This feature was written by Studio MSP writers. While some of our advertisers were sourced, no advertiser paid to be included.
In the Kitchen
The Bigger, The Better
The kitchen is the definitive hub of activity while entertaining, and current trends lean into our desire to indulge in good food and conversation at the heart of the home. “Everybody ends up hanging out there, so we’re seeing kitchens becoming bigger,” says John Kraemer of John Kraemer and Sons. “We’re seeing massive islands with a ton of seating.”
What you won’t see in many new islands? Sinks. While sink placement comes down to personal preference, of course, Kraemer notes many homeowners are relegating the sink to another countertop to keep the island free from clutter. “It’s more of a gathering space than a workspace.”
“Everybody ends up hanging out [at the island], so we’re seeing kitchens becoming bigger.” –John Kraemer / John Kraemer and Sons
Home Chef
Between appliances like gourmet ranges, steam ovens, and wine fridges, homeowners can get the restaurant experience from the comfort of their home. “During the COVID years, we entered into this era where everybody started cooking more, and people got a lot more invested in preparing meals at home and eating healthier,” says Ross Agnello of All Inc. “So now people want a more sophisticated product that does a better job of turning out high-quality food because they’re using it more.”
Even for those who think they’d qualify for Worst Cooks in America, “we’re seeing more and more ovens that have a gourmet function, where you can tell it what you’re cooking, and it’ll basically cook for you and tell you how to do it perfectly—all the way down to what kind of pan to use and what oven rack to put it on,” Agnello adds.
Beyond cooking, other smart features elevating home kitchens include appliances like Wi-Fi-enabled refrigerators with cameras to help you keep track of your inventory and build your grocery list, built-in coffee stations and hydro taps for sparkling water, and dishwashers you can start from your phone.
But when it comes to choosing smart appliances for your kitchen, the pros advise, don’t get distracted by every shiny object—make sure your choices reflect your lifestyle. “We are always focused on building better, which means we are here to provide guidance, advocacy, and education to our clients to determine which areas of their home would benefit most with smart technology, paired to fit within their budget, so their smart systems function for their personal experiences,” says Lynne Shears of Streeter Custom Builder.
Stainless
Stainless steel once reigned supreme for appliances because of its durability and easy maintenance, but “in the appliance world, the expectations have changed,” Agnello says. “Now, it’s like two ends of the spectrum: Homeowners either want to make a statement and be incredibly bold with color—like custom ranges and range hoods, colorful refrigerators—or they want the appliances to disappear” with panels that blend into the surrounding cabinetry.
Smart Storage Solutions
Sculleries—also known as prep kitchens or working kitchens—are the best secret weapon for people who love to host. Tucked behind the main kitchen, sculleries allow homeowners to move appliances, prep work, and cleanup out of sight, leaving the kitchen open for entertaining.
To make these kitchens even more functional, some builders and architects are adding features like guillotine doors, sliding panels, and voice-controlled movable backsplashes that open to reveal the scullery space behind. This way, “you can have a coffee maker or toaster stored in the back kitchen and use it there, or you can slide open a pass-through and pull it into the kitchen to use,” says Matthew Erickson of TEA2 Architects. This is a smart solution “for those high-use items that you need every day but you don’t necessarily want to look at all the time.”
Finishes with Finesse
While sleek, all-white kitchens are still popular, and likely not disappearing anytime soon, the trend no longer has the stronghold on homeowners it used to. “We’ve been seeing more and more splashes of color,” Erickson says. “Whether it’s strong and bold or subtle, today’s kitchens have more personality, and clients are willing to be not quite as safe with the all-white kitchens.”
Texture is also being incorporated into kitchen design to add depth and contrast in the form of natural wood islands with heavy graining or wire brushing, natural stone backsplashes and countertops, mixed-metal plumbing fixtures, and unexpected materials on cabinetry. “Finishes for cabinetry are celebrating the use of new materials by adding linen fabrics to cabinet door faces to bring a textural element,” Shears says. Another boundary-pushing finish technique, she adds, is fumed or “smoked” oak treated with ammonia to darken the wood color to “complement the subtle textures and patterns found in wood grains.”
“Whether it’s strong and bold or subtle, today’s kitchens have more personality, and clients are willing to be not quite as safe.” –Matthew Erickson / TEA2 Architects
Natural Connection
Indoor-outdoor living leads to many health benefits, including better sleep, improved mental focus, and a reduction in stress, so it makes sense that homeowners are constantly looking for ways to bring a touch of nature into their spaces. Marvin’s Awaken Skylight, for example, can be installed above islands to flood kitchens with natural light and unobstructed views of the sky. Then, at night, tunable lighting mimics the ideal color temperature of natural light. “Imagine it’s evening or nighttime,” says Lisa Massari of Marvin. “You’re still getting that beautiful warm glow coming from the ceiling. I think that really sets the ambience for the whole house.”
Also popular are multi-slide and bifold doors off the kitchen that open to alfresco dining spaces and outdoor kitchens complete with wood-fired pizza ovens, built-in grills, fireplaces, and beer taps. “It goes along with the elevated expectation for what people want and what they can take advantage of for themselves in their home—but also what they can show off and entertain with,” Agnello says.
Nature pops up in other unexpected ways too, such as dark green cabinetry or tiles with botanical motifs. “We have a newer tile that we developed based on a botanical print: It has a creamy white background with greens, and it’s flown off the shelves,” says Kirsty Froelich of The Tile Shop. “That tells me people are willing to put a little bit of fun and artistic flair into their tiles.”
Matchy-Matchy
While black window frames have become a fast favorite for the contrast and modern aesthetic they lend to a space, another eye-catching option is stained or primed wood frames that can be matched to the kitchen cabinetry. “It’s a very high-end, custom look,” Massari says.
In the Bathroom
Spa-Like Serenity
The people have spoken: We want—nay, need—our bathrooms to feel like a retreat where we can kick back in a bubble bath, preferably with a glass of bubbly in hand, and forget the stressors of the day. We’re so invested in this vision that we’re willing to sacrifice bedroom space. “Primary suites continue to get larger, but primary bedrooms continue to get smaller,” Kraemer says. “The majority of the real estate in the primary suite is eaten up by the bathroom and closet.”
So, what are we putting in these oversize bathrooms? “Overall, bathrooms are becoming more spa-like, a place to get away and relax,” Kraemer says. Think: steam showers, large soaking tubs, heated floors, double vanities, cold-plunge tubs, saunas, and towel warmers. Add a built-in coffee bar for those early-morning wake-up calls, and we’d never leave.
Bonjour to the Bidet
It’s quite possible that we’re all scarred from the Great Toilet Paper Shortage of 2020, as many homeowners are trading in their Charmin hoards for a more hygienic, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective alternative: bidets. If you’re unfamiliar, the bidet, which originated in France centuries ago, is a toilet attachment that uses a stream of water to cleanse…you get the idea. “Clients who are very well traveled and have been all over the place request bidets when they’ve used them in other countries,” Kraemer says. “That’s a luxury feature.”
Let’s Talk Tile
For years, white marble was the aesthetic du jour for tile. Now, “people are realizing you can have a lot of fun and put your own individual stamp on your spaces,” Froelich says, noting trends such as large-format tiles, handmade-look tiles, and colorful tiles spanning from taupes and beiges to blues and greens.
You can also add visual interest with how tiles are laid, such as a checkerboard or herringbone pattern. Froelich is excited about a line of modular tiles currently in development that will allow people to create their own patterns. Above all, “use something that really speaks to you, whether it’s a color or a pattern,” she says. “So many people feel like they have to do white subway tile, but don’t miss out on the opportunity to do something unique.”
Tile Alternative
While materials like porcelain, ceramic, and marble are often the go-to for showers, Tadelakt is a surface option that’s been gaining popularity in recent years. “Tadelakt is an organic-yet-waterproof plaster finish that provides a seamless monolithic shower or backsplash wall that’s as smooth as silk but hard as stone,” Shears says. Though it has just recently started trending in the U.S., Tadelakt is not new. It’s been a hallmark of Moroccan architecture, typically applied in bathrooms or saunas, for centuries. Today, homeowners like Tadelakt for its organic texture, sophisticated look, and versatility—it can be molded to fit many interior design styles and dyed to match any color scheme.
Privacy, Please
“I don’t want any shortage of natural light in my bathroom when I’m getting ready,” Massari says. That’s why Marvin recently introduced switchable privacy glass on its Direct Glaze windows. Using liquid crystal technology, “it electrifies your windows at the push of a button, and your glass goes from clear to frosted,” Massari says.
“It’s a great solution that gives you that perfect balance.”
This article originally appeared in the August 2025 issue of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine.
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