Real estate expert reveals the most in-demand home features and decor for 2024

New data has revealed the most in-demand home features and interior design trends in every state, according to searches made by prospective buyers.

New data compiled by a real estate expert identifies the home features and interior design choices homebuyers searched for the most last year
The findings analyze nationwide and state Google searches for terms related to sought-after home features and interior design elements
Across the US, the most in-demand features were ceiling fans, kitchen islands, and solar panels, while the top design choice was a framed TV
The expert reveals the quick home upgrades you should prioritize ahead of spring, as that’s generally the best time to list your house for sale

The findings, compiled by real estate experts Agent Advice, follow an analysis of home-related Google searches made nationwide and, in each state, last year, to identify which features and design elements attract the most attention from homebuyers.

The data found that the most popular home feature in the US is ceiling fans, attracting an average of 68.5 monthly Google searches per 100k of the population.

This is good news for the reported 70% of households with ceiling fans (Energy Information Administration). However, it suggests that properties that don’t have ceiling fans fitted may prove a dealbreaker for prospective buyers who aren’t planning on installing their own.

The second most sought-after feature is a kitchen island, with an average of 61.7 monthly searches per 100k residents. This may be due to practical benefits such as more storage space and extra countertop space and their appeal to fans of a farmhouse aesthetic.

Following as the third most worthwhile feature for prospective sellers to invest in is solar panels, attracting an average of 56.5 searches per 100k residents each month.

Solar panels reduce electricity bills, benefit the environment, and increase a home’s overall value, with demand rising due to an increased focus on sustainability. According to a report from Zillow, homes with solar energy systems sell for around 4.1% more than those without.

Also among the most coveted features were quartz countertops (48.2 average monthly searches per 100k), a stackable washer and dryer (38.5), and a farmhouse sink (24.7).

The top ten most searched-for home features in the US

	Home Feature	Average Monthly Google Searches per 100k		Home Feature	Average Monthly Google Searches per 100k
1	Ceiling Fans	68.5	6	Stackable Washer Dryer	38.5
2	Kitchen Island	61.7	7	Granite Countertops	33.3
3	Solar Panels	56.5	8	Hardwood Flooring	29.0
4	Quartz Countertops	48.2	9	Farmhouse Sink	24.7
5	Vinyl Flooring	43.4	10	Skylights	22.0

On the other end of the scale, the home features that prospective homebuyers are least swayed by were a freestanding bath (0.3 monthly searches per 100k residents), ceramic flooring (0.49 searches per 100k), and a master suite (0.56 searches per 100k).

But it’s not just features that increase the appeal of a home – how it’s decorated does, too, and it’s clear that some design choices prove more enticing to homebuyers than others.

The data reveals that the most attractive is a framed TV, which is when a picture frame is placed around the screen so that still images look like framed art. They are particularly popular on TikTok and are searched for an average of 26.9 searches monthly (per 100k).

TikTok has also influenced the second most popular design element, with disco balls attracting 21 monthly searches per 100k residents. Statement pendant lights are also sought-after, with an average of 19 searches made each month.

Meanwhile, pastel furniture is among the least popular design choices over the last year, with just 0.09 monthly searches made per 100k. And despite being a new trend in 2023, scalloped furniture hasn’t struck a chord with homebuyers, with just 0.1 monthly searches.

The top ten most searched-for interior design choices in the US

Home Feature	Average Monthly Google Searches per 100k		Home Feature	Average Monthly Google Searches per 100k
1	Framed TV	26.9	6	Accent Wall	15.4
2	Disco Balls	21.3	7	Hanging Plants	11.7
3	Pendant Lights	18.8	8	Farmhouse Decor	9.5
4	Minimalism	18.8	9	Wallpaper Murals	8.3
5	Neon Signs	15.6	10	Gallery Wall	8.2

As well as looking at which home features and design trends dominated searches in 2023, the data also identifies which see a surge in interest over spring (March, April, May), which is generally regarded as the best time of year to sell a property.

Demand for skylights increases by 11% at this time of year, rising from an average of 22.0 searches monthly per 100k residents to 24.4 searches. This may be because the additional daylight spring brings prompts homebuyers to prioritize natural lighting more than before.

Interestingly, neutral-toned decor saw a slight drop in demand in spring compared to the rest of the year, decreasing from an average of 1 monthly search per 100k residents to just 0.9 (a 10% decrease) – perhaps because homebuyers want pops of color to match the springtime.

Speaking on the findings, Chris Heller, Co-founder of Agent Advice, said: “As we fast approach the best time of year to sell your home, we recommend that you consider quick and cost-effective upgrades to your decor and property features to boost the appeal.

“It’s positive that the most coveted home feature is ceiling fans, as many homes are already equipped with these – and they’re fairly easy to install yourself if you don’t already have them fitted. Other desirable upgrades that shouldn’t prove too intensive include adding a gallery wall, hanging up some plants, and incorporating earth tones over bright or pastel colors.

“While prospective buyers will unlikely expect your house to fit their wants perfectly, making these small changes can help them envision the property as their next home and help you stand out in what will likely be a very competitive market this year. The same goes for landlords or Airbnb owners looking to increase interest on a short-term scale.”

Data: Data is gathered from Google Keyword Planner, which shows the total search volume behind 80 analyzed keywords across the US and each state throughout 2023. Searches were then scaled against the population to determine interest per 100k residents.