What's a Keeping Room? Why this Traditional Home Space is Making a Comeback

What was old often becomes new again. Home design, in particular, is prone to this pattern. After all, what inspires nostalgia more than the idea of home? Architectural and interior trends will always pull the best from the past and blend it with contemporary style. For example, a current trend making a major comeback is the Keeping Room.

So, what is a Keeping Room? Rooted in 18th-century America, a Keeping Room was the cozy sitting area located adjacent to the kitchen. Because Colonial homes lacked heating systems beyond the fireplace, this room began as a place to keep people warm by retaining the kitchen’s heat. The kitchen was the home’s central hearth, and just like today, the hub of its activity. Family and guests would gather in the Keeping Room to socialize and wait for dinner to begin.

The question remains: how are Keeping Rooms being integrated into contemporary homes? This traditional space is making a comeback because homeowners will always love cozy gathering areas. If a separate space isn’t in the cards for your layout, a breakfast nook or oversized kitchen island is an excellent alternative to a Keeping Room. Ready to see more of this gorgeous trend? Scroll below to see our clients’ dreamy spaces!

Modern Classic

Warm Contemporary

Elevated Traditional

Coastal Cottage

Sophisticated Modern

Design Trend Deep Dive: Room for Recreation

Last fall, our team predicted the design trends that would rise to the top in 2026. Throughout the year, we’ve been breaking down each trend on the blog. So far, we’ve discussed the influence of wellness culture, how homeowners foster a connection with nature, and color drenching in interior style. Today, we’re focusing on spaces designed for home recreation.

Our opinion? Long live hobbies! Balancing work and play is a hot topic for a reason: so many people are burnt out and craving fun in their lives. 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. No matter what recreation or hobbies you pursue, it’s about designating a space that fosters joy and connection.

Want to explore a few of our favorite recreation-ready spaces? Scroll below for recreational rooms that are sure to inspire delight!

The Return of Wood in Home Design

As sure as the sun rises each day, home design trends are always evolving. Different decades are marked by their own design ethos, such as farmhouse style, all-white minimalism, mid-century modern, coastal Grandma style, or quiet luxury. Lately, the biggest trend we’ve seen rise to the top is the return of wood in home design.

So, what does that mean? Clearly, wood is an evergreen building material: it’s durable, natural, and looks beautiful. That being said, the use, treatment, and appearance of wood are constantly fluctuating with homeowner tastes. In recent years, we’ve seen medium-dark stains and natural wood grain make a huge comeback, along with warm tones of oak, walnut, elm, hickory, and cherry.

Beyond wood finishes, earthy, nature-inspired style is a major influence on current home trends. As we all crave more time outdoors and the peace nature brings, many homeowners are also choosing to bring the outside in through windows, textiles, patterns, wallpaper, tile, artwork, and more.

Are you drawn to woodwork or wood finishes in home design? If you’re searching for inspiration, scroll through the gallery below to see a few of our clients’ gorgeous use of wood throughout their homes!

High-End Mudrooms and "Paw-Washes": Designing for the 4-Season Minnesota Athlete & Pet

No matter the season, Minnesotans can often be found enjoying the great outdoors! Our state is lucky enough to experience all four seasons and every kind of weather in between; however, that doesn’t always feel like an advantage… All of that weather and outdoor fun can also lead to messes.

From hockey bags and muddy spring hiking gear to wet dogs coming back from the park and kids unloading their gear from a day on the lake, our mudrooms have to be ready for anything! Keep reading to learn more about the evolution of the luxury mudroom as a heavy-duty transition zone, and our favorite high-end mudroom upgrades.

• Pet Care Stations
  Furry friends are more than just pets; they are a part of the family. Of course, pet care has become more integrated into modern mudroom design - they’re going inside and outside all day! Homeowners are installing high-end pet washes/showers, custom feeding stations, and storage for all of their gear.

• Elevated Drop Zones
  A well-designed mudroom keeps up with your daily routine and eases busy transition times. Think an elevated drop zone for after-school and post-activity drop-offs, or individual storage lockers and cubbies, so everyone’s bags, outerwear, shoes, and accessories are ready and waiting in one spot!

• Sports Gear Upgrades
  If there’s one thing hearty Minnesotans love, it’s a winter weather sport. However, all that wet gear is a lot less fun. Upgrade to custom heated flooring for fast boot drying, integrated ventilation for hockey/sports gear, and keep the laundry area nearby to avoid smelly uniforms!

• Hidden Charging Station
  We probably don’t need to mention that tech integration is in everything now, from sports to hobbies to general health and wellness monitoring. Whether you’re charging smart outdoor gear, personal devices, or other gadgets, hidden charging stations will serve the whole family well. Not to mention, no one wants to detangle cords or fight over dead batteries when you could be out enjoying the great outdoors!

Want to see more high-end mudroom inspiration? Scroll below to explore a gallery of our clients' gorgeous homes! Each space is thoughtful, organized, and designed for busy family life.