As people continue to spend more time at home, there's a growing demand for spaces that are not only beautiful but also deeply functional and uniquely personal. Closet Factory in the Twin Cities is seeing this shift firsthand, blending organization, style, and smart design across closets, laundry rooms, mudrooms, and more. We sat down with owners Theresa and Doug Williams to learn about the design trends shaping today’s homes – and how they work with clients to bring their dream spaces to life.
What are the top five design trends you're seeing in home organization right now?
- Boutique-Inspired Closets: Homeowners want their closet to feel like a luxury retail experience. Think open shelving, glass-front cabinets, and elegant lighting to showcase their wardrobe, often with a central island. It's about making getting dressed a special occasion.
- Minimalist and Streamlined Designs: This trend emphasizes clean lines, simplicity, and a clutter-free environment. It's all about calm aesthetics, often with monochromatic colors, hidden storage, and highly organized open shelving. It reflects a broader desire for decluttering and efficiency.
- Multifunctional Spaces: Closets are no longer just for clothes. We're seeing them integrate home office nooks, dressing room vanities, or even small relaxation zones. This is crucial as people spend more time at home and need every square foot to work harder.
- The Adaptable Mudroom/Entryway: Especially here in Minnesota, these 'transition zones' are becoming robust, organized hubs. We're designing them with custom built-ins, dedicated drop zones for keys and mail, and a strong aesthetic appeal that mirrors the rest of the home. It's vital for clutter control and managing our climate.
- The Calm & Efficient Laundry Room: These are no longer just chore spaces; they're serene, highly organized areas. We're focusing on thoughtful layouts, smart storage with custom cabinetry and pull-out hampers, and durable, beautiful finishes. It's about making a dreaded chore more pleasant and adding value to the home.
What are people looking for in a well-designed space?
Ultimately, people are looking for a blend of functionality, personalized aesthetics, and comfort. It's no longer just about a space looking good; it's about how it makes them feel and how well it supports their lifestyle.
For general home areas, people prioritize smart layouts, optimized, often hidden, storage, and multipurpose zones that adapt to their needs, like a dining room that doubles as a homework station. Aesthetically, they want their homes to reflect their personality and evoke a sense of calm or joy through color, lighting, and texture.
When it comes to a well-designed closet, it's about maximizing storage and organization. They want specific spaces, visible storage and adjustability to evolve with their wardrobe. Beyond that, they desire a luxurious, boutique-like experience with high-quality materials and excellent lighting. Ease of use and good flow are also essential.
How does Closet Factory help clients achieve that perfect balance of form and function?
Our process is truly collaborative, starting with great listening. We conduct an initial consultation to understand their lifestyle, daily routines, pain points, and aspirations. We ask specific 'living questions' about how they use their home, their hobbies, and even how many shoes they own! We also differentiate between their wish list and their must-haves.
Then, we move into style exploration. We use “this or that” exercises with images to pinpoint their aesthetic preferences, and critically, we use 3D renderings and floor plans. This helps clients vividly visualize the proposed design in their actual space, making it much easier for them to give concrete feedback and ensure there are no surprises.
Throughout the entire process, we maintain transparent communication, presenting a few well-thought-out design options and constantly seeking honest feedback. We're flexible, adjust designs based on their input, and always manage the budget proactively. Building that trust is paramount to achieving their vision.
Are there any broader trends or regional preferences that are shaping home design locally?
Beyond specific room trends, we are definitely seeing broader shifts. In colors, people are embracing earthy neutrals with depth, like warm taupes and muted sage greens, which create a calming backdrop. We're also seeing a lot of rich, deep tones like navy and forest green for sophistication, and warm metallics like brass are still very much in.
In terms of materials and general trends, wellness-focused design is huge – creating spaces that promote well-being through natural light and quiet zones. There's a strong current of 'quiet luxury,' emphasizing high-quality, timeless materials over overt flashiness. People are loving bringing the outdoors in with natural wood tones and stone.
Here in Minnesota, our climate definitely shapes design. Mudrooms are absolutely crucial for managing snow and mud. Designs often lean into creating warm, inviting spaces for our long winters. While global trends influence us, Minnesotans often appreciate a blend of classic elements with modern updates. And given our family-oriented community, durability, practical storage, and kid-friendly but stylish solutions are always top of mind. Our commitment is always to client satisfaction – we're truly passionate about creating spaces that enhance their lives.
Want to explore a custom space of your own? Schedule a consultation with Closet Factory and start designing a home that truly fits you. closetfactory.com.