Brutalism, sensory gardens top Zillow's 2024 hottest home trends

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Oct 17, 2023, 08:00 ET

Zillow data identifies six emerging home trends, and three features heading out of style

SEATTLE, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Get ready, #hometok. Zillow is unveiling its data-driven predictions for the features and design elements poised to transform homes and dominate social media feeds in 2024. From the raw appeal of brutalist design (concrete floors, anyone?) to the delicate artistry of Murano glass chandeliers, these emerging home trends highlight new post-pandemic pastimes and a nostalgia for the design of decades past.

A living room with elements inspired by brutalist architecture. Getty images.

A Murano glass chandelier is featured in a bathroom. Getty Images.

To discern these trends, Zillow looked at nearly 300 home features and design styles mentioned in for-sale listing descriptions, then identified the keywords showing up far more frequently than a year ago.

"When certain keywords appear in a rising share of listings, it's a signal that today's home buyers may be gravitating toward those features," said Amanda Pendleton, Zillow's home trends expert. "Real estate agents are uniquely attuned to subtle changes in what buyers want, and they often get a first look at the latest and greatest features going into newly built homes. Savvy listing agents will highlight those trending, in-demand features when marketing a home for sale."

It is important to note that while the share of listings mentioning a particular trend may be growing, the absolute percentage of listings that mention these features remains very low. That's why Zillow included expert analysis along with changes in listing keyword frequency to identify the six home trends poised to make waves in the new year, and three trends heading out of style.

Trends to watch in 2024

Brutalism

Characterized by raw, exposed materials, this mid-20th-century design style is primed to continue its controversial comeback in 2024. Zillow has seen a 452% increase in the share of for-sale listings mentioning brutalist design.

Brutalist-inspired features, such as blackened steel casement windows, raw concrete floors and jagged patinated bronze light fixtures, read as modern, functional and sustainable. This style's stripped-back interiors act as a blank canvas, making them appealing to minimalists or to creative homeowners who want to furnish them according to their personal style. Those who aren't quite ready to embrace this stark style can bring in accessories such as wrought iron candleholders and tarnished brass trays to give their home a subtle edge.

Sensory gardens or pathways

Sensory gardens have been surging in popularity on Zillow, 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.

Sensory gardens are designed to engage all five senses and are believed to have therapeutic benefits. They incorporate a variety of plants, textures, colors, scents, sounds and edible elements, such as herbs or produce.

Cold plunge pools

Move over, hot tubs. 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 on Zillow that feature an at-home cold plunge pool is up 130% compared to last year.

Once an invigorating amenity reserved for spas and luxury listings, DIY-friendly cold plunge tubs are making this wellness practice accessible to almost anyone looking for a quick endorphin boost and adrenaline rush.

Pickleball courts

Game on! This fast-paced paddle sport is becoming a sought-after amenity in backyards and neighborhoods. In New York City, Zillow^® brand StreetEasy is seeing a 100% increase in the share of for-sale listings highlighting a home's proximity to public or private pickleball courts. Nationwide, pickleball mentions are up 64% on Zillow compared to last year.

"Pickleball courts have become a great selling feature because they appeal to athletes of all ages," said Joy Kim Metalios, a Zillow Premier Agent partner in Fairfield County, Connecticut. "I've seen homeowners converting their driveways into courts by using portable nets. Players with ultra-luxury homes are painting new pickleball lines on their sport courts or tennis courts. Since pickleball is such a social sport, an at-home court has become the latest entertaining feature, like an outdoor kitchen or a pizza oven."

Murano glass chandeliers

Classic Murano glass chandeliers are the ultimate bespoke light fixture. These handcrafted pieces of art from the island of Murano in Italy are reemerging as a designer favorite, channeling the glamor of decades past. These intricate, quirky and often colorful fixtures are now being featured 58% more often in listings on Zillow.

Murals

Homeowners and home buyers are saying goodbye to bland in favor of personality-packed homes. Eclectic, maximalist interiors are increasingly featuring statement-making murals that dial up the drama in a living room, dining room or bedroom. Murals are showing up 18% more often in for-sale homes on Zillow, 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.

Trends heading out in 2024

Shou sugi ban

Shou sugi ban is a traditional Japanese wood preservation technique that involves charring the wood's surface to create a blackened, weathered finish. This type of burnt-wood cladding became a mainstay of modern farmhouse design, creating a visually striking contrast against white shiplap siding.

But like shiplap, barn doors and other farmhouse fads, shou sugi ban planks may be heading out to pasture, too. There are 69% fewer for-sale listings featuring this design element on Zillow compared to last year.

The 'cloffice'

The pandemic sparked many trends — some lasting (more athleisure, please!) and others short-lived (bye-bye, bread baking). The "cloffice" appears to be among the latter. This office space created out of a closet was a trend that grew out of necessity as remote workers living in tight quarters became desperate for a quiet place to take Zoom meetings.

While some talented do-it-yourselfers were able to create beautiful, well-designed workspaces, others discovered that spending their workday in a closet was less than inspiring. Combined with the return-to-office movement, the cloffice is now appearing in 54% fewer Zillow listings. Zoom rooms are also down, by 41%, and office sheds are highlighted 31% less frequently in listing descriptions.

Tuscan kitchen

Wanderlust and pop culture sensations (ahem, "The White Lotus") sparked a wave of destination design during the pandemic. Spaces inspired by past or aspirational travels began trending as homeowners were hunkered down at home. Now that homeowners can set off on global adventures again, they may no longer be seeking Mediterranean villa vibes at home. Mentions of Tuscan kitchens are down 45% from a year ago, while all things Parisian are down 26%.

About Zillow Group:

Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: Z and ZG) is reimagining real estate to make home a reality for more and more people. As the most visited real estate website in the United States, Zillow and its affiliates help people find and get the home they want by connecting them with digital solutions, great partners, and easier buying, selling, financing and renting experiences.

Zillow Group's affiliates, subsidiaries and brands include Zillow^®; Zillow Premier Agent^®; Zillow Home Loans℠; Zillow Closing Services℠; Trulia^®; Out East^®; StreetEasy^®; HotPads^®; and ShowingTime+℠, which includes ShowingTime^®, Bridge Interactive^®, and dotloop^®.

All marks herein are owned by MFTB Holdco, Inc., a Zillow affiliate. Zillow Home Loans, LLC is an Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #10287 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). © 2023 MFTB Holdco, Inc., a Zillow affiliate.

SOURCE Zillow Group, Inc.