Page 2 - The 3 design features buyers are prioritizing in 2021 from Inman 4.12.21

A hundred different homes will achieve modularity in a hundred different ways, from fold-

out desks to retractable walls. It’s become key for agents to demonstrate to clients that
they can have the best of both comfort and function.

Clark Niemeyer, a Real Estate Professional with Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty

in Seattle, notes that flex spaces don’t always have to be within the main home. “There
are many creative ways to achieve a dedicated workspace with under-utilized outdoor

spaces. Some that I’ve seen include detached office sheds and gazebos.”

Likewise, home fitness installations can be indoor or outdoor. Exercise equipment can be
stored unobtrusively until needed—but sometimes, a dedicated space is necessary. “For

many buyers, finding a spot for a Peloton bike is an important consideration,” says

Niemeyer.

2. Openness

Fluidity and continuity are as crucial as flexibility when anticipating clients’ top design

desires. They are looking for their home to be functional and versatile, but above all, they
want their spaces to feel connective and borderless. After being at home for so long,

nobody wants to be stuck in a box.

“Buyers are looking for seamless transitions between interior and exterior areas,” explains
Trudeau. “Glass doors and negligible window coverings are two ways to create the illusion

of larger space.”

There are a number of other ways in which homes can achieve a sense of openness, and
Niemeyer points to three in particular:

• Buyers always respond well to high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. These

details provide a sense of expansiveness, even if they can’t increase square
footage.

• Properly scaling furniture and interior décor when staging can go a long way to
promoting openness. Crowding can make a decently sized room feel walled in and

closed off.
• The kitchen remains the center of activity. Many buyers tend to assess the

openness of the whole home based on how connected this room is to other spaces.