Zillow’s latest analysis of home-listing descriptions points to a 2027 design mix that pairs smart technology with places to unplug, polished styling with bold color, and practical upgrades with personal wellness. The report tracks year-over-year changes in how often features appear in listings, offering a snapshot of what sellers are choosing to highlight.
Key takeaways
Zillow’s findings suggest listing language is shifting toward efficiency, flexibility and more individualized home features.
- Mentions of AI-powered appliances rose 119%, while “spaces to unplug” climbed 34%.
- Color-drenched rooms increased 84%, and listings describing features as “elevated” rose 71%.
- Home offices, media rooms and flexible spaces gained ground as mentions of chef’s and gourmet kitchens declined.
- Multigenerational layouts, spa-inspired bathrooms and catios also featured among rising trends.
Smart homes—and spaces to switch off
Technology and a desire for time away from screens are appearing side by side. Mentions of AI-powered appliances rose 119% year over year, while references to tech-free areas increased 34%. Zillow home trends expert Amanda Pendleton said sellers and agents are increasingly drawing attention to spaces designed for unplugging, alongside practical smart-home features.
A more polished look, with bolder accents
Cozy remains a common listing descriptor, but its use fell 22%. Mentions of “eclectic” and “boho” also declined, while “elevated” styling rose 71%. Specific design details gaining visibility include color-drenched rooms, up 84%; painted brick exteriors, up 27%; and board-and-batten walls or siding, up 24%.
Efficiency takes a practical turn
Sustainability-related terms such as “green” and “sustainable” each fell 26% in listings. In their place, sellers more often highlighted systems that can improve a home’s everyday performance. Fresh-air ventilation and recirculating hot-water systems each rose 52%; whole-home batteries increased 43%. Air and water filtration, backup batteries and radon mitigation also appeared more frequently.
Flexible layouts and multigenerational living
Listings mentioning multigenerational living rose 58%. Related accessibility features also gained traction, including grab bars, up 18%, and wider doorways, up 13%. Meanwhile, home-office mentions increased 42%, media rooms rose 37% and flexible spaces climbed 35%. Chef’s and gourmet kitchens declined 21% and 15%, respectively, while references to open-concept layouts stayed steady.
Wellness and pet-friendly upgrades
The wellness features drawing more attention are shifting: spa-inspired bathrooms rose 60%, and home gyms and golf simulators increased 18% and 29%. By contrast, cold-plunge mentions fell 44%, while Jacuzzis and jetted tubs declined 9%. For pets, catios—screened outdoor areas for cats—rose 32%; dog-grooming stations fell 16%, and mentions of dog parks were unchanged.
Zillow’s figures reflect changes in listing descriptions, not a direct measure of purchases or renovation activity. Still, the shifts show which features sellers are increasingly choosing to emphasize as they market homes.