Key Takeaways:
– Zillow has identified four wellness-related home trends for 2024: sensory gardens and pathways, cold plunge pools, pickleball courts, and murals.
– Sensory gardens and pathways are gaining popularity as homeowners prioritize functional and beautiful outdoor spaces that allow them to reconnect with nature. These gardens engage all five senses and are particularly appealing to families and work-from-home professionals.
– Cold plunge pools are a hot wellness trend, with an increasing number of listings featuring at-home cold plunge pools. They are seen as a luxury feature and are most commonly found in high-end homes.
– Pickleball courts are in high demand as the sport rises in popularity. They offer both fitness and social interaction benefits and are becoming a selling point for many homebuyers.
– Murals are becoming more common in for-sale homes as homeowners and buyers seek to personalize their spaces. Wallpaper murals are readily available and can depict a variety of scenes. They make a visual statement and can be an instant conversation starter.
– While these trends can enhance the appeal of a home, their impact on real estate value may vary. Sensory gardens and pathways, pickleball courts, and murals are seen as potential marketability enhancements, while cold plunge pools are more commonly viewed as a requirement for luxury homes.
Forbes:
A well-done mural can enhance a home’s value, but is mainly a personalization benefit of the … [+]
Zillow recently announced its six hottest home trends to watch for in 2024. Four of them are wellness related. No one should be surprised by this, as homeowners are increasingly acknowledging and appreciating the links between their living spaces and quality of life. That’s showing up in both home improvement and resale reports.
Here are the trends the real estate platform cited, and why designers and real estate professionals interviewed in writing about them agree — with a few caveats.
Sensory Gardens and Pathways
Sensory gardens, like this one in Charleston, delight multiple senses with beauty, scent and even … [+]
What Zillow reported:
“Sensory gardens have been surging in popularity, with homeowners and home buyers prioritizing functional and beautiful outdoor space as a way to reconnect with nature. Listings mentioning sensory gardens or pathways are up 314% compared to last year.”
Zillow home trends expert Amanda Pendleton ties this popular amenity to the extended time we spent at home during the pandemic increasing our passion for connecting with nature. “Sensory gardens concentrate those benefits by engaging all five senses,” she shared.
They’re appearing most often in Philadelphia and Chicago metro areas, she noted.
What Experts Say:
“The demand for sensory outdoor experiences has been growing, driven by families and work-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 Los Angeles’ Westside. She sees potential marketability enhancement from these features. “Greenery and outdoor spaces are always on the wishlist for buyers. Sensory gardens cater to a particular clientele who is aware of the wellness value these bring to their lives.”
Charleston, South Carolina-based landscape architect Glenn Gardner commented, “Sensory gardens and paths are a part of nearly all [our] projects, whether they are specifically requested or not — as I use them as a part of good design.” He includes fragrant elements like jasmine, gardenia, citrus blossoms, and tea olives. “It’s also wonderful to integrate an occasional edible like blueberries or figs along a pathway to grab a few while in the garden and eat while wandering. I am also a big fan of tucking herbs into the landscape, being able to run out and grab some sprigs of rosemary, bay leaves, thyme and oregano.”
Cold Plunge Pools
Cold plunge pools are in demand for indoor and outdoor use.
What Zillow reported:
“Cold plunge pools are the hottest wellness trend of 2024, touted by influencers as a way to improve circulation and reduce inflammation. The share of listings that feature an at-home cold plunge pool is up 130% compared to last year.”
Pendleton commented, “We typically see built-in cold plunge pools as a feature in luxury homes, but there are an increasing number of portable plunge pools now on the market. From large plug-in models to inflatable plunge pools, anyone can get the benefits of a cold-plunge pool at all different price points, making this wellness trend more accessible than ever.”
Cold plunge pools are most frequently mentioned in for-sale listings in Stamford, Connecticut and Las Vegas.
What Experts Say:
Los Angeles-based Sally Forster Jones of SFJ Group at Compass declared, “Anyone at the higher end of the market sees this as a new requirement, and if there isn’t a cold plunge, they are having one installed.”
“In recent years people seem to have the attitude that they will definitely get their money back (or perhaps more) with a tastefully designed pool,” Gardner observed. He does point out that cold plunge pools aren’t being driven by the same whole household impulses as other recreational features. “It tends to be just one family member who has embraced the therapy and wants to enjoy it at home as opposed to having to go to the gym or spa.”
Pickleball Courts
Pickleball courts are in high demand as the sport rises in popularity.
What Zillow reported:
“This fast-paced paddle sport is becoming a sought-after amenity in backyards and neighborhoods. Nationwide, pickleball mentions are up 64% compared to last year.”
“Pickleball is accessible and appealing to all ages,” Pendleton observed, noting that it offers both fitness and social interaction benefits. “With the sport’s rising popularity, a dedicated at-home or nearby neighborhood pickleball court has become a selling point for many homebuyers.”
Mentions of pickleball courts are most common in for-sale listings in Sarasota and Provo, Utah.
What Experts Say:
“As the wellness movement continues to build momentum, buyer expectations are becoming more sophisticated,” shared New York City-based real estate agent Taylor Middleton of Douglas Elliman. She serves that metro, the Hamptons, and South Florida. “My clients — in particular my international and California buyers — are prioritizing contemporary options.” She sees pickleball courts (and plunge pools) likely having the most enduring appeal and value enhancement among the four Zillow wellness trends. Ultimately, Middleton surmised, “The main resale appeal is that in time, these amenities will become buyer expectations.”
“Pickleball has definitely been a family recreation conversation,” Gardner reported, citing its physical and social benefits, as well as the fact that it takes less space than tennis. “We have clients hosting parties at home based around pickleball tournaments with groups of friends. In several cases it’s being used as a destination activity to draw friends and family over to spend time.”
It’s worth noting that the noise and lights of pickleball courts can be a negative factor for some properties and communities.
Murals
The quality of this mural work enhanced the value of a spec home with its eventual buyer.
What Zillow reported:
“Homeowners and home buyers are saying goodbye to bland in favor of personality-packed homes. Murals are showing up 18% more often in for-sale homes and they’re 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 that “Personalization is a growing trend in interiors as homeowners increasingly want their homes reflect who they are and how they live. Murals make a visual statement, create ambiance and can be an instant conversation starter.”
Murals are most commonly found in for-sale listings in McAllen, Texas and Tucson.
What Experts Say:
“When done properly, and pending the home’s target homebuyer, a mural can certainly add to a home’s appeal. Especially for a younger homebuyer,” stated Orange County, California Compass agent Todd Davis.
Architect William Court practicing in Savannah and Bluffton, South Carolina shared that, “We have used custom murals and wall coverings on a number of homes. Each one tends to present a unique point of view and is often highly personal to our clients. It is an impact statement, so it takes a certain sense of commitment on their behalf.” He does not anticipate that these design statements will benefit the home’s real estate value. “Resale did not come into the conversation, but the sense of quality and finish were certainly discussed,” he noted. He did relate that one of the projects unexpectedly became a spec house and the new owner was attracted to the hand painted panels in the study.
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Property Chomp’s Take:
A well-done mural can enhance a home’s value, but it primarily serves as a personalization benefit for the homeowner. According to Zillow, there are six hot home trends to watch for in 2024, with four of them being wellness-related. This indicates that homeowners are increasingly recognizing the importance of their living spaces in improving their quality of life. These trends are also reflected in home improvement and resale reports.
One of the trends highlighted by Zillow is the rise in popularity of sensory gardens and pathways. Homeowners and home buyers are prioritizing functional and beautiful outdoor spaces as a way to reconnect with nature. Listings mentioning sensory gardens or pathways have increased by 314% compared to last year. Sensory gardens engage all five senses and provide a tranquil environment for families and work-from-home professionals. They are particularly popular in Philadelphia and Chicago.
Cold plunge pools are another wellness trend that is gaining traction. These pools are believed to improve circulation and reduce inflammation. The share of listings featuring an at-home cold plunge pool has increased by 130% compared to last year. While they are typically found in luxury homes, there are now more portable options available at different price points. Cold plunge pools are most frequently mentioned in listings in Stamford, Connecticut and Las Vegas.
Pickleball courts are also in high demand as the sport rises in popularity. Nationwide, mentions of pickleball have increased by 64% compared to last year. The sport is accessible and appealing to all ages, providing both fitness and social interaction benefits. A dedicated at-home or neighborhood pickleball court has become a selling point for many homebuyers. Sarasota and Provo, Utah are the cities where pickleball court mentions are most common.
Lastly, murals are becoming a popular way for homeowners to add personality to their homes. Murals are showing up 18% more often in for-sale homes and are more accessible than ever, thanks to readily available wallpaper murals depicting various scenes. Personalization is a growing trend in interiors, as homeowners want their homes to reflect their identity and lifestyle. Murals make a visual statement, create ambiance, and can serve as an instant conversation starter. Murals are most commonly found in for-sale listings in McAllen, Texas and Tucson.
While these trends can enhance a home’s appeal and marketability, experts caution that their impact on the home’s real estate value may be limited. However, they do acknowledge that these trends cater to specific clientele who value wellness and personalization in their living spaces. Ultimately, the main benefit of these trends is the ability for homeowners to create a space that reflects their unique style and enhances their overall well-being.
