Homeowners expect to invest in features to make their homes more comfortable, livable and sustainable.
High style will take a back seat to comfort and calm in 2022 as homeowners invest in features and projects that foster a sense of renewal and reflect core values around sustainability and self-care, Zillow analysts predict.
Projects and features that foster a sense of well-being and create new space to relax, recharge and work comfortably from home are among the top seven home trends to watch in 2022.
“The pandemic forced a lot of people to reevaluate what’s most important in their lives and in their homes,” said Zillow home trends expert Amanda Pendleton. “For many, 2022 is the moment to start living those values. That could be investing in sustainable home features, designing a space with wellbeing in mind or leaning into comfort and function over high style.”
Zillow crunched its housing data and consulted its experts to help identify the top seven home trends to watch in the new year.
Color schemes drawn from nature
When it comes to paint colors, think greens, blues, taupes and browns drawn from nature. Colors that reflect the great outdoors such as Behr’s Breezeway, a pale silvery sage reminiscent of sea glass found on sandy beaches, will become prevalent.
Potential and recent home buyers also appear keen on colors associated with water and blue skies. Zillow’s interior paint color analysis found homes with light blue bathrooms could sell for 1.6% more than expected, or nearly $5,000 on a typical U.S. home. Homes with a bedroom painted a dark, moody blue could sell for a nearly $1,500 premium.*
Putting values into action
Sustainability is a core value for many homeowners, especially younger generations who will be seeking out home features and products in 2022 that reflect their values.
Sustainable home features such as smart lightbulbs, leak detectors and thermostats can save energy and money — and they are associated with homes that sell faster. Zillow research found that home listings with descriptions mentioning “eco,” “energy efficient” or similar terms sell more than two days faster than expected.
Listings that mention drought-resistant landscaping can sell 13 days faster, while smart sprinkler systems and energy-conserving double pane windows are associated with homes selling more than a week quicker than expected.
Old is new again
Secondhand furniture and décor will be in demand, a trend driven by supply issues and the desire to reduce waste by giving used furnishings a new life.
Younger homeowners will put a modern twist on design trends that were prominent during their childhoods. For instance, plaster finishes will replace faux paint finishes, and wallpaper will make a comeback but with bold, contemporary and geometric patterns.
Look for all-wood kitchens too, with cherry cabinets giving way to white oak.
Furnishings that feel good
Forget stiff couches, sharp angles and scratchy fabrics. With people spending more time at home, furnishings will become as comfortable and cozy as a pair of flannel pajamas.
Furniture styles are already starting to reflect an easy-on-the eye sensibility, with curved couches and rounded corners dominating the market. Nubby fabric upholstery — as opposed to leather — will be cropping up on all manner of furniture, ottomans will replace sharp-edged coffee tables, and cozy accent chairs that hug the body will become preferred sitting.
Renovations that add space
As the home continues to serve as the center of life and work for millions of remote workers, homeowners will be renovating their homes to meet new, evolving needs.
A recent Zillow survey found that nearly three in four homeowners are considering at least one improvement project in 2022. The most popular was adding or improving a home office space (31%), followed by finishing a basement or attic (23%), adding another room (23%) and putting in another dwelling unit, such as a backyard cottage or guest house (21%).
Supply disruptions in materials and labor shortages also will spur homeowners to repurpose existing spaces. For instance, expect garages to become full-scale home gyms, sheds to become home offices and closets to do double-duty as “cloffices.”
Peaceful retreats at home
Homeowners will prioritize retreats within their homes, creating spaces for meditation or reflection, reading nooks and spa-inspired bathroom escapes. Retreat features, such as a “she shed,” can help a home sell for 2.2% more than expected, while a freestanding bathtub can contribute to a home selling for a 2.6% premium.
Homeowners also will be bringing more natural light into their homes, especially home offices and common spaces, while indoor plants will retain their popularity for bringing nature indoors.
More spaces for pets
Pet ownership among recent movers soared over the past year, impacting housing decisions. Nearly three-fourths of home buyers report having at least one pet at home (73%), up from the 64% of buyers who reported having a pet in 2020, according to Zillow research.
Expect those pets to be enjoying new digs as more homeowners design their homes inside and out with their pets in mind and invest in custom feeding stations, built-in pet beds, even playrooms.
Zillow research finds homes with a doghouse often sold for more than expected last year, while homes with a fenced yard or dog run sold faster than similar homes without these features.
*Adding these design features to a home, or adding words to describe them to a for-sale listing description, does NOT guarantee or definitively cause the ultimate sale price to increase (or fall) as much as observed. Rather, it’s likely that for-sale homes with these kinds of features in their descriptions may be of generally higher quality all around (or are at least perceived to be), in ways that are difficult to observe or quantify but which tend to lead to a higher final sale price.