Organic modernism goes mainstream: Nature-inspired design helps homes sell for $12,500 more

Rhea-AI Summary

Zillow's latest research reveals that homes featuring nature-inspired design elements command significant price premiums in today's market. Organic modernism has emerged as a dominant trend, with specific features driving higher sale prices:

Properties with soapstone countertops sell for a 3.5% premium ($12,500 on a typical U.S. home), while white oak floors add 3.2%, and Venetian plaster walls contribute 3.0% to the sale price. The study also highlights the continued importance of outdoor living spaces, with features like outdoor showers (2.8% premium), outdoor kitchens (2.2%), and bluestone patios (2.2%) boosting home values.

The analysis, based on over 2 million home listings in 2024, examined more than 350 listing keywords. Notably, soapstone outperforms quartz countertops (3.5% vs 2.6%), and wet rooms command a 3.3% premium compared to spa-inspired bathrooms at 0.6%.

Positive

• Nature-inspired design features boost home values by up to 3.5%
• Soapstone countertops add $12,500 premium to typical U.S. home value
• Multiple outdoor features contribute to increased home values
• Listing on MLS can prevent 1.5% value loss

Negative

• Traditional features like quartz countertops showing lower premiums than newer alternatives
• Spa-inspired bathrooms only add minimal 0.6% value premium

New Zillow research identifies the serene and sophisticated finishes that boost a home's sale price

• Homes sell for more when they have soapstone countertops (3.5% sale premium), white oak floors (3.2%) and Venetian plaster walls (3.0%). 
• Buyers pay more for functional outdoor features, such as an outdoor shower (2.8%), outdoor kitchen (2.2%) and bluestone patio (2.2%). 
• Sellers can boost their sale price even more by maximizing exposure and choosing the best time to sell.

SEATTLE, March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today's home buyers are willing to pay more for homes with bold, nature-inspired design choices. New Zillow® research finds that homes with statement finishes and natural materials such as soapstone and onyx, herringbone-patterned and cork floors, and Venetian plaster walls sell for as much as 3.5% more than expected. That's an additional $12,500 on a typical U.S. home. 

"Organic modernism is the new modern farmhouse," said Zillow's home trends expert Amanda Pendleton. "The contemporary look of homes today is characterized by natural stone, wood flooring and cabinetry, and textured walls. Buyers are seeking out and competing for homes with these raw but refined finishes, and that's pushing up sale prices." 

These new materials are boosting resale values more than old favorites. Soapstone outperforms quartz as the countertop material of choice, contributing to a sale premium of 3.5% versus 2.6% for quartz. And a wet room is now more desirable than other spa-inspired bathroom features. Having a wet room, which is a fully waterproofed space, can help a home sell for an additional 3.3%, compared to 0.6% more for a spa-inspired bathroom. 

Homes with functional outdoor space continue to sell for more, cementing a pandemic-era shift in home preferences. Listings that mention an outdoor shower sell for 2.8% more than similar homes, while outdoor kitchens and bluestone patios can both help boost resale value by 2.2%. 

A previous Zillow report showed remodeled homes commanded the highest sale premiums of all the keywords analyzed, selling for nearly 4% more than expected (3.7%). Buyers appear willing to pay more upfront for a move-in-ready home rather than take out a higher-interest loan or pay cash to cover the rising costs of a renovation. 

Zillow conducted this analysis by looking for the presence of more than 350 listing keywords across more than 2 million homes listed for sale in 2024. Sale price premiums were calculated by comparing the home's final sale price with its the pre-listing Zestimate, controlling for factors such as the home's age, size and when it was listed. 

Homeowners looking to sell for top dollar this spring will want to highlight these home features in their listing if they've got them. Keep in mind that this analysis did not examine the ROI of installing any of these individual features solely for resale. Instead, these features should be viewed as signals about the perceived quality of a home and everything else it has going for it. For example, an outdoor shower could signal that a home is near the beach or has a pool, and that may be what's ultimately driving up the sale price.

Sellers who don't have these specific features in their home can still maximize their resale value in other ways. They should aim to get the most eyeballs on their home by ensuring their agent lists it for sale on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) right away. Zillow data finds sellers typically lose 1.5% — or about $5,000 — when they sell off the MLS. And if they have the flexibility to sell when the timing is most advantageous, recent Zillow research shows homes that are listed for sale in the second half of May can sell for 1.6% more. Zillow has more than a dozen other seller strategies that can help a homeowner boost their bottom line. 

Top 20 features that sell a home for more than expected 

Feature	Sale price premium
Remodeled	3.7 %
Soapstone	3.5 %
Wet room	3.3 %
White oak floor	3.2 %
Teak	3.1 %
Venetian plaster	3.0 %
Outdoor shower	2.8 %
Renovated	2.7 %
New appliances	2.7 %
Dock	2.7 %
Quartz	2.6 %
Herringbone floor	2.6 %
Onyx	2.3 %
ADU	2.2 %
Walnut cabinets	2.2 %
Outdoor kitchen	2.2 %
Pot filler	2.2 %
Bluestone (patio)	2.2 %
Cork floor	2.1 %
Ice machine	2.0 %

About Zillow Group
Zillow Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: Z and ZG) is reimagining real estate to make home a reality for more and more people. As the most visited real estate website in the United States, Zillow and its affiliates help people find and get the home they want by connecting them with digital solutions, dedicated partners and agents, and easier buying, selling, financing and renting experiences. 

Zillow Group's affiliates, subsidiaries and brands include Zillow®, Zillow Premier Agent®, Zillow Home Loans℠, Trulia®, Out East®, StreetEasy®, HotPads®, ShowingTime+℠, Spruce® and Follow Up Boss®. 

All marks herein are owned by MFTB Holdco, Inc., a Zillow affiliate. Zillow Home Loans, LLC is an Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #10287 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). © 2023 MFTB Holdco, Inc., a Zillow affiliate.

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SOURCE Zillow Group, Inc.

FAQ

How much more do homes with soapstone countertops sell for according to Zillow (Z)?

Homes with soapstone countertops sell for 3.5% more than expected, equivalent to a $12,500 premium on a typical U.S. home.

What premium do outdoor features add to home values in Zillow's (Z) 2024 study?

Outdoor showers add 2.8%, while outdoor kitchens and bluestone patios each add 2.2% to home values.

When is the best time to list a home for maximum value according to Zillow (Z)?

Homes listed in the second half of May can sell for 1.6% more than other times.

How much value do sellers lose when selling off MLS according to Zillow (Z)?

Sellers typically lose 1.5% (about $5,000) when selling off the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

What premium do wet rooms add to home values in Zillow's (Z) research?

Wet rooms add a 3.3% premium to home values, significantly outperforming spa-inspired bathrooms at 0.6%.