SEATTLE — Homeowners will blend the latest technology with nostalgic, Old-World charm to create “comfortable, sustainable and climate-resilient homes” in which whole-home batteries and EV chargers will co-exist with cozy home libraries, vintage fixtures and 19th-century sculleries.
That is the latest forecast from Seattle-based real-estate giant Zillow Group, which issued a series of predictions for the trends impacting new and remodeled homes in 2025.
“Technology has enabled homeowners to live more sustainably and more affordably,” said Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert. “Energy-efficient and
climate-resilient home features are gaining popularity as homeowners look to keep costs down.”
“At the same time,” Pendleton added, “a home is not just a checklist of practical features, it’s a ‘feeling.’ Homeowners today are looking to the past to create a sense of warmth, character and comfort in even the most high-tech environments.”
Among five emerging home trends identified by Zillow were:
- Electric features: Today’s homeowners are looking to reflect their personal values, seeking homes with sustainable and environmentally friendly features. Mentions of whole-home batteries, which store excess energy from solar panels, have surged by 62% since last year. Solar panels are also appearing more often in for-sale listings, as are the terms “sustainable” and “green.” In addition, electric vehicle (EV) chargers are appearing in 34% more for-sale listings today than a year ago.
- Cozy vibes: Home buyers are embracing smaller, cozier spaces for affordability and sustainability, and rejecting the cavernous open floor plans and pandemic-era need for additional space, Zillow said. The “great room” has been replaced by smaller, cozier, color-saturated rooms that serve a specific purpose, the company added.
- Old-World comeback: 2025 “is set to go ‘full granny,’ with floral patterns, tapestries, antique furnishings and chintz making a strong return,” Zillow said, noting that nostalgia is a growing trend. Additionally, bibliophilic decor and home libraries are on the rise, while the Victorian-era scullery – a second, or “back kitchen” – is also making a comeback, the company noted.
- Climate resiliency: With climate-related disasters becoming more frequent, home buyers and sellers are highlighting features that offer some degree of protection. Zillow found that 86% of recent home buyers say it’s “very important” that a home have at least one
climate-resilient feature, including flood barriers, seismic retrofitting, water-catchment systems and drought-resistant turf yards. - Spa-inspired wet rooms: This upscale design element – which combines the shower and bathtub into one waterproof space without the usual shower curb or enclosure – is part of a growing emphasis on wellness design,” Pendleton said.