kitchen, those bright appliances suddenly feel like expensive mistakes.

Neutral appliance colors work with any style change you might want down the road.

Classic stainless, black, or white won’t clash with new cabinets or paint colors.

If you crave color, add it through accessories, paint, or decor you can change easily.

Your major appliances represent a big investment that should last for years.

Trendy colors date themselves fast, while timeless finishes stay relevant through multiple design updates. Save the bold statements for elements you can swap out affordably.

10. Laminate Countertops

Laminate counters trying to look like granite or marble fooled absolutely nobody.

The fake patterns and plastic feel cheapened the entire kitchen, no matter how nice everything else looked.

Edges chip and peel over time, making them look even worse.

Better materials have become more affordable, making laminate an unnecessary compromise today.

Quartz and solid surface options offer durability at prices that make sense for most budgets.

Even butcher block or tile can be budget-friendly while looking authentically beautiful. Your countertops get heavy use, so quality materials pay off in longevity.

Minnesota homeowners want surfaces that can handle real cooking and family life without looking worn out quickly.

Investing in better counters adds value that laminate simply can’t match.

11. Fluorescent Lighting

Harsh fluorescent lights made kitchens bright but completely unflattering and uncomfortable.

The buzzing sound and weird color cast made everything look unappetizing, including the food you prepared.

Nobody looks good under those lights, and they scream outdated institutional design.

LED lighting has revolutionized kitchen illumination with warm tones and energy efficiency.

Layered lighting with pendants, under-cabinet strips, and recessed fixtures creates ambiance and function.

Dimmer switches let you adjust brightness for cooking, eating, or entertaining different times of day.

Natural-looking light makes your kitchen more inviting and your food look delicious.

Modern lighting options use less energy while providing better quality illumination throughout your space.

Your kitchen deserves lighting that enhances the room rather than making everyone want to leave quickly.

12. Builder-Grade Oak Cabinets

Golden oak cabinets with that orangey finish dominated kitchens throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.

They came standard in so many homes that they became the definition of boring and outdated.

The warm orange tone clashes with modern color palettes and makes spaces feel dark.

Painting or replacing these cabinets instantly updates your kitchen’s entire look and feel.

White, gray, navy, or natural wood tones in cooler shades work better with current styles.

If your budget is tight, even just painting the cabinets can transform your space dramatically. New hardware completes the updated look without breaking the bank.

Minnesota homes are finally moving past this builder-grade standard toward more personalized, contemporary cabinet choices.

Your kitchen deserves better than whatever came cheapest when the house was built.

13. Matching Appliance Suites

Buying every appliance in the exact same finish and brand seemed like the coordinated choice.

This matchy-matchy approach now feels boring and lacks the personality that makes kitchens interesting.

Mixing finishes and styles adds character while still looking pulled together.

You might pair a stainless refrigerator with a black range and white dishwasher for visual interest.

Panel-ready appliances that blend with cabinetry create a custom, high-end appearance.

Different brands often excel at different appliances, so mixing lets you get the best quality.

Your kitchen should reflect your style, not look like a showroom floor display.

Minnesota homeowners are embracing this mix-and-match approach for spaces that feel curated rather than cookie-cutter.

Perfectly matched sets date themselves quickly, while thoughtful variety stays fresh and personal.