MIDWEST ACCESS: July 9, 2026

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – Check out all of the segments of today’s episode!

SEGMENT 1: Thursdays Downtown in Rochester

SEGMENT 2: Estelle’s Eatery at Thursdays Downtown

SEGMENT 3: Bitter and Pour Drink-Making Lessons

SEGMENT 4: Real Talk with Robin -2026 Home Design Trends: What’s In, What’s Out & What Adds Value in Rochester

According to Rochester Realtor Robin Gwaltney of the Gwaltney Group of REMAX, one thing is clear about home design in 2026: function and long-term value matter more than flashy fads. The pandemic era may be behind us, but many of the lifestyle changes it sparked are still shaping what people want in a house today.

One of the biggest winners, Gwaltney says, is functional kitchens. That doesn’t always mean bigger, but it does mean smarter. Rochester buyers are asking for large islands, walk-in pantries, deep drawers, upgraded countertops, under-cabinet lighting, and soft-close cabinets and drawers. These features aren’t just luxuries – they’re showing up on wish lists for first-time buyers, growing families, and downsizers alike.

Another must-have that’s here to stay is home offices and flex rooms. With remote and hybrid work still common, people want a room with a door, decent storage, good natural light, and enough space to look professional on video calls. But flexibility is key. The same room may double as a guest bedroom, a workout space, or a hobby room. In many cases, Gwaltney notes, this kind of flex room is more valuable to buyers than a formal or oversized dining room they’ll rarely use.

For the Rochester market in particular, main floor living is a major plus. With so many people coming to the area for healthcare jobs or medical care, homes that work well for all stages of life stand out. Main-floor primary bedrooms with en suites, main-floor laundry, few or no stairs, and wider hallways are all features that support aging in place and long-term comfort.

Energy efficiency continues to gain momentum too. High-efficiency furnaces, better insulation, newer windows, and smart thermostats are no longer “nice extras” – they’re expected, especially as utility costs rise and more buyers factor monthly operating expenses into their home decisions.

Outdoor living is another area where buyers are thinking beyond basic decks. Many now see outside spaces as true extensions of the home. Covered patios or screened-in porches, composite decking, fire pits, outdoor kitchens, and privacy landscaping are becoming more desirable. A well-planned backyard can feel like an extra living room for three seasons of the year.

Inside the door, practical spaces like mudrooms are also rising on the priority list. Bench seating, locker-style storage, shoe organization, and plenty of coat hooks help keep daily clutter under control. For busy households – especially in a four-season climate – these little details make a big difference in how a home lives day to day.

Not every popular look from the last decade is holding its value, though. The “all gray everything” era is fading. Walls, floors, and cabinets done in layer after layer of gray are giving way to warmer, earthier tones that feel more inviting. The same is true in the kitchen. All-white kitchens are still a classic, but designers and buyers are increasingly drawn to warm wood tones, painted islands, and mixed colors and materials that add personality without feeling cold or sterile.

The overdone farmhouse look is also losing some steam. Barn doors in multiple rooms, shiplap on wall after wall, distressed finishes everywhere, and word signs in every corner aren’t disappearing completely, but they’re no longer the automatic go-to. Today’s buyers are favoring a more edited, less theme-park version of farmhouse style.

Black fixtures are another area where moderation matters. Black faucets and hardware are still very popular and can look fresh and modern. But when every door, window, cabinet, and light fixture is black, it can lock a home into a very specific moment in time. Mixing metal finishes and materials tends to age better and gives rooms more depth and character.

Highly trendy accent walls are also risky from a resale standpoint. Geometric wood slats, bold murals, and other heavily styled feature walls can date a space quickly. What looks “in” today can feel tired a few years down the road, and some buyers may see them as projects to undo rather than perks.

Underneath all of these shifts, though, are certain features that never really go out of style. Great, logical floorplans. Large garages. Quality windows. High ceilings. Finished basements. Plenty of storage. Walk-in pantries. Quartz or stone countertops. Hardwood or other high-quality flooring. Updated bathrooms. A comfortable primary suite. Energy-efficient systems. And move-in ready conditions. These are the elements that tend to hold value no matter what colors or cabinet styles are trending.

For homeowners thinking about updates, Gwaltney also points to some pitfalls to avoid. Highly customized built-ins that fit only one specific need can turn off future buyers, especially if they eat into flexible space. Extremely bold tile patterns may photograph well but can be polarizing in person. And ultra-trendy accent walls or finishes might feel fun in the moment but often end up being the first thing a new owner wants to change.

In the end, Gwaltney says buyers in the Rochester area are showing they’re willing to pay more for homes that function well – not just homes that chase the latest look on social media. Layout, storage, energy efficiency, and flexible spaces consistently outperform short-lived design fashions when it comes to resale value. For anyone planning a remodel or build in 2026, focusing on how a home lives day to day may be the smartest design trend of all.

SEGMENT 5: Thursdays Downtown Walk & Talk