Nicole Shoptoshvili

Design Features Buyers Are Prioritizing

 
 

For design-savvy buyers, the question of what details are most desirable is almost too big to answer. The perfect house has it all. That said, there is a range of trends and styles that have surged to the top of must-have lists in today’s luxury real estate market.

Rather than looking at each design detail one by one, it’s helpful to take a step back and examine the broader themes that these trending spaces share. This allows agents to spot examples in every listing, finding the features that will resonate with clients.

Now more than ever, buyers are seeking spaces that can move, flex, and effortlessly transform. Doreen Trudeau, Global Real Estate Advisor with Venture Sotheby’s International Realty in Hawaii has seen multiple recent examples.

“Great rooms divided by screens to create privacy, spare bedrooms converted into offices, and areas that function as a workspace by day and a dining room by night,” lists Trudeau. “The need to create secluded workspaces, especially with more than one professional in the house, has owners repurposing nooks and closets.”

A hundred different homes will achieve modularity in a hundred different ways, from fold-out desks to retractable walls. It’s become key for agents to demonstrate to clients that they can have the best of both comfort and function.

Clark Niemeyer, a Real Estate Professional with Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty in Seattle, notes that flex spaces don’t always have to be within the main home. “There are many creative ways to achieve a dedicated workspace with under-utilized outdoor spaces. Some that I’ve seen include detached office sheds and gazebos.”

Likewise, home fitness installations can be indoor or outdoor. Exercise equipment can be stored unobtrusively until needed—but sometimes, a dedicated space is necessary. “For many buyers, finding a spot for a Peloton bike is an important consideration,” says Niemeyer.

Fluidity and continuity are as crucial as flexibility when anticipating clients’ top design desires. They are looking for their home to be functional and versatile, but above all, they want their spaces to feel connective and borderless. After being at home for so long, nobody wants to be stuck in a box.

“Buyers are looking for seamless transitions between interior and exterior areas,” explains Trudeau. “Glass doors and negligible window coverings are two ways to create the illusion of larger space.”

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