Today’s savvy home buyers are paying more attention to kitchen and bathroom features, and new homes are reflecting their preferences. A kitchen is not only a cooking area – it is a space where people gather to create and share meals. Similarly, function and design are characteristics home buyers are looking for in bathrooms. With a variety of finishes and amenities in kitchens and bathrooms available, which features stand out for home buyers?
A recent study conducted by the National Association of Home Builders reveals what kitchen and bath features are among the most wanted this year. The survey asked first-time buyers and existing home owners to rank several kitchen and bath features based on how essential they are to make a home-purchasing decision.
When asked about kitchens, more than half of home buyers ranked walk-in pantry as the top desirable feature in the kitchen. The second most wanted kitchen feature was a double sink, followed by a table space for eating, central island and granite/natural stone countertop.
The preferred finishes for cabinets varied. More than a third of home buyers preferred a white kitchen cabinet color followed closely by medium and dark brown. Unlike kitchen cabinets, home buyers have a strong preference for type of appliance. Two-thirds of buyers say stainless steel is their preferred color. Home buyers were also decisive when it came to kitchen countertop material. A majority say granite or other natural stone is their favorite.
When it comes to the bathroom, home buyers say having a linen closet in the master bath is the most desired feature. The second most wanted feature was having both a shower stall and tub in the master bath. Other top preferences include a double vanity and private toilet compartment in the master bath. Home buyers increasingly say they want a white toilet, tub and sink.
Unlike kitchens, there were stark contrasts in bathroom feature preferences among different generations. More than a third of older home buyers age 65 or older do not want a whirlpool tub in the master bath, compared to only eight percent of buyers under 45. Similarly, a third of older home buyers do not want a skylight in the master bath, compared to 14 percent of buyers under age 45.
For more information about kitchen and bath features available in homes in the Lake Geneva area and Walworth County Wisconsin contact Lakeland Builders Association or find a member in the directory on this website.
Comments