Backyards Are the Top Home-Selling Feature in 2023, According to Zillow

Move over, chef’s kitchens and walk-in closets. According to Zillow’s recent report of the top five home trends to watch in 2023, functional outdoor space is the number one must-have for 2023 home buyers.

Examining listing descriptions for over 200 home features, the real estate marketplace’s team found that backyards are being mentioned 22 percent more often in for-sale listings compared to last year. Patios and pools have also seen a mentions boost in home listings, at 13 percent and 11 percent, respectively. In other words, sprucing up your outdoor space could make a big difference in today’s market. 

“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,” Amanda Pendelton, Zillow’s home trends expert, said in a press release announcing the report. “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.”

Looking to sell your home or simply enjoy your outdoor space more? There are plenty of things you can do to get the most out of your backyard, from adding edible gardens and outdoor dining rooms to investing in outdoor home gyms and meditation areas.

However, backyards aren’t the only major home features set to dominate this year. Floor plans designed for privacy ranked second in Zillow’s report, with mentions of “privacy” or “private spaces” up 7 percent. To see this trend in action, look for cozy enclosed spaces with bold colors, and strategically placed shelving and furniture which create private nooks.

Other anticipated 2023 trends include mirrored walls  (up 12 percent), spacious kitchen islands (19 percent), and repurposed older materials.

You can learn more and read Zillow’s full 2023 home trends report here.