6 Home Features Buyers Are Now Avoiding, And 6 They’re Actively Chasing
The real estate game is always changing, and today’s buyers are bringing a whole new set of priorities to the table. That whirlpool tub you thought was a selling point? Might be a deal-breaker now. Meanwhile, something as simple as a smart thermostat could have buyers lining up at your door.
In this list, we’re breaking down 6 home features that are officially on the “nope” list, and 6 red-hot upgrades that have buyers saying “yes, please!” Whether you’re selling, buying, or just home-curious, this is your cheat sheet to what’s trending in 2025 home design and functionality.
Let’s dive in, your future buyers are waiting!
1. Carpeted Bathrooms Are Getting Flushed Away
Nothing says “welcome to moisture paradise” quite like soggy bathroom carpet. Buyers today run screaming from this 1970s relic faster than I dash away from polyester leisure suits.
Modern homeowners understand that bathroom carpeting is essentially a subscription service for mold growth. Though once considered luxurious underfoot, this feature now signals expensive remediation work ahead.
Want to instantly boost bathroom appeal? Rip out that carpet and install waterproof luxury vinyl or classic ceramic tile instead. Your future buyer’s toes (and nose) will thank you.
2. Dark, Cramped Kitchens Have Lost Their Flavor
Those galley kitchens where you can touch both walls while spinning like Julie Andrews? They’re about as popular as burnt toast. Today’s home shoppers crave spaces where multiple cooks won’t elbow each other into next Tuesday.
Kitchens have transformed from mere food prep zones to social hubs where life happens. Small, isolated cooking spaces with minimal counter space and poor lighting make buyers imagine frustration, not family gatherings.
Even modest homes now benefit from opening up kitchen walls where possible or adding strategic lighting to create the illusion of spaciousness.
3. Overly Personalized Color Schemes Are Painting Themselves Out
I remember my client who had a lime green dining room and purple master bath… Bless her heart, but those choices cost her $15,000 in price reductions! Bold, highly personalized color schemes now rank among buyers’ top turnoffs.
While you might adore your crimson bedroom walls or that navy blue ceiling, potential buyers see only weekend painting projects and extra expenses. Most lack the vision to see past strong colors to a home’s potential.
However boring it might seem, neutral palettes sell homes faster and for more money. Save those expressive colors for items you’ll take with you.
4. Whirlpool Tubs Are Creating Less Splash
Massive jetted tubs that dominated 1990s master bathrooms have gone the way of dial-up internet. Home purchasers increasingly view these water-guzzling giants as outdated energy hogs that collect mysterious gunk in their pipes.
Modern residents prefer the simplicity and cleanliness of walk-in showers with rainfall heads or sleek soaking tubs that don’t require an engineering degree to operate. The reality? Most whirlpool tubs become expensive laundry hampers.
If your bathroom features one of these relics, consider replacing it with a luxurious shower setup that won’t drain your water heater faster than your patience.
5. Formal Dining Rooms Are Off The Menu
Do you really need an entire room just for holiday dinners? Formal dining rooms often sit unused for 363 days a year, making them the home design equivalent of that fancy china collecting dust in a cabinet.
More and more home seekers, especially younger generations, are questioning the practicality of dedicating so much space to such occasional use.
Instead, they’re prioritizing open layouts where dining areas blend seamlessly into larger kitchens or flexible spaces that can serve multiple functions. Think home office by day, cozy dinner nook by night.
While some traditionalists still appreciate a classic dining room, the clear trend is shifting toward spaces that adapt, evolve, and actually earn their keep.
6. Tuscan-Style Kitchens Have Lost Their Sizzle
Those heavy, ornate Tuscan kitchens with their distressed finishes, elaborate scrollwork, and terracotta everything have buyers saying “arrivederci” faster than you can say “faux finish.” What once signaled luxury now screams 2005!
Dark cherry cabinets, oil-rubbed bronze fixtures, and busy granite patterns overwhelm today’s buyers who prefer cleaner lines and lighter palettes. That Tuscan-inspired kitchen might have cost a fortune 15 years ago, but now it dates your home instantly.
Thankfully, painting cabinets and swapping hardware offers a budget-friendly refresh that can transform these spaces without complete demolition.
7. Smart Home Technology Is Wiring Up Interest
Smart homes have evolved from futuristic fantasy to must-have reality faster than I can find my regular remote control! Modern home hunters increasingly expect homes to work as hard as they do.
Features like programmable thermostats, video doorbells, and integrated security systems now rank among the most desirable home upgrades. The ability to control lighting, temperature, and security from a smartphone has transformed from luxury to expectation.
Good news is that many smart home features can be added without major renovation. Even modest investments in connected devices can make your property stand out in listings and showings.
8. Energy Efficiency Features Are Generating Heat
Energy efficiency has transformed from hippie dream to mainstream must-have! Buyers increasingly scrutinize utility costs alongside mortgage payments, making features like solar panels, high-efficiency HVAC systems, and proper insulation major selling points.
With energy costs climbing faster than my cat up the curtains, homes that offer lower operating expenses through sustainable features attract premium offers. The initial investment often pays for itself through both utility savings and increased property value.
Even simple upgrades like LED lighting, programmable thermostats, and Energy Star appliances can make your listing shine brighter than your neighbor’s holiday light display.
9. Home Offices Are Working Their Way Up The Priority List
The pandemic transformed spare bedrooms across America into Zoom headquarters, and this shift isn’t temporary. Dedicated home office space now ranks among buyers’ top priorities, regardless of whether they work remotely full-time.
Even families without regular telecommuters value a designated space for managing household business, distance learning, or side hustles. The key is creating a functional workspace that doesn’t involve balancing a laptop on the kitchen counter while dodging cereal spills.
Homes lacking obvious office space can showcase flexible areas with good lighting, sufficient outlets, and enough room for essential equipment.
10. Outdoor Living Spaces Are Blooming In Popularity
Backyards have graduated from basic grass patches to outdoor sanctuaries faster than you can say “patio furniture.” People seek homes with defined outdoor living areas that essentially add square footage without adding walls.
Features like covered patios, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and thoughtfully landscaped gardens have shifted from luxury to expectation in many markets. These spaces offer the perfect compromise between being home and feeling like you’ve escaped somewhere special.
Even modest properties can capitalize on this trend with simple upgrades like defined seating areas, strategic lighting, or container gardens that create outdoor rooms.
11. Flexible Bonus Spaces Are Flexing Their Appeal
Remember when bonus rooms were just awkward spaces above garages where we banished exercise equipment to collect dust? Those days have vanished! Home hunters crave adaptable spaces that transform as readily as my mood during traffic jams.
These chameleon-like areas serve as home gyms, craft studios, playrooms, or guest quarters depending on the household’s evolving needs. Unlike single-purpose spaces, flexible rooms promise longevity through changing life stages.
Staging these areas to showcase their versatility helps buyers envision multiple possibilities rather than seeing just another bedroom or storage dump.
12. Laundry Rooms Are Cleaning Up In The Popularity Contest
Dedicated laundry rooms have transformed from utilitarian closets to sought-after sanctuaries that make weekly washing less soul-crushing. Home seekers now actively seek homes with well-designed laundry spaces that include counters for folding, storage for supplies, and maybe even space for hanging items.
The days of cramming washers and dryers into hallway closets or unfinished basements are spinning away. We all want laundry spaces that combine function with touches of style.
Even modest homes can improve their market position by carving out dedicated laundry areas with thoughtful organization systems and adequate workspace.
