7 Popular Design Details That Make Homes Irresistible to Buyers, According to Real Estate Agents
Prospective homeowners obviously want the best, most up-to-date design features and layouts for their big investment. (They’re likely putting down their life savings and will have zero budget left over for renovations.) And no one is as familiar with what’s desirable in today’s homes than the brokers and real estate agents trying to close these deals. The agents on the ground staging spaces and fielding requests at open houses know the architectural details and interior aesthetics on every house hunter’s wish list. We turned to these pros to find out about the most coveted home features today.
From warm materials to spacious pantries, not to mention our unrelenting desire to sip rosé outdoors, here are the top design trends according to real estate agents.
Warmer Tones
Warm paint colors and wood tones in a Jersey City, New Jersey, townhouse by Mowery Marsh Architects and designer Elaine Santos.
The trend for interiors is definitely moving away from stark white and gray and toward warm woods and earthy colors, Deborah L. Rieders, a top broker at the Corcoran Group, says. “For most of our buyers now that reads as ‘very developer special,’ and they really want things that feel a little more customized and homey,” she says. To achieve this cozier feel, homeowners are opting for burnished metals like aged brass over stainless steel and splurging on custom woodwork like wood paneling and built-ins. “But it’s natural wood—not high lacquer,” Rieders stresses.
Smart Home Technology
Rebecca Donatelli, a realtor at Elite Sotheby’s International Realty in Ohio, says a really big trend she’s noticing, especially in new, high-end construction, is smart home functionality. “These newer properties all come with a little monitor that looks like an iPad and has control over every room of the house,” Donatelli says. With these devices homeowners can set the temperature, monitor home security systems, and control music, lighting, appliances, and even window treatments.
Functional Outdoor Space
An outdoor dining nook in a Texas home designed by Marie Flanigan.
Big windows, lots of natural light, and some interaction with nature is key for homeowners putting down roots. “Gardens have really increased in popularity,” Rieders, who works in New York City’s coveted Brooklyn market, says. “In the city, people really are gravitating toward having a green space. Even if they’re not using it, it’s something they can look out the window and enjoy.”
Donatelli adds that it’s not sprawling yards people are after these days—they really just want a spot outdoors to sit and relax. “Maybe there’s a fire pit, maybe there’s a kitchen for entertaining and chilling,” she says. “It’s a place to hang out and connect with friends.”
When space (and budget) allows, a seamless flow between the indoors and outdoors, such as an outdoor kitchen with a built-in barbecue, is most desirable. One feature gaining in popularity is an outdoor area with a covered aspect, like a vaulted ceiling. “Having a space that’s protected is a big deal,” Jennifer Branchini, a top realtor with Compass in California, says. “Homeowners can go out there any time of the year and maybe have a television out there to watch sporting events or a movie outside.”
A Multigenerational Layout
In communities like the Bay Area, where many homeowners belong to multigenerational families that visit for long periods of time or live together, houses with bedrooms and a full bathroom on the first floor are ideal. “This layout allows for some separation and makes it so [grandparents] don’t have to climb stairs,” Branchini says. Another popular (and higher budget) feature is an ADU or accessory dwelling unit that can be a bedroom or a tiny separate house in the backyard.
Eye-Catching Stone
Calacatta Viola marble counters and a backsplash in a Toronto kitchen designed by Sarah Birnie.
Once the epitome of luxury, white-and-gray Carrara marble is taking a backseat to more dramatic types of stone with striking veining. “We’re seeing more color, like stones that have purples, pinks, and browns,” Rieders says. One statement-making stone that’s trending is Calacatta Viola marble. Nero marquina, a black marble, is another that’s gaining traction in bathrooms. “When it’s honed, it feels more like a soapstone,” says Rieders, who is also seeing the return of soapstone and darker countertops in general. “People are taking more chances with natural stones,” she says. “But it’s always a matte finish, never shiny.”
A Big Pantry
The pantry in Toronto-based designer Allison Willson’s country house.
Whether you’re in the suburbs or in the city, a functional kitchen, starting with a pantry, is a non-negotiable. “Since Covid, people are cooking at home a lot more, and they don’t want a kitchen that just looks good,” Rieders says. They want a kitchen that’s functional. When it comes to maximum storage and organization, a walk-in pantry is preferable, Donatelli says. This space allows homeowners to hide smaller appliances like toasters and microwaves, freeing up counter space for a clutter-free look.
In addition to a pantry, some top kitchen requests are double ovens, five-burner stoves, standalone ice makers, big sinks, beverage centers, coffee bars, and two dishwashers.
A Home Office
The home office in an Upper East Side townhouse designed by Nate Berkus.
Since working from home is the new normal, a dedicated office space is very much needed for everyone’s sanity. “When people are looking for houses, they are looking for a spot outside their bedroom to have a workspace,” Branchini says. This can be an extra living space or an extra bedroom that they can turn into an office. “Sometimes they’ll convert the garage if that’s the only option.”
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