A well-made mural can increase the value of a home, but above all it is an advantage in personalizing the home. … [+]
Zillow recently announced its six hottest interior trends to watch in 2024. Four of them are related to wellness. This should come as no surprise to anyone, as homeowners increasingly recognize and appreciate the connections between their living spaces and quality of life. This shows up in home improvement and resale reports.
Here are the trends cited by the real estate platform and why designers and real estate professionals interviewed in writing about them agree – with a few caveats.
Sensory gardens and trails
Sensory gardens, like the one in Charleston, delight multiple senses with their beauty, scents and even … [+]
What Zillow reported:
“Sensory gardens are growing in popularity, with homeowners and homebuyers prioritizing functional and beautiful outdoor spaces as a way to reconnect with nature. Ads mentioning sensory gardens or trails are up 314% from last year.
Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert, links this popular amenity to the extended time we’ve spent at home during the pandemic, increasing our passion for connecting with nature. “Sensory gardens concentrate these benefits by appealing to the five senses,” she explained.
They appear most often in the Philadelphia and Chicago metropolitan areas, she noted.
What the experts say:
“Demand for outdoor sensory experiences is growing, driven by families and working-from-home professionals who value both educational outdoor spaces for children and a tranquil environment to offset home offices,” noted Megan Majd with Compass on the Westside of Los Angeles. She sees a potential improvement in the market value of these features. “Greenery and outdoor spaces are always on buyers’ wish lists. Sensory gardens are aimed at a particular clientele, aware of the value of well-being that they bring to their lives.
Landscape architect based in Charleston, South Carolina Glenn Gardner commented: “Sensory gardens and trails are part of almost every [our] projects, whether specifically requested or not, because I use them as part of good design. It includes scent elements like jasmine, gardenia, citrus flowers and tea olives. “It’s also wonderful to occasionally include an edible like blueberries or figs along a path to grab a few from the garden and eat as you walk. I also love planting herbs in the landscape, being able to run around and grab sprigs of rosemary, bay leaves, thyme and oregano.
Cold pools
Cold plunge pools are in high demand for both indoor and outdoor use.
What Zillow reported:
“Chill pools are the hottest wellness trend of 2024, touted by influencers as a way to improve circulation and reduce inflammation. The share of ads offering a cold plunge pool at home is up 130% compared to last year.
Pendleton commented: “We typically think of built-in cold plunge pools as a feature of luxury homes, but there are now a growing number of portable plunge pools on the market. From large rechargeable models to inflatable pools, everyone can enjoy the benefits of a cold pool at every price point, making this wellness trend more accessible than ever.
Cold pools are most frequently mentioned in sales listings in Stamford, CT and Las Vegas.
What the experts say:
Based in Los Angeles Sally Forster Jones of the SFJ Group at Compass said: “Everyone at the high end of the market sees this as a new requirement, and if there’s no cold drop, they have one installed. »
“In recent years, people seem to think they will definitely get their money back (or maybe more) with a tastefully designed pool,” Gardner observed. He points out that cold pools are not driven by the same family impulses as other recreational facilities. “It’s usually just one family member who has embraced therapy and wants to enjoy it at home rather than having to go to the gym or spa.”
Pickleball courts
Pickleball courts are in high demand as the sport grows in popularity.
What Zillow reported:
“This fast-paced paddle sport is becoming a sought-after amenity in backyards and neighborhoods. Nationally, mentions of pickleball increased 64% from last year.
“Pickleball is accessible and engaging for all ages,” Pendleton observed, noting that it offers both fitness and social interaction benefits. “With the growing popularity of the sport, a dedicated pickleball court at home or in the neighborhood has become a selling point for many buyers.”
Mentions of pickleball courts are most common in listings for sale in Sarasota and Provo, Utah.
What the experts say:
“As the wellness movement continues to gain momentum, buyer expectations are becoming more and more sophisticated,” said the New York-based real estate agent. Taylor Middleton by Douglas Elliman. It serves this metro, the Hamptons and South Florida. “My clients, especially my international and California buyers, prioritize contemporary options.” She considers pickleball courts (and plunge pools) probably to have the most lasting appeal and added value among Zillow’s four wellness trends. Ultimately, Middleton surmised that “the main appeal of resale is that over time these amenities will become buyers’ expectations.”
“Pickleball is definitely a recreational family conversation,” Gardner said, citing its physical and social benefits, as well as the fact that it takes up less space than tennis. “We have clients who organize parties at home around pickleball tournaments with groups of friends. In many cases, it is used as a destination activity to attract friends and family to spend time.
It should be noted that noise and lighting from pickleball courts can be a negative factor for some properties and communities.
Murals
The quality of this wall work enhanced the value of a specific home to its prospective buyer.
What Zillow reported:
“Homeowners and homebuyers are saying goodbye to bland homes in favor of homes full of personality. Murals are appearing 18% more often in homes for sale and are more accessible than ever. Wallpaper murals are now readily available and depict all types of scenes, from large-scale landscapes to modern botanicals.
Pendleton commented: “Personalization is a growing trend in interiors, as homeowners increasingly want their homes to reflect who they are and how they live. Murals make a visual statement, create ambiance and can spark instant conversation.
Murals are most commonly found in listings for sale in McAllen, Texas and Tucson.
What the experts say:
“When done correctly and with the home’s target buyer in mind, a mural can certainly add to the curb appeal of a home. Especially for a young home buyer,” said Orange County, CA agent Compass. Todd Davis.
Architect William Court practicing in Savannah and Bluffton, South Carolina, said, “We have used custom wall paints and wall coverings on a number of homes. Each tends to present a unique perspective and is often very personal to our clients. This is an impact statement, so it requires a certain sense of commitment on their part. He doesn’t expect these design statements to benefit the home’s real estate value. “Resale didn’t come into the conversation, but the feeling of quality and finish was certainly discussed,” he noted. He said one of the projects unexpectedly became a specific house and the new owner was attracted by the hand-painted panels in the study.