Move over, chef’s kitchens. Functional outdoor space is the new must-have for 2023 home buyers, reported Zillow. Backyards are now being mentioned 22% more often in for-sale listings compared to last year, suggesting this once-overlooked area will be one of the most sought-after spaces in the coming year. The evolution of the backyard tops Zillow’s top five home trends to watch in 2023, based on Zillow’s data and analysis.
Once overshadowed by chef’s kitchens and walk-in closets, backyards are the new luxury for today’s home buyers. Backyards are now highlighted in one out of every five Zillow listing descriptions. Mentions of patios and pools also surged, up by more than 13% and 11%, respectively, in 2022.
“The rising popularity of outdoor features suggests the pandemic has changed the way we want to live for good, priming the backyard for a 2023 evolution,” said Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert. “When the pandemic forced all entertaining outdoors, homeowners reclaimed their backyards from the kids or the dogs. Now they’re rethinking how that space could serve as an extension of their home in new, creative ways.”
In 2023, look for outdoor home gyms, natural pools alive with plants, edible gardens, and outdoor rooms for dining, lounging and quiet reflection.
Other trends include kitchen islands, with mentions rising 19% on Zillow this year; mirrored walls or ceilings to make rooms feel more spacious, appearing 12% more often; private spaces such as small sitting rooms, up 7% over last year and a growing trends for homeowners under 40 to tap home equity for renovation projects.
