3 min readThe new year is on the horizon, and if you’re hoping to have a home that’s on trend for 2027, Zillow’s annual home trends report is a must-read. In the newly released study, the real estate marketplace analyzed the language in millions of for-sale listings to highlight the features most likely to drive the market.
In the year ahead, all signs point to a demand for a more polished aesthetic as Americans look to bring bold color and less tech into their homes.
“Digital detox is the new luxury,” says Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert. “Homes are getting smarter, but buyers also want tech-free zones where nothing needs charging. Taken together, this data signals that buyers value homes that are functional and efficient, but still feel polished and personal.”
Read on to discover the home trends setting the scene for 2027.
Buyers Want an “Elevated” Space
The word “cozy” may be among the most common adjectives in listings, but in the new year, folks are after a more refined look. Mentions for “elevated” homes are up by 71 percent, but buyers aren’t necessarily seeking the classic midcentury modern aesthetic. The emerging design scene favors bold expressions of painted brick, board-and-batten siding, and color-drenched interiors, all refined features that make a personal statement.
The Push-Pull Between AI and Analog Homes
As the culture becomes increasingly entrenched in all things AI, some homebuyers are going all-in with tech immersion while others are begging to unplug. Mentions of AI are up a staggering 119 percent in listings, but homes that boast “digital detox” spaces are 34 percent more common than last year.
Efficiency Is Key
The market shows a decrease in the demand for sustainability features and a greater focus on home efficiency as “green” terms fall 26 percent. While you won’t see these details in listing photos, buyers are enticed by mentions of whole-home batteries, which have risen by 43 percent, water filtration systems, up by 22 percent, and radon mitigation, up by 18 percent.
Multigenerational Homes Increase Demand for Defined Spaces
While homebuyers haven’t completely abandoned the open floor plan, data shows a greater interest in defined spaces within the home as the “sandwich generation” revives the normalcy of multigenerational living. Interestingly, kitchens are not as enticing to buyers as home offices (up by 42 percent), media rooms (up by 37 percent), and nurseries (up by 9 percent) begin to demand greater focus.
Wellness Continues to Trend
This year saw an increased interest in at-home wellness features, and in 2027, the demand is only growing. Mentions of home gyms are up 18 percent, spa-inspired bathrooms have risen to 60 percent, and golf simulators are up 29 percent. Jacuzzis are fading from the design scene, replaced by cold plunge pools, with mentions rising by 44 percent.
Catios Are the Must-Have Feature
Dogs may be man’s best friend, but cats are emerging as America’s pet, as mentions of dog parks are flat and dog-grooming stations have fallen 16 percent. Meanwhile, catios, which are screened-in outdoor spaces for cats, are appearing 32 percent more in for-sale listings.
