Beans

2025 Top Remodeling/Color Trends

Trying to decide to start small or go BIG with home remodel? Rather you’re trying to freshen up your old digs, or completely gut your current space, I’ve put together a helpful list to help guide you through creating the ultimate comfort zone for your home.  

IN

1. Mid-Century Modern Style

This style is experiencing a resurgence, characterized by clean lines, warm natural wood tones, and bold accents. To achieve this look, combine sleek, minimal cabinetry with geometric tiles and a mix of retro and modern touches. Backlit backsplashes or under-cabinet color-changing LEDs can set different moods or highlight patterns or finishes. Incorporating vintage-style dining tables or bold bar stools can enhance the aesthetic. Lighting fixtures like brass pendants or starburst chandeliers add to the mid-century modern vibe.

2. Sustainable Materials

Eco-friendly materials such as bamboo, reclaimed wood, recycled glass, and stone finishes are gaining popularity.  Check out cork flooring or recycled glass countertops for a touch of luxury. These materials not only provide a unique, natural aesthetic but also contribute to reducing the carbon footprint and are eco-friendly. They are durable and ensure a timeless appeal. Wood with natural imperfections and knots are gaining popularity.

3. Eco-Friendly Kitchen Appliances

The trend towards sustainability extends to kitchen appliances, with energy-efficient (Energy Star rated) models and smart technology becoming more prevalent. Appliances crafted from recycled materials help conserve energy and water, promoting a healthier planet. Kitchen islands are also becoming more multi-functional by combining built-in sinks, cooktops, power outlets, and casual dining areas.

4. Kitchen Paint Colors 2025

Warm and earthy tones are at the forefront of kitchen paint trends. Colors like olive green, terracotta, and muted browns create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. These hues pair well with natural materials and contribute to a harmonious kitchen environment. Bold jewel tones are also a great choice, to personalize your space and give a touch of sophistication or drama to your space. Soft pastels like mint green, blush pink, and soft lavender are coming back by bringing a calming, fresh and welcoming atmosphere. Lastly, black accents are a modern, chic choice for kitchens in 2025. Rather it’s cabinetry, hardware or light fixtures, black always brings a touch of elegance and sophistication.  Black also pairs well with the majority of colors, that creates a bold contrast that enhances the overall kitchen design. Stick with matte rather than glossy for a timeless look. 

5. Trending Kitchen Finishes & Decor

Combining different textures and finishes adds depth and interest to kitchen spaces. Pairing brick walls with sleek, natural stone countertops can create a fun, industrial, modern feel. Full length back splashes and large-format flooring tiles can really help make your kitchen appear larger.  Matte finishes, mixed metals, and handcrafted details are becoming more popular, allowing for personalized and unique kitchen designs. Concealed kitchens are trending pretty hard. With built-in appliances, flush cabinets and appliance garages to keep things neatly hidden, it results in a sleek, minimalist look that gives a sleek, organized look.

6. Smart kitchens

As seen on a lot of the reno television shows, appliances with smart features are really gaining momentum in 2025. They are changing how we cook, clean, and manage our homes. From digital grocery lists, to voice controlled devices, smart appliances are really streamlining daily tasks and enhancing the overall cooking experience.

These 2025 trends reflect a movement towards creating spaces that are not only functional, but also stylish, sustainable, and reflective of personal taste. 

OUT

Gray has slightly fallen out of favor, as people want their space to feel more like home, rather than a cold, sterile, parking garage.  White also is falling into this category, where it is a little too safe, and frankly, boring. Unfortunately, open shelving seems to be fading out as a trend as well. Being completely organized with well stacked plates and matching glasses, isn’t realistic for most families. Piggy-backing off of open shelving, double height islands or countertops are very dated.  Think about taking down the higher level and using 1 sleek, seamless 1-level look. Sliding barn doors are heading out, unless you have a country style house. Choose a pocket door or a hidden hardware barn door for a more sleek look. Having an accent wall is out and definitely dated. Look more towards “color-drenching” with all 4 walls the same color.

Using artificial materials is out as well. Although they seem to be more cost effective, most people want to project a more natural and organic look in their spaces. Shy away from glass tabletops, they are more dated, dysfunctional and hard to keep clean. Stick with a solid wood table, for a more classic, up-to-date look.  Overall, people want to feel like they can come home and take their pants off and plop on the couch. The ultra modern, crisp white, completely open floorplans tend to give off a museum vibe and people are shying away to make room for a more cozy, lived-in vibe. 

Check out Judy's Carpet Cleaning for before/after cleaning!

by Beans

Eat Fresh, Buy Local-Farmers' Markets

🌿🍎 Support Local, Eat Fresh! 🍞🥕

Head out to your Local Farmer’s Market for a community gathering filled with fresh produce, handmade goods, and delicious treats!  Whether you're looking for farm-fresh veggies, artisan breads, or unique crafts, our market has something for everyone.

Come meet your local farmers, shop small, and enjoy the best flavors of the season! See you there! (Click on Name for website, list is ongoing and will be updated often)

#ShopLocal #FarmersMarket #FreshAndLocal

by Beans

Spring Has Sprung! Your Guide to Cleanup

Spring cleaning is the perfect time to refresh both your home and yard. Inside, it's all about de-cluttering, deep cleaning, and organizing spaces that have accumulated dust and clutter over the winter months. Outside, it's a chance to tidy up the garden, trim overgrown plants, and prepare your yard for the warmer months ahead. It's a great way to start fresh and enjoy a cleaner, more inviting space! Let’s brush up on Madison’s disposal resources and yard waste collection which may help you on your spring cleaning journey.

DROP-OFF SITES

• West:  402 South Point Rd. (year-round)
• East: 4602 Sycamore Ave.  (year-round)
• Central: 121 E. Olin Ave. (opens Monday, April 12)

WINTER HOURS

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 7:30AM - 2:30PM

EXPANDED HOURS

East and West Drop-off Sites (April 12 - December 4)

• Monday 7:30AM - 2:30PM
• Tuesday 7:30AM - 7PM
• Wednesday - closed
• Thursday 7:30AM - 7PM
• Friday 7:30AM - 2:30PM
• Saturday 9AM - 4PM
• Sunday - closed

Central Drop-off Site (April 12 - November 30)

• Monday 3PM - 7PM
• Tuesday 3PM - 7PM
• Wednesday - closed
• Thursday 3PM - 7PM
• Friday - closed
• Saturday 9AM - 4PM
• Sunday 9AM - 4PM

These items must be brought to a drop-off site to be recycled:

• computers
• laptops
• monitors
• printers
• televisions
• VCRs

Some items will require a recycling fee; check costs here.

For the SERIOUS SPRING CLEAN-UPS, rent a dumpster from PDL Waste Solutions

WORK ORDERS

If you can’t bring your large items to a drop-off site, you must fill out a large item work order, which will not require any recycling fees. Check out the City’s Recyclopedia for more information.

YARD WASTE COLLECTION

Yard waste collection begins the week of April 19. Yard waste is all the leaves, dead plants, and similar debris you rake or pull from your lawns or gardens.
In the spring, the Streets Division provides two curbside collection opportunities for yard waste. You will have one chance in April and another in early May.
The dates when your neighborhood should set out yard waste for pickup can be found at www.cityofmadison.com/YardWaste. Just enter your address into the form and you’ll see both the dates when you should get the yard waste out to the curb this spring.

Let the cleanup begin!

Check out Judy's Carpet Cleaning for spring cleaning!

by Beans

Mother's Day: Origins and Ideas

Mother's Day is a cherished occasion dedicated to celebrating amazing moms each year. Discover its history and get inspired with ideas for the perfect celebration!

The origin of Mother’s Day has been associated with Miss Anna M. Jarvis. Jarvis (b. May 1, 1864 – Nov. 24, 1948), an especially devoted daughter who was concerned about the neglect shown to mothers by grown children. After her own mother’s death in 1905, Jarvis grieved. The following year, she asked friends to come to her church in Grafton, West Virginia, on the first Sunday in May to commemorate the anniversary of her mother’s death. In 1907, Jarvis promoted a Mother’s Day service at the church, and she donated carnations (her mother’s favorite flower) to every mother in the congregation — though May 10, 1908 is recognized as the first official Mother’s Day celebration.
Anna Jarvis worked hard to promote the holiday, writing letters to churches, politicians, and city leaders. She had enlisted the help of John Wanamaker (the pioneer of marketing and advertising) and Henry J. Heinz (of Heinz Ketchup fame) to help her start a movement, and it worked.
Jarvis’ efforts resulted in a resolution ultimately being passed in Congress, dedicating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. By 1911, all of the states in the union had Mother’s Day proclamations. And she was very clear that the holiday was to be called “Mother’s” Day (singular) —”to honor the best mother who ever lived—yours.”
In 1915, President Woodrow Wilson declared Mother’s Day an annual national observance.
Unfortunately, as time went on, Anna M. Jarvis was disappointed by how the Mother’s Day holiday had gotten too commercial. So much so that by 1920, she started convincing people to stop buying flowers and other gifts and even going head-to-head with the floral industry and other industries who helped her initially fight for the holiday.
Her ideal gift, she thought, was to write a heartfelt letter. “Any mother would rather have a line of the worst scribble from her son or daughter than any fancy greeting card,” she said. She came to loathe the holiday until her dying day in 1948, but her holiday lives on. (Farmers Almanac).

Gift ideas

• Give Mom a chance to unwind and de-stress on her special day. This could include a spa day package, a soft-comfy bathrobe and slippers set, a scented candle gift basket, or a subscription to a meditation app.
• Upgrade Mom's tech with a new smart device, noise-canceling headphones, a fitness tracker, or a subscription to a streaming service.
• Show Mom how much you care with a thoughtful gift that's uniquely hers. Consider a custom-made photo album, a personalized mug with a heartfelt message, a piece of jewelry engraved with her initials, or a framed artwork featuring her favorite quote.
• If Mom enjoys spending time outdoors and enhancing her living space, consider a gift like a set of gardening tools, a beautiful planter with flowers, a decorative wind chime, or a stylish throw blanket.

Experiences and getaways: Create lasting memories with a shared experience like a weekend getaway, tickets to a concert or show, a cooking class, or a wine tasting.

• Plan a family outing. 
• Bake some of Mom's favorite treats. 
• Make a coupon book for Mom.
• Gift mom with a beauty hamper.
• Make a family scrapbook.
• Binge-watch a favorite TV show together.
• Give Mom a gift card to her favorite store.
• Plan a scavenger hunt.

You can write a heartfelt note with some favorite memories or qualities and a simple “thank you” would mean so much. Quality Time Together: Spend a day with your mom doing activities she loves, whether it's going for a walk, cooking a meal together, or simply chatting over a cup of tea or coffee.
Scribe Memorable Moments
Remember that time? Make sure they do, too. Write your favorite memories with your recipient on slips of paper and place them in a pretty jar with a label like "Jar of Awesome." Include some blank slips so they can continue the tradition with new memories as you make them.
Write "Just in Case" Letters
Compose a series of heartfelt letters to suit different occasions, and label them "Read this when you're feeling blue" or "Read this when you have something to celebrate." This ensures you send your loved one just the right message at just the right moment.
Help Them Make Their Home Smell Delicious
Give them the ingredients for a "simmer pot" with vanilla, lemon, rosemary, and orange zest to help them give their home a fragrant makeover. 
Typically, I like to choose at least one ingredient from each of the following categories: fruit, fresh herbs, whole spices, and baking extracts.
A simmer pot is a wonderful, natural way to make your kitchen smell fresh. If you’ve not made one before, a simmer pot is essentially stovetop potpourri that’s a naturally aromatic way to make your whole house smell amazing. Basically, it’s a large pot of water set to a low simmer with fresh ingredients like sliced citrus fruits, berries, herbs and whole spices. While most people often think of a simmer pot for fall or during the holidays, there’s truly a simmer pot for every season! And it’s a great way to get rid of “kitchen smells” if you’ve cooking something with a lingering fragrance like salmon or Brussel sprouts. Get creative!

What Can I Put In My Simmer Pot?
A good smelling simmer pot has at least three ingredients, but you can add as many things as you like! Think of it a bit like cooking when it comes to pairing complimentary scents. For instance, lemon and rosemary, or vanilla and lavender. You can have quite a bit of fun creating your own simmer pot blends. Typically, I like to choose at least one ingredient from each of the following categories: fruit, fresh herbs, whole spices, and baking extracts. Here is a list of ingredient ideas to get you started and feel free to use whatever you already have in your kitchen! We also have some recipes for you below.
RECIPE
Place 2 cups water in a 1-quart pot, boil, then add:

• 1 lemon, cut into thin slices
• 3 sprigs rosemary
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon orange zest

Reduce to a simmer and add more water to the pot as needed.
FRUIT
When it comes to fruit, stick with what is in season and pick a complimentary spice to go along with it. Citrus is great for a clean scent, while apples and cranberries can convey a coziness. As for the amount of fruit to use, I recommend using one whole fruit, cut in slices. Such as one sliced apple, or one sliced orange. For lemon and lime, you could add two or three of these sliced citrus fruits to your simmer pot. And in the case of berries, I recommend a half cup.

• oranges
• limes
• grapefruit
• lemons
• apples
• cranberries
• blackberries
• strawberries
• blueberries
• fresh or dried coconut

SPICES
Whole spices are best for a simmer pot as they hold up well to boiling. Pick a spice to compliment your fruit choice, or simply one you enjoy the scent of. Cinnamon is warm and cozy, ginger smells clean, and anise and clove give off a subtle licorice scent. 

• Whole Peppercorns
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Whole Cloves
• Star Anise
• Cardamom
• Bay Leaves
• Celery Seed
• Juniper Berries
• Ginger
• Dried Roses (available as a tea)

XTRACTS + OILS
When it comes to adding extracts or essential oils, if it is edible, you can add it to your simmer pot. You can use baking extracts or food safe essential oils. Start by adding one tablespoon of your choice of extract to your simmer pot. After it simmers for a little while, add an additional teaspoon if you’d like for the scent to be stronger.

• vanilla extract
• almond extract
• hazelnut extract
• peppermint extract
• maple extract
• lavender oil
• eucalyptus oil
• lemon extract or oil
• rosewater or rose extract

STOVETOP
Add the fruit, herbs, and spices to a large pot that is at least four quarts in size. Next, pour water into the pot and cover the ingredients with enough water that they float. Turn the stovetop heat to low and simmer for two hours. You can simmer for longer too, just check on the water and add more water each hour.
FRESH HERBS
Using fresh herbs in your seasonal simmer pot will leave a wonderfully aromatic scent in your home. Woodsy herbs, such as rosemary and oregano, hold up well to simmering. You can also use softer herbs like mint or parsley, but they wont last as long while simmering. I like to pick fresh rosemary or oregano from our yard, but in a pinch you can use dried herbs too. When deciding the amount, for fresh herbs I recommend 2-3 sprigs. And for dried herbs use a tablespoon.

• • Rosemary
  • Thyme
  • Oregano
  • Lavender
  • Sage
  • Mint
  • Parsley
  • Lemongrass

by Beans

Top Local Spots for Kid's Birthdays

Planning a Birthday Bash? Check Out These Awesome Local Party Spots!

Looking for the perfect place to celebrate your little one's special day? We've rounded up some of the best local birthday party venues that guarantee fun, excitement, and zero stress for parents! Check out indoor/outdoor venues, arts & crafts, waterparks, petting zoos and arcade games (list will be frequently updated)!

No matter what your child loves, there’s a perfect party spot waiting! Have a favorite venue? Email Beans@midwestfamilymadison.com to get it on the list!

by Beans

Easter Egg Hunts and Brunches

🌸🥚 Hop into the Fun! 🥚🌸

Spring has sprung, and that means it’s time for the ultimate Easter celebration! 🐰✨ Gather your baskets, bring your appetite, and get ready for a day filled with egg-citing surprises, delicious bites, and unforgettable memories. Whether you're on the hunt for hidden treasures, want to take pictures with the Easter Bunny and your pets, or indulging in a brunch spread fit for a bunny king, this Easter is bound to be egg-stra special! 🥂🐣

Who's ready to crack into the fun? Let’s celebrate! 🌷🍽️💛

by Beans

Staying local for Spring Break

Spring Break ideas if you want to take a day trip near home, or a stay-cation in town with pools and fun nearby.  Madison has so much to offer, be it just to blow off some excess energy, or learn about new things.

by Beans