9 Ways Southern Design Could Be Reflected In Minneapolis Interiors
Minneapolis homes often reflect the city’s Scandinavian heritage and modern Midwest style.
But what if you want to bring a touch of Southern charm to your Northern abode?
Southern design elements can add warmth, hospitality, and unique character to Minneapolis interiors. Here’s how to blend these distinct regional styles for a home that feels both fresh and timeless.
1. Wicker Accent Chairs
Nothing says Southern charm quite like wicker furniture on a sunlit porch. In Minneapolis homes, these textural pieces can create cozy reading nooks that remind you of warmer climates, even when snow blankets the ground outside.
Natural wicker chairs with plush cushions bring an instant vacation vibe to any room. They’re particularly striking against the backdrop of Minneapolis’s typically cooler color palettes and clean lines.
For year-round comfort, place these chairs in sunrooms or near large windows where they’ll catch natural light. Add wool throws during winter months to blend Southern style with Northern practicality creating a perfect hybrid that works beautifully in Minnesota homes.
2. Whitewashed Brick Walls
Whitewashed brick walls bring Southern plantation elegance to Minneapolis homes while maintaining a light, airy feel that works wonderfully with the city’s contemporary aesthetic. This technique softens the industrial edge many Minneapolis lofts and renovated warehouses naturally have.
The textural contrast between smooth, modern furniture and the subtle imperfections of whitewashed brick creates visual interest in any room. It’s a perfect backdrop for both minimalist Scandinavian pieces and more ornate Southern-inspired furnishings.
If you’re hesitant about committing to permanent whitewashing, temporary wallpaper with brick patterns offers a rental-friendly alternative. This design element works especially well in dining rooms and entryways, where it creates a welcoming atmosphere reminiscent of historic Southern homes.
3. Botanical Print Curtains
Magnolias, azaleas, and Spanish moss aren’t Minnesota natives, but botanical print curtains can transport these Southern flora right into your Minneapolis home. These vibrant window treatments inject color and life during those long winter months when the landscape outside turns monochrome.
Large-scale floral patterns in rich greens and soft blues complement the natural wood tones often found in Minneapolis homes. They create a beautiful juxtaposition against snow-covered views while maintaining a connection to nature year-round.
Hanging botanical curtains in rooms that receive morning light allows the patterns to cast enchanting shadows throughout the space. This simple addition transforms ordinary Minneapolis interiors into spaces that tell a story of Southern gardens and leisurely afternoons a welcome escape from the Northern climate.
4. Distressed Wood Tables
Hand-me-down heirlooms and weathered wood surfaces are hallmarks of Southern interiors that speak of history and family gatherings. A distressed wood dining or coffee table brings this lived-in elegance to Minneapolis homes, creating an instant focal point that balances the city’s often sleeker design sensibilities.
These tables tell stories through every scratch and worn edge. Their imperfections create warmth in Minneapolis spaces that might otherwise feel too pristine or modern. The natural patina develops character over time something particularly valuable in newer Minnesota developments.
Pairing these rustic pieces with contemporary Minneapolis elements creates a compelling contrast. Try surrounding a distressed farm table with modern chairs, or place a weathered coffee table atop a geometric area rug for a look that’s neither fully Southern nor typically Northern, but uniquely yours.
5. Layered Patterned Rugs
Southern homes embrace pattern mixing with confidence a design approach that can warm up Minneapolis interiors during those frigid winter months. Layering patterned rugs creates visual interest and adds insulation against cold floors, making this Southern styling trick doubly functional in Northern climates.
Start with a larger, more neutral base rug, then add smaller, more vibrant patterns on top. This creates depth while maintaining balance. The layering technique works particularly well in Minneapolis homes with hardwood floors, adding warmth without covering up beautiful wood grain.
If you’re worried about overwhelming your space, stick to a cohesive color palette while varying pattern scales. This Southern approach to floor coverings transforms Minneapolis living areas into cozy, inviting spaces that feel thoughtfully collected rather than perfectly matched a welcome contrast to more minimal Northern design traditions.
6. Vintage Sideboards
Hunt through Minneapolis antique shops for a Southern-style vintage sideboard these substantial pieces bring instant character to dining rooms and entryways. With their generous storage and display surfaces, they’re as practical for Minnesota entertaining as they are for Southern hospitality.
Dark wood sideboards with ornate details create a beautiful contrast against the lighter woods and cleaner lines typically found in Minneapolis homes. They become statement pieces that anchor a room while providing functional storage for seasonal items.
Display your collection of glassware or family photos atop these sturdy furnishings to create a sense of history. Many Minneapolis homeowners find that incorporating these heritage pieces among more contemporary furnishings creates an eclectic, collected look that feels both personal and timeless bridging the gap between Southern tradition and Northern practicality.
7. Pastel Painted Cabinets
Break away from Minneapolis’s typically neutral kitchen palette with a splash of Southern charm. Soft mint, pale blue, or buttery yellow cabinets bring unexpected cheerfulness to Northern kitchens, especially during those long winter months when color seems to disappear from the landscape.
These gentle hues work surprisingly well with the natural materials often found in Minneapolis homes. Pair pastel cabinets with butcher block countertops or exposed brick for a balanced look that respects both design traditions.
Minneapolis homeowners might consider painting just lower cabinets or a kitchen island in these Southern-inspired shades for a more subtle approach. This touch of color creates a friendly, welcoming atmosphere that counteracts the sometimes stark minimalism of Northern design, resulting in spaces that feel both sophisticated and approachable perfect for gathering during those famous Minnesota winters.
8. Porch-Style Ceiling Fans
Wide-blade ceiling fans reminiscent of Southern verandas serve double duty in Minneapolis homes. During summer months, they circulate air efficiently, while in winter, they can be reversed to push warm air downward making them both stylish and practical for Minnesota’s dramatic seasonal shifts.
These architectural elements bring a touch of Southern leisure to Minneapolis spaces. Look for fans with wooden blades and antique bronze or black finishes that complement both traditional Southern aesthetics and contemporary Northern design sensibilities.
Installing these fans in sunrooms, screened porches, or even main living areas creates an instant vacation feeling. They work particularly well in Minneapolis homes with higher ceilings, where they become focal points that draw the eye upward while referencing the gracious outdoor living spaces so central to Southern architecture a nostalgic nod to warmer climates even as snow falls outside.
9. Gingham Upholstery
Gingham patterns bring instant Southern charm to Minneapolis interiors. This classic check design whether in traditional blue and white or modern interpretations adds visual interest without overwhelming spaces typically designed with Scandinavian restraint.
Consider incorporating gingham through accent pieces like armchairs, ottoman covers, or window seat cushions. These touches create conversation-starting focal points while maintaining the overall clean aesthetic Minneapolis homes are known for.
What makes gingham particularly suitable for Minneapolis is its versatility across seasons. In summer, it feels fresh and breezy; in winter, it reads as cozy and comforting when paired with heavier textures. This adaptability makes it perfect for Minnesota’s dramatic seasonal changes bringing a consistent thread of Southern hospitality to Northern interiors year-round while creating spaces that feel thoughtfully designed rather than rigidly themed.
