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From neutral palettes to maximalist mixes today’s homes embrace it all
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MT. PLEASANT — Interior home design continues to change with the times. From the sleek lines of minimalism to the bold colors and layered textures of maximalist, homeowners are embracing a wider variety of styles than ever before. Neutral palettes with subtle accents sit comfortably alongside midcentury silhouettes, rustic woods, and floral patterns making a comeback.
For Heather Leichty, owner of Your Dream Home Furniture and Floors in Mt. Pleasant, one noticeable shift she sees is in a room people used to overlooked. Bathroom design has shifted dramatically in recent years, moving from small, utilitarian spaces to showcase rooms where homeowners invest in comfort, convenience, and style.
Leichty says she has seen this shift unfold.
“We’ve always done ceramic tile showers,” she said. “Now we’re adding solid surface showers. Instead of having individual tiles, you have larger panels. It’s a different material, and we’re launching into that now.”
The move mirrors a national shift. The National Kitchen & Bath Association’s 2025 trends report notes that solid surface walls and large-format tiles are among the most in-demand bathroom features. With fewer grout lines and non-porous surfaces, the designs make cleaning easier while giving bathrooms a streamlined, spa-like appearance.
“The appeal is practical as well as aesthetic,” Leichty said. “It’s streamlined, it’s easier to take care of, and people love the look.”
With one of the largest ceramic tile showrooms in southeast Iowa, Your Dream Home draws homeowners who want options ranging from classic patterns to modern, oversize tiles that mimic stone or wood.
“We have a lot of variety, and that helps people see what’s possible,” Leichty said. “Sometimes you don’t know what you want until you see it.”
Bathrooms aren’t the only spaces undergoing transformation. Flooring choices often set the tone for a larger remodel.
Nationally, the NKBA reports that homeowners are prioritizing durable, statement-making flooring that blends looks with longevity — whether that’s ceramic tile, luxury vinyl, or wide-plank wood. In Mt. Pleasant, Leichty sees the same thing.
“A lot of times when you put a new floor in, you want a new couch,” Leichty said. “Or it’s a bedroom, and you need a new mattress and things like that.”
As Leichty helps clients pick out new showers, floors, cabinets and furniture, she says she has seen individual styles become more and more fluid in recent years.
“Unlike it used to be, when you’d have, like, one trend — like, there’s just so many different trends at once,” she said. “Midcentury is big. Florals are coming back in big time and there’s a lot of neutral on neutral with pops of color.”
Traditional furniture and fixtures aren’t disappearing, either. They’re being reimagined or coupled with other trends.
“They’re taking those Windsor chairs that are popular everywhere and making them a little more modern looking,” Leichty said. “It’s about mixing — traditional with modern, florals with clean lines. There’s something for everyone right now.”
She recalled pairing two very different chairs together in a display.
“That’s a good mix, because while midcentury was around, they were still doing the other look in the ’50s as well with it,” she said. “So, I mean, it’s very His and Her chairs.”
That mix-and-match approach reflects what designers across the country are seeing: homeowners personalizing spaces rather than following one prescribed look. Some lean into maximalist, layering bold colors, patterns, and textures. Others opt for calming neutrals punctuated by a single bold accent. Rustic woods, marbled countertops, and sleek black-and-white palettes also continue to gain traction.
Leichty said the key is understanding not just what looks good, but how a family actually lives. With Your Dream Home focusing not only on providing a wide variety of products, but also design consulting, Leichty enjoys helping her clients achieve all their goals.
“We help solve the problems that they have, that they’re needing to change,” she said. “And that’s really big for us, is listening to our customers to make sure we have what they need.”
It’s a philosophy rooted in her background. Leichty grew up with parents who worked in real estate and appraising, so she has been around housing her entire life.
“We built homes, and then we ventured into this area,” she said. “It’s been full circle.”
Fifteen years ago, she and her husband, Dwayne, purchased Your Dream Home. The business itself has served Mt. Pleasant families for more than 70 years.
The couple recently put their design philosophy to the test at home.
“We tore down walls, moved things, moved a stairway, knocked down the wall between our dining room and kitchen. We did a whole new kitchen, ceiling, floors, walls — all the way through into our living and dining room,” she said. “It was a lot of stuff, but it was worth it.”
The renovation reflects the same priorities Leichty hears from her customers: open spaces, continuity between rooms, and finishes that bring everything together. Raising ceilings, unifying flooring, and opening traffic flow made the Leichtys’ home brighter and more functional.
Whether it’s a full-scale remodel or a single project, she said, the end goal is always the same: to make a house reflect the people who live there.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
