Modern Kitchen Design: Spaces Driven by Character

Are you making plans for a new kitchen this year? As the process begins, you’re probably asking yourself: What trends are defining kitchen style in 2026? As custom home builders and remodelers, we’d say modern kitchen design is driven by character. Our clients want to create homes that reflect their unique interests, lifestyles, and design sensibilities. Below is a brief list of features owners are choosing to increase their kitchen’s functionality and express their style.

• Statement Appliances
  Hiding and blending appliances still have a place in kitchen design. But more homeowners are also adding statement appliances with bold colors, metallic accents, and other bespoke finishes.

• Banquettes
  There is nothing cozier than a built-in booth or corner seating! We love how these built-ins elevate a kitchen or dining nook, making it feel special.

• Sculptural Islands
  Kitchen islands have always been functional, but an emphasis on detailing and beauty is making them more ornate, like a piece of fine furniture.

• Prep Kitchens
  Whether you call it a larder, butler’s pantry, or prep kitchen, these tucked-away spaces keep cooking messes and kitchen clutter out of sight, making hosting a breeze!

• Integrated Bars
  Custom bars remain a massive kitchen trend that isn’t losing steam! From coffee to beverages to cocktails to smoothies, these integrated stations allow artful entertaining and extend the kitchen gracefully into other living areas.

• Full-Height Backsplashes
  Practical and pretty, full-height backsplashes bring a splash of design drama and provide a visual backdrop to any kitchen. They’re also easier to clean than tile and can provide an extra ledge for storage and display.

• Separated Spaces
  While open floor plans were all the rage for years, homeowners are craving separate spaces in the post-pandemic era. Separated spaces allow more privacy, contain messes, lower noise levels, and complement traditional/formal gatherings.

Ready to be inspired by character-driven kitchen design? Scroll below to see our clients’ expressive kitchens - they are all absolutely stunning!

Remodeling vs. Custom Build: How REFINED's Dual Expertise Helps You Decide What's Best for Your Family

The Foundation of Your Dream Home

Family life is full of countless decisions, both big and small. What should we eat for dinner tonight? Should the kids play soccer or basketball? Where should we go on vacation this summer? When it comes to home ownership, the decisions can be even more endless, the greatest being: should we remodel our home or build a new custom one? How do you know which option is best for your family? What does that conversation even look like?

Where you live feels consequential because it is - it touches every part of family life. Remodeling or building a new home impacts your finances, community, and lifestyle. Not to mention the emotional stakes when kids are involved; their house, school, and neighborhood are the center of a kid’s universe. Change can be good, but it’s still challenging.

If your family is weighing whether or not to remodel or build, REFINED Custom Homes is uniquely qualified to lead the process. Our team has built and renovated over 100 homes in Edina and the surrounding area. We know the ins and outs of high-end remodeling, custom building, and real estate. This dual expertise is the single most valuable resource for determining the ideal path for your family and future.

Keep reading to explore the pros and cons of remodeling versus building and how our team can help you navigate the process.

The Case for Remodeling: Enhancing What You Have

So, what’s the case for staying put and remodeling? Above all else, you get to avoid the logistical headache of moving, but here are a few more pros:

• Preserve Your Location
  You can replace a house and things, but you can’t replace people. Staying in your current neighborhood means maintaining ties to school, community, family, and friends. Those connections are irreplaceable.

• Targeted Improvement
  Remodeling is an ideal solution for focusing on specific problem areas in your home (for example, the kitchen, master suite, or basement) without having to start over again from scratch.

• Understanding the Process
  At REFINED, our team understands that remodeling is about equally balancing the need to maximize and maintain an existing structure. We take great care to respect every home’s history while fulfilling its design potential. Scroll through our Remodeling gallery for a glimpse of our work!

• When to Remodel
  To summarize, here are a few key indicators that may indicate remodeling is a better fit for your home/family: a desirable location, a good mortgage rate, increased equity, strong school/community connections, a smaller project scope, and a tight housing market/low inventory.

The Appeal of Custom Building: Starting with a Blank Slate

We’ve covered the benefits of remodeling, so what are the advantages of starting over with a custom build? Namely, the biggest win is designing exactly what you want, but here are some more pros:

• Total Personalization
  Have you been dreaming of a fully customized space? Building from scratch ensures near total design freedom - every detail and choice can reflect your vision and lifestyle.

• Modern Performance
  A new home means the latest in technology, performance materials, smart home features, and energy efficiency upgrades. No need to worry about replacing decades-old water heaters or inefficient windows; it’s smooth sailing with brand-new warranties.

• Understanding the Process
  When it comes to building custom homes in the Twin Cities Metro, the REFINED team has done it all. We’ve built over 100 custom homes in Edina and the surrounding area, and our experienced professionals guide you seamlessly through the entire process, from lot selection to architectural design to materials selection to construction to the final move-in.

• When to Custom Build

  To summarize, here are a few key indicators that may indicate building a custom home is a better fit for your home/family: an unappealing location, limited space for expansion, too many updates needed, or potential repairs outpace the home’s value.

REFINED's Dual Expertise: Your Trusted Advisor
After you’ve weighed out all of the pros and cons of remodeling or building, the next crucial step is finding a team you can trust. The people you invite into your home aren’t just tradespeople for hire; they’re your trusted advisors. At REFINED Custom Homes, our dual expertise in building and remodeling is exactly the skillset you want in your corner. Here are a few of the standout elements of our design process:

• The Crucial Consultation
  Before any new project, our team begins with an in-depth consultation. We assess your home, your current and future lifestyle needs, your budget, and long-term family goals before making recommendations.

• Unbiased Guidance
  We are committed to providing our clients with unbiased guidance. Our priority above all else is helping you find the best option for your family and home with our experience and expertise as a guide.

• Pivoting with Confidence
  We all know surprises happen, and plans change, especially when it comes to home projects. A huge advantage of a builder like REFINED is that we can seamlessly transition from a complex remodel to a custom build if the existing structure proves too limiting or costly.

Making the Right Decision for Your Family

Being at a decision-making crossroads with your home can be paralyzing. With so many factors to consider, it can feel impossible to decipher the right path. However, what’s most important in the end is finding the right decision for your specific family.

Whether you stay put and remodel your current home or start over with a new build, each process has its benefits and drawbacks. At REFINED, you don't have to choose a builder who only specializes in one area. As your plans evolve, you’ll have a design partner who can lead you down the best path for you. Contact REFINED today to schedule a no-obligation consultation and start planning your project!

Our 2025 Year in Review

Can you believe the holidays are already here? As 2025 comes to an end, we’re reflecting on the year. Our team has so much to be thankful for: work that inspires us, talented collaborators, brilliant coworkers, and our fabulous clients.

Want to learn all about our favorite projects and trends from the past year? Keep reading below to see a few of our top highlights! Lastly, we want to wish you a holiday season filled with joy, peace, and love. We hope your coming year is abundant with good health, overflowing happiness, and new growth - cheers to 2026!

2025 Home Exterior Inspiration

From pulling into the driveway to walking up to the front door for the first time, your home should make a memorable design impression. Building a custom home is about the details. We calibrate elements to your distinct taste from top to bottom. We carefully craft our clients' homes because the small things matter; they become the background of our lives. Read the blog for some of our favorite exterior design inspiration!

Style Spotlight Series: Coastal Design

In 2025, we launched the Style Spotlight Series on our blog! The first trend we explored was coastal design. Breezy, bright, and natural, coastal style stands the test of time. Originating in seaside vacation homes, coastal design evolved into an aesthetic that transcends the beach. We love this style because it creates calm, classic, welcoming spaces. Head to the blog for our clients’ beautiful variations on this captivating style!

Style Spotlight Series: Eclectic Home Design

The second trend we highlighted in our Style Spotlight Series was Eclectic Design. One of the more elusive styles to pin down, the chief rule of eclectic style is that there are no rules. Fun and surprising, this style is all about showcasing your unique taste and design personality. Although there’s no guidebook, some hallmarks that define eclectic style are mixing patterns, worldly or travel-inspired decor, combining old and new, bold use of color, and unexpected choices. Visit the blog to see more of this playful, inspiring home style!

Home Design We Love: Indoor-Outdoor Living

When it comes to home design we love, it’s hard to top indoor-outdoor living spaces - they’re truly the best of both worlds! Indoor-outdoor home features allow you to enjoy the sunshine without the humidity, a warm evening free from bugs, or lounge poolside with the bar steps away. As the seasons change, these spaces are a real lifesaver during rollercoaster weather days. You get a taste of the outdoors but can still control your environment - think fireplaces! Read the blog to explore our clients’ stunning indoor-outdoor spaces!

Style Spotlight Series: Minimalist Home Design

The third installment of our Style Spotlight series was Minimalist Home Design. While the name implies simplicity, minimalist home design can be complex to nail down. Minimalism isn’t only about having fewer things; it’s about making selections with intention and letting them shine. The phrase “less is more” is often ascribed to minimalists. We’d also emphasize “quality over quantity”. Want to see more of our favorite minimalist homes? Scroll through the blog for our clients’ elegant spaces!

Creekside Casual New Construction

How do you seamlessly blend traditional elements and casual California style? This new construction in Edina is a remarkable example of a timeless yet on-trend aesthetic. Inside and out, this beautiful home boasts clean lines, warm woodwork, neutral colors, and splashes of pattern and moody tones. Are you ready to see more of this beautiful Edina home? Head to the blog to view our favorite features and every stunning detail!

New Build: Charming Traditional in Edina

Although it wasn’t furnished yet, we couldn’t resist sharing a sneak peek of this traditional new construction in Edina! Part of the delight of our work is that everything we build is a blank slate, a new chapter for those homeowners. Helping people define their version of home is deeply meaningful - it always will be. This lovely project is filled with features and flourishes that distinguish it from any run-of-the-mill traditional home. Visit the blog to look inside and virtually walk through this charming Edina home!

2026 Home Design Trends

The one constant in life is change. Just as the seasons shift, so too do our homes. As we enter the final months of 2025, we’re thinking ahead to the home design trends 2026 will bring. Designers always have their finger on the pulse of what interests homeowners; it’s their job to soak up industry and client trends like a sponge.

However, discernment is another essential dimension of their work. As design and construction guides, our clients count on us for expert advice. Knowing the industry inside and out isn’t just our passion; it’s paramount to our credibility and to your project’s success. Keep reading to see which trends our team predicts will rise to the top in 2026!

Wellness Takes Center Stage
Good health is wealth; this truth resonates more than ever post-pandemic. As more homeowners incorporate wellness routines into their lifestyles, their homes naturally follow suit. Current wellness trends revolve around creating a space to recharge, find peace, and ground oneself through self-care practices such as meditation, cold plunging, red light therapy, yoga, pilates, or saunas.

Color Drenching
Whether you love or loathe them, stark whites have dominated homes in recent years. In 2026, minimalist aesthetics are falling to the wayside in favor of maximalism. This embrace of more includes everything: more patterns, more textiles, more color, more tile, more furnishings. A perfect example of this trend is color drenching, which covers every detail of a space with a single shade, from walls to trim to ceilings. The result? A striking space that leaves an impression!

Room for Recreation
Long live hobbies! Balancing work and play is a hot topic for a reason: so many people are burnt out and craving fun. More and more homeowners are creating spaces for their passions, hobbies, and recreation. We’ve seen an increase in things like golf simulators, batting cages, pickleball courts, and, of course, sports courts. For those who aren’t as into breaking a sweat, game rooms, reading nooks, libraries, and craft rooms are also popular home additions.

Connection to Nature
Few things restore the mind and body like nature. As our lives become increasingly hectic, online, and automated, homeowners are seeking a greater connection with nature. This trend manifests in many ways, from material choices to natural lighting to organic textures to indoor/outdoor spaces to plants and landscaping. Our clients, in particular, love sunrooms, porches, and patios that blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces— they’re a beautiful way to let nature in!

Artisan Craftsmanship
The last design trend we’re predicting for 2026 is a renewed appreciation for artisan craftsmanship. Rather than opting for cookie-cutter style or mass-produced materials, our clients are seeking out one-of-a-kind objects. People are embracing imperfection in the name of authenticity, sourcing items such as vintage pieces, heirlooms, local artwork, and custom-made artisan furniture. Not only do these items tell a story, but they also grow in character as they age with you. Personal spaces are winning out over polished perfection.